Alex Garland’s Civil War Tops Hulu’s US Chart, Ousting Predator: Badlands

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Alex Garland’s intense new movie, Civil War, is now the most popular film on a certain streaming service in the United States. It’s taken the number one spot from Predator: Badlands, which had been at the top for several weeks after its release.

I’ve noticed a lot of people are really drawn to Civil War right now, and honestly, I get it. It’s a tough, realistic look at conflict, and it seems like audiences are really responding to that kind of raw storytelling at the moment. I’m not sure why exactly, but it’s definitely capturing people’s attention.

Alex Garland wrote and directed the film Civil War, a tense action thriller set in a near-future America torn apart by a new civil war. The story centers on a team of journalists documenting the conflict. Produced by A24, it was the studio’s most costly production to date when it was released in 2024.

Critics generally praised Civil War, giving it an 81% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Many described the film as intentionally difficult and disturbing, but also a powerfully realistic portrayal of a country in turmoil. One reviewer noted that the film challenges viewers to form their own opinions and consider the value of its central premise, rather than simply providing a predictable experience.

Rotten Tomatoes reports a 69% audience score for the film. Viewers generally loved how immersive it was, but many wished the movie had explained the origins of its central conflict.

Civil War Takes Hulu’s No. 1 Spot From Predator: Badlands

The film Civil War takes place in the near future and centers on a team of journalists trying to stay alive while documenting a brewing civil war in the United States. Written and directed by Alex Garland, the movie features Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Sonoya Mizuno, and Nick Offerman in leading roles.

During the film’s production and rehearsals, the war between Ukraine and Russia began, a stark reminder of global conflicts. As the film, Civil War, neared release, it became unsettlingly timely. Many viewers are shocked to see democracy fail within the story, and the film serves as a frightening warning. It’s a call to value our current freedoms and treat each other with basic human decency.

Moura believes that powerful art resonates with the present moment and creates a connection with the audience. She questions how films like Civil War will be viewed in the future, or how they would have been received in the past. Ultimately, she feels that art is most impactful when it reflects and responds to the current cultural climate, evoking strong reactions from viewers.

You can now watch both Civil War and Predator: Badlands on Hulu in the U.S.

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2026-03-11 04:06