Abstract Under investigation in this paper is the generalized coupled nonlinear Hirota (GCH) equations with addition effects by the Hirota method, which is better than the coupled nonlinear Schrodinger equations in eliciting optical solitons for increasing the bit rates. The bilinear form has been constructed, via which multi-solitons and breathers are derived. In particular, the three-bright soliton solution and breathers are derived and simulated via some pictures. The propagation characters are analyzed with the changes of the key parameters.