Fans of Ubisoft's sprawling sci-fi saga have a reason to mark their calendars: Michael Fassbender's Assassin's Creed film is officially set to stream on Hulu starting November 1, 2026. The timing couldn't be better, as Netflix's live-action series based on the same franchise is currently in production, making this the perfect moment to revisit the first big-screen attempt to bring the iconic video game to life.
Released in 2016, the movie was directed by Justin Kurzel and starred Fassbender in a dual role as Callum Lynch, a death-row inmate who discovers he's a descendant of Aguilar de Nerha, an Assassin active during the Spanish Inquisition. The cast also included Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, Charlotte Rampling, and the late Michael K. Williams. While the film told an original story within the game's universe, it struggled to win over critics, earning just an 18% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with audiences slightly more forgiving at 42%. Despite the mixed reception, it managed to gross over $240 million worldwide, proving the franchise's commercial pull.
The Assassin's Creed franchise has been a gaming phenomenon since its debut in 2007, chronicling a centuries-old war between the Assassins, who champion free will, and the Templars, who seek order through control. Over the years, the series has explored everything from the Crusades and the French Revolution to Viking England and Japan's Sengoku period, with 14 mainline games and countless spin-offs. The 2016 film, however, chose to focus on the Spanish Inquisition, a setting that offered rich historical texture but didn't translate into a compelling cinematic experience for many.
Now, with the movie heading to Hulu, subscribers will have a chance to judge it for themselves. It's worth noting that the streaming landscape has been busy lately—Percy Jackson is also expanding to Hulu this November, so there's plenty of fantasy fare to enjoy. And for those who prefer their historical epics on the big screen, Gladiator II hits Netflix in October, offering another dose of ancient-world drama.
Looking ahead, Netflix's adaptation promises a fresh take. Announced back in 2020, the series will be set in Ancient Rome in 64 AD, a period rife with political intrigue and conspiracy. The show stars Toby Wallace, Lola Petticrew, Zachary Hart, Laura Marcus, Tanzyn Crawford, Claes Bang, and Nabhaan Rizwan, with Roberto Patino and David Wiener serving as showrunners. Production kicked off in March 2026, but no release date has been confirmed yet, nor has the episode count been revealed.
While the original film may not have been a critical darling, it remains a fascinating piece of video game adaptation history. As Hollywood continues to mine gaming IP for content—often with mixed results—the upcoming Netflix series has a chance to learn from past missteps. In the meantime, fans can revisit Fassbender's take on the Assassin's Creed universe when it lands on Hulu this November. For more updates on this and other streaming releases, stay tuned to Collider.
