For many viewers, How I Met Your Mother isn’t just a sitcom—it’s a comforting escape, a nostalgic treasure, and one of the most endlessly rewatchable TV series of the past two decades. But unfortunately for fans, the beloved show is about to exit Netflix once again. On December 2, the entire nine-season comedy will be removed from the platform, leaving thousands scrambling to finish their rewatches before the clock runs out.
Netflix hasn’t offered a specific explanation for the departure, but the most likely reason is simple: CBS and Netflix’s licensing agreement has officially expired. This has happened time and time again with popular series—New Amsterdam, The Walking Dead, Friends, and many others have all disappeared from the streaming giant due to similar contract expirations.
While this feels incredibly frustrating, especially for comfort watchers who cycle through their favorite series on repeat, the good news is that How I Met Your Mother has not vanished from streaming entirely. In fact, there’s a way to watch every episode again without paying anything—if you time it just right.
The solution? One simple step: Hulu’s 30-day free trial.
Stream All of How I Met Your Mother for Free With Hulu’s 30-Day Trial
If you want to rewatch every legendary moment—from Barney’s endless playbook schemes to Ted’s long, winding romantic journey—you can still do it completely free. Hulu is currently offering new and eligible returning users a 30-day free trial, which is unusually generous considering its typical trial lasts only seven days.
That means you get an entire month to binge all nine seasons, which includes:
- 208 episodes
- All major holiday specials
- Guest appearances from stars like Britney Spears, Bryan Cranston, and Jennifer Lopez
- The full arc of Ted, Robin, Barney, Marshall, and Lily
All without spending a penny.
And don’t worry—Hulu has no plans to remove the series, so American viewers can relax knowing that their favorite sitcom is not in any danger of disappearing from the platform anytime soon.
⭐ How to Sign Up for Hulu’s 30-Day Free Trial (Step-by-Step)
Getting access to Hulu is incredibly easy. Just follow this quick guide:
1. Visit Hulu.com
Go directly to Hulu’s homepage through your browser or mobile device.
2. Select “Sign Up for Hulu Only”
This ensures you’re choosing the on-demand plan that includes the free trial.
3. Choose Your Plan
Hulu offers three main on-demand options:
- Hulu (With Ads): $11.99/month after trial
- Hulu (No Ads): $18.99/month after trial
- Hulu + Live TV: Free trial available, but only lasts three days
Choose the plan you prefer—free trial applies to the on-demand options for 30 days.
4. Enter Your Billing Information
A payment method is required, but you will not be charged until the trial ends.
5. Start Streaming Immediately
Watch How I Met Your Mother (and thousands of other movies/shows) instantly.
If you don’t want to keep the service, simply cancel before the 30 days end and you will not be billed. Hulu makes it easy to cancel online in just a few clicks.
⭐ Even Better: Some Users Can Get Hulu Free for an Entire Year
While the 30-day free trial is already a great deal, a select group of users can do even better.
1. T-Mobile Customers Get a Full Year Free
T-Mobile subscribers with either the Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plans can redeem 12 months of Hulu (with ads) at no cost. This includes:
- Full access to all nine seasons of How I Met Your Mother
- Unlimited streaming of movies, shows, and Hulu originals
- No additional fees for an entire year
If you’re on T-Mobile, check your account benefits—you may already have this perk.
2. Students Can Get Hulu for Just $1.99/Month
Eligible U.S. college students can subscribe to Hulu’s ad-supported plan for only $1.99 per month, which is more than 65% off the standard price. Perfect for late-night dorm binge sessions.
Between free trials, student pricing, and mobile carrier perks, Hulu is undoubtedly the best and cheapest way to watch How I Met Your Mother right now.
Price Hikes Make Hulu Deals More Valuable Than Ever
If you’re thinking of subscribing after the free trial, now is a smart time to take advantage of Hulu’s deals. On October 21, Disney (Hulu’s parent company) rolled out a new price increase affecting all of its streaming services, raising subscription costs by approximately $3 per month across the board.
That means:
- The free trial saves more money
- Annual plans are more cost-effective
- Bundles like Disney+ + Hulu become smarter long-term choices
Given the rising cost of streaming, redeeming Hulu’s 30-day free trial before you commit to anything is a great way to see if it fits your needs.
Where Else Can You Watch How I Met Your Mother?
If Hulu isn’t your preferred service, or if you prefer to own your digital library, How I Met Your Mother is also available on other platforms.
⭐ In the United States
- Prime Video – Buy or rent all nine seasons
- Apple TV – Full episodes and seasons available for purchase
Even though these options are not free, they ensure you can keep the show forever without worrying about contract expirations or platform removals.
⭐ In the UK and Australia
- Disney+ currently carries all nine seasons
Fans outside the US can continue streaming comfortably with no interruption.
What About the Spinoff: How I Met Your Father?
If you want to extend your journey through the HIMYM universe, the spinoff series How I Met Your Father, starring Hilary Duff, is also available on Hulu. Although the series was cancelled after two seasons, it still adds depth to the original timeline and offers fun references for long-time fans.
Hulu bundles make it easy to enjoy both shows at once, making it the best all-in-one streaming option for HIMYM lovers.
Why Shows Keep Leaving Netflix (and Why It Keeps Happening)
The departure of How I Met Your Mother from Netflix is disappointing but not unusual. In recent years, many beloved shows have cycled on and off platforms due to expiring licenses.
Netflix doesn’t own HIMYM—it was created by CBS, which means CBS controls where and how it is streamed. As more companies launch their own streaming platforms, they often pull back content to host it exclusively or license it for better profits.
This is why Netflix has lost:
- Friends
- The Office
- New Amsterdam
- Sons of Anarchy
- The Walking Dead
And now How I Met Your Mother joins that list.
It’s a reminder that streaming libraries are constantly shifting, and the safest way to ensure access is by either owning digital copies or choosing a platform that maintains long-term rights.
Here’s Why HIMYM Still Matters in 2024 and Beyond
Even years after its finale, How I Met Your Mother remains one of the most beloved sitcoms globally. Viewers return to it because:
- It blends humor with heartfelt storytelling
- The chemistry between the cast is timeless
- Barney Stinson’s one-liners are endlessly quotable
- Ted’s romantic journey still resonates with audiences
- Its plot structure is unique and captivating
- The series is perfect for comfort rewatching
With its mix of life lessons, humor, friendship, and emotional depth, the show continues to attract new fans each year while keeping long-time viewers coming back for yet another round.
Final Thoughts: HIMYM May Be Leaving Netflix, But Not Your Watchlist
While it’s disappointing that How I Met Your Mother is leaving Netflix on December 2, fans don’t need to panic. Hulu’s 30-day free trial offers a completely free, easy, and reliable way to continue watching all nine seasons.
Whether you’re revisiting iconic episodes like “Slap Bet,” “The Pineapple Incident,” “Symphony of Illumination,” or the emotional finale, Hulu ensures you can keep your favorite comfort sitcom alive.
And with long-term options available through T-Mobile, student discounts, and digital purchases, you’ll never have to worry about saying goodbye to Ted, Robin, Barney, Marshall, and Lily again.