You remember the yellow slicker. You remember the fisherman's hook. Honestly, it’s one of those 90s relics that just sticks to your ribs like movie theater popcorn butter. Whether you’re trying to relive the peak Jennifer Love Hewitt era or you’re diving into the more recent (and somewhat controversial) TV adaptation, figure out how to watch I Know What You Did Last Summer isn't always as straightforward as clicking a single button. Licenses shift. Platforms lose rights. One day it's on Netflix, the next it’s buried in the back of a boutique streaming service you've never heard of.
It’s a mess.
But look, if you’re craving that specific brand of teen slasher dread, you have a few very specific lanes to pick from. You’ve got the 1997 original film, the 1998 sequel I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, the "we don't talk about this one" third entry from 2006, and the 2021 Amazon series.
The 1997 Classic: Where the Legend Started
The original film is basically the blueprint for post-Scream horror. Kevin Williamson wrote the screenplay, and you can feel his DNA all over it. It’s snappy. It’s moody. It has Sarah Michelle Gellar running for her life in a way that still stresses me out twenty-five years later.
If you want to stream the 1997 movie, your best bet is usually Max (formerly HBO Max). They’ve held the streaming rights for a significant stretch of time because of their various deals with Sony Pictures. However, these things are incredibly fickle. If it’s not on Max when you check, it often migrates over to Hulu or even Paramount+ for short stints.
Why does it move? Licensing.
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Studios like Sony don't have their own "forever home" streaming service like Disney does with Disney+. They shop their library around to the highest bidder. If you’re a die-hard fan, the most reliable way to watch it without playing "where’s the movie" every month is to just buy it digitally on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Vudu. It usually costs about $10 to $10. Actually, sometimes you can snag it for $5 during a "Slasher Sale" around October.
The Streaming Reality of the 2021 Series
Then there's the TV show. Produced by Amazon Studios, the 2021 reboot of I Know What You Did Last Summer is a different beast entirely. It’s grittier, weirdly obsessed with social media, and much more "Euphoria-meets-slasher" than the original.
Because it’s an Amazon Original, this one is easy. It lives on Prime Video. It’s likely never leaving. You need a Prime subscription to get in the door, but once you’re there, all eight episodes are ready for a weekend binge. Just a heads up—it was canceled after one season, so don't expect a resolution to every single tiny thread. It’s a self-contained ride, for better or worse.
Don't Forget the Sequels (If You Dare)
The sequel, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, is famous for two things: Brandy and the fact that it takes place in the Bahamas during a hurricane. It’s peak 90s camp. Much like the original, this usually follows the same licensing path as the first film. If the first one is on Max, the second one usually is too.
Then there's I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer.
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I’ll be honest. It’s rough. It’s a direct-to-video release from 2006 that has almost zero connection to the original cast. It’s often found on "free with ads" services like Tubi or Pluto TV. If you’re a completionist, that’s your destination. Just keep your expectations low. Like, underground low.
Physical Media: The Last Reliable Option
Digital rot is real. Shows disappear from platforms every day for tax write-offs or expiring contracts. If you’re serious about your horror collection, the 4K Ultra HD release of the 1997 film is actually stunning. Sony did a massive restoration a couple of years back. It looks better than it did in theaters.
Buying a physical disc sounds old school, but it's the only way to guarantee you can watch it whenever you want. No internet required. No monthly subscription fee. Just you, the hook man, and a very stressed-out Jennifer Love Hewitt.
The Legal Gray Areas and VPNs
Sometimes, the movie is available in the UK on a service like Sky or Now TV, but it’s nowhere to be found in the US. This is where people start looking at VPNs (Virtual Private Networks). By routing your IP through a server in London or Toronto, you can often unlock different libraries on Netflix or Prime.
Is it "allowed"? Well, it's not illegal, but it usually violates the Terms of Service of the streaming site. Use that info how you will.
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Quick Access Summary Table (Prose Version)
To keep it simple: Prime Video is the exclusive home for the 2021 TV series. For the movies, check Max first. If it's not there, head to Tubi for the ad-supported version or just bite the bullet and rent it on Google Play or Apple TV for a few bucks.
The landscape of streaming in 2026 is fractured. You can't rely on one app to have everything anymore. Most viewers find that "rotating" subscriptions—subscribing to Max for a month, then switching to Paramount+—is the only way to keep the budget under control while still seeing the hits.
Why This Franchise Still Pulls Us In
There’s something about the "secret among friends" trope that never gets old. We’ve seen it in Pretty Little Liars, Yellowjackets, and basically every teen thriller since 1997. But I Know What You Did Last Summer did it with a specific kind of atmospheric dread. The coastal North Carolina setting (even if the TV show moved to Hawaii) feels isolated.
When you sit down to watch it, pay attention to the lighting. The original used deep blues and heavy shadows that a lot of modern digital horror just can't replicate. It’s a mood.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're ready to dive back into the world of urban legends and fisherman hooks, start by checking your existing subscriptions via a search aggregator like JustWatch or Reelgood. These sites track the daily movements of films across platforms.
- Check JustWatch to see if the 1997 film is currently on a "Free with Ads" service like Freevee or Tubi.
- Verify your Prime membership if you plan on starting the 2021 series; remember it's an 8-episode commitment.
- Consider the 4K Blu-ray if you find yourself wanting to watch this every October. The transfer quality is genuinely worth the $20.
- Avoid the third movie unless you are truly bored. You've been warned.
The hook man is waiting. Whether you're a first-timer or a returning survivor, the mystery of what happened on that dark road remains one of the best setups in horror history. Put your phone away, turn off the lights, and keep an eye on your trunk.