Big changes are coming to Disney’s streaming world, and they arrive in clear stages. The company is sunsetting the standalone app Hulu while strengthening one brand inside Disney+. On October 8, that brand takes over outside the United States, and a fully unified experience follows in 2026. In the meantime, users will notice a fresh homepage, smarter navigation, and global marketing that clarifies the offer. Through it all, Hulu remains available as a plan people can still buy on its own.
What the Hulu phase-out actually means
Disney set the tone in early August, saying the standalone service would wind down after the merger. The shutdown targets the app, not the brand. Starting October 8, the general entertainment tile on Disney+ outside the U.S. changes. It replaces Star, per Variety, to anchor adult-focused programming.
Disney says the app experience becomes unified in 2026. Before that, users will see integrations roll out across the homepage and beyond. The company described an ongoing, iterative slate of updates in a Thursday statement. Expect a more visual home screen, intuitive navigation, and tailored recommendations over the next weeks.
An industry source told Deadline the standalone option is not vanishing overnight. Buyers can still purchase Disney+ and Hulu separately, even as bundling grows. Executives say one combined destination should reduce churn and raise satisfaction. The direction is clear, yet the transition lets households keep habits while the platform evolves.
How the unified Disney+ app will roll out
Rollout comes in visible steps rather than one switch. First, the Disney+ homepage gets a refreshed layout with larger visuals and quicker paths. Navigation refines how sections link together. Recommendations gain weight in the design, so viewers see relevant choices sooner. These changes arrive over the next several weeks.
As integrations deepen, tiles, carousels, and search surface a broader catalog. The goal is less jumping between services and more time watching. Disney wants a single path from browse to play, even as separate plans remain available. Within that approach, Hulu content appears more prominently inside Disney+ pathways.
Unification lands in 2026, aligning branding, navigation, and discovery. Until then, the company keeps pace with iterative updates rather than risky leaps. That cadence smooths the learning curve for households. It also helps engineers test features at scale, then refine them, without disrupting viewing habits or device performance.
What happens to shows, movies, and your library
Your favorites are not disappearing, and the library still matters. Platform hits span The Bear, The Handmaid’s Tale, Only Murders in the Building, and The Kardashians. Films include Palm Springs, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, Fire Island, and White Men Can’t Jump. Availability continues as integration increases.
Many shows already stream on both services, thanks to prior licensing and shared ownership. Households with the bundle can watch originals and licensed series without switching apps. For viewers who prefer one destination, Disney+ adds more crossover. For others, Hulu access remains separate, matching habits and budget preferences.
As redesigns arrive, discovery gets easier. Smarter recommendations surface dramas, comedies, documentaries, and live options that fit your profile. Clearer tiles reduce blind spots in the catalog. That helps people finish series, sample new genres, and follow awards chatter, without hunting through menus or bouncing between remote buttons.
Price changes and plans as Hulu integrates
Disney confirmed U.S. price changes in mid-September. On October 21, Disney+ rises by $2 to $11.99 a month for the standalone plan. The premium, ad-free tier goes from $16 to $19. The Live TV bundle with ads climbs by $7, moving from $83 to $90 monthly nationwide.
The ad-supported plan for Hulu also increases by $2 to $11.99. The ad-free tier remains at $18.99. ESPN Select, renamed from ESPN+, moves from $11.99 to $12.99 on the same date. These shifts frame the unified experience while keeping legacy plans available for viewers who prefer them.
Households can still purchase services as standalone plans. That matters during pricing changes because flexibility eases budgets. Some will bundle for savings and convenience. Others will keep one plan and test the unified app later. Either way, the roadmap signals clarity on costs before deeper integration arrives in 2026.
International shift from Star to the new brand
Outside the U.S., October 8 marks a visible change. The Star tile gives way to a new badge on Disney+. Disney argues the move boosts awareness and clarity for general entertainment. A large adult-focused catalog sits under that tile, while marketing and social campaigns support the identity across regions.
In June 2025, Disney completed its purchase of Comcast’s stake, paying about $9 billion. Full ownership removed earlier limits on governance and product direction. With control settled, leadership advanced roadmaps, aligned teams, and set timelines. That structure made a staged rollout possible instead of disruptive platform resets.
Discovery also benefits internationally. One brand name reduces confusion across languages and app stores. Customer service scripts simplify, and analytics become easier to compare. Because the same tile appears worldwide, Hulu gains recognition as the general entertainment hub, while Disney+ keeps franchises, kids programming, and sports rights under unified navigation.
Why this integration changes how you stream tomorrow
Disney’s plan blends clarity and choice, then adds pace. The brand shift on October 8 sets the stage. Pricing changes on October 21 follow. The unified experience in 2026 completes the arc. Because standalone options remain, households can move when ready. The catalog grows more connected, Hulu becomes global shorthand, and Disney+ turns simpler to use. Marketing unifies under one label worldwide. Engineering focuses on one surface, which should speed improvements.