Help Center
Updated on 2025-07-28
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5min read
Want to download Hulu videos and watch anytime, anywhere—without limitations?
Hulu does allow subscribers to download shows and movies, but only through its mobile apps—downloads on desktop or TV aren’t officially supported. In this article, we’ll walk you through all the official methods to download Hulu shows and movies, plus introduce a powerful tool that lets you permanently save Hulu videos on your computer. That way, you can enjoy your favorite content offline anytime—on any device, including your smart TV.
Part 1: Can you Download Movies on Hulu to Watch Offline?
Yes. You can, but with some restrictions.
a. Official Download – Only for Hulu (No Ads) Plan
Downloading is available exclusively for Hulu (No Ads) subscribers. Basic Hulu plans do not support downloads.
b. Device Limitations – Mobile-only (No PC downloads officially)
Hulu officially allows downloads only on mobile devices. Desktop PCs and laptops cannot download Hulu content.
c. Expiration Rules – 30-day or 48-hour limits
Hulu movies and shows expire after 30 days of downloading them. Once you’ve started streaming them, the videos expire after 48 hours.
d. Max Downloads: 25 titles across 5 devices
Hulu subscribers can download a maximum of 25 titles spread across 5 devices at a time.
e. View via the Hulu app: Not compatible with third-party players
You must view the downloaded movies and shows through the Hulu app alone.
✅ These rules make it hard to truly "own" the videos offline. Let’s explore how to download Hulu movies through the app and watch them offline.
Part 2: How to Download Shows from Hulu
a. Requirements:
Hulu (No Ads) plan: Hulu offers two such plans under this category.
- Hulu (No Ads) - $18.99 per month
- Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No Ads), and ESPN+ (With Ads) - $95.99 per month
b. Step-by-Step Guide to Download Shows on Hulu App:
Step 1: Open the Hulu app on your Mobile Phone and tap the “Search” icon.
Step 2: Choose the “Downloadable” section. Go through the collections and look for the video you want to download.
Step 3: Tap the “Download” button to start the download. You can select your preferred video quality and episodes.
Step 4: The downloaded videos are saved in the “Download” section. You can watch them offline through the Hulu app.
c. Important Restrictions:
- Cannot download movies permanently on your devices
- Follow Hulu's restrictions and download limits
- Cannot use third-party video players to play the downloaded videos
- Does not work with Mac and Windows
Part 3: How to Download Shows on Hulu Laptop to watch offline
If you want to download Hulu movies and shows on your laptop for offline viewing, the official Hulu app method won’t work since Hulu does not support downloads on desktop devices. Instead, you can use Eassiy One-stop Streaming Video Downloader—StreamFox for Video Downloader, a powerful tool that overcomes all the limitations of the Hulu app download feature.
Eassiy One-stop Streaming Video Downloader
Download videos from Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and three other streaming services as local MP4, MKV, or MOV files in 4K at 10X speed.
Key Features
- Download Hulu movies and TV shows permanently on your devices for offline viewing.
- Share downloaded videos with others through social media platforms
- Transfer downloaded videos to external hard discs and USB drives for playing on TV and other devices
- No need to download the Hulu app; you can watch downloaded videos on players like VLC media player, etc.
- Bypass Hulu limitations and download shows and movies to MP4 formats on Windows and Mac.
Step-by-step process:
Step 1: Visit the StreamFox website to download the converter tool. Install it on your device and register with your credentials to enjoy the full benefits of the tool.
Step 2: Open StreamFox to find six options. Choose Hulu as your streaming platform.
Step 3: Log into Hulu through StreamFox’s integrated browser for better convenience.
Step 4: Look for the movie or TV show you want to download from Hulu’s library. Drag it into the red box.
Or, type the URL in the search bar and add it to the queue directly.
Step 5: For downloading multiple episodes, check the respective boxes and confirm your action.
Step 6: StreamFox offers 1080p by default. You can manually change it according to your preference and the storage demands of your device.
Step 7: StreamFox offers three video output formats, MP4, MKV, and MOV. Choose your option from the drop-down box menu. If downloading multiple videos, select your videos before choosing the video output format. Click "Convert" or "Convert All" to start downloading.
Step 8: Go to the Finished Section to find your downloaded videos. Click “View Output File” to watch your movies and TV shows on any video player.
Part 4: Comparison Table – Hulu Download Methods
| Feature | Hulu Official Download (No Ads Plan) | StreamFox for Video Downloader |
|---|---|---|
| Supported Devices | Mobile devices only (iOS & Android) | Windows & Mac laptops and desktops |
| Download Format | Proprietary, only viewable in Hulu app | Standard MP4 format, compatible with any player |
| Download Expiration | 30 days after download, 48 hours after playback | No expiration — permanent downloads |
| Max Number of Downloads | 25 titles across 5 devices | Unlimited downloads |
| Playback Options | Only through Hulu app | Any media player (VLC, Windows Media Player, etc.) |
| Sharing Downloads | Not allowed | Allowed via social media or external storage |
| Transfer to Other Devices | Limited to Hulu-supported devices | Can transfer to USB drives, external hard drives, TVs |
| Subscription Requirement | Hulu (No Ads) paid plan required | No Hulu subscription required for playback |
| Ease of Use | Simple, within Hulu app | Requires installation of StreamFox software |
Bonus: Watch Downloaded Hulu Videos on TV or Offline Devices
1. Convert Downloaded Hulu Videos to MP4 Format
Use StreamFox or a similar downloader to save Hulu movies and shows as MP4 files, ensuring compatibility with most devices.
2. Transfer Videos to External Storage Devices
- Connect a USB flash drive or external hard drive to your computer.
- Locate the downloaded MP4 files on your device.
- Copy and paste or drag and drop these files to your USB or external drive.
3. Connect USB or External Drive to Your TV
- Plug the USB or external drive into the USB port of your smart TV.
- Use your TV’s media player app to browse and select the MP4 files for playback.
4. Use Local Media Players on Smart Devices
- If your TV supports apps like VLC or Plex, open the app and navigate to the location of the downloaded videos (either local storage or connected drive).
- Select the video and enjoy smooth playback.
Part 5: FAQs
1. Why am I unable to download Hulu movies and shows?
Not all Hulu movies and videos are available for downloading. Please look for the “download” icon beside the video title to verify whether it is available for download.
2. Does the Hulu (with ads) plan offer a downloading feature?
No, the Hulu (with ads) plan does not offer the downloading feature.
3. Can you renew the expired Hulu movie and TV show downloads?
Downloaded Hulu movies and TV shows expire after 30 days if you haven't watched them. However, if you have started streaming them, they expire after 48 hours of starting the stream.
4. What happens if you change your Hulu subscription?
Subscription Downgrade: from No Ads to With Ads plan
- Downloads become inaccessible immediately upon changing your plan.
- The expiration countdowns continue if you have already downloaded the videos.
- New downloads are disabled as the download icon disappears.
- Partially watched downloads lose playback access even within the 48-hour window.
Conclusion
Watching Hulu movies and TV shows offline is possible if you download them. However, this facility is available only to Hulu (No Ads) subscribers. Additionally, download limits and restrictions apply. Instead, you can use StreamFox for downloading Hulu content permanently on your devices for offline viewing. Enjoy watching your Hulu movies and TV shows offline.