Look, let’s be honest. Trying to keep track of where to watch Overlord in 2026 is like trying to navigate the Great Tomb of Nazarick without a floor guardian's permission. One minute it’s on Netflix, the next it’s gone. You think you’ve found it on Hulu, but wait—that’s only the first three seasons. It is a total mess.
The reality of anime licensing is basically a game of musical chairs played with millions of dollars. If you're looking for Ainz Ooal Gown and his band of loyal (and slightly terrifying) NPCs, you probably just want to hit "play" and start the binge. You don't want a lecture on corporate mergers. But knowing where the show actually lives right now saves you from signing up for three different trials you’ll forget to cancel.
Where to Watch Overlord Show Without Losing Your Mind
Right now, Crunchyroll is the undisputed home of the Sorcerer King.
Honestly, it’s not even close. While other platforms have dabbled in the series, Crunchyroll currently hosts all four seasons of the TV anime. That’s 52 episodes of "Sasuga Ainz-sama!" and enough dark magic to make a Slane Theocracy priest faint.
But here is the kicker: as of late 2025 and into 2026, the licensing landscape shifted again. Netflix, which had a brief and glorious run hosting the series in several regions, pulled the plug on Overlord in July 2025 across the US, Canada, and the UK. If you were halfway through season 3 on Netflix and suddenly found it missing from your "Continue Watching" list, that is why. They didn't renew the lease.
The Current Streaming Landscape
- Crunchyroll: Your safest bet. They have Seasons 1, 2, 3, and 4. Both subbed and dubbed.
- Hulu: They still have a chunk of the show, but it’s often limited to the earlier seasons. If you want the full story, you’ll eventually hit a wall here.
- Amazon Prime Video: You can technically find it here, but usually through the "Crunchyroll Channel" add-on or by purchasing episodes individually.
- HIDIVE: Generally a no-go for this specific title. They have their own exclusives (like Oshi no Ko), but Ainz hasn't set up shop here.
The Movie Situation: The Sacred Kingdom
The biggest confusion right now isn't actually about the TV show. It's about the movie.
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Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom (or Sei Oukoku-hen for the purists) finally bridged the gap for fans who were wondering why the anime skipped a massive chunk of the Light Novels. The movie covers the "Holy Kingdom" arc (Volumes 12 and 13).
After its theatrical run in late 2024, the movie officially landed on Crunchyroll for streaming in April 2025. If you are looking for where to watch the Overlord show and you’ve already finished Season 4, this movie is your next mandatory stop. Don't skip it. It contains some of the most brutal and narratively significant moments in the entire franchise.
Watching it out of order is a crime. You need to finish Season 4 first, then watch The Sacred Kingdom.
Regional Shenanigans and VPNs
We have to talk about the "region lock" problem.
Anime rights are sold by territory. This means while Crunchyroll might have the show in the US, a completely different company might own the rights in France or Australia. For example, in parts of Asia, services like Ani-One Asia or Bilibili are often the primary providers.
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If you are traveling or living in a region where the show isn't appearing, people often turn to a VPN to "digitally travel" back to a region where it is available. It’s a gray area, sure, but when you're desperate to see Albedo lose her mind over a skeletal hug, you do what you have to do.
Why Does It Keep Moving?
Most people think Netflix or Hulu "owns" the shows they host. They don't.
They rent them.
Think of it like a lease on an apartment. When the lease is up, the landlord (the Japanese production committee or the global distributor like Crunchyroll) can raise the rent or decide to rent to someone else. In the case of Overlord, Crunchyroll is owned by Sony, who also owns the production side of things more often than not. They want to keep their best toys in their own sandbox.
This is why we’re seeing a consolidation. The days of Overlord being scattered across five different services are mostly over. It’s all flowing back to the orange-branded giant.
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What About Season 5?
This is the question everyone is asking while they search for where to watch the show.
As of early 2026, there is no official release date for Season 5. The movie was the big focus for the last two years. However, the Light Novels are nearing their conclusion. With the movie out of the way, the "wait and see" game for the next season has officially begun.
When it does eventually drop, you can bet your bottom dollar it will premiere on Crunchyroll as a simulcast.
Actionable Next Steps
To get the most out of your Overlord experience without wasting money on the wrong subscriptions, follow this path:
- Check Crunchyroll First: Sign up for a free trial if you haven't. They are the only ones with the "full" package right now, including the 2024/2025 movie.
- Verify Your Region: If you're outside the US/Canada/UK, check Bilibili or local providers before assuming the show isn't available.
- Watch Order Matters: Start with Season 1 through 4. Only then watch The Sacred Kingdom movie. Do not watch the recap movies (The Undead King and The Dark Hero) unless you are short on time; they are just condensed versions of Season 1.
- Avoid Buying Per-Episode: Unless you’re a collector, buying the seasons on Apple TV or Amazon Video is way more expensive than a month or two of a streaming sub.
Getting into Overlord is a commitment to one of the best "villain" protagonists in fiction. Just make sure you're watching it on a platform that won't cut you off mid-spell.