Desert Warrior, a historical epic starring Anthony Mackie and backed by a substantial $150 million budget, is making its streaming debut on Hulu. The film, set in seventh-century Arabia, follows Princess Hind (Aiysha Hart) as she flees the pursuit of Emperor Kisra (Ben Kingsley) and allies with a bandit named Hanzala (Anthony Mackie). Together, they rally rival tribes to confront the emperor in a pivotal desert battle, known as "The Battle of Ze Qar." Made with the aim of revitalizing the Saudi Arabian film industry, Desert Warrior was financed by the Saudi government. Its budget reportedly began at $70 million before doubling. Rupert Wyatt, known for "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," directed the project over a five-year period. The movie was initially released internationally in 2025 before its American premiere in April, where it ultimately garnered less than $1 million globally, positioning it as one of history's most significant box office failures.
Critical reception has pointed to a slow narrative pace, with the story reportedly dragging until abrupt bursts of action, followed by a return to slower pacing. While the film features visually striking imagery of the Saudi Arabian landscape and boasts authentic production design and costumes, its narrative has been described as failing to capture audience attention. The juxtaposition of swift action sequences with a languid story has been noted as a significant flaw. Anthony Mackie's casting has also drawn criticism, with his portrayal of a Middle Eastern bandit perceived as unconvincing given his background and current role as Captain America. The use of an American actor in a lead role of a story centered on a specific ethnicity, with only supporting actors of the relevant ethnic background, has been called out as an odd and dated choice, despite not being a case of whitewashing. Despite its critical and commercial struggles, the film's authentic production design and picturesque depiction of Saudi Arabia have been acknowledged as potential positives for some viewers. Desert Warrior is now available for streaming on Hulu.