Hulu‘s top-streaming movie is a post-apocalyptic thriller that only made $776,595 at the box office. Even though Hulu is counting down the days until the app shuts down, it remains one of the more compeтιтive streamers available to consumers.
With the month nearly closing out with Halloween right around the corner, the top streaming charts have been plagued by horror hits and classics. Hulu’s top 10 movie chart includes several Scream and Twilight installments, alongside 2018’s Halloween and a more kid-friendly monster film, H๏τel Transylvania.
Despite horror movies filling Hulu’s streaming charts, 40 Acres is currently the no.1 movie on the streaming service. Danielle ᴅᴇᴀᴅwyler leads the cast as the family matriarch who descends from African American farmers who settled on a Canadian farm and defended it for nearly two centuries. However, they face one more battle when a group of militia threatens to take their home.
Although the thriller premiered at TIFF in late 2024, it wasn’t released until this past July, only debuting $241,296 domestically at 340 screens. 40 Acres was likely overlooked due to a busy July 2025 slate filled with blockbusters, including Superman, Fantastic Four: First Steps, and Jurᴀssic World Rebirth.
By the end of the box office run, it had only collected $768,905 domestically and $7,690 internationally against an $8 million budget. Although it was a commercial failure, the thriller was well-received by critics. Based on 94 reviews, 40 Acres currently holds an 89% Tomatometer alongside a strong 94% Popcornmeter from more than 100 audience ratings.
ScreenRant‘s Ferdoa Abdi was among the critics to give a positive review for 40 Acres. Giving a rating of 7 out of 10 stars, she noted that ᴅᴇᴀᴅwyler was the standout, while the cast was equally great due to their chemistry. Despite the heavy themes in the movie, Abdi shared that the execution did not feel too heavy due to the levity, concluding that it “is a solid family drama tinged with social commentary and action.“
Since its release, the thriller has been getting more recognition, including a Best Direction nomination for R. T. Thorne at the 2025 Directors Guild of Canada awards. Thorne also wrote the movie’s script with Glenn Taylor.
