20 Years Later, Steven Spielberg’s Underrated Animated Cult Classic Is Streaming on Hulu

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Steven Spielberg is a hugely influential filmmaker, responsible for bringing many films to life over a career spanning more than 50 years. While he’s famous for blockbusters like Jaws and Jurassic Park, some of his other work doesn’t get the attention it deserves. For example, he executive produced a fantastic animated movie that’s currently streaming on Hulu – a film that earned praise the same year as Letters from Iwo Jima and two years before Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was released.

As a big Spielberg fan, everyone always talks about The Land Before Time, and rightfully so. But I think Monster House really deserves more love! It’s this fun, slightly spooky animated movie from 2006, directed by Gil Kenan and produced by Spielberg’s company, Amblin Entertainment. The story kicks off on Halloween night and follows a group of kids who realize the creepy, old house on their street is actually a living monster that… well, eats people! It’s become a real cult favorite over the years, and I was excited to see it recently hit Hulu to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year.

Steven Spielberg’s Monster House Is an Animated Gem That Still Holds Up

Released during a peak period for animated films in the 2000s – alongside hits like Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, Shrek, and Lilo & Stitch – Monster House didn’t quite get the attention it deserved. However, it offered something unique: a surprising mix of real scares, a nostalgic look at suburban life, and genuine emotional weight. While many animated movies of that time focused on predictable, comedic adventures, Monster House stood out with a thrilling, *Gooniesinspired story that successfully blended childhood imagination with true horror.

While Monster House is definitely spooky, it’s also a surprisingly touching story about love, loss, and growing up. It’s a tragic tale cleverly hidden within a horror movie, all set against a wonderfully nostalgic 90s suburban Halloween backdrop. Though it didn’t initially get much recognition, Monster House has become a beloved classic, especially for those who remember being kids in that era. It’s a great watch any time, and critics agree – it currently holds a ‘Certified Fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes with a 75% approval score.

What’s New on Hulu?

Hulu has a lot of new movies and shows coming in April! Subscribers can enjoy animated favorites like The Croods, Shark Tale, and all four Shrek films. Plus, they’re adding popular titles like The Devil Wears Prada and the Night at the Museum series, along with Hulu’s original comedy, Pizza Movie.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-04-11 20:41