So, you’re looking for Matlock. It’s a bit of a tricky situation because right now, we’ve actually got two very different "Matlocks" floating around. There is the legendary 1980s Andy Griffith version—the one with the seersucker suits and the hot dogs—and then there’s the brand-new 2024 reboot starring the incomparable Kathy Bates.
Finding them requires two different strategies.
Honestly, the reboot has changed the game for how we think about this title. It isn't just a remake; it’s a total reimagining that has people obsessed with Madeline "Matty" Matlock’s secret agenda. If you're trying to figure out matlock where to watch in 2026, you've likely realized that streaming rights are a moving target.
The Kathy Bates Era: Where to Stream the New Matlock
If you are looking for the new series, the one where Kathy Bates plays a "septuagenarian" who talks her way into a high-powered law firm, your primary home is Paramount+. Because this is a CBS Original, Paramount+ is the only place where you can find every single episode from Season 1 and the currently airing Season 2.
New episodes typically drop on the service the day after they air on CBS. If you have a Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscription, you can actually stream it live through your local CBS affiliate.
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But what if you don't want to pay for another subscription?
Believe it or not, you can often find the most recent episodes for free on CBS.com or the CBS app for a limited time after they broadcast. They usually keep the last few episodes "unlocked," though you'll have to sit through some ads.
Watching Live Without Cable
Maybe you're a "live TV" person. If you've cut the cord, you can still catch Matty Matlock in real-time every Thursday night (that’s her usual slot) on these platforms:
- YouTube TV: Includes your local CBS station.
- Hulu + Live TV: Comes with the live broadcast and Disney+ bundled in.
- FuboTV: Great if you also want sports, but it definitely carries CBS.
- DirecTV Stream: Another solid, though pricier, option for live locals.
Matlock Where to Watch: Hunting Down the Andy Griffith Classics
Now, if you want the "real" Ben Matlock—the one who never lost a case in Georgia—you have to look elsewhere. The original series ran from 1986 to 1995, and it’s a staple of "comfort TV."
As of early 2026, Pluto TV is the absolute king of free Matlock. They have a dedicated "Classic TV" section and often run a 24/7 Matlock channel. It’s free, it’s legal, and it’s full of that sweet, sweet 80s nostalgia.
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If you want it without the ads, check out Hallmark Movies Now. They’ve held the rights to stream the original series for a while. You can also buy individual seasons or episodes on Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV, which is a better bet if you specifically want to see the two-part "Diary" episode or the "The Hunting Party" finale without waiting for a linear schedule to play them.
The "Free" Loophole You Might Not Know About
There is a weird, temporary partnership that happened between CBS and Pluto TV.
To drum up excitement for the new seasons, CBS has been known to drop the entire previous season of the Kathy Bates reboot onto Pluto TV for a limited time. For instance, right before Season 2 premiered, Season 1 was available to binge for free on Pluto. It’s worth checking there first before you pull out the credit card.
International Viewers
If you aren't in the U.S., things get even more fragmented. In Canada, Global TV usually handles the broadcast and streaming via the Global TV app. In the UK and Australia, you'll often find it on Sky or Paramount+ International, though the release dates sometimes lag a few weeks behind the American premiere.
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Why Everyone is Looking for This Show Right Now
The surge in people searching for matlock where to watch isn't just because of Kathy Bates. It's because the show pulled off one of the biggest "twist" endings in recent TV history during its pilot. People who grew up with the original Ben Matlock are tuning in out of curiosity, only to realize the show is actually a smart, modern legal thriller that pays homage to the original without being a carbon copy.
It’s rare for a "reboot" to actually stand on its own feet like this one does.
Your Matlock Checklist:
- Check Paramount+ for all episodes of the 2024 reboot.
- Go to Pluto TV for the original 1986 series (free with ads).
- Use YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV if you want to watch the new episodes live on Thursday nights.
- If you're looking for a specific classic episode, Amazon Prime or iTunes for digital purchase is your safest bet for high-definition versions of the old film reels.