With one more weekend left in the month of August, it’s time to beat the heat with a trio of amazing movie picks streaming on Hulu right now. Last weekend’s selections came from the ’90s and early 2000s, but this weekend’s list is decidedly more modern. It serves up three films from the last two years, and showcases the newer side of Hulu’s catalog.

It isn’t quite clear exactly how much longer Hulu will stand as its own separate streaming service, and the merger with Disney has produced plans to bring the green brand under the company’s umbrella eventually. No matter what happens, Hulu will likely remain an excellent source for original TV shows, as well as a place to see some of the newest movies fresh from theaters.

The Disney acquisition has expanded Hulu’s movie library pretty substantially, and opened the door for some films that used to be exclusive to Disney+. While it is often overlooked as a movie streaming hub, the catalog on Hulu is substantial. There are films from multiple generations, and every genre is offered in abundance.

Going into the weekend, we’re serving up a list that represents the best of what the streamer is currently hosting. There’s comedy, horror, and action, and it all comes from the last few years. The movies on this weekend’s list aren’t as well-known as they should be, and they are just waiting to be discovered on Hulu. As August comes to a close, why not step out of your comfort zone and discover some new movie gems?

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Primitive War (2025)

The Jurassic Park franchise no longer holds the monopoly on dinosaur flicks, and movies like Primitive War prove a new age is finally dawning. The Australian sci-fi action movie is set during the Vietnam War, and follows a platoon that ventures deep into the jungle and is attacked by a group of dinosaurs that are anything but extinct. Primitive War is gritty, violent, and most importantly: it’s one heck of a fun ride.

Some have praised the film for its deeper themes, but it’s best to focus on the film’s value as a classic piece of schlock cinema. Primitive War takes itself pretty seriously, which is exactly why the bombastic dinosaur action works so well. It’s far from a perfect movie, but it’s a breath of fresh air for movie fans who have been dreaming of a darker alternative to the Jurassic Park series.

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In A Violent Nature (2024)

The horror genre, particularly the slasher, is known for being repetitive and filled with clichés. In a Violent Nature is an elegant comment on the tropes of its own genre, and it finds a way to make even that tired idea interesting once again. Young adults accidentally resurrect a vengeful killer, and he methodically picks off each of the people responsible for his return. The movie requires a fair amount of patience, but it’s well worth the ride.

In a Violent Nature can be described as an ambient horror film, and there are moments of quiet beauty in between the gory deaths. It’s not a great film for someone looking to tune in and tune out, but it’s a must-see for any horror hound who has already plumbed the depths of the genre’s history. There are so many slashers out there, but In a Violent Nature is one of the few that can truly claim to be original.

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Rental Family (2025)

After his big comeback in The Whale, Brendan Fraser is finally starting to land consistent roles once again. The quirky dramedy, Rental Family, is one such example, and is a showcase of what makes Fraser such a charming leading man. He plays a struggling American actor who accepts a role as a stand-in friend or family member that’s hired out by a Japanese talent agency. The laughs are hearty and real, and Fraser’s performance is some of his best work.

There’s an unabashed maudlin energy to Rental Family that makes the Searchlight Pictures release so undeniable. It isn’t trying too hard to be deep, but it still manages to elicit a very real emotional response. It’s a quintessential dramedy because it perfectly balances its laughs and tears, and in that way it’s one of the most accessible movies streaming on Hulu right now.