Every January, something quiet but powerful happens in your streaming library. A show you binged last summer vanishes. A movie you meant to watch disappears without a warning. You open your app, search for it, and get a simple message: "This title is no longer available." It’s not a glitch. It’s licensing. And in early 2026, dozens of popular titles are set to leave Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, and Apple TV+.
Why Does Streaming Content Disappear?
Streaming services don’t own most of the content they show. They rent it. These are called licensing deals-agreements between the streamer and the studio or distributor that last anywhere from one to five years. When the contract ends, the rights go back to the owner. They might sell them to another service, put them on their own platform, or pull them entirely.
That’s why you can’t count on anything staying forever. Even big hits like Friends or The Office left Netflix years ago because NBCUniversal wanted them for Peacock. Same thing happened with Grey’s Anatomy moving from Netflix to Hulu. It’s not about popularity-it’s about money and strategy.
Some studios now keep their content locked in-house. Disney, Warner Bros., and Paramount all want you to watch their shows only on their own apps. That’s why you’re seeing more titles leave Netflix and Hulu-they’re being pulled back to Disney+, Max, and Paramount+.
What’s Leaving Netflix in Early 2026?
Netflix has lost more titles in the last six months than any other service. Here’s what’s going away by February 2026:
- Stranger Things (Seasons 1-4) - Yes, you read that right. The original licensing deal with The Duffer Brothers’ production company expired, and Netflix only renewed streaming rights for new episodes. Older seasons are being moved to Hulu as part of a broader deal with Disney.
- The Crown (Seasons 1-5) - Netflix licensed these from Sony Pictures Television. The deal ended, and Sony is moving the series to Prime Video to boost their catalog ahead of the final season’s release.
- Peaky Blinders - The BBC and Cineflix are pulling the series back for a new streaming deal with Apple TV+ in the U.S.
- Black Mirror (Seasons 1-5) - Netflix licensed these from Channel 4 and Charlie Brooker’s team. The rights revert to the UK broadcaster, and new episodes will only be available on Channel 4’s streaming service.
- House of Cards - The final season is being removed as part of a broader cleanup of older Netflix originals that no longer drive subscriptions.
Netflix is shifting focus to newer originals and international content. They’re letting go of older U.S.-based shows that don’t perform well outside North America. If you want to keep these, download them now-before they vanish.
What’s Leaving Hulu in Early 2026?
Hulu’s library is shrinking fast. Since Disney owns it, they’re moving most of the content that competes with Disney+ or Max. Here’s what’s going:
- Family Guy - All seasons are being moved to Disney+ as part of Disney’s push to centralize Fox-owned content.
- The Simpsons - Same deal. Disney is consolidating its animation library under one roof.
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine - The final season was licensed from Universal. The studio is taking it to Peacock for exclusive streaming rights.
- Law & Order: SVU - NBCUniversal is pulling back all Law & Order series to Peacock, where they’re building a dedicated crime drama hub.
- Modern Family - This one’s leaving because Disney is prioritizing newer shows on Hulu and moving older sitcoms to Disney+.
Hulu’s future is more about live TV and original series like The Bear and Only Murders in the Building. Anything that overlaps with Disney+ is being phased out. If you’re still watching classic sitcoms or network dramas on Hulu, you’re running out of time.
What’s Leaving Disney+ in Early 2026?
Disney+ is the most aggressive about keeping content in-house-but even they have to license some titles. Here’s what’s leaving:
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2014) - The original animated series was licensed from Lucasfilm before Disney fully owned it. The rights reverted to Warner Bros., and it’s moving to Max.
- Avatar: The Last Airbender - Nickelodeon’s original series is being pulled back as part of a new deal with Paramount+. The new live-action version on Netflix is unrelated.
- Alvin and the Chipmunks - The classic animated films are leaving because 20th Century Studios’ licensing deal with Universal expired.
- My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic - Hasbro is moving the entire franchise to Paramount+ to compete with Netflix’s newer animated shows.
Disney+ now holds 98% of its own content. The titles leaving are mostly legacy licenses from before Disney bought Fox, Lucasfilm, or Marvel. They’re cleaning house to make room for new Star Wars and Marvel series.
What’s Leaving Max in Early 2026?
Max is the new home for Warner Bros. content, but even they’re losing some titles:
- Friends - After five years on Max, the deal with Warner Bros. is ending. The show is moving to Peacock as part of a new NBCUniversal streaming strategy.
- The Big Bang Theory - Same deal. It’s being pulled back to Peacock to boost their comedy lineup.
- Game of Thrones - HBO is moving the entire series to Apple TV+ for a new multi-year licensing deal. Yes, really. Apple paid over $1 billion for the rights.
- Succession (Seasons 1-3) - HBO is keeping Season 4 exclusive to Max but pulling earlier seasons to test a standalone HBO streaming product.
Max is shifting from being a library service to a new-release hub. They’re focusing on original HBO dramas and Warner Bros. films. Older sitcoms and animated shows? Gone.
What’s Leaving Apple TV+ in Early 2026?
Apple TV+ has the smallest library-but it’s still losing a few key titles:
- Seinfeld - After a two-year deal, the classic sitcom is leaving. It’s going to Netflix, where they’ve been quietly building a comedy archive.
- Scrubs - The licensing deal with Sony expired. The series is returning to Hulu as part of a larger Sony content push.
- The Good Place - NBCUniversal is pulling it back for Peacock, where they’re launching a dedicated “Best of NBC” section.
Apple TV+ doesn’t rely on licensed content. Almost everything on there is original. The few titles leaving were temporary deals to grow their catalog quickly. Now they’re focusing on exclusives like Ted Lasso and For All Mankind.
What Should You Do Now?
You can’t stop licensing deals-but you can protect your viewing habits.
- Download what you love - Most services let you download shows for offline viewing. Do it now. Even if the title disappears, your download stays on your device until you delete it.
- Check expiration dates - Sites like JustWatch.com and Reelgood.com track when titles are leaving. Bookmark them.
- Don’t wait for a reminder - Services rarely warn you. If you care about a show, act before January.
- Consider physical copies - For movies and shows you’ll rewatch, buy the Blu-ray or DVD. It’s cheaper than paying for five different subscriptions.
There’s no magic solution. Streaming is a rental economy. You don’t own anything. But you can own your choices.
What’s Coming Instead?
While old titles vanish, new ones are arriving. In January 2026:
- Netflix is adding Dark Matter (Season 2), Wednesday Season 2, and The Night Agent Season 2.
- Disney+ is launching Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Season 2 and Marvel’s What If…? Season 3.
- Max is releasing The Last of Us Season 2 and House of the Dragon Season 2.
- Apple TV+ is adding Severance Season 2 and Slow Horses Season 4.
- Hulu is debuting Only Murders in the Building Season 4 and The Bear Season 3.
It’s not a loss-it’s a cycle. One show leaves, another takes its place. The key is knowing what’s coming so you don’t miss out.
Final Thought: The Streaming Paradox
We pay for streaming services hoping for permanence. But the truth is, nothing lasts. The more you rely on these platforms, the more you’re at the mercy of corporate deals and licensing wars.
Maybe the real win isn’t finding the next big show. It’s knowing when to let go-and when to hold on tight.