Hulu vs. Disney+: What the Merge Means for Canada, Plus 3 Must-Watch Films

For years, Canadian viewers have been hearing about all the exciting original content and extensive back catalogues available on a U.S.-only streaming service. However, north of the border, this content was only available in bits and pieces under a different name within Disney+, leaving viewers without the full experience they were hoping for.

On October 8, 2025, that all changed when Disney+ replaced the Star hub with Hulu in Canada and other international markets. This switch isn’t just a simple rebranding—it represents a unified home for general entertainment within Disney+, offering a clearer and more organized selection of shows and films that Canadians were already enjoying, as well as some they were missing out on.

One big question that many people had was why Hulu never launched in Canada, and how residential proxy use played into this issue. The main reason for this was the complex web of rights and licensing agreements that vary from country to country. Canadian broadcasters and streaming services often had exclusive rights to certain content, making it difficult for a U.S. service like Hulu to enter the market without causing conflicts with existing deals. To avoid these issues, Canadians were able to access the same content through Disney+ under a different hub, maintaining a smooth distribution process while respecting local rights holders.

Some viewers attempted to access the U.S. streaming service from Canada by using residential proxies. These proxies route internet traffic through regular household IP addresses, making it appear as though the viewer is accessing the content from a normal home rather than a commercial server. This helped viewers access U.S. catalogues by appearing as though they were located in the U.S.

With the introduction of the Hulu tile on Disney+ in Canada, viewers can now access a wide range of general entertainment titles all in one place, with fewer workarounds needed. While regional rights still determine the available content, the overall experience of discovering new shows and films has become more consistent and user-friendly.

The convergence of Disney+ and Hulu in Canada brings several key benefits to viewers. It consolidates general entertainment into a single app, improves content recommendations, and clarifies where to find new releases. This update comes at a time when Canadians are looking to streamline their subscriptions while spending more time watching content on connected TVs.

The recent changes do not mean that every title is instantly available globally due to country-by-country licensing agreements. However, the introduction of the new Hulu tile makes it easier to navigate and find content, with more of Hulu’s signature originals expected to become available on the platform over time.

While the Hulu brand is now part of Disney+ globally, distribution of content still follows existing agreements. Three notable U.S. Hulu movies that viewers may want to look out for include “Stay,” a supernatural relationship thriller, “The Surfer,” a mid-budget thriller that combines humor with suspense, and “The Unholy Trinity,” a post-theatrical release making its way to Hulu in the U.S. through a partnership deal.

In summary, while the Hulu brand is now integrated into Disney+ in Canada, distribution of content is still subject to existing licensing agreements. As more titles are added to the platform, viewers can look forward to a broader range of entertainment options to enjoy.