Key Highlights
- Star Wars continued its dominance on Disney+ and Hulu.
- “Bluey” was the most watched show of 2025, with an astonishing 26.5 million rewatches.
- Disney’s international strategy saw success with seven top-watched originals from various regions.
- “Moana 2” emerged as the most watched film on Disney+, pulling in 80 million views.
Disney+ and Hulu: Viewer Engagement in 2025
The year 2025 marked a significant milestone for Disney+ and Hulu, with the streaming services unveiling their most-watched content of the year. As Emmanuel Umahi highlights, these numbers offer a glimpse into how the platforms are evolving to cater to global audiences.
Franchise Content Reigns Supreme
Star Wars Day on May 4th was a standout event for Disney+, seeing an unprecedented surge in viewer activity. This day, which is celebrated worldwide by Star Wars fans, demonstrated the continued popularity of the franchise.
Kids’ Programming: Bluey’s Success Story
The animated series “Bluey” took the crown as the most-watched show in 2025. With a staggering 26.5 million rewatches, it solidified its position as one of the most rewatchable and family-friendly shows on streaming platforms today. The success of Bluey mirrors broader trends on Nielsen charts, where viewership among children remains consistently high.
Global Expansion and Local Hits
Disney’s international strategy showed promising results with seven top-watched original content from different regions. From The Stolen Girl in EMEA to Nine Puzzles in APAC, these shows highlight Disney’s growing ability to produce local content that resonates globally.
Film Success: Moana 2 Breaks Records
“Moana 2” emerged as the most-watched film on Disney+, racking up an impressive 80 million views. This success underscores how theatrical hits continue to thrive on streaming platforms, even years after their initial release in theaters.
Live Programming: Dancing with the Stars
Even live programming had standout moments, such as Dancing With The Stars, which finished as the most-watched live title. Its consistent weekly schedule and strong built-in audience contributed significantly to its success.
Companion Content: Virtual Experiences and Podcasts
Beyond traditional shows and movies, Disney+ saw substantial engagement with companion content. Over 160 million views and listens were recorded for podcasts, while over 4 million Disney+ Perks were redeemed. Additionally, National Geographic content quietly thrived, pulling in 40 million hours watched.
Live Sports: Room for Improvement
In contrast, live sports content on ESPN was still a work in progress, with viewers logging about 90 million hours of sports content. This number, while not small, feels modest when compared to the scale of Disney’s sports investment and the success seen from documentaries and nature programming.
Conclusion
The data from Disney+ and Hulu for 2025 reaffirms that franchise content still drives massive engagement, kids’ programming remains incredibly sticky, and theatrical hits continue to thrive. However, as Disney pushes toward a broader, more global streaming platform, it is clear that local content and non-traditional offerings are gaining traction. The future of these platforms may well depend on their ability to balance beloved franchises with innovative and diverse content.
