Atsuko Okatsuka’s ‘Father’ Special Climbs Hulu Charts
Atsuko Okatsuka’s new Hulu special ‘Father’ secures Top 6 global movie status, thrilling fans everywhere
Image: Instagram
Stand-up comedian Atsuko Okatsuka rang in Father’s Day with a milestone: her latest special, Father, stormed into Hulu’s Top 6 movies chart and landed at #15 across all titles on the platform. In a jubilant Instagram post she wrote, “🎉Top 15 for everything on @hulu !! Top 6 for movies on Hulu!! 🙏😭 We did it, Atsukies of the world!! Thank you for an amazing Father’s Day gift🎉🎉 to my international babies were available on Disney! Keep watching so I can bring you more 🥰.”
Chart-topping Success On Hulu
Okatsuka’s Father debuted exclusively on Hulu in the U.S. before rolling out on Disney+ in more than 60 countries. Within days of release, viewers propelled it into the coveted Top 6 movies roster. Industry tracking shows that most films need sustained promotion or star power to crack that echelon, making this a rare feat for a comedy special from an indie stand-up.
The #15 overall spot—covering series, films and specials—signals broad crossover appeal. “I’m sobbing in a ramen bowl,” Okatsuka quipped in her Instagram Story, referring to the #15 badge that now sits above her Hulu icon. Fans—affectionately called “Atsukies”—have flooded social feeds with clips of her off-beat delivery and tender explorations of chosen family.
Disney+ Boosts Worldwide Reach
The comedian’s international audience got a double treat when Father arrived on Disney+ just in time for Father’s Day weekend. In a throwback Instagram post from earlier this month, Okatsuka shared a touching note from her dad: “I am watching over you from everywhere. Proud of you, happy Father’s Day from your father. ‘Father’ out on @hulu and @disneyplus ❤️.” That intimate moment underscores the special’s theme: redefining father figures in a matriarchal household.
Since moving from Taipei to Southern California as a child, Okatsuka grew up surrounded by three generations of women. She’s said she chose the title Father partly as a nod to her fans—who nicknamed her “Mother”—and partly to the uncle who briefly filled that male role. “My fans call me ‘Mother,’ but mothers have it together, so I’m more ‘Father,’” she told Tatler Asia in a recent feature.
A Personal Touch Behind ‘father’
Born in 1986, Okatsuka studied finance before turning to comedy in her late twenties. A 2019 appearance on Conan O’Brien’s show and her viral set at Reykjavik Comedy Festival cemented her reputation for blending absurdity with heart. Father expands on that signature mix by tackling undocumented childhood memories, multi-generational bonds and the resilience of immigrant families.
For her NPR West interview, she shared how reconnecting with her dad informed the special. “There’s a kind of aura of sadness around me,” she said, “but also humor in finding your footing after moving to America.” Critics have praised Father for its honesty, with The Guardian calling it “an endearing, delightful exploration of identity through comedy.”
Okatsuka’s social media campaigns also helped drive viewership. Teasers featuring her playful interactions with guest comics and behind-the-scenes snaps from Kimmel Live generated buzz. A promotional tour stop in London last week included a sold-out Q&A and podcast appearance, further expanding her global footprint.
Fans are already speculating about what’s next. Some point to her upcoming Big Bowl Tour, announced alongside a glowing Instagram set of concert dates. Others hope she’ll translate this momentum into a late-night appearance or a feature film role. For now, though, Atsuko Okatsuka is savoring her Father’s Day gift: chart-defying success and an ever-growing community of supporters.
With Father holding strong in Hulu’s Top 6 and climbing international charts on Disney+, the comedian has proven that a deeply personal story can resonate on a mass scale. Atsukies, buckle up: if this is the start, Okatsuka’s funniest chapters may still lie ahead.
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