When Titanic sailed into theaters in 1997, it changed the cinematic landscape for good, and only a handful of movies have been able to come close to its success. Directed by James Cameron and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, the movie, a sprawling love story based on the April 1912 sinking of RMS Titanic, became the first film to gross over $1 billion, swept the awards circuit, and marked a groundbreaking cinematic achievement. Just four years after Cameron’s cinematic masterpiece, famed director Michael Bay attempted to replicate Titanic’s success with a romance story set amid a real-life tragedy, and while the movie wasn’t well-received by critics, it’s definitely worth revisiting now that it’s landed on a new streaming service.
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A rush of new arrivals on September 1st brought Bay’s 2001 romantic war drama Pearl Harbor to Hulu. Undoubtedly Bay’s answer to Titanic with a very similar premise, Pearl Harbor is set against the backdrop of World War II and stars Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett as friends who enter the war as pilots. Stationed at different fronts, they find themselves entangled in a love triangle with a nurse, Kate Beckinsale’s Evelyn, amid the attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii in 1941. The movie, produced by Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer and written by Randall Wallace, also stars Cuba Gooding Jr., Tom Sizemore, Jon Voight, Colm Feore, and Alec Baldwin.
Why You Should Watch Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor didn’t reach the same heights as Titanic, and it’s among Bay’s lowest-rated films on Rotten Tomatoes, but the movie is the perfect watch for fans of Cameron’s film. Both movies are incredibly ambitious in their large-scale productions and sets, helping to bring the historical backdrops to life. The love triangle at the center of Pearl Harbor also serves as an emotional anchor for the story that easily resonates with viewers. Pearl Harbor is also packed with an impressive 40-minute-long attack sequence that is incredibly well-made and paced, features spectacular visuals, and helps build tension.
Bay’s movie is an all-around great cinematic experience. Despite not being a critical success after only garnering a 24% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie was a box office hit. It’s more than $449 million gross worldwide total made it the sixth highest-grossing film of 2001. The movie also earned several award nominations, including four Academy Awards and also the less savory Golden Raspberry Awards nominations. Pearl Harbor was better received by the audience, who gave it a 66% Rotten Tomatoes rating.
Other New Movies Now On Hulu
Hulu’s streaming library is a great place for movie lovers, with new titles being added every month. The Disney-owned streamer’s September 2025 content lineup includes plenty of titles to get excited about. Hulu subscribers can now stream classics like Clueless, John Tucker Must Die, Mean Girls (2004), and Mrs. Doubtfire. Other exciting new additions include Amsterdam, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and Juno, as well as How To Train Your Dragon and How To Train Your Dragon 2, perfect viewing options for the entire family.
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