In the ever-shifting landscape of streaming, sometimes a movie that was once dismissed finds a second chance at glory. That's exactly what's happening with Underworld: Blood Wars, the fifth installment in the long-running vampire franchise. Starring Theo James and Kate Beckinsale, this 2016 film was initially met with scathing reviews and a dismal 21% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Yet, as of June 2026, it's clawed its way to the top of Hulu's most-streamed list in the U.S., proving that audiences are ready to give it another look.
Theo James, best known to many for his role as Eddie Horniman in Guy Ritchie's hit series The Gentlemen, has been on a roll lately. That show, a follow-up to Ritchie's 2019 film, earned over 76 million global viewers and 1.21 billion viewing minutes in its first week. With a second season set for 2026, fans are eager for more of James' charm. But before he returns to the criminal underworld, his turn as a vampire in Underworld: Blood Wars is reminding viewers of his range.
Directed by Anna Foerster, Underworld: Blood Wars was considered the final nail in the franchise's coffin by critics. Despite its poor reception, the film quietly performed at the box office, turning a $35 million budget into $81.2 million globally. Now, nearly a decade later, it's experiencing a streaming renaissance. The movie's resurgence on Hulu is a testament to how streaming platforms can revive interest in overlooked titles.
Interestingly, Underworld: Blood Wars isn't the only critically panned horror film finding success on Hulu right now. Topping the charts is Return to Silent Hill, the third movie in the Silent Hill franchise, which debuted to awful reviews earlier this year. Collider's Ross Bonaime called it "an ugly, laughable adaptation," yet it's currently the number one streamed film on the platform. This trend suggests that audiences are increasingly willing to judge movies on their own terms, ignoring critical consensus.
For fans of Theo James, this streaming success is a nice bonus while they wait for The Gentlemen season two. It also highlights how the actor has carved out a niche in genre projects, from the vampire underworld to the criminal underworld. If you're looking for a nostalgic trip back to the days of Selene and the Lycan-Vampire war, Underworld: Blood Wars is now just a click away on Hulu.
As streaming continues to reshape how we consume entertainment, stories like this remind us that no film is truly forgotten. Whether it's a box office bomb or a critical failure, the right platform at the right time can turn it into a hit. For now, Underworld: Blood Wars is enjoying its moment in the sun—or perhaps, the moon.
