Caught the Travel Bug: Best Movies Made in Europe on Hulu That Ignited My Wanderlust in May 2024

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Written By Lori C.

Lori C. writes about movies, TV shows, and the latest updates from the world of entertainment. She studied Film and Television many years ago at university and uses her knowledge to dissect the newest releases. When not in front of a laptop, she wanders around various European cities with a backpack and a little dog.

Among the thousands of titles Hulu hosts, there’s a special corner dedicated to Old World cinema. Filmed among the enchanting landscapes and cobblestone streets of ancient and medieval cities, the movies on this list have that unique Hollywood Meets Europa feel. 

Whether you’re a fan of stirring dramas, heartwarming comedies, or mind-bending thrillers, grab your silver passport (aka. your TV remote), hit play, and let the magic of European elegance take you across the Atlantic. Here is the crème de la crème of European movies streaming on Hulu, according to IMDB.

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) – 8/10

Will Smith and Jaden Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Image credit: Zade Rosenthal – © 2006 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc
  • Director: Gabriele Muccino
  • Starring: Will Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Jaden Smith

Official synopsis: Based on a true story, Christopher Gardner invests in a failing bone density scanner business, leading to financial ruin and homelessness. He takes an unpaid stockbroker internship, struggling to provide for his son and secure a better future. Gardner faces a 6-month training challenge to outshine competitors and sell his devices.

Shaun of the Dead (2004) – 7.9/10

Nick Frost and Simon Pegg in Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Image credit: Universal Pictures via IMDb
  • Director: Edgar Wright
  • Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield

Official synopsis: Shaun of the Dead offers a refreshing take on the zombie apocalypse. Watch Shaun, a regular guy, attempt to turn his luck around by saving the day and repairing his love life amidst chaos.

Mr. Nobody (2009) – 7.7/10

Jared Leto in Mr. Nobody (2009)
Image credit: © 2013 – Magnolia Pictures
  • Director: Jaco Van Dormael
  • Starring: Jared Leto, Sarah Polley, Diane Kruger

Official synopsis: In 2092, Nemo Nobody, the last remaining mortal at 118 years old in a world of immortality, grants an interview to chronicle his extraordinary life. Yet, his narratives weave a perplexing web of parallel stories, raising questions about his ability to exist in multiple places simultaneously.

The Lego Movie (2014) – 7.7/10

Will Arnett, Elizabeth Banks, and Chris Pratt in The Lego Movie (2014)
Image credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Picture – © 2014 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
  • Directors: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
  • Starring: Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks

Official synopsis: This 3D animated adventure traces the story of an ordinary Lego mini-figure who unexpectedly becomes the savior of the Lego world. Join Emmet and his crew on their quest to thwart the wicked Lord Business.

The Guilty (2018) – 7.5/10

Jakob Cedergren in The Guilty (2018)
Image credit: © Nikolaj Møller
  • Director: Gustav Möller
  • Starring: Jakob Cedergren, Jessica Dinnage, Omar Shargawi

Official synopsis: Alarm dispatcher Asger Holm receives a distress call from a kidnapped woman, sparking a frantic search. Armed only with his phone, Asger races against time to rescue her. However, as the situation unravels, he discovers a sprawling crime beyond his initial grasp, propelling him into a high-stakes battle against the clock to save the imperiled woman.

Riders of Justice (2020) – 7.5/10

Lars Brygmann, Mads Mikkelsen, and Andrea Heick Gadeberg in Riders of Justice (2020)
Image credit: © Rolf Konow
  • Director: Anders Thomas Jensen
  • Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Andrea Heick Gadeberg

Official synopsis: Markus, a dedicated military serviceman on deployment, is abruptly summoned back home following his wife’s death in a train accident. While initially perceived as an unfortunate happenstance, evidence emerges suggesting a chilling possibility: his wife’s demise might have been a calculated assassination.

Waking Ned (1998) – 7.3/10

Ian Bannen, David Kelly, Susan Lynch, and James Nesbitt in Waking Ned (1998)
Image credit: 20th Century Studios via IMDb
  • Director: Kirk Jones
  • Starring: Ian Bannen, David Kelly, Fionnula Flanagan

Official synopsis: When Ned Devine wins the national lottery, his overwhelming joy leads to a sudden, ironic demise. In the picturesque Irish village of Tully More, word spreads rapidly about the win but not Ned’s passing. With lottery officials closing in, Ned’s friends concoct a plan to preserve the prize in his memory.

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (2007) – 7.3/10

Ethan Hawke and Philip Seymour Hoffman in Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)
Image credit: ThinkFilm, Capitol Films via IMDb
  • Director: Sidney Lumet
  • Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Albert Finney

Official synopsis: Two brothers facing financial troubles hatch the risky plan to rob their parent’s jewelry store. The heist triggers a chain reaction of family dynamics, buried secrets, and escalating chaos that threatens to dismantle their lives.

Labyrinth (1986) – 7.3/10

Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie in Labyrinth (1986)
Image credit: © 1986 The Jim Henson Company
  • Director: Jim Henson
  • Starring: David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud

Official synopsis: Forced to babysit her stepbrother, Toby, Sarah’s frustration leads her to wish him away. Her wish is granted when Goblin King Jareth whisks Toby to his labyrinthine castle. Sarah regrets her wish and pleads for Toby’s return, only to learn she must rescue him by midnight. With newfound allies, Sarah embarks on a quest against time to save Toby from the Goblin King’s clutches.

Pusher II (2004) – 7.3/10

Mads Mikkelsen in Pusher II (2004)
Image credit: Magnolia Pictures via IMDb
  • Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
  • Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Leif Sylvester, Anne Sørensen

Official synopsis: Tony, fresh out of prison, grapples with reclaiming his life amidst a flurry of obstacles. From a scornful father to problematic friendships and unexpected paternity claims, it’s a rollercoaster ride of trials and triumphs.

Pusher (1996) – 7.3/10

Kim Bodnia and Mads Mikkelsen in Pusher (1996)
Image credit: Balboa Entertainment via IMDb
  • Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
  • Starring: Kim Bodnia, Zlatko Buric, Laura Drasbæk

Official synopsis: Drug pusher Frank skates on thin ice after a deal goes south. Trapped in a dangerous debt with a menacing supplier, his quest for cash takes him deep into Copenhagen’s dark side.

Pusher 3 (2005) – 7.3/10

Zlatko Buric and Zinedine Gaceb in Pusher III (2005)
Image credit: Magnolia Pictures via IMDb
  • Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
  • Starring: Zlatko Buric, Marinela Dekic, Slavko Labovic

Official synopsis: Pusher 3 follows Milo, a charismatic Serbian cook and Copenhagen drug lord, as he juggles his daughter’s birthday, rehab, and a drug deal that spirals out of control. It’s an intense, edge-of-your-seat saga.

Viva (2015) – 7.2/10

Héctor Medina in Viva (2015)
Image credit: IMDb
  • Director: Paddy Breathnach
  • Starring: Héctor Medina, Jorge Perugorría, Luis Alberto García

Official synopsis: Join the emotional journey of Viva, where Jesus’ dreams of becoming a drag performer are disrupted by the return of his former boxer father, Angel. In the middle of their conflicting hopes and expectations, they find their way to understanding and reconnection.

The Death of Stalin (2017) – 7.2/10

Jason Isaacs and James Cox in The Death of Stalin (2017)
Image credit: Gaumont, Entertainment One Films via IMDb
  • Director: Armando Iannucci
  • Starring: Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Jeffrey Tambor

Official synopsis: In 1953, the sudden death of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin triggered a feverish wave of paranoia and power struggles among the high-ranking Council of Ministers. As they vie for control, alliances shatter, and the ruthless game of manipulation unfolds, leaving even the feared Lavrenti Beria vulnerable.

Just Friends (2018) – 7.2/10

Gewoon Vrienden (2018)
Image credit: BNNVARA via IMDb
  • Director: Annemarie van de Mond
  • Starring: Majd Mardo, Josha Stradowski, Jenny Arean

Official synopsis: Tough Joris is tethered to his plastic surgery-addicted mother, while medical student Yad struggles with drug use and his strict mother. Fate brings them together when Yad becomes a domestic helper for Joris’s grandmother. Love sparks between them, but before they can fully embrace it, they must navigate the complexities of their relationships with their mothers.

Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) – 7.2/10

Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston in Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)
Image credit: Sandro Kopp – © 2013 – Sony Pictures Classics
  • Director: Jim Jarmusch
  • Starring: Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska

Official synopsis: Amidst the melancholic backdrops of Detroit and Tangiers, an underground musician, disheartened by humanity, reconnects with his enduring and enigmatic lover. Their centuries-spanning love story faces disruption from her untamed younger sister, leading to a clash between wisdom and impulsiveness.

Carnage (2011) – 7.1/10

Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz in Carnage (2011)
Image credit: © 2011 – Sony Pictures Classics
  • Director: Roman Polanski
  • Starring: Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz

Official synopsis: 11-year-old Zachary punches his classmate Ethan. The boys’ parents convene to address the incident, initially maintaining civility. However, tensions escalate, and the gathering unravels due to an unfortunate occurrence. What starts as a discussion about the boys’ fight transforms into a heated assessment of the couple’s parenting abilities, raising poignant questions about their roles as mothers and fathers.

Melancholia (2011) – 7.1/10

Kirsten Dunst, Kiefer Sutherland, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Alexander Skarsgård in Melancholia (2011)
Image credit: © 2011 – Magnolia Pictures
  • Director: Lars von Trier
  • Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland

Official synopsis: Melancholia tells the story of a bride who’s finding it hard to be cheerful on her wedding day. Her sister Claire organizes the wedding and tries to keep everyone in line. But amidst all this, they also have to worry about a planet that’s about to collide with Earth.

Snowpiercer (2013) – 7.1/10

Ewen Bremner, Chris Evans, Song Kang-ho, Octavia Spencer, Tilda Swinton, Ko Asung, and Luke Pasqualino in Snowpiercer (2013)
Image credit: © 2013 – RADiUS/TWC
  • Director: Bong Joon Ho
  • Starring: Chris Evans, Jamie Bell, Tilda Swinton

Official synopsis: This thriller unfolds in a frozen world where survival means a continuous journey on a train. The lower-class citizens from the train’s tail start a daring revolution to seize control and redistribute wealth.

District B13 (2004) – 7.1/10

Tony D'Amario in District B13 (2004)
Image credit: © EuropaCorp Distribution
  • Director: Pierre Morel
  • Starring: Cyril Raffaelli, David Belle, Tony D’Amario

Official synopsis: District B13 on Hulu is an adrenaline-pumping ride set in future Paris’ worst ghetto. Inside this walled-off district, Leïto, a brave young man, battles ruthless crime lord Taha. When a stolen neutron bomb threatens to detonate within 24 hours, Leïto and undercover cop Damien must team up to save the day.

In the Fade (2017) – 7.1/10

Diane Kruger and Numan Acar in In the Fade (2017)
Image credit: © Warner Brothers/Gordon Timpen, SMPSP
  • Director: Fatih Akin
  • Starring: Numan Acar, Adam Bousdoukos, Diane Kruger

Official synopsis: In the Fade centers on Katja, a woman whose world shatters when a nail bomb kills her husband and son. Despite the evidence pointing to a neo-Nazi couple, the court case veers off-course, leaving Katja to seek justice.

The Square (2017) – 7.1/10

The Square (2017)
Image credit: Plattform Produktion via IMDb
  • Director: Ruben Östlund
  • Starring: Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss, Dominic West

Official synopsis: The movie tells the intriguing story of Christian, a contemporary art museum curator. As he grapples with the repercussions of a stolen phone and a PR campaign gone wrong for his next show, Christian navigates a series of events that challenge his ideals and professional standing.

Oblivion (2013) – 7/10

Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in Oblivion (2013)
Image credit: © 2013 – Universal Pictures
  • Director: Joseph Kosinski
  • Starring: Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Andrea Riseborough

Official synopsis: Earth’s scarred surface sets the stage for a drone repairman’s startling revelation. A crashed spacecraft leads him to question the war with alien Scavs and confronts him with mankind’s uncertain future.

Two Lovers (2008) – 7/10

Elias Koteas, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Joaquin Phoenix in Two Lovers (2008)
Image credit: Magnolia Pictures via IMDb
  • Director: James Gray
  • Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw

Official synopsis: Leonard, a heartbroken photographer at a crossroads, finds himself drawn to two different women – steadfast Sandra and the elusive Michelle. The film delivers a poignant exploration of love, longing, and life’s unexpected turns.

Filth (2013) – 7/10

James McAvoy in Filth (2013)
Image credit: Lionsgate via IMDb
  • Director: Jon S. Baird
  • Starring: James McAvoy, Jamie Bell, Eddie Marsan

Official synopsis: Bruce is a corrupt cop ready to cross any line for promotion. As he weaves a complex web of deception, his past begins to resurface and his grip on reality begins to falter.

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Jason Bateman, Jessica Walter in Arrested Development, Saving for Arraignment Day
Image credit: Netflix.

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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of Kings
Image credit: © 2003 – New Line Cinema.

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Sacha Baron Cohen in Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)
Image credit: © TM and 2006 Twentieth Century Fox.

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