So, you want to watch Ragnar Lothbrok scream at the gods. You want the axes, the mud, and that haunting Wardruna soundtrack. But honestly, figuring out where to watch Vikings series right now is a total mess because the rights keep jumping around like a berserker in a shield wall.
It's annoying.
One day it’s on one app, the next day it’s vanished because a licensing deal expired at midnight. If you’re looking for the original History Channel saga—the one with Travis Fimmel—you have to be specific about which "Vikings" you're actually chasing. There is the OG six-season run, and then there’s the spin-off, Vikings: Valhalla. They live in different houses.
The Best Places to Stream Vikings Right Now
In the United States, your primary destination is Hulu.
Hulu has been the steady home for the original series for a long time. They have all six seasons. That includes the early years when it was just a gritty show about a farmer who wanted to sail west, all the way to the sprawling, messy final episodes where the Great Heathen Army takes over England. If you have a basic Hulu subscription, you’re good to go.
But what if you hate Hulu? Or you’re abroad?
Amazon Prime Video is the big alternative. In many territories, including the UK and parts of Europe, Prime Video was actually the first-run home for the later seasons. In the US, you can buy the episodes there, but they aren't always "free" with Prime. It’s a bit of a toss-up depending on your zip code.
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Then there is Peacock.
NBC's streaming service grabbed the rights to stream Vikings a couple of years back. It makes sense since the show originally aired on History, which has deep ties to the cable ecosystem. If you’re already paying for Peacock to watch football or The Office, check there first before subbing to something new.
What About Netflix?
Here is where people get tripped up. If you search for the where to watch Vikings series on Netflix, you will find Vikings: Valhalla.
That is a Netflix Original.
It’s set 100 years after the original show. Leif Erikson, Freydis, all those folks. It’s great, but it is not the Ragnar story. In some countries—like Australia or certain spots in South Asia—Netflix actually does carry the original Vikings series too. But in the US and Canada? Usually no. You’ll just see the spin-off.
Digital Purchase: The "I Don't Want to Sub" Option
Sometimes you just want to own the thing.
Maybe you're tired of streamers hiking prices every six months. You can buy the entire series on Apple TV (formerly iTunes), Vudu, or the Google Play Store. Usually, a full season run goes for about $20 to $30, though they run sales where you can snag the entire "Complete Series" bundle for around $50.
Honestly, if you're a re-watcher, buying it is cheaper than paying for Hulu for three years straight.
International Viewing
- Canada: You’ll usually find it on StackTV via Amazon Channels or the Global TV app.
- United Kingdom: Amazon Prime is your best bet. It’s been a staple there forever.
- Australia: Check Netflix or SBS On Demand. SBS is great because it’s often free, though you have to deal with some ads.
Why the Licensing is Such a Headache
The show was produced by MGM Television.
MGM was bought by Amazon.
You’d think that means it would be on Amazon Prime everywhere, right? Wrong. Because the show was distributed by different networks in different countries (History in the US, LoveFilm/Amazon in the UK, various networks in Europe), the contracts are all tangled up. Some of these deals were signed ten years ago and haven't expired yet.
This is why you might see Season 1-4 on one app and Season 5-6 on another. It's ridiculous, but that’s the current state of streaming.
Technical Details You Should Care About
If you are a cinephile, where you watch matters because of the "uncut" vs. "broadcast" versions.
When Vikings aired on the History Channel in the US, it was edited for TV. A little less blood, a little less nudity. The "International Versions" or the Blu-ray cuts are longer. They have extra scenes that actually flesh out the characters.
Hulu generally carries the broadcast versions. If you want the full, bloody, unedited experience that Michael Hirst intended, you usually have to go for the physical Blu-rays or specifically look for the "Uncut" labels on digital storefronts like Vudu. It changes the vibe of the show significantly, especially in the later seasons.
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How to Choose Your Platform
- Check your existing subs. Search your TV's "universal search" function for "Vikings." It’s built into Roku, Apple TV, and Fire Stick. It will tell you if a service you already pay for has it.
- Verify the version. If you see "Season 1" but it says you have to pay $2.99 an episode, you're on a store, not a streamer.
- Consider a VPN. If you're traveling and your home library vanishes, a VPN can help you access your domestic Hulu or Prime account. Just make sure it's a high-quality one that doesn't get blocked by the streamer's firewall.
The Best Order to Watch
Start with the original series. Don't skip to Valhalla. The world-building in the first four seasons of the original show is some of the best historical fiction ever put to screen. Ragnar’s journey from a curious raider to a king is the backbone of the entire franchise. Once you finish Season 6, Episode 20, then jump over to Netflix for Valhalla.
If you try to do it the other way around, the cameos and the lore drops in Valhalla won't mean a thing to you.
Actionable Steps for Your Weekend Binge
- Sign up for a Hulu Free Trial. If you haven't used one lately, you can usually get 30 days for free. That is plenty of time to get through the first three seasons if you’re dedicated.
- Check the "Expiring Soon" tab. Streamers often drop Vikings at the end of a calendar month. If you see it's leaving Hulu or Peacock on the 31st, don't start it on the 28th.
- Look for the Complete Series Blu-ray. Check eBay or Amazon. Often, you can find the physical box set for the price of four months of streaming. Plus, you get those "uncut" scenes mentioned earlier, which are definitely worth the extra few bucks for the Battle of Epdington alone.
- Download for offline viewing. If you’re watching on mobile, use the Hulu or Prime "Download" feature. The show has a lot of dark, moody cinematography that looks terrible if your Wi-Fi dips and the resolution drops to 480p.
The saga of Ragnar and his sons is sprawling, but once you find a stable stream, it’s one of the most rewarding watches in modern television. Just keep an eye on those licensing agreements, as they tend to shift every few months.