Hungry 2026

Hungry (2026) is a British-American survival horror thriller directed and written by James Nunn. The film puts an unusual predator at the center of its story: a massive, aggressive hippopotamus hunting a group of tourists stranded in the Louisiana swamplands. Starring Madison Davenport, Tracey Bonner, and Joaquim de Almeida, Hungry takes the familiar animal-attack formula into an unexpected setting, turning a swamp excursion into a fight for survival. The movie was released in the United States in June 2026 and subsequently became available through digital platforms. With a runtime of approximately 93 minutes, the film is designed as a straightforward creature feature, emphasizing pursuit, survival and the threat lurking beneath the water.

Storyline & Plot Analysis

The Hungry storyline follows a group of holidaymakers who become stranded after getting lost during a boat excursion through the Louisiana bayou. Their situation becomes much more dangerous when they discover that a highly aggressive hippopotamus is roaming the area.

With their escape routes limited by the swamp, the group has to work together to survive while avoiding the animal’s attacks. The film uses the isolated setting to create a constant sense of danger, turning the surrounding water and vegetation into obstacles as much as hiding places.

Rather than building its story around a supernatural threat, Hungry draws its tension from an animal that is already capable of being extremely dangerous in the real world. The unusual choice of a hippo gives the movie its main hook while keeping the overall structure familiar to fans of survival and creature-attack films.

Production Details & Behind-the-Scenes

James Nunn serves as both writer and director, with Ben Jacques producing. The production was handled by Signature Entertainment, with filming taking place in Malta, which was used to recreate the Louisiana swamp environment. Cinematographer Job Reineke worked on the film, while Austin Wintory composed the score.

The filmmakers also put considerable attention into the creature itself. Creature effects were handled by makeup and effects artist Dan Martin, while Magic Dust VFX contributed visual effects. The production’s approach allows the hippo to remain the central visual threat rather than making the film dependent on a large ensemble of monsters.

Star-Studded Cast & Characters

The Hungry cast includes:

• Madison Davenport as Sistine
• Tracey Bonner as Dionne
• Joaquim de Almeida as Walker
• Michel Curiel as Rodrigo
• Samantha Coughlan as Sally
• Olivia Bernstone as Hannah
• Jim Meskimen as Tim
• River Codack as Mikey

Madison Davenport leads the ensemble as Sistine, while Tracey Bonner and Joaquim de Almeida provide additional dramatic weight as the stranded group attempts to survive.

Release Date & Reception

Hungry premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in February 2026 before its commercial rollout. It was released theatrically in the United States on June 3, 2026, with digital availability following later that month. Rotten Tomatoes lists the film as a June 23 streaming release.

Reception has been mixed. IMDb currently lists Hungry at around 5.0/10, with more than 2,000 ratings. Reviews generally recognize the novelty of using a hippopotamus as the central creature, while some viewers have found the characters and story relatively conventional for the survival-horror genre.

Where to Watch Hungry

If you’re searching for where to watch Hungry, the movie is available through digital rental and purchase services following its theatrical release. U.S. listings include platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home, although availability can vary by territory and may change over time.