You ever get that sudden, late-night itch to watch Eva Green scream at a demon in Victorian London? I did last week. I figured, hey, it’s a cult classic, it’ll be on Netflix. Wrong. Then I tried Hulu. Also wrong—mostly. Searching for where to stream Penny Dreadful in 2026 has become a bit of a scavenger hunt because the rights to this show move around like a ghost in a haunted mansion.
Honestly, it’s frustrating. You’ve got this incredible show with Timothy Dalton and Josh Hartnett, and yet it feels like the streaming services are hiding it. If you’re looking for the original three-season run or that 1930s Los Angeles spin-off, City of Angels, here is the ground truth on where you can actually watch them right now without losing your mind.
Where to Stream Penny Dreadful Right Now
If you are in the United States, the primary home for the original Penny Dreadful is Paramount+. Because the show was a Showtime original, and Showtime has basically been swallowed whole by the Paramount brand, that’s where the high-definition files live. You can find all 27 episodes there.
But there’s a catch.
You usually need the "Paramount+ with Showtime" plan to see it. If you just have the base "Essential" plan, you might find yourself staring at a lock icon. It’s annoying, but that’s the corporate ladder for you.
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Some people still see it popping up on Amazon Prime Video, but usually, it’s just an interface for the Paramount+ channel add-on. If you’re already paying for Prime, check if you have a "7-day free trial" for the Showtime/Paramount channel. It’s a solid way to binge the first season for free if you’re fast.
What about Netflix and Hulu?
Netflix used to be the go-to. Not anymore. As of early 2026, Netflix has largely let its licensing deals for older Showtime content expire to focus on their own internal "monster" shows.
Hulu is a weird middle ground. You can sometimes find the show listed there, but again, it’s almost always tied to a live TV subscription or a premium add-on. You won't find it in the basic $7.99-a-month library.
The Tricky Case of City of Angels
Don't get me started on the spin-off. Penny Dreadful: City of Angels stars Natalie Dormer playing about four different people, and while it didn't get the three-season love the original did, it’s still worth a watch for the production design alone.
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Funny enough, this one is even harder to find "for free" on a subscription.
- Buy/Rent: Most people end up having to buy this on Apple TV or Fandango at Home (which used to be Vudu).
- Paramount+: It occasionally rotates back onto the platform, but it’s inconsistent.
- DVD/Blu-ray: I know, I know. Physical media? But honestly, City of Angels disappears from streaming so often that owning the disc is the only way to ensure you can actually finish it.
International Streaming: UK and Canada
If you’re reading this from the UK, you’re actually in luck. Sky Atlantic and the NOW streaming service are the gatekeepers there. They’ve held onto the rights pretty tightly. In Canada, Crave is your best bet. Crave has a deal with Showtime that seems to be one of the few stable things left in the streaming world.
Why This Show Still Matters
Look, most "horror" shows today rely on jump scares. Penny Dreadful didn't. It relied on absolute dread and literary nerds being happy that Victor Frankenstein and Dorian Gray were in the same room. John Logan, the creator, wrote something that feels more like a play than a TV show.
There's a specific scene in Season 2 with a "Nightcomer" in a basement that still lives rent-free in my head. You just don't get that kind of atmosphere on network TV. That's why people are still searching for where to stream Penny Dreadful ten years after it premiered. It’s timeless in a way that American Horror Story just isn't.
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A Quick Reality Check on "Free" Sites
You’ll see a lot of "free" streaming sites claiming to have the show. Just... don't. Aside from the legal headache, those sites are basically a fast track for malware in 2026. Stick to the legitimate platforms or, better yet, check your local library. Many libraries now use an app called Hoopla or Libby, and sometimes—if you’re lucky—the Penny Dreadful seasons are available to "borrow" digitally for free.
Your Next Steps to Get Watching
Stop scrolling through Netflix. It’s a waste of time.
- Check Paramount+ first. If you don't have it, look for a promo code; they give out "one month free" codes like candy.
- Search for the "Showtime Add-on" on any service you already pay for (Hulu, Prime, or even YouTube TV).
- Go to JustWatch. If you're in a different country, that site is the only way to keep up with daily licensing changes.
Once you find it, start with Season 1, Episode 1, "Night Work." Don't look at your phone. Just let the foggy London atmosphere soak in. You'll see why we're all still obsessed with it.