Let's be real: Hulu is kind of the forgotten middle child of streaming services when it comes to teen content. Netflix gets all the buzz with its YA originals, Disney+ has the family-friendly lock, and meanwhile Hulu is over here with a genuinely solid catalog that somehow flies under the radar.
The thing about Hulu is that it's a bit of a mixed bag—which is both good and complicated for parents. You've got everything from network TV comfort shows to edgy originals to anime to documentaries. Unlike Disney+ where you can basically let your kid loose, Hulu requires more curation. But that's also why we're here.
So let's talk about what's actually worth watching, what the content concerns are, and how to navigate this with your teen without being the fun police.
Abbott Elementary (Ages 12+)
This mockumentary-style sitcom about underfunded Philadelphia public schools is genuinely hilarious and surprisingly wholesome. It's got sharp writing, diverse characters, and honestly? It's one of the few shows that both you and your teen will actually enjoy watching together. There's some mild language and adult humor, but nothing that'll make you dive for the remote. Plus, it might spark some interesting conversations about education, community, and what teachers actually deal with.
The Bear (Ages 16+)
Okay, hear me out. Yes, this show about a fine-dining chef returning to run his family's Chicago sandwich shop has more F-bombs than a Tarantino film. Yes, it deals with grief, anxiety, and family dysfunction. But for older teens (think 16+), this is actually incredible television that shows the reality of work, ambition, mental health, and what it means to pursue excellence. The caveat: you need to watch it with them or at least be ready for conversations. This isn't background noise—it's intense, beautiful, and very adult in its themes.
Only Murders in the Building (Ages 13+)
Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez solve murders in their Manhattan apartment building while making a true-crime podcast. It's clever, funny, and genuinely suspenseful without being graphic. There's some language and adult themes (murder, obviously), but it's more Clue than CSI. Great for teens who love mystery or true crime but aren't quite ready for the really dark stuff.
The Handmaid's Tale (Ages 17+ and proceed with caution)
Look, I'm putting this here because teens are watching it, and we need to talk about it. This dystopian drama about a totalitarian society where women are enslaved for reproduction is powerful, important television. It's also deeply disturbing, violent, and deals with sexual assault and trauma. If your older teen is watching this, they shouldn't be doing it alone. This is a "watch together and process together" situation, and honestly, some 17-year-olds still aren't ready for it. Know your kid.
Pen15 (Ages 14+)
Two adult women play 13-year-old versions of themselves in this cringe-comedy about middle school in the year 2000. It's awkward, it's honest, and it captures that specific hell of early adolescence perfectly. There's sexual content (mostly kids being confused and awkward about it), language, and some drug references. But for teens who've survived middle school, this can actually be cathartic and spark good conversations about peer pressure and growing up.
Sometimes your teen just wants something easy. Here's what works:
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Ages 12+): Workplace comedy about detectives that's genuinely funny and surprisingly progressive
- Bob's Burgers (Ages 10+): Animated family sitcom that's actually about a functional, loving family (wild, right?)
- Futurama (Ages 13+): Animated sci-fi comedy that's clever without being mean
- The Great (Ages 15+): Historical satire about Catherine the Great that's witty and irreverent (language and sexual content, but in a "Bridgerton" kind of way)
The biggest challenge with Hulu isn't the shows themselves—it's that Hulu doesn't have robust parental controls like other platforms. You can create profiles, but there's no PIN protection for mature content. Your 13-year-old with access to Hulu technically has access to everything from Bob's Burgers to American Horror Story.
Here's what you can do:
- Create separate profiles and have a conversation about what's on/off limits
- Check viewing history regularly (it's under Account > Watch History)
- Consider Hulu's "Kids Profile" for younger siblings, though it's pretty limited
- Use screen time controls at the device level if you need harder boundaries
The other thing: Hulu has ads on the cheaper tier, and those ads aren't always age-appropriate even when watching kid-friendly content. If you can swing it, the ad-free tier is worth it for teens.
Instead of: "You can only watch shows I approve."
Try: "Let's look at Hulu together and figure out what makes sense. I need to know what you're watching and be able to check in about content that might be intense."
Give them agency: "If you want to watch something that's rated TV-MA, let's talk about it first. Tell me why you're interested, and we'll figure it out together."
Make it reciprocal: "I'll watch a few episodes of what you're watching, and you can ask me questions about anything that comes up."
The goal isn't to be the content police—it's to be a guide. Teens are going to encounter mature content. The question is whether they're processing it alone or with your support.
Hulu has legitimately great content for teens, but it requires more parental involvement than other platforms. The lack of strong parental controls means you're relying more on communication and trust than technological barriers.
Start here:
- Sit down with your teen and browse Hulu together
- Agree on 3-5 shows that are green-lit
- Establish that anything new needs a conversation first
- Check in regularly about what they're watching and what they think about it
And honestly? If you're looking for something to watch with your teen that isn't painful, start with Abbott Elementary or Only Murders in the Building. Shared media experiences are underrated.
Want more specific recommendations? Check out our guides on best Netflix shows for teens and how to talk to teens about mature content.
Or ask our chatbot about specific shows
you're wondering about—we can help you figure out if something's a fit for your family.