Disney+ and Hulu Reveal What Viewers Watched Most in 2025 — Here’s What Stood Out
Franchises, kids’ programming, and theatrical hits dominated Disney’s streaming platforms as the company pushed toward a broader, global offering.
As 2025 winds down, Disney has pulled back the curtain on what audiences actually spent their time watching on Disney+ and Hulu this year and the results say a lot about how the platform is evolving, and what still truly connects with viewers.
It’s been a big year for Disney+. The service went through its biggest refresh since launch, folding in ABC News and ESPN, and expanding Hulu internationally inside the Disney+ app. The goal was simple: make Disney+ feel less like a single-brand streamer and more like a one-stop entertainment hub. Judging by the numbers, that strategy is starting to show results.
One thing is clear right away: Star Wars still rules. May 4 Star Wars Day turned out to be the single biggest day for Disney+ viewership worldwide. Every year, fans show up in force, and 2025 was no different.
Emmanuel Umahi
On the TV side, “Bluey” was the undeniable champion of the year. The animated series didn’t recorded an astonishing 26.5 million rewatches, reinforcing its status as one of the most rewatchable and family-friendly shows in streaming today. Bluey’s dominance mirrors what we’ve seen on Nielsen charts all year: kids (and parents) simply don’t get tired of it.
Disney’s international strategy also paid off in a big way. Seven of the platform’s most-watched international originals were released in 2025, including The Stolen Girl from EMEA, Nine Puzzles from APAC, and The Best Heart Attack Of My Life from Latin America. That kind of global spread shows Disney+ isn’t just exporting U.S. content anymore; it’s successfully building local hits that travel.
Movies, meanwhile, were led by a familiar face. “Moana 2” emerged as the most-watched film of the year, pulling in an impressive 80 million views. Considering how long the original Moana lived on Disney+ charts, the sequel’s success doesn't come as a surprise. It’s also a reminder of how Disney continues to squeeze long-term value out of theatrical releases once they hit streaming.
Emmanuel Umahi
Live programming had its own standouts, too. Dancing With The Stars finished as the most-watched live title on Disney+, largely thanks to its weekly schedule and built-in audience. On the FX side, Alien: Earth delivered the network’s biggest premiere of the year, with viewers logging more than 100 million hours watched a strong signal that big sci-fi franchises still draw serious attention.
Beyond traditional shows and movies, Disney+ says viewers also leaned heavily into extras and companion content. More than 160 million views and listens went to companion podcasts, while over 4 million Disney+ Perks were redeemed. National Geographic content quietly thrived, with ocean-themed programming alone pulling in 40 million hours watched. Even theme park content found an audience, as the virtual ride-along of Disneyland’s Incredicoaster crossed 3 million views.
Sports, however, remain a work in progress. Since ESPN launched on Disney+, viewers have logged about 90 million hours of sports content. That number isn’t small, but it does feel modest when stacked against the scale of Disney’s sports investment, especially compared to how well documentaries and nature programming performed.
The takeaway
Disney+’s 2025 numbers tell a familiar but important story. Franchise content still drives massive engagement, kids’ programming like Bluey remains incredibly sticky, and theatrical hits like Moana 2 continue to thrive long after leaving cinemas. At the same time, Disney’s push toward a broader, more global streaming platform is clearly gaining traction, especially with international originals and non-traditional content.
Live sports may not be firing on all cylinders yet, but as ESPN expands globally inside Disney+, that picture could change fast. For now, Disney+ looks strongest when it leans into what it does best: beloved franchises, family favorites, and content people are happy to watch again and again.
Emmanuel Umahi
