For fans wanting to step into the eerie world of Stephen King without opening a book, the Castle Rock television series is a perfect choice. This show weaves together characters and stories from King’s famous fictional town in Maine. Originally released on Hulu starting in July 2018, the series is now easier than ever to find online for a fresh wave of viewers.
Where to Stream Castle Rock Online
You have several options to start watching Castle Rock today. The series is available through popular subscription services and can also be purchased digitally.
The most straightforward way to watch is with a standard streaming subscription. Netflix in the United States currently offers both seasons of the series for its subscribers. Hulu, the platform where the show first premiered, also streams Castle Rock. If you have a Disney+ bundle that includes Hulu, you can access the show there as well.
If you prefer to own the series or watch it without a subscription, you can buy individual episodes or full seasons. Digital stores like Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home sell Castle Rock. Episodes typically start at $1.99 to purchase. You can also find the series on DVD and Blu-ray from retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
What Castle Rock Is About
Castle Rock is not a direct adaptation of a single Stephen King novel. Instead, it creates new, original stories set within the author’s vast universe. The show is a psychological horror series that acts like a tapestry, connecting characters and themes from King’s wider world. The fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine, has been the setting for famous stories like Cujo, Needful Things, and The Body (which became the film Stand By Me). The local Shawshank State Penitentiary is also a central location.
The series aired for two seasons, with a total of 20 episodes. The first season, which debuted in 2018, follows death row attorney Henry Deaver (André Holland) as he is called back to his hometown by a mysterious inmate discovered at Shawshank Prison. The second season, which arrived in 2019, works as a standalone story featuring a younger version of the infamous nurse Annie Wilkes, a character King fans will recognize from Misery.
The show combines “the mythological scale and intimate character storytelling of King’s best-loved works,” creating a saga that plays out in a small, haunted town.
The Cast and Creators Behind the Scenes
The series features an impressive cast of veteran and rising actors. The first season stars André Holland, Melanie Lynskey, Bill Skarsgård, Jane Levy, and Academy Award-winner Sissy Spacek. Skarsgård, who also played Pennywise in the IT films, portrays a mysterious prisoner known only as “The Kid”. The second season is led by Lizzy Caplan as Annie Wilkes and includes Tim Robbins and Elsie Fisher.
The show was created by Sam Shaw and Dustin Thomason. It boasts major names behind the camera, with iconic horror author Stephen King and filmmaker J.J. Abrams listed as executive producers.
Release History and Current Availability
Castle Rock premiered exclusively on Hulu. The first season’s episodes were released from July 25 to September 12, 2018. The second season aired later, from October 23 to December 11, 2019. In November 2020, Hulu confirmed the series had ended after its planned two-season run.
The show’s move to Netflix in the U.S. marks a significant shift, making it accessible to a much larger subscriber base. This has sparked hope among some fan communities that renewed interest could potentially lead to more stories in the future, though no official plans exist. For viewers in the United Kingdom, India, and other global regions, availability on Netflix or other services may vary, so it is best to check your local streaming platform.
The series carries a mature rating. On most platforms, it is rated TV-MA or for viewers 16 and older, due to its horror themes, violence, and language.
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What to Expect When You Watch
Reviewers note that Castle Rock is more of a slow-burning psychological thriller than a constant gory horror fest. It builds a deep sense of dread and focuses on its characters, making the supernatural events feel more impactful. For Stephen King fans, part of the fun is spotting the references and Easter eggs connecting to his larger body of work, from character names like Jackie Torrance (a relative of Jack from The Shining) to locations like Shawshank.
The two-season structure offers two complete stories. You can watch the seasons in any order, though watching them in release order provides the intended experience. Since the show is an anthology, the second season tells a new story with different characters, linked only by the town itself.
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