If you’re in the UK and wondering when Hulu will finally land on British shores, well… you’re not alone. It’s a question that’s been bouncing around Reddit threads, forums, and social media for years now. Despite its booming popularity in the States, with hits like The Handmaid’s Tale and Only Murders in the Building, Hulu remains out of reach for UK audiences. And sadly, as of 2025, there’s still no official launch in sight.
So what’s the holdup? Is there any hope on the horizon? And is there a (legal-ish) workaround? Let’s break it down.
How can you watch Hulu in the UK?
The streaming service is one of the heavy hitters in American streaming, no doubt. It’s got binge-worthy originals, buzzy documentaries, next-day TV episodes, and a ton of content people in the UK would love to devour. But for now? Still no dice.
There was talk, years ago, about Hulu crossing the Atlantic. The company even had meetings with UK broadcasters, think ITV, Channel 4, the BBC. But those talks fizzled out. Instead, the on-demand platform parent company, Disney, made a strategic pivot. Rather than launch it international version, they started folding a lot of that content into Disney+ under the “Star” section.
Disney figured it made more sense (and dollars) to focus on building one global powerhouse, Disney+, instead of juggling multiple services in different countries.
Want to Watch Hulu in the UK Anyway? Here’s the VPN Route
Just because it isn’t officially here doesn’t mean fans aren’t finding workarounds. Enter: the trusty VPN.
Here’s how some folks in the UK are streaming Disney-owned service:
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Pick a VPN that works. Not all of them do. Go for one with solid reviews, fast speeds, and plenty of US servers. (Free ones? Usually a dead end.)
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Connect to a US server. This makes it look like you’re streaming from somewhere in the States.
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Visit Hulu’s website or app. If your VPN’s up to the task, you’ll see the full Hulu library.
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Create an account. Heads-up: you’ll probably need a US-based payment method. Some people get around this using Hulu gift cards purchased online.
A quick word of warning, the service doesn’t exactly love VPNs. It works hard to block them. So this method can be hit or miss unless you’re using a reliable, premium VPN.
Why Is Hulu Blocked in the UK in the First Place?
It mostly comes down to money, rights, and a fair bit of corporate chess.
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Licensing headaches. The service only has the right to stream its content in the US. Bringing it overseas would mean untangling a web of international contracts, expensive and complicated.
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Clashing with UK platforms. A lot of its shows already air on other British services like Netflix UK, Amazon Prime, or NOW TV. That means they’d need to renegotiate or buy those rights back.
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Disney’s long game. Since taking full control of it, Disney’s been pretty clear: Disney+ is the global priority. The Star section of Disney+ already carries a lot of the service’s best content, so from Disney’s view, why launch a whole new platform?
Could Hulu Still Launch in the UK Someday?
Honestly? Maybe.
Nothing’s set in stone, and the streaming landscape shifts all the time. If demand keeps growing, or if Disney changes direction, it might eventually get its UK debut. The infrastructure is there. The interest is there.
But for now, British fans are left with two main options:
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Catch select Hulu titles on Disney+ Star
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Use a VPN (plus some online gift card trickery) to access Hulu directly
Until something changes, “Hulu UK launch” remains more of a hope than a headline.
Final Thoughts
Let’s be real, US-based platform fans in the UK have been patient. Frustrated, maybe, but patient. Whether Disney eventually greenlights an official launch or sticks with its Disney+ strategy, there’s no denying the appetite for Hulu’s content abroad.
So for now? Keep your VPN close, your gift cards ready, and your expectations… realistic. Because as of 2025, the streaming giant still hasn’t leapt across the pond.
