Some superhero movies seem cursed from the start. They're announced with grand ambitions, but somewhere along the way, they get lost in corporate shuffles, release date changes, and bad timing. The New Mutants is a perfect example. Even with a rising star like Anya Taylor-Joy in the lead, the film couldn't escape its troubled path to the big screen. But now, thanks to streaming, it's getting a second chance—and audiences are finally giving it the attention it deserves.
Released in August 2020, The New Mutants was originally meant to be the start of a new X-Men spinoff series. But the film faced multiple delays, got caught in Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox, and then hit theaters during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a perfect storm of bad luck, and the movie seemed destined to be a forgotten footnote in superhero history. Yet here we are, six years later, and the film is finding new life on streaming platforms.
As of August 2026, The New Mutants is available on both Hulu and Disney+, and it's been climbing the charts. The renewed interest isn't just because of the movie itself—it's also because of Taylor-Joy's meteoric rise to fame. Since the film's release, she's become one of Hollywood's most sought-after actresses, starring in everything from The Queen's Gambit to Furiosa. Her star power is drawing curious viewers back to this early Marvel-adjacent project.
But it's not just Taylor-Joy's fame driving the resurgence. With Marvel Studios gearing up for its own X-Men reboot, fans are revisiting the old Fox-era films to see what might be worth carrying over. The New Mutants introduced a group of young mutants with intriguing powers, and there's a lot of potential there. Some fans have even argued that the film deserves a second chance in the MCU.
The plot follows five young mutants—Danielle Moonstar, Rahne Sinclair, Sam Guthrie, Roberto da Costa, and Illyana Rasputin—who are held in a secret facility under the guise of being cured of their powers. But as strange events unfold, they realize they're part of a larger battle between good and evil. The cast includes Blu Hunt, Maisie Williams, Charlie Heaton, Henry Zaga, and Alice Braga, all of whom deliver solid performances.
Critics were mixed on the film when it first came out, with a 38% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences were slightly more forgiving, giving it a 56% rating. Many praised the performances, especially Taylor-Joy's portrayal of Magik, a character with a dark and complex arc. The film's horror-infused tone was also a departure from typical superhero fare, which some found refreshing.
Financially, The New Mutants was a disappointment, grossing just $49.2 million worldwide against a reported budget of $67–80 million. But box office numbers don't tell the whole story. In the streaming era, a film can find its audience long after its theatrical run ends. This isn't the first time a movie has gotten a surprising second life on streaming, and it won't be the last.
For those who missed it the first time, The New Mutants is worth a watch, especially if you're a fan of Taylor-Joy or curious about the X-Men universe's darker corners. It's not perfect, but it's a fascinating piece of superhero history that's finally getting its moment in the sun.
