How to Watch Hulu Outside the US in 2026 (Actually Works)
Hulu does not work outside the US. If you are an expat or traveling, here are the workarounds and the best Hulu alternatives in your country.
Hulu is US-only. Use a VPN with a US server to access it from abroad — NordVPN and Surfshark are the most reliable options. Hulu Japan is a separate, unrelated service owned by Nippon TV.
Hulu is only available in the United States. A separate service called Hulu Japan exists but operates entirely independently under different ownership since Nippon TV acquired Hulu Japan in 2014. Every other country — UK, Australia, Canada, India, and everywhere else — has no access to US Hulu.
Hulu's availability map
| Market | Hulu Available? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Full service with all plans |
| Japan | Separate service | Hulu Japan — different ownership, different content |
| All other countries | No | No official access |
Why Hulu is US-only
Hulu launched in 2008 as a joint venture between NBC, Fox, and ABC to stream their broadcast content online. The content on Hulu — shows from these broadcast networks plus content from cable channels — was licensed exclusively for the US market. Studios and broadcasters had already sold international rights to local broadcasters in each country, often decades earlier.
Expanding Hulu internationally would require renegotiating hundreds of distribution deals, paying off or waiting out existing international licensees, and building local content libraries. Disney (which owns the majority of Hulu following its 2019 acquisition of 21st Century Fox) has prioritized Disney+ for international expansion instead, making a global Hulu launch unlikely in the near term (Variety).
Hulu Japan: not the same thing
Hulu Japan exists but is not connected to the US Hulu service in any meaningful way. Hulu launched in Japan in 2011. In 2014, NBCUniversal sold Hulu Japan to Nippon TV, Japan's largest commercial broadcaster. Hulu Japan focuses on Japanese drama, anime, and select international titles. Hulu Japan is a completely separate product from US Hulu with different ownership, content, and pricing.
Best Hulu alternatives by region
United Kingdom: Many Hulu shows (especially FX and ABC content) appear on Disney+ UK, since Disney owns those networks. UK-specific shows air on Channel 4 (All 4), ITV (ITVX), or Sky.
Australia: Disney+ Australia carries FX and ABC content. Stan carries US network shows. Binge carries HBO content.
Canada: Disney+ Canada carries FX and ABC content. Crave carries HBO. CTV and other broadcasters carry US network shows.
India: JioHotstar carries a large catalogue of international content. Amazon Prime Video and Netflix are also strong options.
Hulu live TV outside the US
Hulu's live TV add-on, which includes cable channels and sports alongside the streaming library, is also US-only and has no international equivalent.