New Hulu movies: the biggest films to stream in April 2023
Searching the best new Hulu movies to land on the platform in recent months? We’ve taken the stress out of doing just that and hand selected the top new movies from Hulu’s vast library for you.
Every week, we update this guide with the latest and greatest titles to land on Hulu. That way, you can watch every new Hulu movie as soon as they arrive. Below, then, you’ll find a great selection of movies, from must-watch classics and thrillers through to dark comedies and romcoms. Hulu has an impressive collection of films to suit all ages and genre preferences, so there’s something here for you no matter what you’re in the mood for.
If you’re looking for a more comprehensive rundown, you’ll need to read our best Hulu movies guide. However, if you’re a Hulu regular and only want to know what’s new one of the best streaming services around, read on.
New Hulu movies: April 2023
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.
New Hulu movies: March 2023 and earlier
Boston Strangler
Hulu release date: March 17
This historical crime drama trains its focus on the infamous true story of the Boston Strangler, a 1960s-era serial killer who murdered 13 women. The individual in question was finally apprehended after a lengthy investigation by two female reporters – Loretta McLaughlin (Keira Knightley) and jean Cole (Carrie Coon) finally convinced the authorities to take the case seriously and deliver justice for the affected families.
With its examination of rampant sexism and police inadequacy, Boston Strangler will make some viewers uncomfortable and others angry. It isn’t as gripping a film as you might hope but, with powerhouse performances from Knightley and Coon, it’ll give those of a crime drama disposition something new to be absorbed by. It’s largely historically accurate, too – a rarity for movies of this ilk.
Triangle of Sadness
Hulu release date: March 3
Triangle of Sadness, a critically-acclaimed 2022 movie written by Swedish filmmaker Ruben Östlund, is a satirical dark comedy that’ll appeal to fans who are missing The White Lotus.
It initially follows a couple – a model called Carl (Harris Dickinson), and a model-cum-social media influencer called Yaya (Charlbi Dean), who are invited on a luxury cruise in exchange for social media promotion. They meet a fascinating cast of characters, including fellow guests and members of the crew. However, things take an unexpected sharp turn and the power dynamics subsequently shift in pretty dramatic ways.
Triangle of Sadness, like The White Lotus, takes an introspective look at the cost of being rich and famous in today’s world. It’s satirically unhinged in the best way possible, and regularly blends cringe-inducing moments with an unashamedly satirical take on wealth inequality. It can be a bit too thematically intricate for its own good on occasion, but Östlund and the film’s cast largely make this a worthy inclusion in our new Hulu movies list.
LA Confidential
Hulu release date: March 1
LA Confidential is a neo-noir crime drama that put established actors Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce on the map when they were relatively new to Hollywood. It’s set in LA in the 50s and follows three detectives as they try to solve a series of murders that involve corruption high up in the LAPD. As they get deeper into the case, they get tied up in a messy web of deceit and violence.
LA Confidential is a fantastically gritty crime movie with a stellar cast really shines. It might be over 20 years old at this point, but there are still few crime dramas, especially in the film industry, that can hold a candle to it.
Another Earth
Hulu release date: March 1
This powerful and poignant sci-fi movie follows a woman called Rhoda (The OA‘s Britt Marling), who accidentally causes a fatal car accident. After serving her sentence, she becomes fascinated with a newly-discovered planet that’s identical to Earth. As the two worlds get closer, Rhoda is enticed by the chance for a new beginning.
Another Earth is a meditative movie, not least for the fact it explores grief and forgiveness in ways other movies simply don’t. Throw in its sci-fi leanings, including its exploration of the possibility of alternate realities, and Another Earth is a new Hulu movie you won’t want to sleep on.
Groundhog Day
Hulu release date: March 1
Groundhog Day is a classic comedy about Phil Connors (played by Bill Murray), a self-centered weatherman who finds himself reliving the same day over and over again. As Phil becomes more and more frustrated and despairing, he is forced to re-evaluate his life and his priorities.
Groundhog Day is simultaneously heart-breaking and laugh-out-loud funny, and explores themes of self-improvement and empathy. It’s absolutely worth your time, even if you’re not a big Bill Murray fan (although, who isn’t?) and takes pride of place on our new Hulu movies list.
The Departed
Hulu release date: March 1
Who hasn’t seen The Departed? What do you mean, you haven’t? Rectify this immediately, dear reader.
To break it down for you: The Departed is a hard-hitting crime thriller about two men (played with verve and panache by acclaimed actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon) who work undercover in Boston’s criminal underworld. What follows is an incredibly tense game of cat and mouse as each of them try and figure out the other’s identity.
To say much more gives its biggest twists and turns away. Put simply, The Departed is a breathtakingly fantastic film and more than deserved the awards it landed upon release.
The Shape of Water
Hulu release date: March 1
The Shape of Water is an award-winning fantasy drama from the brilliant mind of filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. It’s about a woman called Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins), a mute janitor who works at a government lab during the Cold War. She gets close to a humanoid amphibian creature (Doug Jones) that’s being held captive and, without spoiling anything, agrees to help break him out of his watery prison.
Like The Departed, saying much more ruins the story The Shape of Water wants to tell, plus the very human themes it examines. There’s a reason it won countless awards upon initial release, though, so it’s absolutely worth your time. Just don’t watch that hyper sexualized scene with your parents…
If Beale Street Could Talk
Hulu release date: February 1
If Beale Street Could Talk, adapted from the novel of the same name, is written and directed by Barry Jenkins (Moonlight). Set in Harlem in the early 1970s, the plot follows young couple and lifelong friends Tish (KiKi Layne) and Fonny (Stephan James), who are excited to start their lives together. It all comes crashing down as a racist cop arrests Fonny for a crime he didn’t commit – just as Tish finds out she’s pregnant. Cue Tish and her family fighting to prove Fonny’s innocence so they can be reunited in time for their first-born’s arrival.
A story of love, injustice, and fighting against the odds, If Beale Street Could Talk is a harrowing yet uplifting film that will leave you weeping for multiple reasons.
Scarface
Hulu release date: February 1
Scarface is the story of greed, corruption, and power in the underbelly of Miami’s drug trade. Legendary actor Al Pacino plays Cuban refugee Tony Montana, who becomes the biggest drug lord in the state by ruthlessly murdering anyone that gets in his way. Soon, though, the police and his own paranoia get the better of him, and Montana ends up fanning the flames of his own demise.
This iconic film is raw and brutally violent, so be warned. However, that’s also what makes it brilliant, with Pacino’s performance gloriously over-the-top and Oliver Stone’s script tremendously strong. A must-watch and deserved inclusion in our new Hulu movies guide.
Thank You For Smoking
Hulu release date: February 1
A 2005 satirical black comedy, Thank You For Smoking follows Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart), a chief spokesperson, lobbyist, and Vice President of the Academy for Tobacco Studies. Nick is gifted in the art of spinning lies, someone who’s able to form convincing arguments regarding the most unlikely of topics. It’s as if it’s the perfect skill to have in his line of work…
On one particular business trip, Nick, who is divorced, has the chance to bond with his son. During said trip, though, he runs into trouble whilst trying to do his job, all the while trying to remain a positive role model for his kid. It’s a witty and insightful comedy that shines a light on the machinations of the tobacco industry and the moral dilemmas its employees face.
Water For Elephants
Hulu release date: February 1
Based on the novel of the same name, Water for Elephants is a romantic drama set in the 1930s. Reese Witherspoon plays circus performer Marlena, and Robert Pattinson is Jacob, a veterinary student. When Jacob comes to work at the circus as a vet after his parents die in a car accident, he is initially taken under the wing of the seemingly-charming-but-clearly-terrifying ringmaster, August (Christopher Waltz).
Jacob and Marlena’s special compassion for a particular elephant leads to love. But, as Marlena is August’s wife, the ringmaster’s true colours begin to show, and we see why everyone is so afraid of him.
Reviews are firmly of the love-it-or-hate-it variety, with many critics bemoaning the melodrama and over-sincerity. Those that love it, though, are entranced by the sentimentality and the beauty of the performances – as are we.
The Green Mile
Hulu release date: February 1
The Green Mile is one of the best films ever made, so its inclusion in our new Hulu movies list was a no-brainer.
Based on the Stephen King’s iconic novel, it tells the tale of agroup of inmates and guards on death row during the Great Depression. Guard Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) starts noticing supernatural events related to one of the prisoners (Michael Clarke Duncan), and begins to wonder if he really could have committed the crime he’s accused of.
The Green Mile won a string of awards for a very good reason. It’s a highly emotional movie, deals with some of life’s biggest dilemmas, is superbly casting, and is excellently written. Well worth investing in the three-and-a-bit hours it’ll take to watch the film in its entirety.
The Breakfast Club
Hulu release date: January 1
This iconic coming-of-age drama/comedy centres on five high school students in detention on a Saturday morning. An ’80s cult classic, the whole film is set in one room and explores the archetypal teenage stereotypes – the rebel, the outcast, the princess, the jock, and the brainy one.
Of course, the teens don’t play nice, with insults flying in that brutal way only teenagers think up. Eventually, though, each character gets to tell their story, which makes them all see each other a little differently.
The Breakfast Club is one of those cult classic films that should be on everyone’s watchlist, and it’s arrival on Hulu makes that easier for subscribers.