How to Banish Shows from Your Disney+ “Continue Watching” Graveyard

The “Continue Watching” section on Disney+ is a handy feature… until it becomes a digital purgatory filled with shows you abandoned after five minutes, or that your toddler insists on replaying from the very beginning every single time. Fear not, fellow streamer! Freeing yourself from this tyranny of unfinished content is entirely possible.

To remove a show from “Continue Watching” on Disney+, you need to select the show or movie, go to its details page, and then remove it from your watchlist. This will typically clear it from the “Continue Watching” list shortly after. Note that the exact location of the watchlist options may differ slightly depending on the device you are using (web browser, mobile app, or TV app), but the general principle remains the same.

Demolishing Your Disney+ “Continue Watching” List: A Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of purging those digital ghosts from your “Continue Watching” queue, breaking down the process across different devices.

On a Web Browser (Desktop/Laptop)

This method is straightforward and provides the most control.

1. Log into your Disney+ account on your computer.
2. Navigate to the show or movie you want to evict from the “Continue Watching” section. Find it either by searching for it directly or scrolling through the “Continue Watching” section itself.
3. Hover your mouse over the title of the show or movie. You’ll see options appear: “Play,” “Watchlist,” and sometimes other details.
4. Click the checkmark icon (representing ‘Watchlist’). Clicking it will remove the title from your watchlist. If the title is already in your watchlist, it would be a checkmark, if not, it would be a plus icon. Remove it by clicking the checkmark.
5. Wait a few moments. The title should disappear from your “Continue Watching” section shortly. If it doesn’t, try refreshing the page.

On the Disney+ Mobile App (iOS and Android)

The mobile app provides a user-friendly experience for cleaning up your watchlist.

1. Open the Disney+ app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Tap the show or movie you want to remove from “Continue Watching.”
3. Locate the “Watchlist” icon. It is usually on the movie/show’s main page.
4. Tap the checkmark icon. This action removes it from your watchlist.
5. Check your “Continue Watching” section. It should disappear after some time.

On a Smart TV or Streaming Device (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, etc.)

Navigating with a remote can be slightly different, but the concept is the same.

1. Launch the Disney+ app on your smart TV or streaming device.
2. Navigate to the show or movie you want to remove.
3. Select the show or movie to view its details page.
4. Find the “Watchlist” icon, usually represented by a checkmark or a plus icon. The exact placement might vary depending on your device’s interface.
5. Select the checkmark icon to remove the show from your watchlist.
6. Return to the “Continue Watching” section. The title should disappear shortly, or after you restart the application.

The “Nuclear Option”: Mark as Unwatched (Occasionally Available)

While not universally available for every title, some Disney+ content allows you to mark episodes or movies as unwatched. This is particularly effective for TV series that you’ve only started.

1. Navigate to the show or movie.
2. Look for an option to “Mark as Unwatched” or a similar phrase. This is most common within individual episode listings of a series.
3. Select this option. This resets the playback progress, making it less likely to appear in “Continue Watching.”

Fine-Tuning Your Viewing Experience: Understanding the “Continue Watching” Algorithm

Disney+’s “Continue Watching” algorithm isn’t an exact science. Here’s what influences its behavior:

• Playback Progress: The more you’ve watched, the more likely it is to stay in “Continue Watching.”
• Recent Activity: Recently viewed content is prioritized.
• Account Activity: The account activity will influence which shows are visible in “Continue Watching”.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions users have regarding “Continue Watching” on Disney+.

1. Why does a show reappear in “Continue Watching” even after I remove it?

Sometimes, a show might stubbornly reappear. This can be due to cached data or a glitch. Try clearing your app’s cache, logging out and back in, or even reinstalling the app.

2. Can I remove multiple shows from “Continue Watching” at once?

Unfortunately, Disney+ doesn’t offer a bulk removal option. You must remove each show individually using the methods described above.

3. How long does it take for a show to disappear from “Continue Watching” after I remove it from my watchlist?

Generally, it should disappear within a few minutes. If it persists, try refreshing the page or restarting the app. In rare cases, it might take a bit longer.

4. Can I prevent shows from automatically being added to “Continue Watching”?

No, you can’t completely disable the feature. However, actively removing unwanted shows will help keep your list cleaner. Avoid letting shows play unintentionally (like letting the credits roll and the next episode auto-plays).

5. Is there a way to see a history of what I’ve watched on Disney+?

Disney+ doesn’t offer a detailed viewing history like some other streaming services. Your “Continue Watching” and “Watchlist” are the closest you get to a record of your activity.

6. Will removing a show from “Continue Watching” also remove it from my downloads?

No. Removing a show from “Continue Watching” only affects its presence in that specific list. Downloaded content remains on your device until you manually delete it.

7. My child is watching shows on my profile. How do I keep their shows out of my “Continue Watching”?

Consider creating a separate profile for your child with appropriate parental controls. This will keep their viewing activity separate from yours.

8. Does removing a show from “Continue Watching” affect my recommendations?

Potentially, yes. The Disney+ algorithm uses your viewing history (which includes “Continue Watching”) to generate personalized recommendations. Removing a show might signal that you’re not interested in that type of content.

9. I share my Disney+ account. How do I prevent others from messing up my “Continue Watching”?

The best solution is to have each user have their own profile.

10. What if I accidentally remove a show from “Continue Watching” that I do want to continue watching?

Simply search for the show and start watching it again. It will automatically reappear in “Continue Watching” based on your playback progress.

11. Is the “Continue Watching” feature the same across all devices?

Generally, yes, but the interface and responsiveness might vary slightly depending on the device. The underlying functionality remains the same.

12. Why does a kids profile have shows on the “Continue Watching”?

Kids profiles have restricted content. The “Continue Watching” section for kids profiles will only include shows that are rated appropriate for children.