The early 2000s was a prime time for comedy on the silver screen. Among those leading the charge for the decade’s popular comedies alongside others like Judd Apatow were Joel Coen and Ethan Coen. Collectively known as the Coen Brothers, the pair occupied a large space in the 2000s comedy scene, with their signature blend of satire, crime, and dark humor in movies like Burn After Reading and Intolerable Cruelty cementing them as comedy icons. One of the Coen Brothers’ most timeless 2000s comedies just arrived on Hulu, and it’s still a near-perfect movie more than 20 years after its theatrical release.
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On September 5th, Hulu added the 2000 satirical comedy-drama musical film O Brother, Where Art Thou? to its streaming lineup. Written, produced, co-edited, and directed by the Coen Brothers as a satirical take on Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, the movie is set in the American South during the Great Depression and centers around three escaped prisoners as they embark on a peril-filled odyssey to find hidden treasure, all while being pursued by a relentless lawman. George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson lead the cast, with Charles Durning, Michael Badalucco, John Goodman, and Holly Hunter also starring.
Why You Should Watch O Brother, Where Art Thou?
O Brother, Where Art Thou? is an absurd but brilliant retelling of the ancient Greek story blended with the Coen Brothers’ signature comedic style. The movie transforms the iconic clever and courageous Greek hero Ulysses into a cunning, charismatic con man who, along with the other characters, is exceptionally endearing and hard not to love. The movie also features a unique atmosphere as the characters journey through an American South that feels just as vast and fantastical as that in Homer’s poem. We’d also be remiss not to mention the film’s rich, clever, and extremely quotable dialogue and iconic soundtrack of old-time American music.
The combination of the an awesome and refreshing modern adaptation of The Odyssey and the Coen Brothers’ signature style created a near-perfect masterpiece. O Brother, Where Art Thou? was an overwhelming success. The movie was well-received by critics and holds a “Certified Fresh” distinction on Rotten Tomatoes with a 78% critics’ score. Its audience rating sits at 89%. The movie also received numerous awards nominations, including Academy Awards nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Cinematography, with the film’s soundtrack winning a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2002.
Other Comedy Movies Now on Hulu
Hulu is delivering plenty of laughs. The streamer’s September 2025 lineup features several hilarious comedy films that subscribers won’t want to miss. After watching O Brother, Where Art Thou?, viewers can press play on the cult classic ‘90s comedy Clueless, which began streaming on Hulu on September 1st alongside other beloved comedies like John Tucker Must Die, Mean Girls (2004), Mrs. Doubtfire, and Space Jam (1996). Hulu is also now streaming The 40-Year-Old Virgin as the iconic Steve Carell-led movie celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
Are you a big fan of O Brother, Where Art Thou? Will you be streaming it on Hulu? Let us know in the comments!
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