Abbott Elementary Season 5 Episode 9 Release Date: School Relocates to a Mall for Winter Premiere

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The teachers and students of Abbott Elementary are trading their classrooms for food courts. Abbott Elementary Season 5 Episode 9, titled “Mall,” is set to air on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, on ABC. This episode marks the show’s return from its winter break and picks up after a chaotic mid-season finale that left the school building unusable.

How the Mid-Season Finale Set Up Episode 9

The winter premiere continues directly from the events of Season 5, Episode 8, “Birthday,” which served as the mid-season finale. In that episode, the Abbott staff prepared for their annual winter recital despite ongoing warnings from Mr. Johnson about a broken and dangerous furnace. Principal Ava Coleman chose to ignore the warnings, instructing everyone to move to the lower floors where the heat was stronger. Mr. Johnson’s concerns proved correct when the furnace pipes burst during the recital, flooding the building and forcing a full evacuation of students, parents, and teachers.

With the school building in disrepair, the episode ended with Ava announcing she had found a temporary solution. Standing outside a new location, she revealed the district’s plan.

“So, instead of sipping Mai Tais on the beach all break, our hero, Ava Coleman, has been looking for a new school building. Zillow, Craigslist, Tinder, the works. Turns out I have to use the options the school district gave me. Welcome to the brand new Abbott Elementary! It’s an old mall, OK? We’re gonna make it work,”

This cliffhanger sets the stage for the humor and chaos expected in Episode 9, as the entire school adjusts to an unconventional mall setting.

Release Schedule and Streaming Details for Episode 9

Abbott Elementary airs weekly on ABC. The schedule for the upcoming winter premiere is as follows:

  • Broadcast Date & Time: Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time / 7:30 p.m. Central Time.
  • Streaming Date: New episodes are available to stream on Hulu the day after they air on ABC. Episode 9 will be on Hulu starting Thursday, January 8, 2026.
  • Hulu Subscription: Viewers can watch with a Hulu subscription. The service offers an ad-supported plan for $11.99 per month and an ad-free plan for $18.99 per month.
  • Episode Runtime: Like most episodes, “Mall” is expected to run for approximately 21 minutes.

What to Expect in “Mall”

While specific plot details for Episode 9 are being kept under wraps, the title and the ending of Episode 8 provide clear direction. The story will focus on the staff and students navigating their first days in a mall that has been converted into a makeshift school. This bizarre setting promises classic Abbott Elementary humor, exploring the logistical nightmares and funny situations that come with holding class in a former retail space.

The episode will feature the show’s full main cast, including:

  • Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues
  • Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie
  • Janelle James as Ava Coleman
  • Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti
  • Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard
  • Chris Perfetti as Jacob Hill
  • William Stanford Davis as Mr. Johnson

Confirmed Upcoming Episode

The story of the mall relocation will continue beyond the premiere. TV Guide lists the following episode, Season 5 Episode 10, with the title “Mall Part 2: Questions & Concerns.” It is scheduled to air on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, indicating a two-part storyline to start the new year.

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Where to Catch Up on Previous Episodes

For viewers who need to catch up before the premiere, all previous episodes of Abbott Elementary are available to stream on Hulu. The mid-season finale, Season 5 Episode 8 “Birthday,” is essential viewing to understand the premise of the upcoming “Mall” episode.

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