Hulu’s curtain call is coming sooner than fans expected, and with Disney pulling the plug on the beloved streaming app, viewers are left wondering what fate awaits its standout originals. From hit dramas to cult comedies, Hulu’s library has become a streaming staple, but where will these fan favorites live once the green-tinted interface disappears for good?
Hulu app to shut down in 2026 — but its originals aren’t going anywhere
Disney is preparing to sunset the standalone Hulu app in 2026 as part of its plan to merge the platform with Disney+. But fans of Hulu’s acclaimed original series can breathe easy because none of that content is going away. Instead, every Hulu original will find a new home within the combined Disney+ and Hulu experience. Subscribers will still have the flexibility to purchase either service separately or enjoy both through a unified interface.
Disney CEO Bob Iger and CFO Hugh Johnston described the upcoming integration as a major step toward an “improved consumer experience,” promising “tremendous choice, convenience, quality, and enhanced personalization” for users, according to Variety. Even before the full merger takes place, Disney+ users will begin to notice subtle changes. A new Hulu tab, along with a “For You” section featuring tailored recommendations from Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN, will start appearing across the platform.
Jason Wong, Disney’s Senior Vice President of Product Management, told Fast Company that the move is designed to entice users to explore the wider Disney ecosystem. “It’s to give people a bit of a taste as to what the breadth of our catalog offers, and encourages you to upsell into a bundle that makes sense for you,” Wong explained.
How Disney took full control of Hulu
Hulu launched in 2008 as a joint venture between major media companies — NBC Universal (Comcast), News Corporation (Fox), and Disney-ABC Television Group — to create a centralized platform for streaming network TV shows and films online. Over the years, the platform has grown into a leading destination for next-day TV episodes, licensed content, and critically acclaimed originals, such as The Handmaid’s Tale and Only Murders in the Building.
Disney’s relationship with Hulu deepened over time. In 2019, following its $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox, Disney’s ownership stake in Hulu rose to 67%, giving it a controlling interest in the platform. Comcast’s NBCUniversal held the remaining 33%. As part of a 2019 agreement, Disney gained full operational control of Hulu while Comcast retained its financial stake, with a clause allowing Disney to buy out Comcast’s share starting in 2024.
That transition became official in 2024 when Disney exercised its option to acquire Comcast’s remaining stake for an estimated minimum value of $8.6 billion. By July 2025, Disney had completed the acquisition, making Hulu a wholly owned subsidiary and paving the way for a unified streaming experience under the Disney+ umbrella.
While an official date for the standalone Hulu app’s shutdown has yet to be confirmed, the company continues to offer both platforms through bundled plans. Currently, the Disney+ and Hulu bundle is priced at $10.99 per month, while the premium, ad-free version, which also allows offline downloads, costs $19.99 per month.
Sources: Variety, Fast Company