Finding a copy of Maudie feels a bit like Maud Lewis’s own life—quiet, a little tucked away, but deeply rewarding once you find it. This 2016 biographical drama, starring Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke, isn't always the easiest to track down on the major "big name" subscription services. If you're looking for where to watch Maudie, you've probably noticed it jumps around between platforms more than your average blockbuster.
Right now, in early 2026, the landscape for this indie gem is a mix of free-with-ads options and the standard digital storefronts. It’s the kind of movie that survives through word of mouth. You hear about this tiny house in Nova Scotia and a woman with rheumatoid arthritis who painted her world into something beautiful, and suddenly you’re scouring every app on your smart TV to find it.
The Best Ways to Stream Maudie Right Now
Honestly, your best bet for watching the film without an extra monthly bill is through ad-supported platforms. As of this year, The Roku Channel and Tubi have been the most consistent homes for Maudie.
Tubi is great because you don't even need an account. You just deal with a few commercial breaks. It’s a fair trade for a film that looks this stunning. On The Roku Channel, it’s often featured in their "biography" or "critically acclaimed" sections. If you're in Canada, the situation is a bit more stable because, well, Maud Lewis is a national treasure there. Crave frequently carries the film as part of its permanent library.
Buying and Renting Options
If you hate ads—and let’s be real, most of us do when trying to get lost in a period piece—you’ll have to shell out a few bucks. The major digital retailers are very reliable here.
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- Apple TV (iTunes): Usually available for rent at around $3.99 or to buy for $12.99.
- Amazon Prime Video: You can rent it directly through the Prime interface. Sometimes it’s included in a "Premium" channel like Sundance Now or AMC+, so check if you have those add-ons.
- Google Play & YouTube Movies: Standard pricing applies here too. It’s often $3.59 for a standard definition rental if you're looking to save a dollar.
- Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu): Usually has it in HDX for the same price as Apple.
Why Is It So Hard to Find on Netflix or Hulu?
It’s annoying, isn't it? You’d think a movie with 90% on Rotten Tomatoes would be everywhere.
The reality is that Maudie was distributed by Sony Pictures Classics in the U.S. and Mongrel Media in Canada. These smaller, prestige distributors don't always sign "forever" deals with giants like Netflix. The movie did have a long run on Netflix a few years back, but those licenses expire. When they do, the film often retreats to "boutique" streamers or the rental market.
Don't wait for it to pop up on your "Recommended for You" list on Max or Disney+. It likely won't. This is a movie you have to go out and seek.
The Physical Media Factor
There is a small but dedicated group of people who still swear by the Maudie DVD or Blu-ray. It sounds old-school, but for a movie that relies so heavily on the texture of paint and the specific lighting of the Nova Scotian coast, a physical disc actually looks better than a compressed stream.
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Walmart and Amazon still stock the Sony Pictures Classics DVD. If you find yourself re-watching this every time you feel like the world is a bit too much, owning it for $15 is a better deal than renting it three times. Plus, you get the bonus features. Seeing the real-life footage of Maud Lewis at the end of the film is a punch to the gut in the best way possible.
What You Should Know Before Diving In
If this is your first time watching, or you're trying to convince a friend to watch it with you, here's the vibe: it's not a fast movie. It’s a slow burn.
Ethan Hawke plays Everett Lewis as a man who is, frankly, pretty difficult to like for the first forty minutes. He’s gruff, borderline cruel, and socially isolated. Sally Hawkins, however, is a revelation. She captures Maud’s physical struggle without ever making her a character defined solely by disability.
The film was actually shot in Newfoundland, not Nova Scotia, which caused a tiny bit of local controversy at the time. But the landscapes are so rugged and lonely that they perfectly mirror the internal lives of these two outcasts living in a house no bigger than a modern walk-in closet.
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Quick Technical Checklist for 2026:
- Check Tubi first. It’s free.
- Search The Roku Channel if you have a Roku device or the app.
- Canadian viewers should head straight to Crave.
- Avoid "Free Movie" sites. They’re sketchy and Maudie deserves better than a low-res pirated stream.
To get the most out of the experience, try to watch it on the largest screen you have. The cinematography by Guy Godfree is genuinely world-class. He uses a lot of natural light that makes the tiny, painted interior of the Lewis home feel like a cathedral.
If you're ready to start, head over to your preferred rental platform or check the free-with-ads apps mentioned above to see if it’s currently in their rotation. It’s one of those movies that stays with you long after the credits roll, making the $4 rental fee feel like a steal.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the "Free" section of the Tubi or Roku app on your device right now. If it's not listed there, use the search function on Apple TV or Amazon to see the current rental price in your specific region, as these fluctuate monthly.