Hulu's 5-Part Thriller Series Is the Perfect One-Night Weekend Binge

Only Murders in the Building delivers a full, satisfying story in a single night.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 9:57am

Hulu's Only Murders in the Building is the perfect binge-worthy series for a weekend, with short 30-40 minute episodes that allow viewers to easily finish an entire season in one night. The show blends classic mystery novel and true-crime podcast styles, keeping viewers engaged through clever cliffhangers and a rotating ensemble of high-profile guest stars. Despite the heavy subject matter of murder, the series maintains a breezy, comedic tone that makes it the ideal comfort television binge.

Why it matters

In an era of prestige television where longer runtimes and multi-season commitments are the norm, Only Murders in the Building stands out as a refreshingly compact and binge-friendly series. Its bite-sized episodes and consistent quality across the season make it the perfect weekend watch, allowing viewers to fully immerse themselves in the mystery without feeling overwhelmed.

The details

Each season of Only Murders in the Building centers on a single murder case, with clues, red herrings, and suspects revealed over the course of 10 episodes. The show's clever pacing and knack for ending episodes on tantalizing cliffhangers make it nearly impossible to stop watching, as viewers are constantly compelled to keep going to uncover the next twist or revelation. The series also features a rotating cast of high-profile guest stars, adding an extra layer of surprise and delight for binge-watchers.

  • Only Murders in the Building airs exclusively on Hulu, allowing for more flexibility in episode length and pacing compared to traditional cable television.
  • Each season of the show typically consists of 10 episodes, with runtimes ranging from 30 to 40 minutes per episode, including end credits.

The players

Oliver Putnam

A character played by Martin Short, who is one of the trio of amateur detectives at the center of the show.

Charles Haden-Savage

A character played by Steve Martin, who is another member of the trio of amateur detectives.

Mabel Mora

A character played by Selena Gomez, who is the third member of the trio of amateur detectives.

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What’s next

Viewers can continue binging through the multiple seasons of Only Murders in the Building, which have been released on Hulu so far, with new seasons expected to be added in the future.

The takeaway

Only Murders in the Building is a shining example of how binge-worthy television can be designed with the modern viewer in mind. Its compact episode lengths, consistent quality, and clever storytelling make it the perfect weekend watch, allowing viewers to fully immerse themselves in the mystery without feeling overwhelmed.