Hulu is always full of great TV shows and movies and is always a contender for the best streaming service. This month was no different, as Hulu added a large number of new TV shows and movies during the month of December.
But among all those new movies, a few stand out above the rest: the 2018 hit "Crazy Rich Asians" and 2017's "Paddington 2," which earned a "Fresh" score of over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. He was also nominated for an Academy Award for 2009's "District 9," which used an alien invasion to depict apartheid in South Africa.
Now, you're ready to watch. Here are the seven best movies new to Hulu this month.
"Blue Jean" was a big hit at the 2022 Venice International Film Festival. It won the festival's People's Choice Award and has since had a theatrical release. The critically acclaimed film is currently available on Hulu for unlimited subscription viewing.
"Blue Jean" stars Rosie McEwen as Jean, a closeted gym teacher at a Newcastle secondary school; it is the 1980s, so coming out is not always an option unless you want your entire life to be ruined, and this film is about Not only does it focus on Gene's struggle to not be, it also focuses on his attempts to separate his life from outsiders while living his life within the LGBTQ+ community. It's an inspiring drama well worth your time. [Crazy Rich Asians] is adapted from Kevin Kwan's novel of the same name and stars Constance Wu as Rachel Chu, a professor at NYU, and Henry Goulding as her boyfriend Nick, who turns out to be Crazy Rich. Notable when the film was released was its all-Asian cast, which was largely praised, although not without controversy, as some felt that the correct Asian culture was not properly represented in the film's casting decisions.
While this is a laudable achievement and an important topic, what is sometimes lost sight of is that the film is really good. It just works. Michelle Yeoh's performance as Eleanor Song-Yeung, the eldest daughter of Nick's family and Rachel's nemesis, is particularly fine, and it's definitely not to be missed when it's available on Hulu.
Available on Hulu
"District 9" is a surprisingly grounded science fiction film about aliens landing on Earth; not that the science fiction elements aren't important, but the film excels as a profound examination of xenophobia and social segregation. Directed by South African director Neill Blomkamp, the film is inspired by actual events in Cape Town's District 6 during the apartheid era.
As in apartheid, the rulers in District 9 are not the good guys. Even the seemingly benevolent Wikus van de Merwe (Sharlto Copley) is not exempt from treating the aliens in District 9 poorly. While "District 9" is hard to watch at times, this Best Picture nominee is still a must-see.
Available on Hulu
Starring Elliot (then Ellen) Page as Juno McGuff, a high school student who becomes unexpectedly pregnant after dating her friend Paulie (Michael Cera). She eventually decides to give the unborn baby up for adoption and brings the couple Vanessa and Mark Rowling (Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman) into her life. What follows is a journey of discovery that (spoiler alert) ultimately has a happy ending. While I'm not saying there's no drama, "Juno" is largely a laugh-out-loud feel-good movie.
Oddly enough, almost all of the main cast members were already known to some degree, even though the film felt like a departure for some of the cast. However, Elliott Page definitely takes the film up a notch, and his performance as the lead character Juno is worth the price of admission.
Available on Hulu
"Paddington 2" is the highly successful sequel to 2014's "Paddington. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent," starring Nicolas Cage, in which the main character played by Pedro Pascal professes to be his third favorite movie of all time. Besides Ben Whishaw as the marmalade-loving bear, "Paddington 2" features a cast of talented actors including Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, and Hugh Grant.
There is nothing negative to say about this film. Between the talented cast, Whishaw's excellent performance, and the heartwarming storyline, there is nothing to dislike.
Available on Hulu
One of two fairy tale films that round out this list, Splash tells the story of a boy who is saved from drowning by a mermaid. Years later, the boy is 28-year-old Allen Bauer (Tom Hanks), a wholesale distributor in New York City. Suddenly, a young woman named Madison (Daryl Hannah) appears before him. Madison is taken to the police station on a charge of public indecency.
How are these two stories connected? Watch "Splash" to find out. With a cast that includes John Candy as Allen's brother Freddy and Eugene Levy as the villainous Dr. Walter Kornbluth, you are sure to enjoy this film.
Available on Hulu
I must confess that I have never seen Ever After. And I would be lying if I said it was the most engaging trailer ever. But rest assured, this adaptation of the Cinderella story is loved by critics and audiences alike.
And for a change, "Ever After" is not only a retelling of a famous fairy tale; it is also a historical fiction drama about France in the 1500s. Drew Barrymore plays Daniel de Barbarac (our "Cinderella"), Anjelica Huston is Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent (the bad stepmother), and Dougray Scott is Prince Henry of France. But, fittingly, the star of the film is Barrymore's performance.
Available on Hulu
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