How to Watch Hotstar (Disney+ Hotstar / JioHotstar) in USA [Updated Mar 2026]

By Ethan Tyson Leave a Comment

Watch Hotstar (Disney+ HotstarJioHotstar) in USA

Hotstar may go by Disney+ Hotstar or even JioCinema-Hotstar now, but its core hasn’t changed—it’s still the hub for cricket blockbusters, Bollywood hits, and addictive dramas.

One of the biggest upcoming highlights is the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, streaming live on JioHotstar, alongside a steady lineup of movies, serials, and shows that keep millions of fans tuned in daily.

The problem? If you try to access Hotstar from the U.S., you’ll run into this message:

Videos on https://www.hotstar.com/in/ are not available in the U.S.

That’s because the full Indian Hotstar library was pulled from the U.S. back in 2021. What’s bundled with Disney+ here is just a fraction of the real deal.

Luckily, there’s still a way to watch JioHotstar in the USA. You just need a VPN that offers Indian servers.

I recommend ExpressVPN. With servers in 94 countries (including plenty in India), it lets you stream in HD and even share the account across 8 devices. Best of all, it only costs $4.49/month (67% off) – 2 year + 4 months free, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

5 Quick Steps to Watch Disney+ Hotstar / JioHotstar in USA

Here are the simple steps to help you unblock Disney+ Hotstar in the USA:

ExpressVPN-india-server

Here’s how you can get full access in minutes:

  1. Subscribe to ExpressVPN – available for just $4.49/mo (67% off).

  2. Download and install the app on your preferred device, then sign in.

  3. Connect to an Indian server (Mumbai or Chennai recommended for best performance).

  4. Sign up or log in to your Disney+ Hotstar account.

  5. Start streaming JioHotstar’s complete library in the USA, including live coverage of the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025.

Unblock Disney+ Hotstar with ExpressVPN

Why Do You Need a VPN to Watch Disney+ Hotstar / JioHotstar in USA?

Disney+ Hotstar (JioHotstar in India) is geo-restricted—meaning its full library is only available within India. If you try to access it from the USA, you’ll see this error message:

hotstar, disney+ hotstar, jiohotstar, geo blocked error in usa

This restriction exists because of content licensing agreements. Like most streaming services, Hotstar limits access to certain regions—in this case, India only.

The only way around this is with a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN masks your real IP address and assigns you an Indian IP address. Once connected, Disney+ Hotstar sees you as if you’re streaming from India, instantly unlocking its full library.

This is why most users rely on ExpressVPN—it’s one of the fastest and most reliable VPNs for streaming Indian content abroad. With optimized servers in India, blazing-fast speeds, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, it makes watching Hotstar in the USA seamless. Plus, it costs just $4.49/month (67% off) – 2 year + 4 months free.

Quick Overview of the Best VPNs to Watch Disney+ Hotstar / JioHotstar in USA

Best Overall VPN
$ 4.49
  • 80+ Mbps /100 Mbps
  • 3000+ servers (90+ countries)
  • 5.0/5.0 stars
  • 12 multi-logins
  • 67% Discount
  • 4 Months FREE
Get ExpressVPN
Most Affordable VPN
$ 1.69
  • 75+ Mbps /100 Mbps
  • 3200+ servers (100+ countries)
  • 4.8/5.0 stars
  • Unlimited multi-logins
  • 89% Discount
  • 3 Months FREE
Get Surfshark
Massive VPN Servers
$ 3.09
  • 70+ Mbps /100 Mbps
  • 5,600+ servers (59+ countries)
  • 4.0/5.0 stars
  • 10 multi-logins
  • 73% Discount
  • 3 Months FREE
Get NordVPN

Best VPNs to Watch Disney+ Hotstar / JioHotstar in USA

1. ExpressVPN: Overall Best VPN to Watch Disney+ Hotstar / JioHotstar in USA

ExpressVPN-howtowatchchannel

ExpressVPN is my top recommendation for unblocking Disney+ Hotstar (JioHotstar) in the USA thanks to its speed, reliability, and consistency. In tests, it reached up to 88.46 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection, which means you can stream in HD without annoying buffering or drops.

It’s easy to set up and works on all major devices—iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Firestick, and more—so you can enjoy Hotstar with one click, no matter what device you use.

With 3,000+ servers across 94 countries, including multiple high-speed servers in India, ExpressVPN reliably unlocks the full Hotstar library in the U.S. Whether it’s catching a live cricket match like the Asia Cup, watching the latest Bollywood release, or following your favorite Hindi dramas, ExpressVPN keeps streams smooth and uninterrupted.

ExpressVPN costs $4.49/month (67% off) – 2 year + 4 months free, and every plan is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can also use one account on up to 8 devices at the same time, making it great value for families or shared households.

Watch JioHotstar with ExpressVPN

2. Surfshark: Affordable VPN to Watch Disney+ Hotstar / JioHotstar in USA

Surfshark-howtowatchchannel

Surfshark is the best budget-friendly option for watching Disney+ Hotstar (JioHotstar) in the USA. At just $1.69/mo (89% discount – 2 years), it delivers premium features at a fraction of the cost.

With 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries, including multiple fast servers in India, Surfshark makes it easy to unblock Hotstar anytime. In my tests, it delivered speeds up to 85.44 Mbps on a 100 Mbps line—fast enough for live cricket, Bollywood blockbusters, or Indian soap operas in HD without buffering.

One standout feature is unlimited simultaneous connections. This means you can watch Hotstar on your phone, Smart TV, Firestick, laptop, and even gaming consoles—all at once, on one subscription.

Despite being one of the most affordable VPNs out there, Surfshark doesn’t compromise on quality. It’s reliable, secure, and an excellent choice for anyone who wants to enjoy the full Hotstar library from the USA without spending much.

Unblock JioHotstar with Surfshark

3. NordVPN: Reliable VPN to Watch Disney+ Hotstar / JioHotstar in USA With a Massive Server Network

NordVPN-howtowatchchannel

NordVPN is another strong choice for unblocking Disney+ Hotstar (JioHotstar) in the USA. Known for its speed, security, and massive global server network, it gives you a smooth streaming experience every time.

With 6,000+ servers in 111 countries—including 440+ in India—NordVPN offers plenty of reliable options to access Hotstar without worrying about server congestion. In my tests, it delivered streaming speeds of 83.65 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection, which is more than enough for HD cricket, Bollywood releases, or your favorite Indian dramas without buffering.

NordVPN also shines with its security features. It uses military-grade AES-256 encryption, a built-in kill switch, and its Threat Protection feature to block trackers and malware. This means you can enjoy Hotstar safely while keeping your data private.

A single subscription allows up to 10 simultaneous connections, so you can stream Hotstar on your phone, laptop, Firestick, Smart TV, and more—all at the same time. The apps are easy to use across iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and other popular platforms.

You can get all of NordVPN’s features for as low as $3.09/mo, which includes a generous discount of 73% and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Access JioHotstar with NordVPN

How to Watch Disney+ Hotstar (JioHotstar) in USA for Free

Unlike many streaming services that lock everything behind a paywall, JioHotstar runs on a hybrid model. That means you can actually watch a good amount of content for free—even without creating an account.

The free tier includes:

  • Select live sports (like parts of ICC tournaments)

  • Indian movies and regional films

  • Hotstar Originals

  • Popular TV shows from Star India

This makes JioHotstar a great option if you just want to catch cricket highlights, stream daily soap operas, or dip into Bollywood movies without paying anything.

Of course, premium content like Hollywood films, exclusive Hotstar Specials, and full live coverage of major tournaments will require a paid subscription. If you’re traveling to the US and already have an active Indian JioHotstar account, you can simply connect to an Indian server with ExpressVPN and continue streaming all your premium content seamlessly.

Worth Watching Content on Disney+ Hotstar (JioHotstar) in USA

Confused about what to watch on Disney+ Hotstar? Don’t worry as I’ve done all the hard work for you by listing some of the best movies and shows available on Disney+ Hotstar.

New Releases to Watch on Disney+ Hotstar (JioHotstar) in USA

  • The Trial: Pyaar Kaanoon Dhokha Season 2
  • Lilo & Stitch
  • Marvel Zombies
  • Tempest
  • A Minecraft Movie
  • Topak
  • NCIS: Tony & Ziva
  • Bigg Boss
  • Bigg Boss Agnipariksha
  • Loventure: Pyaar Ka Vanvaas
  • Trade Up
  • India’s Biggest Foodie
  • Maargan
  • Beautiful Disaster
  • The Monkey Is Back
  • Goppa Bava Bujji Mava (Telugu show)
  • Salaakaar (Hotstar Specials)
  • Krishna Ki Love Story
  • Southern Shaolin: And the Fierce Buddha Warriors

Best Movies to Watch on Disney+ Hotstar (JioHotstar) in USA

Best Shows to Watch on Disney+ Hotstar (JioHotstar) in USA

FAQs - Disney+ Hotstar in USA

How to watch Disney+ Hotstar in USA without VPN?

You can use SmartDNS to change your virtual location if you are not interested in using a VPN. The process, however, is tedious. I’d recommend using a VPN instead, as it works every time and is easier to set up. ExpressVPN is my top pick.

Why is Disney+ Hotstar not available in the USA?

As the channel originated in India, it does not offer global coverage currently. This is due to distribution rights and content licensing restrictions. However, you can always access Disney+ Hotstar in the USA with a VPN. ExpressVPN is my top pick.

Is JioHotstar free?

Yes, JioHotstar is free to use for a wide range of content. You can watch Indian movies, TV shows, Hotstar Originals, and even live sports without paying. However, premium titles like Hollywood movies and international shows require a paid subscription.

How to see JioHotstar in the USA?

You can watch JioHotstar in the USA by using a VPN. Simply connect to an Indian server with a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN, then visit the JioHotstar website or app. This allows you to stream free content instantly, and if you already have a premium account in India, you can log in and access the full library.

Channels Other Than Disney+ Hotstar (JioHotstar) to Watch In/Outside USA

Wrapping Up!

Now you know exactly how to watch Disney+ Hotstar (JioHotstar) in the USA. Whether it’s Indian blockbusters, Hotstar Originals, or high-stakes live sports, all you need is a stable internet connection and a reliable VPN.

From my testing, ExpressVPN turned out to be the most consistent option. It costs just $4.49/month (67% off) – 2 year + 4 months free, offers 3000+ servers in 94+ countries, and has no trouble unblocking JioHotstar in the US. You can connect up to 8 devices at once and even try it risk-free with their 30-day money-back guarantee.

So whether you’re tuning in for free content or unlocking premium access, ExpressVPN makes sure JioHotstar works smoothly in the States.

Ethan Tyson
Ethan Tyson

Ethan Tyson is a movie critic and an avid streamer. There's hardly any time when he's not writing something or keenly deconstructing the plot of hit movies or TV shows. Ethan writes useful guides on HowToWatchChannels.com to help readers access channels from around the world anywhere, anytime.