Disney+ just picked up another batch of movies tied to some of Universal's biggest franchises — and they're heading to a streaming platform that once seemed like the last place fans would expect to find them.

Disney+ Has Grown Far Beyond Disney

When Disney+ launched in 2019, its identity was built squarely around Disney's own beloved brands: Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. That was more than enough to fill a very impressive library.

But things have changed considerably since then. The continued integration of Hulu into Disney+ has opened the door to movies and franchises Disney doesn't own — including properties closely associated with rival studios and even Universal's theme parks. Eligible subscribers can now access much of Hulu's streaming library without ever leaving the Disney+ app, which means the service is no longer limited to titles actually owned by Disney.

It's worth being clear about what's actually happening here: licensing agreements regularly move movies between competing streaming services. A Universal movie appearing on Hulu via Disney+ doesn't mean Disney purchased the property or gained any control over the franchise. It simply means the streaming rights allow that title to appear there for a particular period.

Still, seeing Universal-associated franchises sitting alongside Mickey Mouse, Marvel, and Star Wars can be more than a little surprising.

Shrek Already Made the Jump

Earlier in 2026, the main Shrek movies became available through Hulu on Disney+ for eligible U.S. subscribers — including Shrek (2001), Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third (2007), and Shrek Forever After (2010). That put one of DreamWorks Animation's defining franchises right inside Disney's streaming ecosystem.

Disney doesn't own Shrek, of course. DreamWorks Animation is part of NBCUniversal, and the franchise remains closely associated with Universal — including a longstanding presence within Universal's theme parks. Seeing it pop up on Disney+ was a noticeable moment for a lot of fans.

But that's simply the reality of modern streaming. Studios can compete at the box office, inside theme parks, and through their own streaming platforms while still licensing individual movies to other services.

And now, Disney's August lineup is taking that unusual crossover even further.

More Universal Blockbusters Arrive in August 2026

In August 2026, several more familiar titles will be available on Hulu — and therefore accessible on Disney+ for eligible subscribers. The additions include some genuinely iconic names:

• Jurassic Park (1993) — Steven Spielberg's blockbuster that launched one of Universal's most enduring franchises, and a property that also maintains a major presence at Universal Orlando Resort.
• Despicable Me 2 (2013) — Bringing Gru and the Minions into Disney's streaming ecosystem, despite their very prominent home at Universal's theme parks.
• Men in Black (1997) and Men in Black II (2002) — Both joining Hulu in August. The franchise has a particularly strong connection to Universal Orlando, where MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack has operated at Universal Studios Florida since 2000.

That means Disney+ subscribers will soon be able to stream several movies connected to franchises that are represented throughout Universal's theme parks — an unusual combination, to say the least.

What Does This Actually Mean?

Despite how strange it may look, Disney isn't actually taking these franchises away from Universal. This is primarily about streaming licensing, and movies routinely rotate between services as agreements begin and expire.

What makes it feel so noticeable is Hulu's deeper integration into Disney+. A movie arriving on Hulu can now appear within an app that viewers strongly associate with Disney entertainment — creating some genuinely unexpected combinations.

Think about it: a guest could experience MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack or explore Jurassic Park at Universal Orlando Resort, then come home and find the movies behind those very same properties through Hulu on Disney+. It's a reminder that the streaming landscape isn't as straightforward as it once appeared.

Disney+ Keeps Expanding

The August arrivals of Jurassic Park (1993), Despicable Me 2 (2013), Men in Black (1997), and Men in Black II (2002) are just the latest example of how much Disney+ has grown beyond its original scope. For viewers, that means more recognizable movies available from one place. For theme park fans, there's an amusing layer to the whole situation.

And as Disney continues bringing Hulu deeper into its flagship streaming service, this probably won't be the last time rival studio properties end up sharing a streaming home with Mickey Mouse, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars.