Man, 2024 was a weird year for movies. Some films, like Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine, were huge hits and made tons of money globally. But we also saw a lot of big-budget movies completely bomb, and I think the after-effects of the strikes from 2023 definitely played a role. One that really sticks out is this fantasy movie – a mix of live-action and animation – that just couldn’t make its money back in theaters. It’s crazy, it literally went from theaters to streaming on Hulu the same day it disappeared from Netflix!
The new movie Harold and the Purple Crayon is based on the classic 1955 children’s book by Crockett Johnson. It premiered on Hulu on April 30th and picks up the story by imagining what happens when Harold, the book’s main character, grows up and faces the challenges of the real world. Unfortunately, the film wasn’t a success, earning only $32 million globally despite costing $40 million to produce (not including marketing). It even received a nomination for a Golden Raspberry Award, and Zachary Levi was nominated for Worst Actor.
Harold and the Purple Crayon Was One of the Most Divisive Movies of 2024
Despite being a major box office disappointment in 2024, Harold and the Purple Crayon sparked a lot of debate. The film, which combines live-action and animation and features an adult Harold using his crayon to escape his storybook, received very negative reviews from critics (a 29% score on Rotten Tomatoes). However, audiences loved it, giving it a strong 89% rating and a “Verified Hot” label.
Critics weren’t impressed with the film adaptation of Harold and the Purple Crayon, finding it lost the magic of the original book and felt overly complicated. They also thought the character of Harold was portrayed as silly and immature instead of creative and endearing. The special effects received some criticism as well. However, general audiences enjoyed the movie as a light and fun family film. Despite a disappointing theatrical run, it’s found a wider audience on streaming services like Netflix and has become a popular choice for viewers.
Other Family-Friendly Movies Now on Hulu
Hulu added a lot of fun options for kids in April, starting with the first three Night at the Museum movies and all the Shrek films. They continued adding titles throughout the month, including Pets on a Train and Finnick. In May, Hulu will expand its kid-friendly selection even further with new shows and movies like Disney’s Descendants series, Holes, and Robots.
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2026-05-02 00:40