Finding out where can i watch Now and Then is surprisingly harder than it should be. You'd think a movie featuring Demi Moore, Rosie O'Donnell, Melanie Griffith, and Rita Wilson—not to mention the younger versions played by Christina Ricci and Thora Birch—would be plastered all over the front page of every streaming service. It isn't. It’s a bit of a ghost.
Honestly, the 1995 coming-of-age drama is a staple of millennial nostalgia. It’s our Stand By Me. But because of weird licensing shifts and the way New Line Cinema properties are distributed these days, it pops in and out of libraries like a shy kid at a summer camp dance. If you are looking for that specific hit of 1970s Indiana summer vibes, you have to know exactly where to dig.
The Current Streaming Situation for Now and Then
Right now, the most reliable place to find Now and Then is HBO Max (now just Max). Because it’s a New Line Cinema production, and New Line is a subsidiary of Warner Bros., Max is its natural home. However, streaming rights are famously fickle. One month it's there, the next it’s gone because a cable network like AMC or Turner Classic Movies clawed back the broadcast rights for a few weeks.
If you check Max and it's missing, don't panic.
You can almost always find it on digital storefronts. We’re talking about the usual suspects: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Buying it is usually about $10 to $15, while a rental will set you back about $4. If you're a fan who rewatches this every time it rains or whenever you're feeling particularly sentimental about your childhood best friends, honestly, just buy the digital copy. It saves you the headache of hunting it down every six months.
Why Is It So Hard to Find on Netflix or Hulu?
People always ask why it isn't on Netflix. It feels like a Netflix movie, right? The truth is that Netflix focuses heavily on their original "Stranger Things" style nostalgia or massive blockbusters. Middle-tier catalog titles from the mid-90s often fall through the cracks unless a distributor makes a bulk deal.
Hulu occasionally gets it, but usually only if you have the Live TV add-on or the Max expansion.
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It’s frustrating. You want to see the treehouse. You want to hear the soundtrack with "Knock on Wood" and "Sugar, Sugar." You don't want to subscribe to a fifth service just for one 100-minute movie. I get it.
The Physical Media Loophole
Here is a pro tip that sounds ancient: check your local library. Many libraries still carry the DVD, and since Now and Then was a massive rental hit back in the day, they almost certainly have a copy gathering dust.
Also, the DVD is often found in those "4-Movie Favorites" bargain bins at Walmart or on Amazon. Sometimes you can get Now and Then bundled with other 90s hits for less than the cost of a digital rental. It’s a physical backup for when the internet goes down or when the streaming giants decide to vault it again.
Why We Are Still Searching for This Movie
It’s been decades. Why are we still obsessed with where can i watch Now and Then in 2026?
It’s the authenticity. Director Lesli Linka Glatter and writer I. Marlene King (who later did Pretty Little Liars) captured something specific. It wasn't just about "girlhood." It was about the transition from the safety of childhood to the looming, often scary complexity of being a teenager.
The "Dear Johnny" subplot? Terrifying for a PG movie. The seance in the cemetery? Iconic.
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The movie deals with divorce, body image, grief, and the fear of growing apart. It doesn't sugarcoat the fact that the four friends eventually drifted away, only to be pulled back by the birth of Chrissy’s baby. That’s real life. It resonates because it’s messy.
A Quick Reality Check on the Cast
Watching it now is a trip because of where the cast ended up.
- Christina Ricci (Young Roberta): Went on to be a Tim Burton muse and recently killed it in Yellowjackets.
- Gaby Hoffmann (Young Teeny): Became an indie darling and starred in Girls and Transparent.
- Thora Birch (Young Teeny): Became the face of American Beauty and Ghost World.
- Ashleigh Aston Moore (Young Chrissy): Sadly passed away in 2007, which adds a layer of genuine sadness to her performance as the "innocent" one of the group.
Seeing these powerhouse actors as kids, playing versions of Demi Moore and Melanie Griffith, is a masterclass in casting that rarely happens today.
Technical Specs: What to Expect When You Stream
If you manage to find it on Max or buy it on Apple TV, don't expect a 4K HDR remaster. This isn't Oppenheimer. Now and Then was shot with a soft, nostalgic glow that fits the 1970s setting.
Most streaming versions are in 1080p High Definition. It looks clean, but it still has that film grain that makes it feel like a memory. If you find a version on a "free" streaming site (which I don't recommend because of the malware risks), it’ll likely look like a muddy VHS rip. Stick to the official platforms for the best experience.
Navigating Regional Restrictions
If you are outside the United States, finding where can i watch Now and Then gets even trickier.
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- Canada: Often available on Crave or for rent on Cineplex Store.
- UK: Check Sky Store or Virgin Media. It rarely stays on "free" platforms like Channel 4 for long.
- Australia: Binge or Foxtel are your best bets, though it’s a frequent flier on digital rental stores.
Using a VPN can sometimes help you access your home country's library if you're traveling, but most streaming services have gotten pretty good at blocking those. It's usually easier to just check a site like JustWatch to see the real-time availability in your specific zip code.
The Soundtrack Factor
One reason people keep coming back is the music. The soundtrack is a curated list of 60s and 70s bangers. From The Monkees to Stevie Wonder, the music is a character itself.
Sometimes, music licensing is the very reason movies like this disappear from streaming. If the studio didn't secure "perpetual" rights for the songs, they have to pull the movie or pay a fortune to renew them. Thankfully, Now and Then seems to have kept its soundtrack intact in the current digital versions.
How to Set the Mood for a Rewatch
Don't just turn it on. If you've gone through the effort of finding it, do it right.
- Grab the snacks: Specifically, anything that feels like a 70s or 90s crossover. Jell-O? Sure.
- Call a friend: This is a communal movie. Even if you're just texting while watching, it hits different when you share it.
- Turn off the lights: The cemetery scene deserves total darkness.
It’s rare for a movie to hold up this well. Usually, nostalgia is a trap, and the things we loved as kids turn out to be cringey or poorly made when we revisit them as adults. Now and Then avoids this. The performances are grounded, the dialogue is snappy, and the emotional beats land just as hard now as they did in the 90s.
Actionable Steps for Your Viewing Party
Stop scrolling and start watching. If you want to see this movie tonight, here is your checklist:
- Search Max first. If you have a subscription, this is your "free" path.
- Check JustWatch. Type in the movie name to see if it has moved to a new service in the last 24 hours.
- Go Digital. If it's not on a subscription service, spend the few dollars to rent it on Amazon or Apple. It’s cheaper than a movie theater ticket and you can pause it whenever you want.
- Verify the Version. Ensure you aren't accidentally renting a different documentary or a movie with a similar title (there are a few). You want the 1995 version directed by Lesli Linka Glatter.
Once you’ve secured the stream, pay attention to the background details. The production design for the 1970s segments is incredible—the bikes, the wallpaper, the clothes—it all feels lived-in and real. It’s the perfect escape from the digital noise of 2026. Enjoy the trip back to Gaslight, Indiana.