Two popular action sci-fi blockbusters starring Robert Downey Jr. are heading to Hulu soon. These collectively grossed roughly $1.2 billion and also laid the foundation for an iconic superhero cinematic universe and its success.
Iron Man and Iron Man 2 to stream on Hulu next month
Hulu subscribers can stream Iron Man and Iron Man 2 starting July 1, 2026. Interestingly, this happens ahead of Robert Downey Jr.’s highly anticipated MCU return in Avengers: Doomsday, where he will essay the big bad of the Multiverse Saga, Doctor Doom.
The original film premiered in theaters on May 2, 2008, and became a significant commercial success. Grossing a sizable $585 million at the global box office against its estimated $140 million production budget (via Box Office Mojo), it not only spawned two sequels but also kicked off a successful superhero franchise, a.k.a. the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Iron Man also received largely positive reviews, helping solidify the eponymous superhero as a cultural icon. Critics particularly highlighted Downey’s performance and commanding screen presence, as well as the character and story development.
The story follows Tony Stark, a world-famous yet egotistical billionaire and arms manufacturer, who gets captured by terrorists in Afghanistan. He builds an electromechanical suit of armor to escape and, upon returning home, makes a more advanced version of it to use as a superhero.
Jon Favreau helmed the movie from Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Art Marcum, and Matt Holloway’s screenplay. In addition to Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man features Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, Leslie Bibb, Shaun Toub, Faran Tahir, Clark Gregg, Sayed Badreya, and Paul Bettany. Favreau also appears, playing the title character’s bodyguard and chauffeur, Happy Hogan.
Meanwhile, Iron Man 2 hit theaters two years later on May 7, 2010. Favreau returned as director while Justin Theroux wrote the script. Downey, Paltrow, and Favreau reprised their roles while Don Cheadle, Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, Mickey Rourke, and Samuel L. Jackson joined the cast. The narrative sees Stark confronting Ivan Vanko, a Russian scientist harboring a vendetta against the former’s family.
The sequel, made on an estimated $200 million budget, grossed approximately $623 million worldwide. While Downey’s performance once again received praise, critics deemed the film’s quality inferior to its predecessor.
