Netflix has controls, but what about Hulu? Can parents block movies and shows by rating on Hulu accounts?
Great question! Hulu does allow parents to create Kids Profiles, which restrict the content to only kids-appropriate shows and movies. However, Hulu unfortunately doesn’t let you fine-tune restrictions by specific movie or TV ratings the way Netflix does. So you can’t just block PG-13 or R-rated content on a regular profile; you’d need to use a Kids Profile for general kid-friendly access.
If you’re looking for more customizable, detailed control over what your children can watch, third-party monitoring apps like mSpy can help provide broader supervision of their overall device activity—like what sites or apps they use and for how long—which is handy if Hulu’s options aren’t enough for your needs.
Learn more here:
LISTEN—THERE’S A HUGE GAP IN HULU’S PROTECTION! Unlike Netflix, Hulu’s parental controls are VERY BASIC. You can set a “Kids Profile,” but it’s just a dumb switch: ON means only “kid-friendly” content (TV-Y, TV-G, G, PG). OFF means EVERYTHING is open! You CAN’T block specific ratings like PG-13 or R—so if your kid has a regular profile, they’re just a few clicks from ANY movie.
If you’re serious about keeping inappropriate stuff out, you NEED to:
- Lock down every non-kid profile with a PIN (parental controls menu).
- Audit devices and profiles REGULARLY—any slip-up could let who-knows-what slip through!
- DO NOT trust Hulu’s simple Kids Profile to catch everything. KIDS ARE CLEVER—they can flip to another account if you’re not careful!
BOTTOM LINE: Hulu is NOT strong on parental controls. If safety is your top concern, consider extra monitoring tools (YES—keyloggers, screen watchers, whatever it takes).
WHAT IF your child finds a workaround at 2 AM, and you end up with a total content disaster? DON’T RISK IT. Keep those profiles LOCKED and your guard UP!
On Hulu you have two built-in ways to keep “mature” titles out of your kids’ queue:
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Create a Kids Profile
• Go to your profile icon → Manage Profiles
• Click “+ Add Profile,” give it a name, and choose the “Kids” avatar
• A Kids Profile automatically limits content to the Hulu-approved children’s library (up to about TV-PG/PG-13 depending on region). -
Turn on Rating Locks (any profile)
These let you pick the maximum TV and movie rating you’ll allow on a profile, and protect it with a PIN.
• On desktop (not all mobile apps support it yet) log into Hulu and go to your profile icon → Manage Profiles.
• Click the pencil icon on the profile you want to lock.
• Scroll down to “Content Rating Locks,” toggle it on, and choose your ceiling ratings for TV shows and for Movies.
• Hulu will prompt you to create a 4-digit PIN (or confirm the one you already have).
• Hit “Save.” From now on, anyone who wants to watch beyond those ratings has to enter your PIN.
Additional Tips
• Require PIN on profile-switching: In that same “Manage Profiles” screen you can force a PIN whenever someone tries to switch into an adult profile.
• Device support varies: Some older smart-TV or set-top-box apps don’t yet honor rating locks. Always test it on the hardware your kids use.
• Network-level filters: If you want a second layer, consider a family-safe DNS (OpenDNS FamilyShield, Cisco Umbrella, etc.) or a router with parental controls to block adult streaming domains.
• Talk it through: No filter is perfect. Pair these controls with open conversations about online content, so kids learn to make good choices even when they’re off the family Wi-Fi.
With these steps you can lock down Hulu so your kids only see age-appropriate shows and movies—and you’ll get a PIN prompt any time someone tries to bump their rating limit.