How to watch The United States vs Billie Holiday online: stream the new movie on Hulu

watch united states vs billie holiday online hulu

(Image credit: Hulu)

One of the greatest and most influential singers of all-time, Billie Holiday was also a titan of the civil rights movement, with Strange Fruit - the first definitive protest song against racial discrimination - becoming both her gift and her curse. Read on as we detail how to watch The United States vs Billie Holiday online and stream the 2021 movie on Hulu today.

The United States vs Billie Holiday chronicles Lady Day's rise to superstardom, and the heart-breaking demise that followed as she sacrificed everything to be a lightning rod for the government, police officers and thugs who did everything in their power to demonise and silence her.

Watch The United States vs Billie Holiday online

Streaming release date: February 26, 2021

Director: Lee Daniels

Cast: Andra Day, Trevante Rhodes, Natasha Lyonne, Garrett Hedlund

Run time: 130 minutes

Rating: N/A

Watch now: Try Hulu for FREE for 1-month

The movie, directed by Lee Daniels (Precious, The Paperboy), stars singer-songwriter Andra Day as the one and only Billie Holiday, in a magnificent debut performance worthy of a Golden Globe nomination for best actress.

Billie is unbowed even as she's relentlessly pursued by the authorities in a blatant campaign designed to suppress the fledgling civil rights movement - a movement that was given a voice by her legendary recording of Strange Fruit, a song about the lynching of Black Americans.

Inspired by Abel Meeropol's poem, Strange Fruit lit a fire within certain sections of society, emboldening the oppressed and the voiceless, and making Holiday, who would also have to struggle against abusive lovers and a drug and alcohol addiction, an obvious target.

Imprisoned, shamed, stripped of her cabaret card and harassed persistently, it was not to be a happy ending, but Billie Holiday's awe-inspiring legacy lives on today. Prepare to be moved as we detail how you can watch The United States vs Billie Holiday online today with Hulu.

watch The United States vs Billie Holiday online hulu

How to watch The United States vs Billie Holiday for FREE with Hulu in the US

You can watch The United States vs Billie Holiday exclusively on Hulu from Friday, February 26.

All you need is a basic subscription to Hulu, which is $5.99 a month, cheaper than Netflix and Disney Plus. Even better, students can sign up for a meager $1.99.

But wait! New subscribers are entitled to a generous 30-day free Hulu trial. In that time you could easily enjoy cracking movies like If Beale Street Could Talk, Palm Springs, and Parasite; TV series Monsterland, Bob’s Burgers, and some of The Handmaid’s Tale, and being the only place to watch Framing Britney Spears.

If you want more a complete cable replacement, there's also the option of Hulu + Live TV at $64.99 a month. Its lineup of 65+ channels including ABC, ESPN, Fox, National Geographic, A&E and FX comes in addition to Hulu's extensive on-demand library - also offering a week-long trial to see if it works for you.

Both Hulu and Hulu + Live TV support a wide range of devices, so there’s plenty of ways to watch your favorite shows: Apple and Android devices, Roku and Apple TV, PlayStation 4 and Xbox consoles, Apple TV, Nintendo Switch and more.

You can also personalize your plan with Premium Channels like HBO Max and Showtime, pick Unlimited Screens, or choose Hulu (no ads) for uninterrupted streaming.

How to save money on Hulu

And if it's sports and entertainment you’re after, minus the high price tag, you’re in luck if you're in the US. Hulu lets you bundle together three OD platforms – ESPN, Disney +, and Hulu – for the ridiculously low fee of $12.99 a month. That combo guarantees something to suit every mood: live sports events, The Simpsons, movies, documentaries, and binge-worthy TV.

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Aatif is a freelance copywriter and journalist based in the UK. He’s written about technology, science and politics for publications including Gizmodo, The Independent, Trusted Reviews and Newsweek, but focuses on streaming at Future, an arrangement that combines two of his greatest passions: sport and penny-pinching.