“The Golden Girls” 40th Anniversary Documentary Coming Soon To Hulu & Disney+

July 25, 2025 Roger Palmer

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of the iconic sitcom “The Golden Girls,” Disney has announced details of a brand-new documentary from ABC News Studios, which will be available on Hulu and Disney+ later this Fall.

This new documentary will mark the iconic sitcom’s 40th anniversary with a one-hour special detailing the incredible inside story of “The Golden Girls,” featuring series creator Susan Harris, Emmy Award-winning producer Tony Thomas, and many of the show’s original writers and producers. Paying tribute to the legendary actresses who brought Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sophia to life, and to 40 years of friendship, laughter and their famous love of cheesecake, the special will explore how “The Golden Girls” used uninhibited comedy to rewrite the narrative for women over 50 and how its timeless appeal has created a lasting influence on pop culture.

No other details on this new documentary have been announced yet, such as when exactly it will be released and if it will also be released globally on Disney+.

The critically acclaimed series “The Golden Girls” premiered in 1985 and follows four vibrant friends sharing life and laughter in Miami: strong-willed Dorothy Zbornak (Bea Arthur), sweetly naive Rose Nylund (Disney Legend Betty White), flirtatious Blanche Devereaux (Rue McClanahan) and wise-cracking Sophia Petrillo (Estelle Getty). The show’s magic has bridged generations, delighting original TV audiences and new streaming viewers alike. Though these distinctive personalities occasionally clash, their enduring friendship – celebrated in the theme song “Thank You for Being a Friend” – remains the heart of this beloved series.

“The Golden Girls” is one of only four sitcoms where every performer in the main cast won at least one Emmy Award. The series won 11 Emmy Awards overall, including two wins for Outstanding Comedy Series, and earned four Golden Globes and several other prestigious industry honours. The iconic series ranked among the Nielsen ratings’ Top 10 for six of its seven seasons and ranked 18th out of Variety’s 100 Greatest TV Shows of all time.

Disney has also announced some other celebrations taking place for the 40th anniversary, including brand new merchandise and experiences across the country, starting on the official Golden Girls Day on Wednesday, 30th July 2025. Nationwide events will feature curated experiences from Zero Waste Daniel, themed beverages from Nocking Point Wines, treats from Yogurtland, and limited-edition merchandise from Brick Craft, Candier, and Furbish Studio.

The iconic series has been streamed over 1 billion hours globally on Disney+ and Hulu. All seven seasons are available to stream on Hulu and Hulu On Disney+ in the United States and on Disney+ around the world.