So, you’re looking to binge-watch Shaun Murphy’s journey. I get it. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching a surgical resident navigate a world that doesn't quite understand how his brain works. But honestly, trying to stream The Good Doctor in 2026 has become a bit of a scavenger hunt because of how licensing deals shift between networks and tech giants. One day it’s on one app, the next it’s gone.
The show wrapped its seven-season run on ABC, leaving behind a legacy of medical drama that actually tried to tackle neurodiversity with some level of nuance. Freddie Highmore didn't just play a doctor; he played a character who forced every other person in St. Bonaventure Hospital to grow up. If you're late to the party or just want to rewatch that devastating season six finale, you need to know exactly where the rights landed.
The Streaming Giant Holding the Scalpel
Right now, Hulu is the definitive home for the series in the United States. Since the show was an ABC production—and Disney owns both ABC and a majority stake in Hulu—it makes sense that the entire library lives there. You can pull up all seven seasons, from the pilot where Shaun saves a boy at the airport with a makeshift kit to the emotional series finale.
If you have the Disney+ bundle, you can actually stream The Good Doctor directly through the Disney+ app via the Hulu integration. It’s a lot smoother than it used to be. No more jumping between apps.
But here is the catch.
If you’re trying to watch for free, you’re mostly out of luck unless you’re using a trial. Occasionally, the ABC app will have the last few episodes of the final season available to stream with ads, but they usually require a cable provider login. It’s annoying. I know.
What About Netflix or Prime Video?
This is where people get confused. Depending on where you live in the world, the answer changes completely. In the UK and parts of Europe, Sky and NOW TV often hold the cards. In other regions like Canada, you might find it on Crave.
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Netflix? In the US, don't count on it.
Licensing is a battlefield. Sony Pictures Television actually produces the show, even though it aired on ABC. This means Sony can theoretically strike deals with whoever pays the most. For a long time, international viewers saw the show pop up on Netflix, but those deals are expiring as Disney tries to pull everything back under its own umbrella. If you see it on Netflix while traveling, it’s because of those specific regional contracts.
Why People Still Obsess Over This Show
The Good Doctor isn't just another Grey's Anatomy clone. It’s based on a South Korean series of the same name, and that "K-drama" DNA gives it a specific kind of emotional weight. It isn't just about the surgeries. It’s about the communication barriers.
Shaun Murphy has autism and savant syndrome.
Early on, the show faced criticism. Some people felt it leaned too hard into the "superpower" trope of autism. However, as the seasons progressed, the writers started focusing more on Shaun’s personal life—his marriage to Lea, his father-figure relationship with Dr. Glassman, played by the legendary Richard Schiff, and the reality of being a parent.
It’s the kind of show that makes you cry at 11:00 PM on a Tuesday.
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The Evolution of the Cast
We saw a lot of faces come and go. Remember Dr. Jared Kalu? He left, then he came back. Antonia Thomas, who played Claire Browne, was the emotional heartbeat of the show for years before her departure. Watching her return for guest spots felt like a family reunion.
The show succeeded because it wasn't afraid to be "uncool." It was earnest. In a world of cynical TV, The Good Doctor was stubbornly optimistic about human nature, even when the medical cases were grim.
Technical Requirements for the Best Experience
If you’re going to stream The Good Doctor, don’t settle for a grainy 720p feed on a pirate site. The cinematography at St. Bonaventure is actually quite crisp.
- Resolution: Most platforms offer it in 1080p HD. A few seasons might be available in 4K if you’re buying them individually on Apple TV or Amazon, but on Hulu, HD is the standard.
- Audio: Look for 5.1 surround sound settings. The surgical "brain-scan" sequences use some pretty cool directional audio to simulate Shaun’s thought process.
- Data Usage: If you’re bingeing on a mobile device, one episode will eat about 1GB of data in HD. Plan accordingly if you’re on a limited plan.
Is Buying the Series Better Than Streaming?
Honestly, sometimes yes.
Streaming services drop shows without warning. If you’re the type of person who rewatches episodes of The Good Doctor for comfort, buying the "Complete Series" digital bundle on Vudu (Fandango at Home) or Amazon Prime Video is a solid move. You own it. No monthly sub required.
Usually, a full season goes for about $20 to $25, but during holiday sales, you can often snag the whole series for a fraction of that.
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Moving Past the Final Season
The series ended in 2024. There was talk of a spin-off called The Good Lawyer, starring Kennedy McMann and Felicity Huffman. They even did a "backdoor pilot" episode in season six.
Unfortunately, ABC passed on it.
It was a bummer for fans who wanted to see that universe expand. But that makes the original seven seasons even more precious. There’s a definitive beginning, middle, and end. You won't get stuck with a cliffhanger that never gets resolved.
Your Action Plan for Binge-Watching
Stop scrolling through endless menus. If you want to watch right now, follow these steps:
- Check your current subscriptions. If you have Hulu or the Disney+ bundle, just search for the title. It's already there.
- If you're outside the US, use a site like JustWatch to see which local provider has the rights. It changes monthly.
- Start from Season 1, Episode 1. The pilot is genuinely one of the strongest episodes of medical television produced in the last decade.
- Keep a box of tissues nearby. Seriously. Especially for the mid-season finales.
- If you find yourself becoming a "super-fan," look into the original South Korean version. It’s only one season, but it’s fascinating to see where the inspiration came from.
The journey of Shaun Murphy is about more than medicine; it's about the persistence of the human spirit in a world designed for "typical" people. Whether you're streaming it for the first time or the fifth, it holds up.