You’re sitting on the couch, the lights are dimmed, and you have that specific craving for a deep-dive investigation. But then comes the wall. You type the name into your search bar and get a messy soup of results. Are we talking about the 1982 buddy-cop classic with Eddie Murphy? Or the long-running CBS true crime juggernaut?
Honestly, finding where to stream 48 hours shouldn't be this complicated in 2026.
Depending on whether you want Nick Nolte growling at a young Reggie Hammond or Erin Moriarty dissecting a cold case, you’re headed to very different corners of the internet. Most people think everything is just "on Netflix" by default. Spoiler: it’s not.
Let's break down the actual, current landscape for both.
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The True Crime Staple: Where to Stream 48 Hours (The TV Show)
If you are looking for the investigative news program that basically invented the modern true crime obsession, you have a few solid paths. CBS has kept this brand tight under the Paramount umbrella, but they’ve also leaned heavily into the "FAST" (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) world.
Right now, Paramount+ is the primary home. It’s where the current Season 38 episodes land immediately after they air on Saturdays at 10/9c. If you have a subscription, you can dig through a massive archive. Interestingly, they don’t have every single episode from the last three decades—some of those older cases have rights issues or were lost to the vaults—but you’ll find the bulk of the recent seasons there.
But wait. You don't actually have to pay.
Pluto TV has a dedicated "48 Hours" channel. It runs 24/7. It’s perfect for background noise or when you just want to jump into the middle of a mystery without choosing a specific episode. CBS News 24/7 (formerly CBSN) also streams full episodes frequently, especially on the weekends.
For the international crowd, specifically in Canada, Global TV is the go-to. They keep recent episodes like "The Gaslighting of Hannah Pettey" or "Joe Hunter’s Mission" behind their app wall, often for free for a limited time after broadcast.
The Action Classic: Finding the 1982 Movie
Now, if you’re looking for the movie 48 Hrs.—the one where Nick Nolte’s Jack Cates pulls a convict out of prison for two days—the situation is different. This is a Paramount Pictures film, so naturally, it lives on Paramount+ as well.
Streaming rights for 80s movies are notorious for "hopping." One month it’s on Max, the next it’s on a random cable app. As of early 2026, here is the current status:
- Philo: Surprisingly, this is a top-tier option. They often carry it via their partnership with AMC+ or library deals.
- The Roku Channel: You can often find it here for free with ads, though it rotates in and out.
- Direct Purchase: If you’re tired of the "streaming shuffle," you can buy or rent it in 4K on Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. It usually goes for about $3.99 to rent.
The sequel, Another 48 Hrs., is almost always bundled on the same platforms. If you find one, the other is usually lurking in the "People Also Watched" section.
Why Some Episodes Are Missing
It’s frustrating. You remember a specific case from 2005, you search for it, and it's just... gone. This is the reality of where to stream 48 hours in the digital age.
Music licensing is the big killer here. Back in the 90s, when CBS produced these shows, they didn't always clear the background music for "perpetual digital streaming" because, well, the internet didn't exist like that yet. When they move those old episodes to Paramount+, they sometimes have to scrub them or leave them out entirely if the licensing costs are too high.
Also, legal updates happen. If a conviction is overturned or a private individual wins a lawsuit regarding their portrayal, CBS might pull the episode to avoid a headache. It's why the YouTube versions are often heavily edited or limited to "highlights."
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Getting the Best Experience
If you're a hardcore fan, don't sleep on the podcasts. CBS has been repackaging their best episodes into audio format under the titles "48 Hours," "Post Mortem," and "My Life of Crime." You can find these on Apple Podcasts (where there’s a "48 Hours+" subscription for ad-free listening) and Spotify.
Basically, the "plus" version of the podcast gives you the same narration and interviews but without the need to keep your TV screen on. It's great for commutes.
To get the most out of your search:
- Check Pluto TV first if you want it for free.
- Use Paramount+ for the newest Saturday night episodes.
- Look toward Apple TV or Amazon for the Eddie Murphy movie if you want the highest 4K bitrate without the compression of a standard streamer.
Stop looking for it on Netflix. It hasn't been there in years. Stick to the CBS/Paramount ecosystem and you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for without the circular Google searches.
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Check the "Live TV" section of your streaming device. Often, the 48 Hours FAST channel is pre-installed on Samsung TV Plus, Vizio WatchFree, and LG Channels, meaning you don't even need to download a new app to start watching right now.