Upcoming Thriller ‘Hungry’ Is About A Killer Hippo

9 Comments | Aura Entertainment, Horror, hungry, vod | By Peter Paltridge | April 21, 2026 | 2 minutes of reading

Many years ago, in the aftermath of somebody attempting a movie based around the board game Battleship, Robot Chicken animated a sketch about a Hungry Hungry Hippos movie. Despite all the embarrassing decisions made by Tinseltown since (as far as I know the Chia Pet movie is still on), no one’s ever dared to stoop that low. Well, at least not officially.

Aura Entertainment is releasing a film this June called Hungry, and it is about a rampaging hippopotamus. And the title’s suggestion is intentional: “This hippo isn’t playing games!” states the poster, next to an illustration of the animal’s wide, open mouth. Time will tell how much the unofficial association will buy them in sales.

“Hungry follows thrill-seeking tourists on a riverboat tour through the treacherous Louisiana swamplands,” says Aura. “Lured off the beaten path by the promise of an exclusive adventure, they soon find themselves fighting for survival against a ravenous hippopotamus lurking beneath the bayou’s murky waters. Set in a mysterious and dangerous landscape, Hungry is a tense survival thriller about an impossible battle with one of nature’s deadliest predators.”

Here’s the truth about hippos though: despite their massive, fearsome incisors, they are herbivores. A hungry hippo is looking for weeds, not you. HOWEVER…hippos can and do attack people they perceive to be a threat, and for this reason, they’re among the deadliest animals in the jungle. Never mind how goofy their appearances make them look. If a hippo attacks you, the hippo is probably going to win.

So the title is sort of wrong, but the danger is sort of right. To their credit, the trailer admits this, but they’re sticking with the title anyway. Hungry stars Madison Davenport, Joaquim de Almeida, Olivia Bernstone, Tracey Bonner, Michel Curiel, Jim Meskimen, Samantha Coughlan, and River Codack. It was written and directed by James Nunn and lands on VOD platforms June 23.

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M

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210 messages 0 likes

#1 Apr 21, 2026

I never thought I'd see a movie like this become a reality! It’s wild how ideas that seem outrageous can eventually find their way to the big screen. A killer hippo sounds like a ridiculous premise, but I can see it drawing on that mix of dark humor and thriller elements.

It reminds me of how “Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles” brought some absurdity into the action genre. I’m curious about how they’ll balance the horror aspects with the inherent goofiness of a hippo as the antagonist. Any thoughts on who might be perfect for the lead role? I'm hoping for some great practical effects, too!

I am Stronger than ever

539 messages 22 likes

#2 Apr 23, 2026

Feels like a concept that knows exactly what it wants to be. A group of people in a bad place with a dangerous animal is a simple formula, but it works when done with care. The concern is tone. The name gives a slightly playful feeling, while the plot sounds serious. That mix can either be interesting or confusing. Everything depends on how consistent the direction is from start to finish.

Member

110 messages 20 likes

#3 Apr 23, 2026

A hippo as the main danger is not something seen often, so that already makes it stand out. People usually expect sharks or crocodiles in these situations. That difference might be enough to get attention. The real question is whether the film can keep tension without showing the animal too much. Sometimes less is more in these kinds of stories.

Member

466 messages 15 likes

#4 Apr 23, 2026

Sounds like a movie made for a specific kind of audience that just wants tension and danger without too much complexity. There is nothing wrong with that approach. Sometimes a straightforward story is enough, especially if the pacing is good. Long slow moments followed by sudden danger usually work well in this genre.

Kinetic_Hype_Train02

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224 messages 11 likes

#5 Apr 23, 2026

I actually think the idea works better than people expect. Hippos are not a joke animal if you look at real life cases. They are fast in water and very aggressive when they feel danger. So even if the title is not accurate, the core danger makes sense to me. What I like is the setting in a swamp, because that gives a closed feeling where escape is hard. That kind of situation is good for a thriller. I am not expecting deep story, but if they keep the tension strong and show the hippo in a smart way, it could be a fun watch. I also appreciate that the trailer admits the truth about hippos. That gives me some confidence that the filmmakers are at least aware of what they are doing.

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Sentai Monster with no Mouth Animation

109 messages 1 like

#6 Apr 23, 2026

This sounds like a simple movie and I am okay with that. Not everything needs a big idea. A group stuck in a bad place with a dangerous animal is enough if done right. The swamp setting is interesting to me because it is not used often for this kind of story. I also think a hippo is more believable than some other animals they use in thrillers. I will probably check it out when it comes online. I do not expect it to be amazing, but it could be a decent way to spend time.

KISS OF DEATH

287 messages 20 likes

#7 Apr 23, 2026

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I like that they chose a hippo because people underestimate them. Most viewers think of them as slow and calm, but that is not true. So there is a chance the movie can surprise people by showing how violent they can be. My only concern is how they will show the animal. If the effects look fake, the tension will be gone immediately. For this kind of story, the creature needs to feel real. If they manage that, I think it can work even with a basic plot.

Beach Manager

910 messages 29 likes

#8 Apr 23, 2026

I saw a hippo at a zoo once and the size of those teeth is terrifying. Even if they only eat plants, they have enough power to crush a boat or a car. I think setting it in Louisiana is a weird choice because hippos do not live there, but maybe they escaped from a private collection. It reminds me of those old monster movies from the nineties where nature just goes out of control. I will probably watch it with my friends because these kinds of survival stories are always fun to discuss. The cast has some solid actors too, so maybe the acting will be better than the usual low budget horror films. I do not care if the science is not perfect as long as the suspense is high. I hope they use practical effects for the hippo instead of bad computer graphics because that makes the danger feel much more real for the viewers at home.

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Heavy_Metallica

Member

963 messages 22 likes

#9 Apr 23, 2026

This film seems to capture that sense of dread quite well. A hippo is basically a tank with teeth. Even if it is not trying to eat the tourists, it can still tear them apart just because it is angry. I think the writers were smart to acknowledge that hippos are herbivores in the trailer while still keeping the scary title. It shows they did at least a little bit of research. The swamp setting is great for cinematography because the lighting and the mist create a very thick atmosphere. I am curious to see how the boat tour goes wrong. Usually, it is a mechanical failure or a bad guide. Either way, it is a simple setup that usually leads to a lot of intense scenes. I will be watching this for sure.

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