Disney Plus and Hulu Have Different Libraries, Even Though Disney Owns Both
No, Disney Plus does not have everything Hulu has. Even though The Walt Disney Company owns both services, they keep separate content libraries. Disney Plus focuses on family-friendly material from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. Hulu carries a much wider range of content, including mature TV shows, R-rated films, and programs from networks like ABC, FX, and Searchlight Pictures that Disney Plus does not offer.
The two services are designed for different audiences. If you subscribe to only Disney Plus, you will miss thousands of shows and movies available only on Hulu. If you want access to both libraries, you need to pay for both services separately, or choose a bundle that includes both.
Key Takeaways
- Disney Plus carries family content, Marvel shows, Star Wars series, and Pixar films; Hulu carries mature TV shows, R-rated movies, and content from ABC and FX networks.
- Many shows and movies appear on only one service—they are not duplicated across both libraries.
- You can subscribe to Disney Plus and Hulu as separate monthly payments, or purchase a bundle that includes both services at a lower combined price.
- Some content moves between services over time as licensing agreements change, so a show on Hulu today might move to Disney Plus later.
What You Get Only on Disney Plus
Disney Plus is the home for Walt Disney Studios films, Pixar movies, Marvel Cinematic Universe films, and Star Wars content. This includes theatrical releases like Encanto, Lightyear, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, as well as original series made for Disney Plus such as The Mandalorian, Loki, WandaVision, and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
Disney Plus also carries National Geographic documentaries and nature series, classic Disney animated films from decades past, and content from the Disney vault that rarely appears elsewhere. If you want Marvel shows, Star Wars series, or recent Disney theatrical releases, Disney Plus is where you will find them.
What You Get Only on Hulu
Hulu carries current and past seasons of network television shows from ABC, such as Grey's Anatomy, The Bachelor, and Scandal. It also has original series like The Handmaid's Tale, Only Murders in the Building, and Dopesick—many of which contain mature content, language, and themes that would not appear on Disney Plus.
Hulu's film library includes R-rated movies and independent films from Searchlight Pictures and other studios. The service also carries FX series like Pose, Feud, and American Horror Story. If you watch network television or want access to shows with mature content, Hulu has a much larger selection than Disney Plus.
How the Bundle Works and What It Costs
Disney offers a bundle that combines Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus into one subscription. The bundle costs less per month than paying for each service separately. You can choose between a bundle with ads or a bundle without ads, depending on your preference and budget.
If you only want Disney Plus and Hulu without ESPN Plus, you can still subscribe to both services separately and pay for them individually. Some people find the three-service bundle worth the cost even if they do not watch sports, because the combined price is lower than buying Disney Plus and Hulu alone.
Content That Appears on Both Services
Some shows and movies do appear on both Disney Plus and Hulu, though this is less common than content that appears on only one. When a title is available on both, you can watch it on whichever service you prefer. However, you cannot assume a show is on both just because you found it on one.
Content moves between services as licensing agreements expire and renew. A show might be on Hulu for a year, then move to Disney Plus when the contract changes. This means the libraries are not static—what is available today may not be available in six months, and vice versa.
How to Check What Is Available Right Now
The easiest way to see what each service offers is to visit the Disney Plus and Hulu websites or apps directly. You can search for a specific show or movie on each platform to see whether it is available. If you are not sure which service has what you want to watch, searching both takes only a few minutes.
Neither service publishes a complete list of every title in its library, so browsing the apps or searching for titles you care about is more reliable than looking for a master list online. If a show is important to you, check both services before you decide which subscription to buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I subscribe to Disney Plus, can I watch Hulu shows with the same login?
No. Disney Plus and Hulu are separate services with separate logins, even though Disney owns both. You need a Hulu account to watch Hulu content. If you buy the bundle, you get both accounts, but they are still separate.
Does Disney Plus have all the Marvel movies and shows?
Disney Plus has Marvel Cinematic Universe films and Marvel series made for Disney Plus, like Loki and She-Hulk. However, some older Marvel TV shows from networks like Netflix and ABC are not on Disney Plus—some are on Hulu instead. Check the specific show you want to watch.
Will Disney Plus eventually have everything Hulu has?
Unlikely. Disney has stated that Hulu will remain the home for more mature content, while Disney Plus stays family-focused. The two services are designed to serve different audiences, so they will probably keep separate libraries long-term.
Can I watch ABC shows on Disney Plus?
Most current ABC shows air on Hulu, not Disney Plus. Some older ABC shows may be on Disney Plus, but the newer network television content is primarily on Hulu. If you want to watch current network TV, Hulu is the better choice.
What happens if I cancel my Disney Plus subscription but keep Hulu?
You will lose access to Disney Plus content but keep your Hulu account and everything available there. You can cancel either service independently without affecting the other, even if you bought them as a bundle.