Just one more thing. If you've ever heard that phrase, you're probably already a fan of the rumpled raincoat, the Peugeot 403, and the man who made being the smartest person in the room look like a total accident. Peter Falk’s Lieutenant Columbo isn't just a character; he’s an institution. But finding where to watch Columbo in 2026 can feel like solving one of the show’s famously convoluted "inverted" mysteries. You know, the ones where we see the murder happen in the first ten minutes and then spend the next hour watching a disheveled genius slowly dismantle a high-society ego.
Streaming rights are a mess. They change faster than a murderer's alibi. One day it's on a free service with ads, the next it’s locked behind a premium paywall, and sometimes it just vanishes into the licensing ether. Honestly, it’s annoying. You just want to see a guy in a beige coat outsmart a smug architect played by Jack Cassidy. Is that too much to ask?
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The Best Free and Paid Options to Watch Columbo Right Now
If you want the easiest, most straightforward way to dive in, Peacock remains the primary home for the Lieutenant. NBCUniversal owns the show, so it makes sense they’d keep it in the family. They usually have the "Classic" years—the 1970s run on NBC—and the "Revival" years that aired on ABC starting in 1989. However, the "Free" tier on Peacock is largely a thing of the past for premium content like this. You’re likely looking at a monthly subscription.
But what if you don't want to pay?
Freevee (Amazon’s ad-supported wing) and Tubi often cycle the show in and out. The catch is the ads. There is something uniquely jarring about watching Columbo slowly trap a killer in a 1974 wine cellar, only to be interrupted by a loud jingle for car insurance. It breaks the mood. It ruins the tension. Still, if you’re on a budget, it’s a solid way to watch Columbo without dropping a dime.
Pluto TV is another heavy hitter. They actually have a dedicated 24/7 Columbo channel. It’s a "lean-back" experience. You don’t choose the episode; you just hop in and see where he is. Maybe he’s at a dog show. Maybe he’s at a magic convention. It’s perfect for background noise while you’re doing dishes or pretending to work.
Why the "Revival" Seasons Feel Different
When people talk about how to watch Columbo, they often forget there are two distinct eras. There’s the 1971-1978 run and then the 1989-2003 run.
The early stuff is pure gold. It’s grainy, it’s 70s-chic, and the guest stars are legendary. Think Dick Van Dyke, Ruth Gordon, and Robert Culp. The later episodes? They’re... different. Falk is older. The raincoat looks even more tired. The pacing slows down. Some fans find the ABC years a bit bloated because the episodes often ran two hours (including commercials) instead of the tighter 90-minute format of the NBC era.
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If you are a completionist, you need a service that carries the later specials. Peacock usually has them, but sometimes they are listed as a separate "series" or under a "Columbo Movies" category. It’s a weird quirk of digital archiving. If you can't find "It's All in the Game" (written by Falk himself!), you might have to dig into the "Specials" tab.
Digital Purchases vs. Physical Media: The Expert Choice
Streaming is convenient, sure. But it’s ephemeral. Shows disappear. Digital storefronts like Apple TV (formerly iTunes), Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu allow you to buy the seasons outright. This is the "safe" way to watch Columbo if you never want to worry about licensing deals expiring. A full season usually goes for about $20, though sales happen frequently.
But let’s be real for a second. If you really care about this show, you go for the Blu-ray.
Kino Lorber recently released a massive 4K/Blu-ray restoration of the series. The quality is staggering. You can see every single stray thread on that raincoat. You can see the beads of sweat on the murderer's forehead. Most importantly, it's yours forever. No internet connection required. No "This title is no longer available in your region" messages. It’s the ultimate way to experience the show's cinematography, which was actually quite sophisticated for 70s television. Steven Spielberg directed the first episode of the first season ("Murder by the Book"), and on the Blu-ray, his visual style absolutely pops.
Global Viewing: What if You’re Not in the US?
If you're in the UK, the situation is a bit simpler but equally fragmented. 5USA is the traditional home of the Lieutenant on broadcast TV. For streaming, it often pops up on NOW (formerly Now TV) or Sky. In Canada, it’s been known to haunt the library of various CTV apps.
The reality of global streaming is that VPNs are often necessary. If you have a subscription to a service in one country but you’re traveling, using a VPN to set your location back to your home base is a common tactic. Just make sure you’re checking the terms of service.
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The Mystery of the Missing Episodes
Every now and then, a "lost" episode talk starts circulating. There aren't really lost episodes, but there are two "pilots" that sometimes get separated from the main series.
- Prescription: Murder (1968): This is the first time we see Falk as Columbo. He’s different here. He’s sharper, his hair is shorter, and he’s actually wearing a suit that fits (sort of).
- Ransom for a Dead Man (1971): This is the second pilot that officially got the series greenlit.
When you go to watch Columbo on a streaming platform, these two are often tucked away in a "Season 0" or listed as standalone TV movies. If you start with Season 1, Episode 1, you’re actually starting with Spielberg’s episode, which is great, but you’ve missed the character’s evolution. Watch the pilots first. It makes the "bumbling" persona in later episodes feel more like a deliberate choice by the character.
Common Misconceptions About the Show
People think Columbo is a "whodunit." It’s not. It’s a "howcatchem."
The satisfaction doesn't come from guessing the killer—we already know who did it. The joy comes from the cat-and-mouse game. You are watching for the moment the killer realizes they’ve underestimated the man in the rumpled coat. It’s about class struggle. Most of the killers are wealthy, arrogant, and "refined." Columbo represents the working-class grind. He’s the guy who remembers he needs to pick up groceries while he's questioning a millionaire about a missing mistress.
Another myth? That he never has a first name. While it’s never spoken, eagle-eyed fans have spotted his ID card in several episodes (like "Dead Weight"). If you freeze the frame, it clearly says "Frank." But don't tell the purists that; they prefer the mystery.
Actionable Steps for Your Columbo Binge
If you’re ready to start, here is exactly how to handle it:
- Check Peacock first. If you have a subscription, this is the highest quality streaming version available for both the 70s and 80s/90s runs.
- Use JustWatch or Reelgood. These sites are lifesavers. Plug in "Columbo," and they will tell you exactly which service has it in your specific country at this very second.
- Look for the pilots. Don't skip Prescription: Murder. It sets the stage for everything that follows.
- Invest in the Kino Lorber Blu-rays if you find yourself coming back to the show every year. The jump in visual quality from the compressed streaming versions to the physical discs is massive.
- Watch the guest stars. Pay attention to Patrick McGoohan. He directed several episodes and played the killer four different times. His chemistry with Falk is arguably the best in the whole series.
Getting into Columbo is a bit like the Lieutenant’s own investigation style. It starts messy, involves a lot of digging through different places, but eventually, everything clicks into place. Whether you’re watching on a 4K OLED screen or a dusty old iPad, the brilliance of the writing and Falk’s performance remains untouched by time. Just remember to bring your own chili—extra crackers, of course.