Star Wars fans, mark your calendars: the four highest-rated movies in the franchise are about to find a new streaming home. Starting May 1, 2026, Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope, Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back, Episode VI — Return of the Jedi, and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will all be available to stream on Hulu. That’s just days before the annual Star Wars Day celebrations on May 4, and a few weeks ahead of the theatrical release of The Mandalorian and Grogu on May 22.
Why These Four Movies Stand Above the Rest
These aren’t just any Star Wars films—they’re the cream of the crop. A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back sit at the top of the franchise’s Rotten Tomatoes rankings, with 94% and 93% scores respectively. The original trilogy, which launched in 1977 with A New Hope, follows farm boy Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) as he joins the Rebel Alliance, trains in the ways of the Force, and ultimately confronts his father, Darth Vader (voiced by James Earl Jones). The Empire Strikes Back (1980) deepened the saga’s mythology, while Return of the Jedi (1983) brought the original arc to a triumphant close.
Meanwhile, Rogue One (2016) serves as a direct prequel to A New Hope, showing how the Rebels stole the Death Star plans. It ends mere moments before the 1977 classic begins, making it the perfect companion piece. The film grossed over $1 billion worldwide and spawned the acclaimed Disney+ series Andor, which ran for two seasons from 2022 to 2025.
A Perfect Binge for May the 4th
With Hulu adding these four titles on May 1, fans can easily binge them in the lead-up to Star Wars Day. The original trilogy remains a cornerstone of sci-fi cinema, and Rogue One offers a grittier, war-film perspective that many consider among the franchise’s best. If you’re looking for more streaming recommendations, check out our picks for the best movies on Prime Video this week.
For those who enjoy high-stakes storytelling, the Star Wars saga also shares DNA with some of the most realistic sci-fi movies ever made, blending epic space battles with grounded human drama.
What This Means for Streaming Wars
Hulu’s acquisition of these four Star Wars titles is a major win for the platform, especially as streaming competition heats up. While Disney+ remains the primary home for most Star Wars content, this deal brings the franchise’s most beloved entries to a wider audience. The move also comes as Hulu continues to bolster its movie library—recently adding titles like The Devil Wears Prada ahead of its sequel’s release.
For fans who prefer their Star Wars with a side of psychological tension, the franchise’s themes of redemption and moral conflict echo the best psychological thriller movies of the last 15 years. And if you’re in the mood for more galaxy-spanning adventures, the video game movies that actually got it right offer a similar blend of action and world-building.
Mark Your Calendars
The original Star Wars trilogy and Rogue One begin streaming on Hulu on May 1, 2026. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a newcomer, this is the perfect opportunity to experience—or revisit—the films that defined a generation. May the Force be with you, and with your streaming queue.
