The wait is over for fans who grew up singing along to “The Best of Both Worlds.” Miley Cyrus has officially returned as her famous alter-ego, and the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special is now available for streaming. After months of teasing, the special premiered on March 24, 2026, bringing back the nostalgia of the Disney Channel show that defined a generation.
This guide breaks down exactly where to watch the special, when it became available, and what you can expect from the reunion.
Where to Watch the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special
The special is exclusively available on two major streaming platforms. Viewers can watch the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special on Disney+ and Hulu. The release time was 3 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) and 12 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) on March 24.
For viewers in India, the special is streaming on JioHotstar. The release time for Indian audiences was set for 12:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) on March 24. This marks a global release strategy, allowing fans across different time zones to enjoy the celebration simultaneously.
Disney+ offers a free trial period for new subscribers in many regions, which allows users to watch the hour-long special without paying immediately. However, it is important to check if the free trial option is available in your specific location before signing up.
What to Expect from the Special
The Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special is more than just a simple interview. It was filmed in front of a live studio audience and features an exclusive conversation between Miley Cyrus and Alex Cooper, the host of the popular Call Her Daddy podcast.
The production includes recreations of the show’s most memorable sets. Fans will see the Stewart family living room and Hannah’s iconic closet brought back to life. The special also includes never-before-seen archival footage and a performance of the hit song “The Best of Both Worlds.”
Miley Cyrus shared her thoughts on the significance of the project.
“Hannah Montana will always be a part of who I am. What started as a TV show became a shared experience that shaped my life and the lives of so many fans, and I’ll always be thankful for that connection. The fact that it still means so much to people all these years later is something I’m very proud of. This Hannahversary is my way of celebrating and thanking the fans who’ve stood by me for 20 years.”
Cast Reunions and Surprise Appearances
The special features several familiar faces from the series. Billy Ray Cyrus, who played Miley’s father Robby Ray on screen, makes an appearance. The reunion shows a sweet moment where the father-daughter duo read a scene from the series’ final episode. This on-screen reunion comes after years of reported distance in their real-life relationship. Miley tells host Alex Cooper in the special that “it feels good” when the family is getting along.
Other cast members who returned for the red carpet and the special include Jason Earles (Jackson Stewart), Cody Linley (Jake Ryan), Moisés Arias (Rico Suave), Shanica Knowles (Amber Addison), and Anna Maria Perez de Tagle (Ashley Dewitt).
There is also a surprise appearance by Selena Gomez, who played Mikayla Skeech, the pop star rival to Miley Stewart on the original show.
Notable Absences and Reactions
Two of the show’s main stars, Emily Osment (Lilly Truscott) and Mitchel Musso (Oliver Oken), were absent from the special. Emily Osment addressed her absence directly on Instagram, explaining that she was busy filming her current show, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, a spinoff of Young Sheldon.
She shared a video from the set, stating, “We’re at the Georgie & Mandy set, and that’s why I was not able to be a part of the 20-year reunion.” In her post, she expressed deep gratitude for her time on Hannah Montana.
“Hannah Montana changed my life, it gave me a lifelong respect for this medium of comedy, it taught me discipline, patience, timing and respect working in an adult space so young. I can’t tell you what your sweet messages mean to me and how lucky I feel to have been apart of this once in a generation goliath of a television show.”
Mitchel Musso also did not appear in the special but shared a tribute to the show on his Instagram.
How the Special Came to Be
The special almost did not happen, except for Miley Cyrus’ determination. She revealed in an interview with Variety that she took advice from her godmother, Dolly Parton. Dolly once told her that if you want something to happen, you should promote it before it exists.
“I just started promoting a Hannah Montana 20th anniversary special that literally did not exist,” Miley said. She would send fan reactions to Disney executives to show them the demand. Disney executive Charlie Andrews confirmed the story, stating, “She willed it into existence. The thing she was adamant about is that this is for the fans. That has gone into literally every decision she has made.”
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Additional Content and Merchandise
For fans who want to revisit the full story, Disney+ currently features a Hannah Montana Collection. This includes all four seasons of the original series, Hannah Montana: The Movie, and the concert film Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: The Best of Both Worlds Concert.
Starbucks also joined in on the celebration by releasing a secret menu item tied to the special. The drink is called the Secret Popstar Refresher. It is a grande Strawberry Acai Refresher with raspberry cold foam and two pumps of raspberry syrup.
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