Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated! If you can hear those words and not immediately picture two women skip-hopping down a Milwaukee street, you probably didn't grow up in the late '70s. For the rest of us, Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney are more than just sitcom characters; they are the ultimate symbols of blue-collar female friendship. But trying to watch them in 2026? Honestly, it’s a bit of a headache.
Laverne and Shirley streaming isn't as simple as clicking on Netflix and hitting play. It's frustrating. You'd think a show that dominated the Nielsens would be everywhere, but the reality is that classic TV rights are a total mess.
Where Can You Actually Watch the Girls Right Now?
Let's get straight to it. If you’re looking for a one-click subscription service like Max or Disney+, you're going to be disappointed. As of early 2026, the show is not currently living on any of the major "big four" streamers.
However, there is a silver lining if you don't mind a few commercials. Pluto TV is currently the best bet for free viewing. They have a dedicated "Happy Days" channel that basically runs a loop of the Garry Marshall cinematic universe. You'll see the Fonz, then you'll see Laverne and Shirley, and maybe even some Mork & Mindy if the schedule is right. It’s linear, meaning you can't always pick the specific episode where they go to the shotz brewery, but it’s free.
Philo is another option. They tend to carry the networks that still air classic sitcoms, like MeTV or Catchy Comedy (formerly Decades). If you have a Philo sub, you can often "DVR" the episodes as they air, building your own digital library over time.
The Digital Purchase Route
If you hate commercials—and most people do—you can buy the seasons.
- Apple TV (iTunes): They usually have individual seasons for about $14.99 to $19.99.
- Amazon Prime Video: Same deal here. You can buy individual episodes if you just want to see the one where Lenny and Squiggy move in.
- Vudu (Fandango at Home): Often runs sales on "Complete Series" bundles, which is the most cost-effective way to do it.
The Licensing Nightmare: Why Isn't It on Netflix?
You might be wondering why a show this big isn't a cornerstone of Paramount+. Since CBS/Paramount owns the rights, it seems like a no-brainer.
Music licensing is the silent killer of classic TV streaming. Back in 1976, nobody was thinking about "digital rights" or "streaming platforms." The contracts they signed for background music or guest stars singing a hit song only covered broadcast television. To put these shows online, the studios often have to renegotiate every single song used in every single scene.
Sometimes, they just swap the music out for generic elevator tunes. Fans hate that. It ruins the vibe. Because Laverne & Shirley relied so heavily on the 1950s aesthetic—including the music—the cost to clear those tracks for a global streaming deal is likely astronomical.
📖 Related: Johnny 5 Still Lives: Why the Short Circuit Movie Robot Is the Prototype for Every AI We Love
Physical Media Is Still King for This Show
I know, I know. Nobody wants to buy a DVD player in 2026. But if you are a die-hard fan, the Laverne & Shirley: The Complete Series DVD box set is the only way to guarantee you can watch whenever you want.
Currently, you can snag the 28-disc set at Walmart or Amazon for somewhere around $35 to $45. It’s a bargain when you consider it contains all 178 episodes. Plus, you get the actual original music (mostly) and some weirdly charming 2000s-era reunions. There is no official Blu-ray release yet, which is a bummer for the 4K crowd, but the DVDs actually upscaled on a modern player look surprisingly decent.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Later Seasons
There’s this common misconception that the show "died" when they moved to California in Season 6. It’s true that the Milwaukee setting was the soul of the show. The brewery, the basement apartment, the bottle capper—that was the magic.
But the Burbank era has its own weird, campy energy. By the time Shirley (Cindy Williams) left the show in Season 8 due to a pregnancy-related contract dispute, the show became The Laverne DeFazio Show in all but name. Watching Penny Marshall carry those final episodes alone is a masterclass in physical comedy, even if the scripts were getting a little thin.
Key Takeaways for the Modern Viewer
- Check Pluto TV first: It's the only place to watch for $0, provided you can handle the "Happy Days" rotation.
- Monitor Vudu/Apple sales: The "Complete Series" digital bundle often drops to $29.99 during holiday sales.
- Don't wait for Netflix: Licensing hurdles make a major streaming debut unlikely in the near future.
- Buy the DVDs: If you want "purity," the physical discs are the only version that won't disappear when a licensing contract expires.
The best way to experience the show today is to embrace the "lean-back" experience. Turn on a live stream, wait for the theme song to kick in, and remember what it was like when comedy was just two best friends trying to survive the assembly line.
Next Steps for Your Rewatch:
If you're ready to dive back in, start by checking the "Live TV" section of your Roku or Fire TV and search for the Classic TV Comedy channel on Pluto. If it's not currently airing, your best bet is to grab Season 1 on Apple TV to see the show at its most grounded and hilarious.