Major Streaming Update: Disney+ Quietly Takes Control of Universal’s Biggest Franchises

Disney+ is about to become home to another surprising collection of movies that many fans probably associate more closely with Universal than Disney.

The latest additions arrive through Hulu, which has become a much bigger part of the Disney+ experience. That arrangement has already created some strange streaming combinations, especially as movies tied to rival studios and Universal’s theme parks begin appearing alongside Disney’s own franchises.

The Shrek movies offered an early example. Now, August 2026 is bringing another wave of recognizable titles to Hulu, including dinosaurs, Minions, and a franchise connected to one of Universal Studios Florida’s longtime attractions.

So why are so many Universal-associated movies suddenly appearing inside Disney’s streaming ecosystem?

Hulu Has Changed What Disney+ Looks Like

Disney+ launched in 2019 with a clear identity.

Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic provided enough recognizable entertainment to make the platform feel distinctly Disney from the beginning.

Hulu has since expanded that experience considerably.

Disney has continued bringing Hulu programming deeper into Disney+, allowing eligible subscribers to access much of Hulu’s library directly through the Disney+ app. That means viewers can now encounter movies and shows that Disney doesn’t actually own while browsing the same platform that houses Mickey Mouse, Marvel, and Pixar.

The arrangement can make studio lines look surprisingly blurry.

Movies frequently move between streaming services because of licensing agreements. Their appearance on Disney+ through Hulu doesn’t mean Disney bought the franchise or took control of it.

Still, the crossover can look unusual when the movies involved have major ties to Universal.

Shrek Helped Start the Trend

Fans already saw a major example earlier in 2026.

The primary Shrek collection became available through Hulu on Disney+ for eligible U.S. subscribers. That lineup included Shrek (2001), Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third (2007), and Shrek Forever After (2010).

The situation stood out because DreamWorks Animation is part of NBCUniversal.

Shrek also remains closely associated with Universal’s theme park business. The characters have appeared throughout Universal’s parks for years, making the franchise’s presence inside Disney+ particularly noticeable to theme park fans.

But that was only the beginning.

August will bring several more movies with strong Universal connections into the same streaming environment.

Jurassic Park, Minions, and Men in Black are next in InInIn

In August 2026, several familiar titles will be available on Hulu through Disney+ for eligible subscribers.

One of the biggest additions is Jurassic Park (1993), Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster that launched a franchise still closely tied to Universal today.

Jurassic Park remains a major part of Universal Orlando Resort through its themed area at Islands of Adventure.

Another addition is Despicable Me 2 (2013).

Gru and the Minions have become fixtures of Universal’s theme park lineup, giving this Hulu arrival another interesting connection for park fans.

Then there are Men in Black (1997) and Men in Black II (2002).

While the films come from Sony and Columbia Pictures, the franchise has a major Universal Orlando Resort connection through MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack. The attraction has operated at Universal Studios Florida since 2000, letting guests step into the role of agents battling aliens.

That means visitors could experience these franchises inside Universal Orlando and later find several of their movies through Hulu on Disney+.

Disney Isn’t Actually Taking Anything From Universal

The situation may look dramatic, but Disney isn’t purchasing these franchises from Universal or taking control of them.

Streaming rights frequently move from platform to platform. Licensing deals determine where individual movies can appear and for how long.

Hulu’s integration into Disney+ simply makes those arrangements much more visible.

A movie that might once have appeared only on Hulu can now appear on Disney+, creating combinations that would have seemed unlikely when Disney launched the service.

For theme park fans, that can make the streaming landscape especially strange.

Disney+ Continues Growing Beyond Disney

The August additions show just how far Disney+ has expanded beyond Disney-owned entertainment.

On Hulu, eligible subscribers can increasingly find movies from outside studios alongside Disney’s biggest brands.

Jurassic Park (1993), Despicable Me 2 (2013), Men in Black (1997), and Men in Black II (2002) are the latest examples.

None of this means Disney suddenly owns the properties. Instead, it shows how modern streaming deals can place longtime competitors under the same digital roof.

And with Hulu becoming even more closely connected to Disney+, fans may continue seeing more unexpected franchises appear there in the future.