‘National Anthem’ Makes Streaming Debut on Hulu for Pride Month

Luke Gilford’s LGBTQ+ western drama finds a wider audience as Hulu spotlights queer cinema with Wolfe Video’s curated Pride lineup.

Nearly a year after its acclaimed theatrical debut, director Luke Gilford’s feature film National Anthem is now set to stream exclusively on Hulu beginning Thursday, June 5, just in time to celebrate Pride Month. The film’s streaming launch is a collaborative effort between Wolfe Video and LD Entertainment, and will be accompanied by a slate of other notable queer titles from Wolfe’s library that began streaming on Hulu from June 1.

“National Anthem is a film about the search for belonging,” said Gilford in a statement. “I’m thrilled that the film will be streaming on Hulu, making it accessible to even more viewers who might connect with its reimagined vision of the American West, and perhaps see themselves reflected in it.”

Set in the sweeping deserts of rural New Mexico, National Anthem tells the story of Dylan, a 21-year-old construction worker portrayed by Charlie Plummer, who stumbles into an unexpected community of queer ranchers and rodeo performers. Inspired by the International Gay Rodeo Association, the film reimagines the Western genre through an LGBTQ+ lens, exploring themes of identity, chosen family, and the pursuit of one’s place in the world.

The film, which premiered at SXSW in 2023, also stars Eve Lindley, Mason Alexander Park, Rene Rosado, and Robyn Lively. The screenplay was co-written by David Largman Murray, Kevin Best, and Gilford, and the project was produced by Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon, Kevin Garland, Gina Marcheschi, and Jasmine Daghighian. Executive producers include Beau Ward, Jacob Yakob, Michael Glassman, Troy Nankin, Zackary Drucker, and Murray.

The release of National Anthem is part of Hulu’s expanded Pride Month programming, which now includes a curated lineup from Wolfe Video, a distributor known for championing LGBTQ+ stories. Alongside National Anthem, viewers can now stream classics such as Adam (2019), Big Eden (2000), Boy Meets Girl (2014), Elena Undone (2010), Hurricane Bianca (2016), Loving Annabelle (2006), A Perfect Ending (2012), and Sordid Lives (2000).

“I am excited to bring an amazing collection of films to Hulu this Pride season,” said Evan Schwartz, Wolfe’s head of content. “Working with LD Entertainment on National Anthem has been an honor and I am thrilled to have Hulu’s support in amplifying stories about the LGBTQ+ community.”

With National Anthem, Gilford cements his arrival as a unique voice in queer cinema, blending emotional intimacy with sweeping landscapes and a compelling message about inclusion, love, and the modern American identity.