Finding a place to sit down and actually watch the Staten Island vampires shouldn’t be as hard as Guillermo trying to get Nandor to notice him, but streaming rights are a mess. If you're looking for what we do in the shadows where to watch, the answer depends almost entirely on your tolerance for ads and which side of the pond you’re currently standing on.
Honestly, the show has become a bit of a juggernaut. What started as a niche mockumentary spin-off from Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement’s 2014 film has spiraled into a multi-season epic that somehow makes taxidermy and "super slumber" parties feel like high-stakes drama.
The Best Ways to Stream the Series Today
In the United States, your primary destination is Hulu. Since the show is an FX production, Disney (which owns both) keeps the library pretty tightly locked down there. Every single season, from the pilot where we first meet Nadja and Laszlo to the chaotic later installments involving the Guide and Baby Colin Robinson, lives on Hulu.
You can get it through a standalone subscription or the Disney Bundle. If you have YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV, you can also catch episodes as they air or via Video On Demand (VOD).
If you are in the UK, things look different. The BBC has been the long-term home for the show, specifically on BBC iPlayer. It’s free if you’ve got a TV license. Disney+ also hosts it in several international territories like Canada and Australia under the "Star" banner.
Buying vs. Renting
Sometimes you just want to own the thing. I get it. Digital storefronts are fairly reliable for this. You can find individual episodes or full seasons on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu.
Buying a season usually costs around $20 to $25 in HD. It’s a solid move if you’re worried about licensing deals expiring and the show vanishing from your favorite streamer overnight. It happens more than you'd think.
Why the Format Works So Well
The mockumentary style isn't new. The Office and Parks and Rec beat that horse for a decade. But applying it to immortal beings who are fundamentally incompetent at modern life? That was the stroke of genius.
Kayvan Novak plays Nandor the Relentless with a mix of genuine menace and heartbreaking sweetness. Then you have Matt Berry. His delivery as Laszlo Cravensworth is iconic. "Bat!" The way he pronounces "New York City" has basically become a meme at this point.
Natasia Demetriou’s Nadja is the glue. Her chemistry with Laszlo feels like a real, albeit deeply toxic and centuries-old, marriage. And we have to talk about Mark Proksch as Colin Robinson. He is an "energy vampire." He drains people by being boring. We all know a Colin Robinson. That's why the joke lands so hard every single time.
What We Do in the Shadows Where to Watch: Beyond the Main Series
Don't forget the 2014 movie. If you’ve only seen the show, you’re missing out on the origins of the world. Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav are the OGs. In the US, the movie often hops between platforms like Kanopy (which is free with a library card) or Max.
There is also Wellington Paranormal. It’s a spin-off from the movie focusing on the two cops, O'Leary and Minogue. It’s got that same dry, New Zealand wit. You can usually find that on Max or CW Seed depending on the current month's shifting digital sands.
Common Misconceptions About the Show
People often think you need to have seen the movie to get the show. You don't. The series stands on its own. While there is a legendary cameo episode in Season 1 featuring the original film cast (and a dozen other famous vampires), the lore is self-explanatory.
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Another mistake? Thinking it’s just a sitcom. By the time you get to the later seasons, the character growth is actually quite significant. Guillermo’s journey from a submissive familiar to a badass vampire hunter is one of the best slow-burn arcs on television right now. Harvey Guillén plays that transition with so much nuance.
Technical Details for the Nerds
The show is shot on Arri Alexa Mini cameras. They use a lot of practical effects. That’s why the bats look a bit "janky" in a charming way. It’s a deliberate choice to keep it feeling like a low-budget documentary crew is actually following them around.
The lighting is notoriously difficult. They use a lot of "motivated" light sources—lamps, candles, or the moon—to maintain the gothic atmosphere while ensuring you can actually see the actors' faces.
Watching Order for Newcomers
- The 2014 Film: It sets the tone and introduces the concept of the "Vampiric Council."
- The Series (Seasons 1-6): This is the meat of the experience. Watch them in order. The serialized plot points actually matter.
- Wellington Paranormal: Watch this when you need a break from the Staten Island crew but still want the vibe.
Regional Availability Table
While I promised no perfect tables, let's just run through the quick-hit list. US residents go to Hulu. UK fans go to iPlayer. Canadians check Disney+. Those in India usually find it on Disney+ Hotstar.
If you are traveling, a VPN is your best friend. It allows you to access your home library so you don't miss an episode while sitting in a hotel room in a country where FX doesn't exist. Just make sure the VPN provider actually works with the streaming service's increasingly annoying "anti-proxy" tech.
Hidden Gems and Trivia
Did you know the character of Colin Robinson was partially inspired by a real person the creators knew? Someone who just didn't know when to stop talking about their Prius.
Also, the house itself is a character. The production design is incredible. It’s cluttered with centuries of junk. If you pause and look at the background of the library or the "Taxidermy Room," the level of detail is staggering. There are paintings that are actually tweaked versions of classical art featuring the cast members' faces.
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Why This Show Still Matters in 2026
Vampires are overdone. We’ve had Twilight, True Blood, and Interview with the Vampire. But What We Do in the Shadows stripped away the "sexy" and replaced it with "pathetic."
It’s relatable. Not the blood-drinking part, hopefully. But the feeling of being stuck with roommates who don't wash the dishes or a boss who doesn't appreciate you. That is universal.
Your Next Steps to Get Caught Up
If you're ready to dive in, start by checking your current subscriptions.
- Step 1: Open your Hulu app (if in the US) or Disney+ (elsewhere) and search for the title.
- Step 2: If you don't have those, check your local library's digital catalog via Kanopy or Hoopla; they often have the first few seasons for free.
- Step 3: Start from Season 1, Episode 1. Don't skip around. The payoffs for small jokes in the early episodes often take years to come to fruition.
- Step 4: Keep an eye on the FX social media accounts for news on the final season’s release schedule if you’re catching up in real-time.
The show is a rare gem that managed to get better as it went along. Whether you're here for the "Jackie Daytona" episodes or the deep lore of the Sire, you're in for a treat. Just watch out for the cursed hats. They’re a real nightmare.