Skip to main content

How to watch Hulu with friends

2020 brought a few limitations on how everyone now interacts with one another. As the year draws to a close and lockdowns seem inevitable, staying distant from others outside the home is a priority. Still, that doesn’t mean we need to live on our isolated islands watching movies and TV shows in lonely bubbles of solitude.

Enter Hulu’s Watch Party. Now you can experience movies and TV shows with friends and family that have a Hulu or Hulu (No Ads) subscription. Once everyone joins and the host starts the show, Hulu synchronizes the media for all viewers. There’s also a chat panel for communicating within the Hulu window.

This guide shows you how to watch Hulu with friends. If you want to watch Netflix with friends, we have a handy guide on how to do that, too. But we’re here for Hulu. Here’s what you need to know.

What you’ll need

  • Windows 10, Chrome OS, and MacOS 10.13 or newer.
  • The latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge for desktop.
  • Chrome Web App or Windows 10 app (host only).
  • HTML5 enabled.
  • JavaScript enabled.
  • Cookies enabled.
  • Viewers must be at least 18 years old.

As the list shows, Hulu’s Watch Party does not support Android, iOS, iPadOS, and other mobile apps. The only exception is the Chrome Web App and the Windows 10 app available on the Microsoft Store.

Currently, Hulu’s Watch Party supports up to eight viewers: One host and seven guests. Be sure to follow Hulu’s Watch Party guidelines to keep the experience clean and fun for everyone.

Moreover, Watch Party does not support Hulu’s entire library — you’ll need to check the media’s Details page to see if it’s supported.

Finally, if you’re bummed about hosting or joining a Watch Party on PC, you could always connect it to an HDTV for a better theater-like experience. We have a guide that tells you how!

Start a Watch Party

These instructions show how to host a Watch Party session. Up to seven viewers can connect.

Hulu Start Watch Party
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 1: Log in to your Hulu account.

Step 2: Find a TV show or movie you want to watch remotely with others.

Step 3: Click the Watch Party icon listed next to the episode or movie.

Step 4: Click the Start the Party button in the pop-up window.

Hulu Get Watch Party Link
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 5: On the following screen, click the Chain Logo to copy the Party Link and send it to friends and family via email, social networks, and so on. Again, you’re the host, so up to seven additional people can join.

Step 6: When all invited guests have joined, click the Start Party button.

Hulu Watch Party Session Indicator
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Note: You won’t see a list of viewers until they make a comment displayed on the right. However, as shown above, there’s an indicator showing the number of viewers currently in the session.

Join a Watch Party

Got an invite? Here’s how to join.

Hulu Join Watch Party
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 1: Enter the shared URL into any compatible web browser’s address field. This does not work with the Chrome Web App or Windows 10 app.

Step 2: Click the Join the Party button displayed in the browser — that’s it!

Note: If you’re using the host’s account but the session loads the wrong profile, do the following:

Hulu Change Profile
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 1: Close the Watch Party window.

Step 2: Open a new tab and log in to Hulu.

Step 3: Click the Profile logo in the top-right corner and select the correct profile on the drop-down menu. Hulu’s stored cookie now has the changed profile set as the default.

Step 4: Paste the Watch Party URL into the address bar.

Step 5: Click the Join the Party button.

Editors' Recommendations

Kevin Parrish
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then…
Best new movies to stream on Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Max (HBO), and more
Kaitlyn Dever in No One Will Save You.

We're moving out of blockbuster season, but the best new movies to stream on Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Max (HBO), and more are getting stronger and stronger with each passing week. We're keeping tabs on all of the comings and going on the major streaming services so you don't have to look far to find something new to watch.

There are loads of quality arrivals this September, including a whopping four additions to Hulu this week.
We also have guides to the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, and the best movies on HBO.

Read more
How to watch the (free) Man City vs Nottingham Forest live stream
A soccer goal net with the rest of the pitch in front.

Manchester City take on Nottingham Forest at 10 AM ET/7 AM PT and all pundits reckon it's going to be an easy win for the Premier League leaders. However, as any soccer fan will tell you, every match can be a surprise. Whatever happens, you're going to want to watch it. There are a few different ways to watch the Man City vs Nottingham Forest live stream including ways to watch the game for free. They all lead to you watching on USA Network as that's where the match is.
Watch the Man City vs Nottingham Forest live stream on Sling TV

Sling is one of the best live TV streaming services and it's quite affordable at the moment. To watch the game, you'll need to sign up for Sling Blue. The first month costs just $20 with the price rising to $40 for subsequent months. It gives you access to 41 channels including USA Network, Fox Sports 1, NFL Network, and a bunch of news stations too. If you can't watch live, you can use the service's 50 hours of cloud DVR storage instead.

Read more
Where to watch all The Expendables movies
watch the expendables movies 1 cast

Marvel has the Avengers, DC has the Justice League, and the action genre has the Expendables. The Expendables are an elite group of mercenaries brought together to complete the world's toughest missions. Standing in for the role of Nick Fury in The Expendables franchise is Barney Ross, played by Sylvester Stallone, who co-wrote the first three films and directed The Expendables. Stallone brought together some of the biggest action heroes in Hollywood's history to star in the franchise, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Statham, Bruce Willis, Dolph Lundgren, and Jet Li.

The fourth entry in the franchise, Expend4bles, will be released in theaters this weekend. Before Expend4bles, revisit the first three action-packed entries in The Expendables franchise. You'll find information on where to watch all The Expendables movies below.
Where to watch all The Expendables movies

Read more