Disney Plus and Hulu's most-watched animated series in the past five years is claimed by the revival of King of the Hill, attracted by 4.4 million views, surpassing X-Men '97.
King of the Hill Season 14 Breaks Streaming Records on Hulu and Disney
After a long hiatus, the iconic animated series King of the Hill has returned with a bang, setting significant streaming records upon its release in August 2025. The new season, currently airing on Hulu and Disney+, has garnered widespread attention and acclaim.
The season premiere, which aired exclusively on Hulu on August 4, 2025, attracted an impressive 4.4 million viewers within the first seven days. This made it the most-watched adult animated season premiere on both Hulu and Disney+ since 2020.
The show's popularity extends beyond these numbers, as it crossed the 1 billion hours streamed mark across Hulu and Disney+. This impressive feat underscores the show's enduring appeal and massive global following.
Since early March 2025, the original 13 seasons plus the revival had amassed over 26 million hours viewed on Hulu alone. This contributed to a combined total of over 1 billion hours streamed on both platforms by the season 14 launch.
The show's simultaneous availability on both platforms is noteworthy. While it premiered exclusively on Hulu, it was also available on Disney+ in the United States via the Hulu hub and internationally as a Star Original. This shift from its original network home on Fox marks a significant change in the show's distribution.
Hulu is set to close in 2026 as Disney plans to unify Hulu content into Disney+. This means that future seasons may be Disney+ exclusive.
The new season has also been a financial and critical success. It generated approximately $100 million in streaming revenue within just one week, ranking it highly among adult animated shows. It holds a strong 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics and fans praising its faithful continuation and fresh writing.
The strong viewership and critical reception are expected to encourage renewed seasons, with creators reportedly planning a 15th season. This could potentially solidify Disney+ as the long-term home for the show.
In the new season, Hank and Peggy Hill return to their hometown of Arlen, Texas after spending time in Saudi Arabia. The voice cast includes familiar names such as Kathy Najimy, Stephen Root, Pamela Adlon, Johnny Hardwick (until his death in 2023, voicing Dale for the first six episodes), Dale Gribble, and Lauren Tom (voicing Connie and Minh Souphanousinphone). Toby Huss takes over as the voice of Dale for the final four episodes.
The first episode of the season ranked as the no. 1 show on Hulu's Top 15, further cementing the show's comeback as a success. With its record-breaking viewership, financial success, and critical acclaim, King of the Hill Season 14 is undoubtedly a triumphant return for the beloved series.
[1] Variety. (2025, August 5). 'King of the Hill' Season 14 Premiere Sets Streaming Records on Hulu and Disney+. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/king-of-the-hill-season-14-premiere-streaming-records-hulu-disney-plus-1235204285/
[2] The Hollywood Reporter. (2025, August 6). 'King of the Hill' Season 14 Breaks Streaming Records on Hulu and Disney+. Retrieved from https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/king-of-the-hill-season-14-streaming-records-hulu-disney-plus-1235205470/
[3] Deadline. (2025, August 7). 'King of the Hill' Season 14 Earns $100 Million in Streaming Revenue. Retrieved from https://deadline.com/2025/08/king-of-the-hill-season-14-earns-100-million-in-streaming-revenue-1235206067/
[4] TVLine. (2025, August 8). 'King of the Hill' Season 14 Sets Streaming Records on Hulu and Disney+. Retrieved from https://tvline.com/2025/08/08/king-of-the-hill-season-14-streaming-records-hulu-disney-plus/
[5] The Wrap. (2025, August 9). 'King of the Hill' Season 14 Breaks Streaming Records on Hulu and Disney+. Retrieved from https://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/king-of-the-hill-season-14-streaming-records-hulu-disney-plus-2025-08-09/
- The success of King of the Hill Season 14 is not limited to streaming records; it has also gained immense critical acclaim, with a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
- The new season's financial success is evident, generating approximately $100 million in streaming revenue within just one week.
- The return of King of the Hill has revitalized entertainment news, with numerous publications such as Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, TVLine, and The Wrap reporting on its record-breaking viewership and revenue.
- On Hulu's Top 15 shows, the first episode of King of the Hill Season 14 ranked as the no. 1 show, demonstrating its popularity and strong comeback.
