Hercules in New York

Hercules in New York has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available in Australia on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channels and Hoopla, and in the US on Kanopy and Hoopla. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. With 350 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Arnold Stang's performance alone is worth the time investment. Available now on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channels — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

There is a reason Hercules in New York keeps coming up in conversation. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate Hercules in New York from the crowd. Hercules is sent from Mount Olympus to modern-day Manhattan, where he takes up professional wrestling before getting mixed up with a gang of mobsters. Arnold Stang and Arnold Schwarzenegger lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1970. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and Hercules in New York holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Hercules in New York is the kind of thing you put on in the background and end up fully watching. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Arnold Stang is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.