For millions of comfort viewers, the iconic blue French horn is about to be packed away on Netflix. The streaming giant has confirmed that all nine seasons of How I Met Your Mother will be leaving the platform soon. The series, which has been a staple for binge-watchers since its addition in June 2024, will have its last day on Netflix in the United States on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. This change is due to the expiration of the licensing agreement between Netflix and the show’s rights holders. For fans in the middle of Ted Mosby’s long-winded story, the clock is now ticking.
Where to Watch After Netflix
The departure of a favorite show from a primary streaming service can be frustrating, but thankfully, How I Met Your Mother is not disappearing from the internet. The complete series has a permanent home on other major platforms.
The most direct alternative is Hulu. All nine seasons of the sitcom are currently available to stream there. The show is also accessible on Disney+ for bundle subscribers. For viewers who prefer to own their content, individual episodes and full seasons can be purchased on digital storefronts like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
“Google says it’s on Hulu though and last time I checked it was… Start a subscription if you don’t have one already. Netflix gets me burnt out,” one fan commented on a Reddit discussion about the show’s removal.
This move is part of a common pattern in the streaming world, where popular licensed titles frequently rotate between services as licensing deals expire and are renegotiated.
Fan Reactions to the News
The appearance of the “Leaving soon” label on Netflix has sparked a noticeable reaction from subscribers. On social media and forums, fans have expressed their disappointment, with many criticizing the transient nature of streaming libraries.
The sentiment was summed up by one viewer who said, “’Leaving soon’ wtf! I know Netflix is infamous for this but come on, where am I supposed to rewatch it now?” Another user simply stated, “This pisses me off.” This frustration has led some to advocate for a return to physical media, with one person noting, “This is why I have started my DVD collection. ‘It’s not on Netflix! Where is it now?!?’ My f**king shelf, that’s where.”
A Streaming Era Pattern
The removal of How I Met Your Mother from Netflix follows a well-established industry trend. Hit series from the broadcast era often move between platforms based on lucrative licensing agreements. Notable examples include Friends, which moved to HBO Max (now Max) in 2020, and The Office, which became an exclusive title for Peacock the same year.
Unlike Netflix Originals, which the company owns permanently, shows like How I Met Your Mother are licensed for a set period. When that contract ends, the content is removed unless a new deal is struck. This model allows streaming services to refresh their libraries but means that viewers can never be sure if a show will be available from one year to the next.
How to Binge Before the Deadline
With the December 2 deadline approaching, viewers have a limited window to finish their re-watch or finally discover the mother’s identity on Netflix. For those who do not want to switch to a new streaming service, purchasing the series remains an option. The complete How I Met Your Mother DVD box set is available for purchase from retailers like Walmart and Barnes & Noble, ensuring the gang’s adventures in New York City are always close at hand.
The series, created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, stars Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris, and Alyson Hannigan. It ran for nine seasons from 2005 to 2014, becoming a modern television classic known for its blend of humor and heart.
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