As the year comes to a close and we bid adieu to 2022, Hulu has just revealed their diverse list of brand-new films landing on the streaming giant. From killer sharks to heartfelt bromance comedies, intriguing documentaries and rousing animated flicks, viewers are in for quite the treat with the platform’s upcoming line-up. With an already stacked catalog of thrilling movies and television shows, the streamer continues to dominate with content.
Neil LaBute’s delightfully creepy comedy horror hit House of Darkness puts a vampiric twist on the one-night-stand, while Kevin Bacon embraces his bad-guy alter ego in the thrilling action film One Way. Regardless of your mood or genre of choice, Hulu is sure to have a little something for everyone. Here’s a list of the best movies coming to Hulu in January 2023.
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The Drop
Hulu / Stage 6 Films
Sarah Adina Smith directed the upcoming Hulu original comedy The Drop, which centers on successful Los Angeles married couple Mani (Jermaine Folwer) and Lex (Anna Konkle) as they escape the city for their friend’s tropical island destination wedding. The once peaceful oasis quickly becomes purgatory for the pair after Lex accidentally drops a baby in front of multiple onlookers, causing a domino effect of chaos and raising questions for the couple’s relationship. The Drop is already generating buzz leading up to its release, with The Observer calling it “a wickedly fun satire of modern intimacy, both between romantic partners and between friends.”
Mia and Me: The Hero of Centopia
Viva Pictures
Based on the popular German children’s fantasy series that combines live-action with animation, the 2022 adventure film Mia and Me: The Hero of Centopia follows 12-year-old Mia Marconi who after the tragic death of her parents receives a magical book that allows her to travel to the wondrous land of Centopia depicted within its pages.
In the film installment, Mia stumbles upon a mysterious stone linked to the enchanted island that she discovers is part of an ancient prophecy, leading the young girl on an exciting journey to learn her true destiny. Mia and Me became a success with young audiences everywhere, having been sold to over 80 territories and launching the anticipated film follow-up.
Bromates
Quiver Distribution
Funnymen Josh Brener (Silicon Valley) and Lil Rey Howery (Get Out) headline the buddy comedy Bromates, portraying two lifelong pals who after being broken up by their girlfriends decide to move in together in hopes of working through their heartbreak; it doesn’t take long until the duo realize they live very different lifestyles, causing hilarious discord to ensue.
Snoop Dogg serves as an executive producer for the rude and crude farce, which despite serving up some laughs earned a mixed bag response from critics. In MovieWeb’s review, Bromates was described as “actually funny with several stand-out scenes. The ensemble cast of famous comedians keep the laughs flowing. The problem is that Bromates runs out of narrative steam. It’s more like a collection of skits than a cohesive story.”
House of Darkness
Saban Films
Neil LaBute directed the spine-tingling horror thriller House of Darkness, a chilling reimagining of Bram Stoker’s beloved Dracula tale in which Kate Bosworth appears as Mina Murray, who after meeting a handsome stranger (Justin Long) at a bar invites the man to her secluded castle-like estate.
The comedy-horror picture had its international premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival where it earned widespread praise for its biting social commentary, stellar performances and sharp dialogue; Variety praised House of Darkness by declaring that it “neatly comments on the newly uncertain dynamics of modern dating, where ‘decent guys’ claim to no longer know how to proceed.”
Riotsville, U.S.A.
Magnolia Pictures
Sierra Pettengill chronicles the civil unrest during 1960s America in her captivating historical documentary Riotsville, U.S.A., using archival footage that depicts the small titular town built by the government as a way for the military to train and practice their response to civil disorder. Pettengill first learned about the fictional towns and simulation after discovering Rick Perlstein’s novel Nixonland, leading to the filmmaker heavily researching the unsettling period in the country’s complex history. Riotsville, U.S.A. earned two nominations at the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards and was a knockout with critics, landing an impressive 90% Rotten Tomatoes score.
One Way
Hollywood heavy hitter Kevin Bacon stars alongside Travis Fimmel and Colson Baker (aka Machine Gun Kelly) in the action-packed thriller One Way, telling the story of small time criminal Freddie who steals drugs and cash from a dangerous mob boss and is forced to go on the run, though he finds he’s quickly losing time after he is shot in his escape efforts.
The pulse-pounding picture features Bacon as Freddie’s cold and cruel father, who the young man turns to for help but is ultimately betrayed by. When discussing what drew him to appearing in One Way, Bacon told Screen Rant, “I like contained thrillers. I like these kind of like stories where you just go for a ride, and it’s pedal to the metal from the top to the end.”
Dig
Thomas Jane plays a man on a mission of survival in the 2022 thriller Dig, in which the seasoned star appears as a grieving widower who is taken hostage alongside his deaf daughter by a demented couple (Emile Hirsch and Liana Liberato) right as he is about to demolish his home. Jane’s Scott Brennan must find a way to outmaneuver his unhinged captors and keep his family safe (portrayed by Jane’s real-life daughter Harlow Jane), as they fight to survive the terrifying night.
The father/daughter acting duo enjoyed turning to their real personal relationship for inspiration for their performances, with the elder Jane telling Screen Rant, “We’re making art here, but we blurred the line, and that was also part of the challenge and the fun of doing something like this. That’s a unique experience where there is truth to what we’re [doing], it’s there all the time.”
Maneater
Saban Films
A group of vacationing friends finds their peaceful island getaway turned into a harrowing experience when they are stalked by a killer great white shark in the action-horror film Maneater. Nicky Whelan stars as Jessie Quilan, a woman who is left devastated after her impending nuptials fall through, so her closest pals encourage her to go on her prepaid honeymoon and get her money’s worth. The would-be bride must fight for her life when her therapeutic getaway is ruined and they are terrorized by the ruthless shark. Maneater also stars Jeff Fahey and Trace Adkins as locals who attempt to put an end to the animal’s bloody rampage.
