Where to Watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Your Ultimate Streaming Guide

It’s genuinely surprising to discover there are still people who haven’t experienced the brilliance of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Seriously, what were you doing during the late 90s and early 2000s? Missing out on one of television’s most complex and impactful series? For shame!

While Angel, the spin-off delving into the world of a vampire private investigator, might be slightly less of a cultural phenomenon, both shows exist within the same universe and are deeply interconnected. Buffy and Angel, much like the characters themselves, are linked forever, even after airing on different networks and taking different paths.

If you’re finally ready to dive into the Slayer’s world, or you’re a returning fan wondering Where To Watch Buffy The Vampire Slayer in the age of streaming, you’re in the right place. This guide will not only point you to the platforms where you can find Buffy and Angel, but also offer a curated viewing experience, helping you navigate through the best episodes and understand how these two iconic series intertwine.

buffy and angelBuffy and Angel face to face, a promotional image showcasing the lead characters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, highlighting the interconnected nature of these supernatural dramas.

Originally featured in the ebook “Liz Tells Frank: The Skip It/Watch It Guides,” this guide has been updated to help modern viewers, especially those streaming on platforms like Hulu, to watch Buffy and Angel effectively. Consider this your Christmas gift – a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in these two legendary shows.

Buffy: Season by Season – Watch It or Skip It?

For newcomers wanting to quickly get to the heart of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the early seasons can feel a bit uneven as the show finds its footing. Here’s a streamlined guide to the essential episodes of Buffy Season One, helping you get to the good stuff faster while understanding the foundational storyline.

BUFFY SEASON ONE

1. “Welcome to the Hellmouth”: Watch it. As the pilot episode, it’s essential to start here. Despite some initial awkwardness, it lays the groundwork for the entire series.
2. “The Harvest”: Watch it. The conclusion of the two-part premiere, wrapping up the initial setup and introducing key conflicts.
3. “The Witch”: Watch it. A strong early episode that blends high school drama with supernatural elements and introduces a recurring character of surprising importance.
4. “Teacher’s Pet”: Skip it. While Xander becomes a beloved character, this episode focusing on him is not a highlight.
5. “Never Kill A Boy on the First Date”: Skip it. Generally considered weak, with minimal plot advancement easily caught up in later episodes or recaps.
6. “The Pack”: Watch it. A notable Xander-centric episode that takes a darker turn and offers compelling early character development.
7. “Angel”: Watch it. A pivotal episode introducing Angel and his mysterious connection to Buffy, establishing a cornerstone relationship of the series.
8. “I, Robot… You, Jane”: Skip it. Despite introducing a teacher who becomes relevant later, the episode’s weak portrayal of technology makes it largely skippable.
9. “The Puppet Show”: Skip it. Features Armin Shimmerman, a delightful recurring actor, but the episode itself is not crucial to the overall narrative.
10. “Nightmares”: Skip it. Often considered forgettable and not essential viewing for understanding the season’s arc.
11. “Out of Sight, Out of Mind”: Watch it. While a stand-alone and somewhat silly, it’s fondly remembered and features a notable guest appearance.
12. “Prophecy Girl”: Watch it. The season finale, bringing together the storylines and delivering a powerful climax that sets the stage for future seasons.

BUFFY SEASON TWO

Season Two is where Buffy truly hits its stride, becoming richer and more complex. The number of essential episodes significantly increases.

1. “When She Was Bad”: Watch it. Deals directly with the aftermath of the Season One finale and sets the tone for the new season.
2. “Some Assembly Required”: Skip it. Disposable and not particularly memorable, easily skipped without missing key plot points.
3. “School Hard”: Watch it. Crucial for introducing iconic villains Spike and Drusilla, who become major players in the Buffy universe.
4. “Inca Mummy Girl”: Skip it. Another in the series of less essential “Xander gets into trouble” episodes.
5. “Reptile Boy”: Maybe skip it. Stand-alone but contains some enjoyable moments and development in Buffy and Angel’s relationship.
6. “Halloween”: Watch it. A fan-favorite episode that’s both fun and surprisingly important for the overarching narrative.
7. “Lie to Me”: Watch it. A standalone episode that’s emotionally resonant and has minor connections to future storylines.
8. “The Dark Age”: Maybe skip it. Focuses on Giles’s character development, making it worthwhile for Giles fans but potentially skippable for plot-focused viewers.
9. “What’s My Line? Parts I and II”: Watch it. A key two-parter introducing new characters and significant plot developments, including more of Spike and Drusilla.
10. “Ted”: Maybe watch it. A stand-alone episode featuring John Ritter in a memorable performance, making it a potentially fun detour.
11. “Bad Eggs”: Skip it. Lacks redeeming qualities and can be skipped without missing essential plot elements.
12. “Surprise”/”Innocence”: Watch it. A pivotal two-part story arc with massive implications for the series, absolutely essential viewing.
13. “Phases”: Watch it. Sets up important character developments and provides a slightly lighter tone after the intensity of “Innocence.”
14. “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”: Watch it. Another “Xander’s penis gets him into trouble” episode, but this one is notably charming and well-executed.
15. “Passion”: Watch it. A major mythology episode with significant plot advancements and emotional weight, contributing to the season’s darker themes.
16. “Killed by Death”: Skip it. Generally considered weak and not worth the viewing time, easily skipped for more impactful episodes.
17. “I Only Have Eyes For You”: Watch it. A well-written stand-alone, particularly poignant for fans of Buffy and Angel’s relationship.
18. “Go Fish”: Maybe skip it. A fun stand-alone episode with humorous elements and a notable guest star, but not essential to the main plot.
19. “Becoming, Parts I and II”: Watch it. The season finale, a critical and emotional climax that’s considered one of the best season finales of the decade.

BUFFY SEASON THREE

Season Three is often hailed as one of Buffy‘s strongest seasons, with a high concentration of excellent episodes.

1. “Anne”: Watch it. Essential as a direct follow-up to the emotional fallout of the Season Two finale.
2. “Dead Man’s Party”: Watch it. Necessary for addressing the emotional aftermath of previous events, though slightly lighter in tone.
3. “Faith, Hope & Trick”: Watch it. Introduces Faith, a crucial character who adds dynamic new layers to the Buffy narrative.
4. “Beauty and the Beasts”: Skip it. Considered a weaker episode, easily skipped without missing major plot developments.
5. “Homecoming”: Watch it. Balances humor and drama, encapsulating the essence of what makes Buffy enjoyable.
6. “Band Candy”: Watch it. While not plot-heavy, this episode is a standout for its incredible acting and comedic brilliance.
7. “Revelations”: Skip it. Not among the season’s best and relatively unimportant to the overarching storyline.
8. “Lovers Walk”: Watch it. Spike’s appearance alone makes it noteworthy, along with significant plot twists and strong writing.
9. “The Wish”: Watch it. A fantastic episode that explores alternate realities and introduces Anya, a character who becomes integral to the series.
10. “Amends”: Watch it. A Buffy Christmas special that combines angst, action, and foreshadowing for future events.
11. “Gingerbread”: Maybe skip it. Introduces Willow’s mom and sets up a minor storyline with Amy, but skippable if those elements are not of interest.
12. “Helpless”: Watch it. A powerful episode highlighting the dynamic between Buffy and Giles, rich with character development.
13. “The Zeppo”: Watch it. A stand-alone episode often considered a perfect piece of television, particularly showcasing Xander’s character.
14. “Bad Girls”: Watch it. Marks a turning point for Faith’s character and sets up intense storylines for the rest of the season.
15. “Consequences”: Watch it. A direct and essential follow-up to “Bad Girls,” furthering Faith’s storyline.
16. “Doppelgängland”: Watch it. A wonderful sequel to “The Wish,” expanding on alternate reality themes and character dynamics.
17. “Enemies”: Watch it. Less exciting but sets up key plot points necessary for the season’s progression.
18. “Earshot”: Watch it. Delayed airing due to real-world events but is a beautifully written episode that serves as a fitting end to the high school era of Buffy.
19. “Choices”: Watch it. Crucial as the season moves towards its climax, setting up major conflicts and decisions.
20. “The Prom”: Watch it. Features classic prom episode elements alongside significant Buffy and Angel drama.
21. “Graduation Day, Parts I and II”: Watch it. The season finale, an epic conclusion to the high school years and essential viewing for any Buffy fan.

Streaming and Buying Buffy: Your Options

Now that you know which episodes are essential, where can you watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer? As of now, here are the primary options for streaming and purchasing the series:

• Hulu: Hulu is currently the go-to streaming service for Buffy the Vampire Slayer in the US. You can watch all seven seasons with a Hulu subscription. This is likely the most convenient option for many viewers.
• Amazon Prime Video: While not always included with Prime membership, Buffy is often available for purchase by episode or season on Amazon Prime Video. This is a good option if you prefer to own the digital copies.
• Apple TV (iTunes): Similar to Amazon, you can buy or rent episodes and seasons of Buffy on Apple TV.
• DVD and Blu-ray: For physical media collectors, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is available on DVD and Blu-ray. While less convenient than streaming, owning physical copies ensures you always have access to the series.

Availability may vary by region, so it’s always best to check your local streaming services and digital storefronts for the most up-to-date information on where to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer in your area.

Buffy and Angel: A Unified Viewing Experience (Seasons 4-7)

Seasons four through seven of Buffy are intricately linked with Angel seasons one through four. Originally airing back-to-back on Tuesday nights, they created a dynamic viewing experience with character crossovers and intertwined storylines. To recapture this interconnectedness, here’s a combined watch list for these seasons.

(The following is a condensed version. For the full detailed episode guide for seasons 4-7, please refer back to the original article.)

This unified guide attempts to replicate the original viewing experience from 1999 onwards, when Buffy and Angel aired consecutively.

BUFFY SEASON FOUR/ANGEL SEASON ONE

Buffy 4×01. “The Freshman”: Watch it.
Angel 1×01. “City Of.”: Watch it.
Buffy 4×02. “Living Conditions”: Skip it.
Angel 1×02. “Lonely Hearts”: Watch it.
Buffy 4×03. “The Harsh Light of Day”: Watch it.
Angel 1×03. “In the Dark”: Watch it.
Buffy 4×04. “Fear, Itself”: Skip it.
Angel 1×04. “I Fall to Pieces”: Skip it.
Buffy 4×05. “Beer Bad”: Skip it.
Angel 1×05. “Rm w/a Vu”: Watch it.
Buffy 4×06. “Wild At Heart”: Watch it.
Angel 1×06. “Sense & Sensitivity”: Skip it.
Buffy 4×07. “The Initiative”: Watch it.
Angel 1×07. “Bachelor Party”: Watch it.
Buffy 4×08. “Pangs”: Watch it.
Angel 1×08. “I Will Remember You”: Watch it.
Buffy 4×09. “Something Blue”: Watch it.
Angel 1×09. “Hero”: Watch it.
Buffy 4×10. “Hush”: Watch it.
Angel 1×10. “Parting Gifts”: Watch it.
Buffy 4×11. “Doomed”: Maybe skip it.
Angel 1×11. “Somnambulist”: Skip it.
Buffy 4×12. “A New Man”: Maybe skip it.
Angel 1×12. “Expecting”: Skip it.
Buffy 4×13. “The I In Team”: Watch it.
Angel 1×13. “She”: Skip it.
Buffy 4×14. “Goodbye Iowa”: Watch it.
Angel 1×14. “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”: Skip it.
Angel 1×15. “The Prodigal”: Watch it.
Buffy 4×15-16. “This Year’s Girl”/”Who Are You?”: Watch it.
Angel 1×16. “The Ring”: Skip it.
Buffy 4×17. “Superstar”: Watch it.
Angel 1×17. “Eternity”: Maybe skip it.
Buffy 4×18. “Where the Wild Things Are”: Skip it.
Buffy 4×19. “New Moon Rising”: Watch it.
Angel 1×18-19. “Five by Five”/”Sanctuary”: Watch it.
Buffy 4×20. “The Yoko Factor”: Watch it.
Angel 1×20. “War Zone”: Watch it.
Buffy 4×21. “Primeval”: Watch it.
Angel 1×21. “Blind Date”: Watch it.
Angel 1×22. “To Shanshu in L.A.”: Watch it.
Buffy 4×22. “Restless”: Watch it.

BUFFY SEASON FIVE/ANGEL SEASON TWO

Buffy 5×01. “Buffy vs. Dracula”: Maybe skip it.
Angel 2×01. “Judgment”: Watch it.
Buffy 5×02. “Real Me”: Watch it.
Angel 2×02. “Are You Now or Have You Ever Been”: Watch it.
Buffy 5×03. “The Replacement”: Watch it.
Angel 2×03. “First Impressions”: Skip it.
Buffy 5×04. “Out of My Mind”: Skip it.
Angel 2×04. “Untouched”: Watch it.
Buffy 5×05. “No Place Like Home”: Watch it.
Angel 2×05. “Dear Boy”: Watch it.
Buffy 5×06. “Family”: Watch it.
Angel 2×06. “Guise Will Be Guise”: Maybe skip it.
Buffy 5×07. “Fool for Love”: Watch it.
Angel 2×07. “Darla”: Watch it.
Buffy 5×08. “Shadow”: Skip it.
Angel 2×08. “The Shroud of Rahmon”: Skip it.
Buffy 5×09. “Listening to Fear”: Maybe skip it.
Buffy 5×10. “Into the Woods”: Watch it.
Angel 2×09. “The Trial”: Watch it.
Angel 2×10. “Reunion”: Watch it.
Buffy 5×11. “Triangle”: Watch it.
Angel 2×11. “Redefinition”: Watch it.
Buffy 5×12. “Checkpoint”: Watch it.
Angel 2×12. “Blood Money”: Maybe skip it.
Buffy 5×13. “Blood Ties”: Watch it.
Angel 2×13. “Happy Anniversary”: Watch it
Buffy 5×14. “Crush”: Watch it.
Angel 2×14. “The Thin Dead Line”: Skip it.
Buffy 5×15. “I Was Made to Love You”: Watch it.
Buffy 5×16. “The Body”: Watch it.
Buffy 5×17. “Forever”: Watch it.
Angel 2×15. “Reprise”: Watch it.
Angel 2×16. “Epiphany”: Watch it.
Angel 2×17. “Disharmony”: Watch it.
Buffy 5×18. “Intervention”: Watch it.
Angel 2×18. “Dead End”: Watch it.
Buffy 5×19-22. “Tough Love”/”Spiral”/”The Weight of the World”/”The Gift”: Watch it.
Angel 2×19-22. “Belonging”/”Over the Rainbow”/”Through the Looking Glass”/”There’s No Place Like Plrtz Glrb”: Watch it.

BUFFY SEASON SIX/ANGEL SEASON THREE

Buffy 6×01-02. “Bargaining”: Watch it.
Buffy 6×03. “After Life”: Watch it.
Buffy 6×04. “Flooded”: Watch it.
Angel 3×01. “Heartthrob”: Watch it.
Angel 3×02. “That Vision Thing”: Watch it.
Angel 3×03. “That Old Gang of Mine”: Skip it.
Angel 3×04. “Carpe Noctem”: Skip it.
Buffy 6×05. “Life Serial”: Watch it.
Angel 3×05. “Fredless”: Watch it.
Buffy 6×06. “All The Way”: Watch it.
Buffy 6×07. “Once More, With Feeling”: Watch it.
Buffy 6×08. “Tabula Rasa”: Watch it.
Angel 3×06. “Billy”: Watch it.
Angel 3×07. “Offspring”: Watch it.
Angel 3×08. “Quickening”: Maybe skip it.
Angel 3×09. “Lullaby”: Watch it.
Buffy 6×09-10. “Smashed”/”Wrecked”: Watch it.
Buffy 6×11. “Gone”: Maybe watch it.
Buffy 6×12. “Doublemeat Palace”: Maybe skip it.
Angel 3×10. “Dad”: Watch it.
Angel 3×11. “Birthday”: Watch it.
Angel 3×12. “Provider”: Skip it.
Angel 3×13. “Waiting in the Wings”: Watch it.
Buffy 6×13. “Dead Things”: Skip it.
Buffy 6×14. “Older and Far Away”: Watch it.
Buffy 6×15. “As You Were”: Skip it.
Buffy 6×16. “Hell’s Bells”: Watch it.
Angel 3×14. “Couplet”: Watch it.
Angel 3×15. “Loyalty”: Maybe skip it.
Angel 3×16. “Sleep Tight”: Watch it.
Angel 3×17. “Forgiving”: Watch it.
Buffy 6×17. “Normal Again”: Maybe watch it.
Buffy 6×18. “Entropy”: Watch it.
Angel 3×18. “Double or Nothing”: Skip it.
Angel 3×19. “The Price”: Watch it.
Angel 3×20-22. “A New World”/”Benediction”/”Tomorrow”: Watch it.
Buffy 6×19-22: “Seeing Red”/”Villains”/”Two to Go”/”Grave”: Watch it.

BUFFY SEASON SEVEN/ANGEL SEASON FOUR

Buffy 7×01. “Lessons”: Watch it.
Buffy 7×02. “Beneath You”: Watch it.
Buffy 7×03. “Same Time, Same Place”: Skip it.
Angel 4×01. “Deep Down”: Watch it.
Angel 4×02. “Ground State”: Skip it.
Angel 4×03. “The House Always Wins”: Watch it.
Buffy 7×04. “Help”: Watch it.
Buffy 7×05. “Selfless”: Watch it.
Buffy 7×06. “Him”: Maybe skip it.
Buffy 7×07. “Conversations with Dead People”: Watch it.
Angel 4×04. “Slouching Toward Bethlehem”: Watch it.
Angel 4×05. “Supersymmetry”: Maybe skip it.
Angel 4×06. “Spin the Bottle”: Watch it.
Buffy 7×08. “Sleeper”: Watch it.
Buffy 7×09. “Never Leave Me”: Watch it.
Buffy 7×10. “Bring On The Night”: Watch it.
Buffy 7×11. “Showtime”: Watch it.
Angel 4×07. “Apocalypse, Nowish”: Watch it.
Angel 4×08. “Habeas Corpses”: Watch it.
Angel 4×09. “Long Day’s Journey”: Watch it.
Angel 4×10. “Awakening”: Watch it.
Buffy 7×12. “Potential”: Maybe skip it.
Buffy 7×13. “The Killer In Me”: Maybe skip it.
Buffy 7×14. “First Date”: Watch it.
Buffy 7×15. “Get It Done”: Watch it.
Angel 4×11-15. “Soulless”/”Calvary”/”Salvage”/”Release”/”Orpheus”: Watch it.
Buffy 7×16-18. “Storyteller”/”Lies My Parents Told Me”/”Dirty Girls”: Watch it.
Angel 4×16. “Players”: Skip it.
Angel 4×17-21. “Inside Out”/”Shiny Happy People”/”The Magic Bullet”/”Sacrifice”/”Peace Out”: Watch it.
Buffy 7×19-20. “Touched”/”Empty Places”: Watch it.
Angel 4×22. “Home”: Watch it.
Buffy 7×21-22. “End of Days”/”Chosen”: Watch it.

ANGEL SEASON FIVE

For those continuing into Angel Season Five after finishing Buffy, here’s a guide to the final season of Angel Investigations.

1. “Conviction”: Watch it.
2. “Just Rewards”: Watch it.
3. “Unleashed”: Maybe skip it.
4. “Hell Bound”: Skip it.
5. “Life of the Party”: Watch it.
6. “The Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco”: Watch it.
7. “Lineage”: Maybe skip it.
8. “Destiny”: Watch it.
9. “Harm’s Way”: Maybe skip it.
10. “Soul Purpose”: Watch it.
11. “Damage”: Watch it.
12. “You’re Welcome”: Watch it.
13. “Why We Fight”: Maybe skip it.
14. “Smile Time”: WATCH IT.
15. “A Hole in the World”: Watch it.
16. “Shells”: Watch it.
17. “Underneath”: Watch it.
18. “Origin”: Watch it.
19. “Time Bomb”: Watch it.
20. “The Girl in Question”: Watch it.
21. “Power Play”: Watch it.
22. “Not Fade Away”: Watch it.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this guide clarifies where to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer and how to best experience both Buffy and Angel. Whether you choose to stream on Hulu, purchase episodes digitally, or revisit your DVD collection, the world of the Slayer awaits. Get ready to stake some vampires and maybe shed a tear or two – it’s all part of the Buffy experience. Happy watching!