If you’re looking for the best new Hulu movies to land on the streaming platform since April 2023, then you’re in the right place.
In TechRadar’s guide below, you’ll discover a new selection of movies that have arrived on Hulu over the past couple of months. We select the best new movies each week so you always have a fresh choice and a range of genres to pick from. Right now our guide is packed with heart-pounding action, epic science-fiction, romcoms and plenty of feel-good family movies packed with fun. You’ll find something to watch, whatever you’re in the mood for.
Make sure you check back regularly to see which of the best new movies to watch on Hulu we recommend. If you don’t care about the freshest films, but want the cream of the crop of movies on Hulu instead – regardless of when they arrived – take a look at our best Hulu movies list. In the meantime, you’ll find lots of new movies below – there’s a reason Hulu is one of the best streaming services, after all.
New Hulu movies: June 2023
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Release date: June 30
Renowned director Wes Anderson has recently released his latest star-studded movie on cinema screens, Asteroid City. But if you want to catch up on Anderson’s back catalogue in preparation, you can now watch one of our all-time favorites, The Grand Budapest Hotel, on Hulu.
The Grand Budapest Hotel follows the story of this infamous establishment in the fictional Eastern European country of Zubrowka, focusing on Zero Moustafa (played by Tony Revolori for most of the movie) and his journey from lobby boy to owner over the course of several decades. There are exceptionally compelling, quirky and warm performances from the likes of Ralph Fiennes, who plays the hotel’s concierge, and Saoirse Ronan who plays local girl Agatha.
All of Wes Anderson’s movies are visually stunning, but there’s something particularly spellbinding about the set design of the hotel. Want a larger helping of Anderson’s candy-colored aesthetic? Take a look at our ranking of every Wes Anderson film from worst to best.
Guns Akimbo
Release date: June 29
Look, Guns Akimbo isn’t one of the best movies you’ll watch – it isn’t even one of the best movies in this guide – but if you’re after a silly action movie with an interesting premise, then we recommend giving it a chance.
It’s set in the not-so-distant future in which an underground fight club live-streams death matches. A computer programmer called Miles Lee Harris (played by Daniel Radcliffe) finds himself quite literally caught up in the drama as he wakes up with two guns strapped to his hands. What follows is a frantic, violent story that’s bound to appeal to fans of action movies, as well as Daniel Radcliffe lovers – his performance is one of the best bits about Guns Akimbo.
Dune
Release date: June 10
Director Denis Villeneuve (known for Enemy, Blade Runner 2049, Arrival and Sicario) knows a thing or two about bringing immense eerie atmosphere to our screens and he did a truly wondrous job at adapting James Herbert’s seminal sci-fi book Dune into a blockbuster smash.
Dune is set in a very distant future where families and factions are warring across galaxies. It follows the story of Paul Atreides and his family, House Atreides, as they are forced into a violent and relentless battle for a planet called Arrakis, which is a deadly desert riddled with humongous worms that burrow under its surface.
The world-building in Dune is unlike anything we’ve ever seen, the sound design will give you chills and there are some truly unforgettable scenes that are deeply compelling and horrifying in equal measures. This is sci-fi at its best and not only is Villeneuve’s direction breathtaking, but the performances from the all-star cast (including Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Timothée Chalamet and more) are a true delight to watch.
Flamin’ Hot
Release date: June 9
Flamin’ Hot is based on the memoir of Richard Montañez, called A Boy, a Burrito and a Cookie: From Janitor to Executive. It’s about Montañez when he worked as a janitor at Frito Lay (a US-based snack company) and his success after he claimed to have created Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. It’s an incredible story about his rise from humble beginnings and the belief and determination that skyrocketed his career.
Flamin’ Hot is directed by Eva Longoria (of Desperate Housewives fame) in her directorial debut and stars US actor Jessie Garcia in the lead role as Montañez. We’d describe Flamin’ Hot as a mixture between comedy and drama thanks to its warm (or, more accurately, flamin’ hot) and energetic story. If you’re looking for a feel-good film with spicy laughs, then this is for you.
The X-Files: I Want to Believe
Release date: June 1
The second feature film in the franchise, The X-Files: I Want to Believe is set several years after both Fox Mulder and Dana Scully have left the FBI. They’re called back in to consult on a strange case of a kidnapped FBI agent and a priest who claims to be experiencing psychic visions.
Is this a phenomenal movie on its own merit? That’s debatable. If you’re an X-Files fan but never caught up on the movies, then it’s a no-brainer. But we also think it’ll appeal to anyone into spooky horror and, unlike the first movie, can be watched as a standalone story.
Predators
Release date: June 1
Predators is the third Predator franchise movie (after Predator and Predator 2). It’s about a group of highly-skilled killers (played by Laurence Fishburne, Adrien Brody and Alice Braga, among others) who find themselves stranded on an alien planet where they’re being hunted by warring tribes of predators.
This isn’t one of the best action movies all-time, but if you like your action laced with a dose of sci-fi and a hint of horror, it’ll make a fantastic Sunday afternoon watch. Plus, it’s a treat to see actors we know and love join what could have been a bit of a silly follow-up movie, bringing gravitas and solid performances.
The Twilight Saga
Release date: June 1
The original movie in The Twilight Saga, Twilight, landed on Hulu back in May. But now all of the other instalments are available to stream on the platform too. That’s five movies in total, Twilight, The Twilight Saga, New Moon, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 2. Overwhelmed? You’re not alone. That’s why we have a guide on how to watch all of the Twilight movies in order.
The first movie explores the romance between Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) and, without giving too much away, the rest look at how their deep connection shifts and causes trouble over time as they come to terms with the fact that they’re a human-vampire couple. Yes, it’s a little OTT at times (Edward sparkles, for goodness sake). But there’s a reason this was such a hit book series and movie saga. The stories are tense, compelling and tug on your heart strings, it’s catnip for fantasy lovers and you might be surprised to hear we think there’s some great acting here too.
The Goonies
Release date: June 1
The Goonies is an 1985 adventure film about an epic treasure hunt. It follows the story of a group of young teens who discover an old treasure map in their parents’ attic, which seems like it once belonged to a famous 17-century pirate. They set off to hunt down the treasure, hoping to find some funds to save their homes from being demolished. Except things don’t quite go to plan. There are biker gangs, secret passageways, treasure hunts and lots of references that’ll have you basking in the warm glow of nostalgia.
The acting in The Goonies is fantastic and it’s even more fun to watch again nearly 40 years later as many of the cast’s child actors star in blockbusters today. Like Sean Astin (who plays Samwise in The Lord of the Rings), Josh Brolin (Thanos from the Marvel movies), and Ke Huy Quan (Waymond Wang from Everything Everywhere All At Once).
New Hulu movies: May 2023
The Break-Up
Release date: May 19
The Break Up is about just that, a couple that decide to end their relationship and the fallout of what that means for their home, their lives, their friendships and the way they communicate afterwards.
This might sound like a real bummer of a movie, and needless to say you should give it a miss if you’re going through something similar. But we recommend it for everyone else because Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston are relatable as Gary and Brooke and it’s refreshing to see both actors challenge themselves in these roles.
No, it’s not a ground-breaking film by any stretch of the imagination, and there’s plenty of silliness throughout, but there’s a deep emotional tug that’ll stick with you long after the credits start rolling. We think this is a testament to the solid writing, which brings a lot of believable emotional intensity to the screen.
Sliding Doors
Release date: May 16
Think popular 90s romcoms and we bet Sliding Doors comes to mind. It’s about a woman called Helen, played by Gwyneth Platrow, who is fired from her job. She goes to catch the train home and misses it. However, the movie then rewinds and shows Helen boarding the train. What follows is a film that alternates between the two different ways her life unfolds afterwards, all thanks to those fateful sliding doors.
Paltrow might cause controversy with some of her wellness opinions these days, but she is warm and relatable as Helen here. John Hannah stars alongside her as James and it’s a delight to see their romance blossom, well at least in one version of Helen’s life.
Some critics call Sliding Doors a romcom with a neat gimmick. But we like to think of it as a fresh and low-key take on the alternate timelines genre. There’s no hint of time machines or leaps to parallel realities in sight, and yet Sliding Doors treats us to a journey into two very different timelines.
Atonement
Release date: May 1
Based on the 2001 Ian McEwan novel of the same name, Atonement is a war drama that you’ll enjoy if you like the sort of gut-wrenching romance McEwan is famous for (see also On Chesil Beach).
James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Romola Garai, Saoirse Ronan, and Vanessa Redgrave make up an all-star cast, telling the story of Robbie Turner (McAvoy) and Cecilia Tallis (Knightley) who develop an unexpected romance.
What follows is a sad and deeply reflective story that spans many decades. This is not a fun weekend watch for the family, but it is an unflinching portrayal of war, love and memory that really shows off the talent of the leads, as well as Ronan who plays Cecilia’s younger sister Briony.
Bottle Rocket
Release date: May 1
Wes Anderson might be one of the most popular directors on the planet right now, but everyone starts somewhere and his first movie, Bottle Rocket, is now available to stream on Hulu. It’s about two friends (played by Luke and Owen Wilson) who plan a series of heists that spiral out of control.
Just because this was Anderson’s first movie doesn’t mean it’s not filled with the whimsical humor, charm and deeply compelling dialogue he’s known for. In fact, Bottle Rocket has an authenticity to it that makes it even more enjoyable than some of Anderson’s more recent, flashier, celeb-filled movies.
Beetlejuice
Release date: May 1
If you’re a fan of Tim Burton’s brand of gothic movies, Beetlejuice is well worth watching – or rewatching if you’ve seen it previously.
It’s part fantasy, part comedy, and part horror, and follows a couple (played by Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis) who die and decide to haunt their former home to get rid of the new tenants. However, it turns out not all ghosts are good at haunting, so they hire Beetlejuice (played by Michael Keaton), a bio-exorcist, demon-like character from the Netherworld to bring the scares.
Beetlejuice has a crazy but super compelling script and surreal visuals that’ll haunt you long after the credits have rolled, with Keaton’s truly wonderful and memorable performance standing out most of all. A true cult classic and well worth your time if you’re yet to take a trip to the Netherworld.
The Hunger Games Trilogy
Release date: May 1
Based on the best-selling books by Suzanne Collins, you’ll find all three The Hunger Games movies on Hulu (i.e. The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 & 2).
All three movies are set in a dystopian future of what was once North America in a nation called Panem. Each year, forces from the Capitol descend on the 12 districts of Panem to choose a boy and girl “tribute” to compete in the titular event, a terrible reality-style show in which all of the kids fight to the death until only one remains.
Over the course of the trilogy, the power structure of Panem is shaken to its core by Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence), who instigates a much-needed rebellion. It’s a really compelling trilogy that’s somewhat kid-friendly, but also deals with serious themes of subjugation, power, and freedom.
If you enjoy The Hunger Games trilogy, you’ll be happy to hear that a sequel is on the way in November 2023 called The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
New Hulu movies: April 2023
Clock
Release date: April 28
Clock is a Hulu Original body horror movie about a woman called Ella (played by Dianna Agron) who’s pressured by her friends and family to consider why she doesn’t want kids. She becomes concerned that her biological clock might be broken, so signs up to clinical trials for a new kind of synthetic hormone and psychological therapy treatment from a creepy-looking biotech firm.
Needless to say, this could be a sensitive subject, and the emotionally torturous scenes and gore mean this is absolutely not for everyone. But, if you like this space where sci-fi meets body horror, and want a fresh perspective on the pressures of being child-free by choice, Clock is well worth a watch – at least from behind a cushion as you try to pre-empt the jump scares.
Flux Gourmet
Release date: April 13
It’s best to describe Flux Gourmet as a dark comedy, which sounds about right from critically-acclaimed British film director and screenwriter Peter Strickland. A satirical look at art and art institutions, its follows a group of performance artists at the Sonic Catering Institute who extract sounds from food – yes, you read that correctly. A journalist is tasked with documenting the life of said performers, all the while experiencing a lot of unpleasant gastrointestinal problems and escalating threats from a rival performance group.
Flux Gourmet is a weird, artsy, and oft-times gross flick, and certainly isn’t one for the whole family. But, if you’re a fan of similar genre fare – The Menu, Delicatessen, and the like – it’s well worth gorging on.
13 Assassins (2010)
Release date: April 8
A remake of acclaimed Japanese director Eiichi Kudo’s 1963 movie of the same name, 13 Assassins follows a group of assassins at the end of the Japanese Edo period as they secretly plot the assassination of a violent leader before he can gain even more power. Yes, it’s as simple as that.
If you like action and martial arts movies, you’ll enjoy 13 Assassins, especially if you epic battle sequences are your forte. 13 Assassins’ climatic showdown lasts for around 45 minutes, so you know you’re getting your samurai-based money’s worth with one of these new Hulu movies.
Director Takashi Miike received a great deal of praise for his interpretation of the 13 Assassins story, with many critics saying it’s one of those fairly rare examples where a remake does justice to the original movie while adding a fresh perspective.
American Psycho
Hulu release date: April 1
Bret Easton Ellis’ novel American Psycho is a dark and disturbing modern classic story that was fantastically brought to sadistic life in 2000. Like the book it’s based on, this big screen adaptation follows the story of Patrick Bateman (played by Christian Bale), a New York-based investment banker who also happens to be a serial killer. Go figure.
American Psycho is extremely disturbing at times but, Ellis’ book, it’s stuffed with black comedy and satire. It’s a delight to watch as a whole if you can stomach its grotesque violence. If you can, its cast will thank you for it – leading man Bale is a particular delight, playing Bateman with the perfect balance of charisma and charm in one breath and terrifying detachment and hostility in the next.
Despicable Me
Hulu release date: April 1
Few animated movies have had as big a cultural impact as Despicable Me since the turn of the century (that’s mostly down to its crowd-pleasing Minions, truth be told). Unsurprisingly, its arrival on Hulu means we had to include it in our new Hulu movies list.
The animated flick tells the tale of Gru (voiced by Steve Carell), a struggling supervillain who winds up adopting three daughters. His attention is drawn away from bringing them up (potentially as the world’s next big bads) when he learns rival supervillain Vector (Jason Segel) has stolen the Great Pyramid of Giza. Ever the narcissist, Gru sets about planning a heist that’s even bigger and better than his archnemesis – that being, stealing the moon.
Despicable Me is a really enjoyable watch for the whole family with plenty of twists and funny moments to keep everyone entertained. Some elements will grate on older viewers – the Minions have their moments, but there are only so many fart jokes you can take – but, as an overall package, there are few family-friendly flicks on Hulu as good as Illumination’s most notable hit.
Lincoln
Hulu release date: April 1
Lincoln is an autobiographical movie about the final four months of US President Abraham Lincoln’s life, when he was pushing to abolish slavery. Of course, there’s plenty more besides that, but that’s the general gist of this historical drama that wowed audiences upon initial release (and continues to do so today).
You can always rely on Daniel Day-Lewis to bring a mesmerizing amount of power and emotion to every project he’s involved in (or used to be able to, before he retired), and his performance as Lincoln is no exception. Somewhat expectedly, he landed an Academy Award and Golden Globe for this role in 2012.
But it’s not just Day-Lewis’ performance that makes this movie a must-watch. It looks incredible, largely thanks to superstar director Steven Spielberg at the helm. And, as you might expect, the story itself is particularly moving. Lincoln is a heavy and intense watch, but that’s what makes it a a masterpiece of a movie.
