Not all Hulu shows appear on Disney Plus, even though Disney owns both services

Disney Plus and Hulu are separate streaming services with different content libraries, despite the same parent company. A show on Hulu does not automatically show up on Disney Plus. The two services have different licensing agreements, content ratings, and target audiences, which means some shows stay on Hulu only, some appear on both platforms, and some are exclusive to Disney Plus.

The main reason for this split is that Disney acquired Hulu years before it launched Disney Plus, and Hulu already had contracts with studios and networks for thousands of hours of content. When Disney Plus launched in 2019, it could not straightforward move all that content over—the original licensing deals did not permit it. Over time, Disney has been moving some content between services, but this process is slow and depends on renegotiating rights with other studios.

Key Takeaways

  • Disney Plus focuses on family-friendly and general entertainment content, while Hulu carries more adult-oriented shows, including series with mature ratings.
  • A show licensed to Hulu may have a contract that prevents it from appearing on Disney Plus, even if Disney owns both services.
  • Some shows do appear on both platforms, but this is not the default—you may need to check both services to find what you are looking for.
  • Disney has been gradually moving some original Hulu content to Disney Plus, but this happens on a case-by-case basis depending on licensing terms.

Why Hulu and Disney Plus have different shows

Hulu was founded in 2008 and spent over a decade building relationships with major studios like NBC, Fox, ABC, and others. When those studios licensed content to Hulu, the contracts specified that the shows would air on Hulu—not on any future Disney streaming service. Disney Plus did not exist when most of those deals were signed, so the studios had no reason to include it.

When Disney launched Disney Plus in 2019, it could not override those existing contracts. Instead, Disney Plus started with content it owned outright: Disney films, Pixar movies, Marvel films, Star Wars content, and National Geographic documentaries. Hulu kept the licensed TV shows that were already under contract.

The two services also serve different audiences. Disney Plus is designed for families and general audiences—its content policy excludes shows rated TV-MA (the highest TV rating). Hulu, by contrast, carries shows with TV-MA ratings, including adult dramas and comedies. This content separation is intentional, not accidental.

Which shows appear on both services

Some shows do cross over between Hulu and Disney Plus, but the list is smaller than you might expect. Disney's own original series—shows that Disney created specifically for streaming—sometimes appear on both platforms. For example, some Marvel series that started on Disney Plus have later appeared on Hulu, or vice versa, depending on the show and the region.

The crossover is most common with Disney-owned content that Disney controls completely. If Disney produced the show and owns all the rights, Disney can choose to put it on either platform. But if the show involves licensing from another studio or network, the original contract usually locks it to one service.

Your best approach is to search for the specific show on both services. Disney Plus and Hulu both have search functions that will tell you when ready whether a show is available on each platform.

How to find a show across both services

If you subscribe to both Disney Plus and Hulu, you can search each service separately. Open the app or website for Disney Plus, search for the show by name, and note whether it appears. Then do the same on Hulu. This takes less than a minute and gives you a definitive answer.

If you have a Disney Bundle subscription (which includes Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus), you can access both services with the same account. Log into each service separately to search, since they do not have a unified search across all three platforms.

Some streaming guide websites list which platform carries which shows, but these guides can fall out of date quickly as licensing agreements change. The most reliable source is always the official app or website for each service.

What happens when a show moves between services

Occasionally, Disney renegotiates a licensing deal and moves a show from Hulu to Disney Plus, or vice versa. When this happens, the show may disappear from one service and reappear on the other within days or weeks. If you are watching a show on Hulu and it suddenly vanishes, it may have been moved to Disney Plus—or the licensing period may have ended entirely and the show is no longer available on either service.

Disney has been gradually moving some of its original Hulu content to Disney Plus as part of a long-term strategy to consolidate its streaming presence. However, this process is slow because it requires negotiating with other studios and networks that hold partial rights to many shows.

Hulu shows that are not on Disney Plus

Most licensed content on Hulu—shows from NBC, Fox, ABC, and other networks—remains on Hulu only. This includes long-running series like The Handmaid's Tale, Only Murders in the Building, Killing Eve, and many others. These shows have contracts that specify Hulu as the exclusive streaming home, and those contracts do not include Disney Plus.

Adult-rated comedies and dramas are almost always Hulu-exclusive because Disney Plus does not carry TV-MA content. If a show has mature language, violence, or sexual content, you will find it on Hulu but not on Disney Plus.

Disney Plus shows that are not on Hulu

Disney Plus originals like The Mandalorian, Andor, Loki, and WandaVision are exclusive to Disney Plus. These are shows Disney created and owns entirely, so Disney controls where they appear. Some of these shows may eventually come to Hulu, but that is Disney's choice to make, not a requirement.

Content from Disney's film library—including theatrical releases and Disney Channel originals—also stays on Disney Plus. Hulu does not carry Disney's premium film content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch all Hulu shows if I have Disney Plus?

No. Disney Plus and Hulu have separate libraries. You need a Hulu subscription to watch Hulu shows. If you want both services, you can buy them separately or get the Disney Bundle, which includes both Disney Plus and Hulu at a discounted price.

Why did Disney not put all Hulu shows on Disney Plus?

Most Hulu shows are licensed from other studios and networks under contracts that specify Hulu as the streaming home. Disney cannot move those shows to Disney Plus without renegotiating the original licensing deals, which is expensive and time-consuming. Additionally, Disney Plus focuses on family-friendly content, while Hulu carries adult-rated shows.

If I subscribe to the Disney Bundle, can I watch everything on Disney Plus?

No. The Disney Bundle gives you access to both Disney Plus and Hulu as separate services. You still need to use the Hulu app or website to watch Hulu shows—they do not appear in Disney Plus. The bundle is a discounted way to pay for both subscriptions, not a merged library.

Do shows ever move from Hulu to Disney Plus?

Sometimes, but not often. Disney occasionally renegotiates licensing deals and moves shows between services. However, most licensed content stays on Hulu because the original contracts lock it there. Disney-owned originals may move more freely, but this is rare.

How do I know if a show is on Disney Plus or Hulu?

Search for the show on both services. Open the Disney Plus app or website and search by title, then do the same on Hulu. This takes less than a minute and gives you a definitive answer. Streaming guide websites can help, but they may not reflect the most recent changes.