You're looking for a dark, heavy, and honestly pretty unsettling true crime story. I get it. The fascination with the 1984 Lafferty murders isn't just about the violence; it’s about that intersection of faith and fanaticism that Jon Krakauer captured so perfectly in his book. But finding exactly where can I watch Under the Banner of Heaven depends entirely on your zip code and which streaming giant currently owns your monthly subscription fee.
In the United States, your primary destination is Hulu.
That’s the short answer. The long answer involves a bit of "streaming musical chairs" because of how Disney manages its different platforms. Since the show is an FX on Hulu original, it lives natively there. You don’t need an extra "Live TV" package or a premium add-on to see Andrew Garfield’s incredible performance as Detective Jeb Pyre. You just need a basic Hulu account. If you’re already paying for the Disney Bundle—you know, the one with Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+—you can actually watch it directly within the Disney+ app now. They’ve integrated the libraries to make things easier, which is a rare win for the consumer.
The Global Streaming Map for Under the Banner of Heaven
If you aren't in the States, things shift. For my friends in the UK, Canada, Australia, and most of Europe, Disney+ is the exclusive home under the "Star" banner. It’s funny how different the branding feels abroad. In the US, we associate Disney with cartoons and superheroes, but globally, Disney+ is where all the gritty FX dramas like this one and Shōgun actually live.
Wait. There's a catch for some regions.
In some Latin American markets, you might still find it on Star+, though Disney has been aggressively folding that service into the main Disney+ app to simplify their overhead. It’s always worth a quick search in your local app store, but 99% of the time, the "House of Mouse" is where this very un-Disney story resides.
Why This Show Is Harder to Watch Than Typical True Crime
Let’s be real for a second. This isn’t Law & Order. It’s a slow burn.
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Dustin Lance Black, the creator, took a massive book filled with historical footnotes and turned it into a seven-episode limited series. Because it deals with the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), the show faced its fair share of scrutiny. Some viewers find the jumping timelines—moving between the 1800s Mormon history and the 1984 investigation—a bit jarring.
If you're wondering where can I watch Under the Banner of Heaven because you want to "binge" it in one night, I'd actually advise against that. It’s dense. It’s heavy. It’s a lot of Andrew Garfield looking pained in a car while questioning his own testimony. Each episode is roughly an hour, and by the time you hit the finale, "Blood Atonement," you’re going to need a minute to process the theological implications of what you just saw.
Buying vs. Streaming: Is It on VOD?
Maybe you hate subscriptions. I totally get it. Keeping track of ten different $15 charges a month is a nightmare.
You can buy the series.
Platforms like Apple TV (formerly iTunes), Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play usually offer the full season for purchase. Usually, it runs around $14.99 to $19.99 for the whole thing in HD. The benefit here is that once you buy it, you own it. You don't have to worry about Disney decided to "vault" the content for a tax write-off, which, let's be honest, has been happening way too often lately in the streaming world.
Physical media? That’s a tougher sell. Finding a Blu-ray of a streaming-exclusive show is like hunting for a needle in a haystack. Disney has released some titles like The Mandalorian or WandaVision on physical discs, but Under the Banner of Heaven hasn't received that "prestige" physical treatment yet. Digital is your best bet.
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Common Misconceptions About the Show's Availability
A lot of people think that because it’s an "FX" show, it’ll be on the FX Now app or Netflix.
Nope.
Netflix hasn't had a new FX show in years. The deal between Disney (which owns FX) and Hulu is ironclad. If you see a site claiming you can stream it on Netflix or HBO Max (now just Max), they are lying to you. They're likely trying to bait you into clicking a malware link. Stick to the official channels.
Also, don't expect to find it on "free" services like Tubi or Pluto TV. This is high-budget prestige TV. It’s the kind of "anchor" content that platforms use to keep people paying for their monthly subscriptions. It likely won't hit the free-with-ads circuit for a long, long time.
What to Check Before You Hit Play
Before you dive into the first episode, check your internet speed. I know that sounds basic. But the cinematography by Craig Zobel is genuinely beautiful in a bleak, Montana-sky sort of way. You want to see those wide shots in 4K if your plan allows for it.
- Hulu: Requires the "No Ads" or "Hulu + Live TV" plan for 4K.
- Disney+: Generally includes 4K in the standard premium tier.
- Data Usage: An hour-long episode in 4K can eat up about 7GB of data.
If you’re on a limited data plan or watching on a train, maybe toggle the settings down to 1080p. The drama remains just as intense even if the pixels aren't as sharp.
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Actionable Steps for the Best Viewing Experience
If you are ready to start, here is the most efficient way to get through the series without getting lost in the historical weeds.
First, download the Hulu or Disney+ app depending on your region. Do not try to watch through a mobile browser; the interface is clunky and often crashes during the transitions between the 1980s and the 1800s flashbacks.
Second, if the historical context of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young feels confusing—and it will, because the show assumes you know a little bit about LDS history—keep a tab open for the Under the Banner of Heaven episode guides. The show uses a non-linear narrative. It helps to know that the "bearded guys in old clothes" are the founding fathers of the church, while the "guys in 80s suits" are the ones committing or solving the crime.
Lastly, check your subscription status. If you have Spotify Premium for Students, you actually get Hulu for free. Many people forget they have this perk. If you're a Verizon customer, you might also have the "Disney Bundle" included in your cellular plan and not even realize you’ve been paying for the access this whole time. Check your "Add-ons" in your carrier app before you pay for a new subscription.
Once you’ve logged in, search for "Under the Banner of Heaven" and look for the thumbnail featuring Andrew Garfield’s face looking intensely at a crime scene. There are seven episodes in total. Start with "When God Was Love" and settle in. It’s a haunting ride, but one that’s absolutely worth the watch if you have the stomach for it.