Joe Goldberg is back. Or rather, he’s always lurking. If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve seen the baseball cap, the glass cage, and that creepy internal monologue that makes you feel slightly guilty for rooting for a literal stalker. But finding exactly You where to watch depends entirely on your region and how much of the story you've actually finished.
It’s been a wild ride since the show first premiered on Lifetime. Yeah, remember that? Most people actually don't. The series almost died after its first season before a certain streaming giant picked it up and turned it into a global obsession. Now, with the final season looming, everyone is scrambling to refresh their memory on Joe’s "projects."
The Short Answer: Where You Can Stream It Today
Let's get straight to the point. Netflix is the exclusive home for the series. Because it is a "Netflix Original" (though technically a pickup from Lifetime), they hold the global distribution rights.
If you are in the United States, the UK, Canada, Australia, or basically anywhere with a functioning internet connection and a Netflix subscription, you have access to all four currently released seasons. There isn’t a secondary streaming home for it. You won’t find it on Max. It’s not on Hulu. It isn't hiding in the dark corners of Disney+.
You just log in, type "You" into the search bar, and prepare to be judged by the algorithm for your viewing habits. Honestly, it’s that simple.
The Lifetime Era: A History Lesson
It is kind of hilarious to look back at 2018. Lifetime aired the first season, based on Caroline Kepnes’ excellent novel. Ratings were... okay. Not great. The network actually renewed it for a second season before the first even finished, then got cold feet and bailed.
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Netflix stepped in. They saw something the cable execs missed. When the first season hit the streamer in December 2018, it blew up. Like, 40 million viewers in a month blow up. Since then, the show has shifted from a gritty stalker thriller into a bizarre, satirical take on different social classes. We've seen Joe in New York, the fake-health-conscious suburbs of LA, the tech-bro enclave of Madre Linda, and most recently, the high-society circles of London.
Each move represents a shift in "brand." But the platform remains the same.
Digital Purchases and Physical Media
Maybe you hate subscriptions. Maybe you’re a "physical media forever" type of person who wants to own the discs for when the internet inevitably collapses.
You can buy individual episodes or full seasons on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV (iTunes), and Google Play. This is a bit of a workaround for the You where to watch dilemma if you don't want a recurring monthly bill. However, keep in mind that Netflix-produced seasons (Seasons 2 through 4) are much harder to find on physical DVD or Blu-ray than Season 1.
- Check Amazon for the Season 1 DVD if you’re a collector.
- Digital storefronts usually charge about $19.99 to $24.99 per season in HD.
- Be aware that Season 4 might take longer to appear on these non-Netflix digital stores depending on your specific country’s licensing laws.
International Variations and VPNs
While Netflix owns the show globally, your specific library might look different if you’re traveling.
If you’re a US citizen traveling abroad and you can’t find the show, it’s likely a licensing glitch or a regional restriction on your specific account tier. Generally, the show is available in over 190 countries. There are very few places where Joe Goldberg hasn't set up shop.
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Some people use VPNs to access different Netflix libraries to see if there are extra "behind the scenes" features or different dubbing options. It’s mostly unnecessary for this specific show since the content is standardized worldwide.
Why Season 5 Changes Everything
We know the fifth and final season is coming. It’s going back to New York. The full circle moment.
When Season 5 drops, Netflix will likely put it behind their "top 10" banner for weeks. If you are looking for You where to watch the finale, you’ll need to ensure your subscription is active, as they have been cracking down on password sharing. If you’re still using your ex-girlfriend’s cousin’s account, 2026 might be the year that plan finally fails.
Technical Specs: Getting the Best Experience
Don't watch this on a phone. Seriously.
The cinematography of the London season (Season 4) is actually quite stunning, utilizing a lot of deep shadows and rich textures that get crushed on a low-res mobile screen. If you have a Netflix Premium plan, the show streams in 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision. Penn Badgley’s voiceover is a huge part of the show's DNA. If you have a decent soundbar or headphones, the spatial audio makes it feel like Joe is literally whispering in your ear, which is exactly as unsettling as it sounds.
Common Misconceptions About Streaming "You"
People often confuse this show with other thrillers. I've seen people search for it on Peacock because they confuse it with Wolf Like Me or other tonal neighbors.
- Is it on YouTube? Only the trailers and fan recaps. You can't watch full episodes for free legally there.
- Is it on cable? No. Its days on linear television ended years ago.
- Can I watch it on the plane? Only if you download it via the Netflix app beforehand.
Breaking Down the Seasons
If you’re just starting, here’s how the landscape looks:
Season 1: The Bookstore. Classic, creepy, New York. This is the only season that ever aired on traditional TV.
Season 2: Los Angeles. Love Quinn enters the picture. This is where the show became a "Netflix Original."
Season 3: The Suburbs. Marriage, babies, and murder. A total shift in tone that felt almost like a dark sitcom.
Season 4: London. A "whodunnit" mystery where Joe is suddenly the one being stalked. It was split into two parts, which frustrated a lot of fans, but you can now binge the whole thing at once.
Actionable Steps for Your Rewatch
If you're gearing up for the final season, don't just jump in blind. The show relies heavily on Joe's past mistakes catching up to him.
First, verify your Netflix plan allows for 4K streaming if you have a compatible TV; it makes a massive difference in the darker scenes. Second, check out the "Tudum" section on the Netflix site—they often post deep-dive articles explaining the literary references Joe makes, which are actually pretty smart.
Finally, if you find yourself actually agreeing with Joe’s logic, maybe take a break and watch a comedy. The show is designed to manipulate you, and it’s very good at its job. Keep your subscription active, watch for the Season 5 release date announcement, and remember: he’s always watching you, so you might as well watch him.