You know the tune. You can probably hear the upbeat, bouncy piano riff of the theme song the second you think about Jack Tripper tripping over a footstool. It is one of those shows that defines "comfort food" television. But honestly, trying to figure out where to watch Three's Company in 2026 has become a bizarre game of musical chairs.
Streaming rights move fast. One day a show is the crown jewel of a major platform, and the next, it’s vanished into the "content vault" because a licensing deal expired at midnight. If you're looking for the misadventures of Jack, Janet, and Chrissy (or Cindy, or Terri—let’s not forget the later years), you aren't just looking for a laugh. You're looking for a specific era of sitcom gold that somehow feels more authentic than the polished, high-def comedies of today.
The current streaming landscape for the roommates
Right now, the most reliable way to catch the show is through Pluto TV.
It’s free. That’s the big draw.
Pluto TV operates on a "FAST" model—Free Ad-supported Streaming TV. They actually have a dedicated Three's Company channel. It runs 24/7. If you want to just jump into the middle of a misunderstanding where Mr. Roper thinks Jack is doing something scandalous, you just tune in. It feels like 1982 again. You don't pick the episode; the episode picks you.
However, if you want "on-demand" access where you can start from Season 1, Episode 1, things get a bit more fragmented. IFC often holds the cable broadcast rights, and their website or app usually has a rotating selection of episodes if you log in with a TV provider. Logo TV also cycles through the series frequently.
Why isn't it on Netflix or Max?
People always ask this. It seems like a no-brainer for a giant like Netflix to scoop up a classic with 222 episodes.
The reality is boring legal stuff. Three's Company was produced by The NRW Company and DLT Entertainment. Because it wasn't owned by a massive studio like Warner Bros. or Universal from the jump, the distribution rights are handled differently than something like Friends or The Office. DLT Entertainment still holds a lot of the cards here. They tend to license it to smaller, niche networks or free streaming services rather than selling the exclusive soul of the show to a $20-a-month subscription service.
✨ Don't miss: Why October London Make Me Wanna Is the Soul Revival We Actually Needed
It's kind of a blessing. You don't have to pay a premium subscription just to see John Ritter’s legendary physical comedy.
The physical media argument (and why it wins)
I’m going to be real with you: if you actually love this show, buy the DVDs.
Digital streaming is ephemeral. Shows disappear. Music gets swapped out because of licensing costs. Jokes get edited for "modern audiences." If you own the Three's Company: The Complete Series box set, nobody can take it away from you when a contract ends.
You can usually find the full set for under $50. When you break that down against the cost of three different streaming apps over a year, the math is pretty obvious. Plus, the DVD sets often include the original pilot episodes—yes, there were two pilots before they landed on the cast we know—and some decent interviews with Joyce DeWitt and the late, great John Ritter.
What about digital purchases?
If you hate plastic discs taking up space, you can buy the seasons on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Vudu.
Buying a digital season is "permanent" in the sense that it stays in your library even if the show leaves the free streaming tier. A single season usually runs about $15 to $20. It's expensive if you want all eight seasons, but if you just want the "Golden Era" with Suzanne Somers, it’s a solid investment.
The "Roper" vs "Furley" era: What are you actually looking for?
When searching for where to watch Three's Company, you might be hunting for a specific vibe.
🔗 Read more: How to Watch The Wolf and the Lion Without Getting Lost in the Wild
The show fundamentally changed in Season 4. When Norman Fell and Audra Lindley left for their own (short-lived) spin-off, The Ropers, Don Knotts stepped in as Ralph Furley. Knotts was a comedy legend, but it’s a different show.
- The Early Years (Seasons 1-3): High-energy, heavy on the "secret" of Jack's sexuality to appease the landlord. This is where the writing was arguably the tightest.
- The Middle Years (Seasons 4-5): The transition. You get the iconic chemistry of the original trio but with the eccentric energy of Mr. Furley.
- The Later Years (Seasons 6-8): Priscilla Barnes joins as Terri. The show becomes more of a standard ensemble comedy.
Most free streaming channels like Tubi or Freevee tend to cycle through these seasons. If you’re watching on a loop on Pluto TV, you’ll notice they often play them in blocks. If you miss the Suzanne Somers episodes, you might have to wait a week for the cycle to reset.
Why the show still holds up in 2026
It’s easy to dismiss Three's Company as a show about "dumb misunderstandings."
It is. That is literally the premise.
But the reason it remains a top search for people looking for vintage TV is the sheer talent of John Ritter. Most modern actors can’t do what he did. His ability to fall over a couch while maintaining a conversation was Chaplin-esque. He wasn't just playing a guy pretending to be gay; he was playing a guy who was genuinely kind, slightly desperate, and incredibly loyal to his roommates.
There’s also the nostalgia factor. The apartment—101. The Regal Beagle. The orange and brown decor. It’s a time capsule of a specific version of Santa Monica that doesn't exist anymore.
A note on the spin-offs
If you finish your rewatch and want more, you’re going to have a harder time.
💡 You might also like: Is Lincoln Lawyer Coming Back? Mickey Haller's Next Move Explained
- The Ropers is notoriously difficult to find on streaming. It rarely pops up on the major apps.
- Three's a Crowd, the sequel series where Jack moves in with his girlfriend Victoria, is even rarer.
For those, you are almost exclusively looking at bootleg YouTube uploads or hunting down out-of-print DVDs on eBay. It's a shame, because while they aren't as good as the original, they're essential for the completionist.
How to optimize your viewing experience
If you are going the streaming route, specifically via free apps, get a good ad-blocker for your browser or use a device like a Roku which handles the FAST channels smoothly.
Avoid the "shady" sites. You know the ones. The sites that promise the full series for free but try to install a Russian malware package on your laptop. It’s not worth it. Not when Pluto TV has it for legal, free consumption.
Check your local listings (Seriously)
Classic TV networks like Antenna TV or MeTV are still a thing. If you have an actual digital antenna (the "bunny ears" of the modern age), you can often get these channels for free over the air. Three's Company has been a staple of sub-channel broadcasting for decades. It's the most "authentic" way to watch—commercials and all.
The bottom line on finding the trio
The quest to find where to watch Three's Company usually leads to one of three paths:
- The "I want it for free" path: Pluto TV or Catchy Comedy.
- The "I want it now and forever" path: Amazon/Apple digital purchase.
- The "I’m a collector" path: The Complete Series DVD box set.
Honestly, the show is about simplicity. It’s about a guy, two girls, and a landlord who can’t mind his own business. Don't overcomplicate the search. Start with Pluto, see if you still love the "Come and knock on our door" energy, and then decide if you want to drop the cash on a permanent copy.
Next Steps for Your Rewatch:
- Download the Pluto TV app: Check the "Classic TV" section for the dedicated channel.
- Check Amazon for the DVD set: Prices fluctuate, so look for a sale—usually around the holidays or "Prime" days.
- Verify your cable login: If you still pay for a cable package, check the IFC or Logo apps to see if they have full seasons available for on-demand streaming at no extra cost.