Finding the right spot to watch a guy in a skin mask run around with a power tool shouldn't be this hard. Seriously. If you’ve ever tried to sit down for a marathon of this franchise, you know the "streaming shuffle" is real. One movie is on a big-name platform, the next is buried on an indie horror site, and the third is somehow only available for digital "rent" on a site you haven't logged into since 2019.
It's a mess.
Right now, in early 2026, the licensing for these movies is all over the place. Because there are roughly four different timelines and about ten different production companies involved since 1974, no single CEO is ever going to play nice enough to put them all in one bucket.
The big update: Where to stream Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Let's start with the one that matters most. Tobe Hooper’s original 1974 masterpiece—the "grimy" one that looks like a documentary and smells like old meat—is currently having a bit of a moment on Shudder and Peacock.
As of January 2026, Shudder is the best home for it. They recently added it back to their library alongside a brand-new documentary called Chain Reactions, which features guys like Stephen King and Patton Oswalt talking about how the movie basically rewired their brains.
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But here’s the kicker with Netflix.
If you usually watch your horror there, you're on a ticking clock. The original 1974 Texas Chain Saw Massacre is slated to leave Netflix on February 18, 2026. Licensing deals are brutal like that. After that date, you’ll likely need a Shudder sub or a Peacock login to see Sally Hardesty scream for her life in 4K.
- Shudder: Available now (includes the 50th-anniversary extras).
- Peacock: Available now.
- Netflix: Leaving February 18, 2026.
- Free options: You can often find it on Pluto TV or Tubi, but expect those weird mid-movie commercial breaks that totally kill the tension.
Tracking down the sequels and the "weird" stuff
Once you move past the first film, things get confusing. You’ve got sequels that aren't sequels, reboots that ignore other reboots, and that one movie where Matthew McConaughey has a mechanical leg. Honestly, it’s a lot.
The Cannon Era: Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)
This one is way more "comedy-horror" than the first. If you want to see Dennis Hopper have a chainsaw duel with Leatherface, head over to Tubi or AMC+. It’s also currently on Shudder as part of their January 2026 horror refresh.
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The Netflix Original: Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)
This is the one with the "influencers" and the infamous bus scene. Since Netflix actually produced this one (well, they bought the rights from Legendary), it isn't going anywhere. This is a permanent resident on Netflix. Love it or hate it, it’s the easiest one to find.
The "Rent Only" Club
Sadly, some of the middle-child movies are stuck in digital purgatory. You won't find these on a standard subscription service right now:
- Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990): Usually only available to rent on Amazon or Apple TV.
- The Next Generation (1995): The Zellweger/McConaughey one. Again, digital purchase is usually your only bet.
- The 2003 Remake & The Beginning (2006): These Jessica Biel-era movies jump around a lot. Check Max (formerly HBO Max), but they frequently drop off and require a $3.99 rental on Fandango at Home.
Why is it so hard to find these movies?
It basically comes down to a "too many cooks" situation. New Line Cinema owns some. Lionsgate owns others. Netflix has the newest ones.
Unlike the Halloween franchise, which finally got a bit of a consolidated home on Peacock recently, Leatherface is a nomad. He goes where the money is.
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Plus, there is a new movie on the horizon called Texas Chainsaw Legacy. Rumor has it that once that starts its marketing push later in 2026, we might see a more unified "collection" pop up on a service like Max or Hulu, but for now, you’re stuck hopping between apps.
Your 2026 streaming checklist
If you're planning a watch party tonight, here is the fastest way to get it done without spending fifty bucks on rentals:
- Watch the 1974 Original: Open Netflix (hurry!) or Shudder.
- Watch the 1986 Sequel: Open Tubi (it's free).
- Watch the 2022 Sequel: Open Netflix.
- Watch the 3D one (2013): Check Pluto TV. It’s often there for free with ads.
Actionable Next Steps
Before you lose the original to the Netflix purge, check your subscriptions. If you don't have Shudder yet, they usually offer a 7-day free trial that is perfect for a weekend binge.
Also, if you're a die-hard fan, keep an eye on Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu). They often bundle the first four movies for under $20 during "Shocktober" or New Year sales. Buying them is honestly the only way to avoid this headache next year when the licenses shift again.
Go watch the 1974 version one last time on Netflix before February 18—the 4K restoration they're hosting right now looks incredible and much better than the grainy versions on the free-with-ads sites.