Can I watch 'Cuckoo' at home? Here's when and where the Hunter Schafer film is streaming.
UPDATE: Dec. 4, 2024, 2:10 p.m. EST This article has been updated to include streaming release details for 'Cuckoo.'
Looking for a new horror film to watch? Cuckoo, a bonkers mountain horror-thriller starring Hunter Schafer (Euphoria), is available to watch at home after a successful release this summer.
It's got its fair share of creepy characters, eerie atmosphere, dramatic tension, and cinematic mountain lodge vibes a la The Shining. Far from a jump scare-filled traditional horror movie, Cuckoo is more dependent on building unnerving, creeping dread. Prepare for an uncomfortably tense, truly bizarre movie night.
Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Cuckoo at home.
What is Cuckoo about?
Written and directed by Tilman Singer, the film follows 17-year-old American Gretchen (Schafer) who is uprooted to a resort in Bavaria with her father Luis (Márton Csókás), stepmother, Beth (Jessica Henwick), and 8-year-old stepsister, Alma (Mila Lieu).
Resort owner Mr. König (Dan Stevens) finds Gretchen a job working reception at a nearby lodge, where one day she's chased back to her new home on her bike by a mysterious hooded figure with glowing eyes. When nobody believes she was attacked, she's forced to investigate largely on her own. What she uncovers is quite bonkers and might leave you scratching your head.
Check out the full trailer below:
Is Cuckoo worth watching?
Cuckoo reviews are a mixed bag, but lean mostly positive, with a 78 percent critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 percent audience rating. Mashable's own reviewer Siddhant Adlakha calls it "incredibly strange and deviously fun."
"Whatever the film's more overt horrors, whether its chilling atmosphere or its attempts at amusing moral and visceral obscenities, they're all bound by Schafer's increasing physical and emotional despondency," wrote Adlakha in his review. "She doesn't just save the movie. She is the movie, making it all the more remarkable to watch."
As Schafer's first lead role in a film, she knocks it out of the park. And for her performance alone, it's worth a watch. Plus, of course, there's Dan Stevens.
How to watch Cuckoo at home
If you skipped the big screen, you're in luck. Cuckoo became available to watch at home as of Sept.17. The mountain horror-thriller is available to rent or buy at digital-on-demand retailers like Prime Video, YouTube, and Apple TV. If you'd rather wait and stream the film, keep reading for more information.
Note: If you choose to rent the film, you'll have 30 days to start watching and just 48 hours once you begin.
Here are some of the platforms where you can rent or purchase the film online:
Prime Video — $5.99 to rent or $14.99
Apple TV — $5.99 to rent or $14.99 to buy
Fandango at Home (Vudu) — $5.99 to rent or $14.99 to buy
YouTube — $5.99 to rent or $14.99 to buy
Google Play — $5.99 to rent or $14.99 to buy
When is Cuckoo streaming?
Since the indie film distributor Neon has a deal with Hulu, Cuckoo will officially make its debut on the streamer on Dec. 17 alongside other recent theatrical hits from Neon — Immaculate, Robot Dreams, and Infinity Pool. Hulu is surprisingly one of the most generous streamers for newbies, as it offers a free 30-day trial. Subscriptions start at $9.99 per month, but we've rounded up a few different ways you can save on your subscription below.
The best Hulu streaming deals
Best Hulu deal for most people: Hulu annual subscription
Rather than paying $9.99 per month for Hulu, which adds up to $119.88 in a year, you can opt for an annual subscription and save 16%. An annual subscription with ads costs just $99.99, which drops the monthly fee down to just $8.33 per month. Sure, you'll have to pay more upfront, but you'll end up keeping more in your pocket in the long run.
Best bundle deal: Get Hulu and Disney+ for 37% off
If you're already a Disney+ subscriber or you want to get more bang for your buck, you can sign up for the Disney Duo Basic bundle and get both Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) for $10.99 per month. That's just $1 more than paying for Hulu alone, or a savings of 45%. Even better, if you're a sports fan, you can throw ESPN+ into the mix for only $16.99 per month total. That's 47% in savings on all three services.
Best for students: Hulu Student
Students looking to stream Cuckoo and other Neon hits can sign up for Hulu for only $1.99 per month. That's a savings of 80% compared to the full cost of Hulu with ads. You'll just have to verify your college email address using SheerID to score the deal.
Best for T-Mobile users: Hulu (with ads) included for one year for Go5G Next customers
One of the best ways to get free streaming services, including Hulu, is to switch your mobile plan to T-Mobile's Go5G Next plan. Customers on this plan get Hulu with ads included in their plan for no extra cost, plus Netflix and Apple TV+. If you're already on a Go5G Next plan, head over to the T-Mobile promo page and choose "redeem now" to claim your offer. You'll have to enter your T-Mobile number and account details in order to sign up for Hulu.
Note: After your initial 12-month promotional period, you'll also have to take action in order to keep your subscription alive.
Topics Film Hulu Streaming How to Watch
Frequently Asked Questions
If you're a total Hulu newbie or returning after cancelling your service, then you are eligible to get Hulu for free for 30 days. Select T-Mobile customers can also score a Hulu subscription for free (see more details). If you're on the T-Mobile Go5G Next plan, you can score Hulu with ads for free as of Jan. 24. Just navigate to the T-Mobile website, choose "redeem now," and claim your offer. You'll have to enter your T-Mobile number and account details in order to sign up for Hulu.
We love Hulu's expansive catalog and particularly recommend watching Abbott Elementary, Shōgun, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, Self Reliance, Palm Springs, Rye Lane, The Bear, and of course, Only Murders in the Building. For even more recommendations, check out our watch guides for the funniest comedies on Hulu, best sci-fi movies on Hulu, best reality shows on Hulu, best romantic comedies on Hulu, and more.
Unfortunately, a recent price hike went into effect on Oct. 17, raising the cost of Hulu with ads from $7.99 to $9.99 per month and Hulu without ads from $17.99 to $18.99. Hulu's annual plan also saw a jump in price from $79.99 to $99.99 per year.
Christina Buff is a Nashville-based freelance writer for who covers shopping with a splash of entertainment. If you’re ever wondering what streaming service you need to watch something (and the cheapest way to sign up for it), she’s your girl.
Christina received a B.S. in Business Communication (concentration in writing) from Stevenson University and began her professional journey writing and editing press releases. Since then, she’s written content for a marketing agency, blogged for celebrities, and covered local news, politics, women’s lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and just about everything in between for various publications.
When she’s not writing, she’s probably enjoying live music, studying human design, or embroidering and upcycling clothes. You can follow her on Instagram at @touchinfinity.
