Don't Miss Abbott Elementary Season 5 Episode 9: Release Date, Time, and Where to Watch

Janine just turned 30 and tried to keep it low-key. Instead, a busted furnace set off a full-on school emergency that burst pipes and shoved everyone into a temporary setup at an abandoned mall. Yes, an abandoned mall. On top of that, her mom, Vanetta, showed up only to nitpick her life choices. If you were waiting to see what happens next, here is when Abbott Elementary Season 5 Episode 9 lands and where to watch it.

When Season 5 Episode 9 drops

Episode 9 arrives on January 7, 2026. It is scheduled for an oddly specific half-hour slot:

• Eastern Time: 8:30 p.m. on January 7, 2026
• Pacific Time: 5:30 p.m. on January 7, 2026

Where to watch

Episode 9 will be available on Hulu. If you miss the TV airing, Hulu typically posts new episodes the day after. The service also has a big library across genres, including Only Murders in the Building, The Handmaid's Tale, The Bear, and Alien: Earth.

Previously, on the winter finale 'Birthday'

Janine aimed for a chill 30th birthday. The school had other plans. A broken furnace triggered a building emergency, which led to burst pipes and a surprise relocation for everyone to an abandoned mall while things get fixed. Meanwhile, her already rocky dynamic with her mom did not magically improve: when Vanetta arrived, she mostly took shots at Janine's decisions instead of celebrating the day.

What the show is

"In this workplace comedy, a group of dedicated, passionate teachers — and a slightly tone-deaf principal — are brought together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible public servants may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do — even if they don’t love the school district’s less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children."