TV The 20 best TV shows streaming on Tubi right now The free streaming service carries television series spanning multiple decades. By Chris Snellgrove Published on December 22, 2024 10:30AM EST Comments Photo: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Getty; Chuck Hodes/FOX Tubi is having a moment. In recent years, the ad-supported platform has grown more popular as a free alternative to big-name streamers that, through multiple subscriptions, can cost a pretty penny. Browsing Tubi is basically the modern equivalent of the cable TV era, featuring everything from pure schlock to old classics to ’90s blockbusters. Just keep flipping around and you’ll find a hidden gem. However, Tubi is also home to great TV shows, including recent hits (Scandal), obscure faves (Farscape), and even some all-time greats (Moonlighting). But no need to navigate the service yourself — we’ve done the legwork. Keep reading to discover Entertainment Weekly’s favorite TV shows streaming on Tubi right now. 01 of 20 Broadchurch (2013–2017) ITV The original Broadchurch features two detectives (David Tennant and Olivia Colman) trying to solve the small-town murder of an 11-year-old boy. It’s broody and moody in the best way, as paranoia slowly unfurls around the dangerous secrets lurking in the quiet community. Equipped with all the bleak coziness you crave from British crime procedurals, the series is also an excellent change of pace for its leading man. As EW’s critic noted, “Doctor Who fans will be thrilled to see Tennant in all his supergeek glory, gathering evidence with such disregard for people’s feelings, Scotland Yard couldn’t solve the case of his missing humanity.” Where to watch Broadchurch: Tubi EW grade: A– (read the review) Cast: David Tennant, Olivia Colman, Jodie Whittaker, Jonathan Bailey Related content: Broadchurch: Why not just air the UK original? Fox explains 02 of 20 Scandal (2012–2018) Everett Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) is the best fixer in D.C., and showrunner Shonda Rhimes packages her story into a deliriously entertaining battlefield for corruption, ambition, murder, sexual impropriety, and political warfare. (Y’know, fiction!) Olivia can clean up the dirtiest laundry, fix an election, and carry on an affair with the literal president (Tony Goldwyn) while keeping us shamelessly rooting for her. Balancing business and pleasure exquisitely, watching Scandal is like indulging in a potboiler soap opera and political satire all at once. Where to watch Scandal: Tubi Cast: Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn, Columbus Short, Darby Stanchfield, Joshua Malina, Bellamy Young, Joe Morton Related content: Kerry Washington tells Scandal costar Tony Goldwyn she’s 'upgraded' his life with 'Black Wife Effect' trend 03 of 20 Gossip Girl (2007–2012) Timothy White/The CW Gossip Girl’s premise is sleek and simple: We follow a gaggle of rich Upper East Side teens through all the personal drama and debauchery that the CW could fit into a show. Their exploits are routinely put on public blast by the titular Gossip Girl, a pseudonym for an anonymous blogger (narrated by Kristen Bell). EW’s review praised the cast and compared the show favorably to its source material: “The books worm inside the social circles of a Manhattan private school, giving off a dank musk, but the TV version is bright and energetically jittery.” Where to watch Gossip Girl: Tubi EW grade: N/A (read the review) Cast: Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford, Taylor Momsen Related content: Gossip Girl was already a throwback 10 years ago 04 of 20 Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003) Fotos International/Courtesy of Getty Buffy the Vampire Slayer turned the horror and urban fantasy genres on their head by transforming a character (played marvelously by Sarah Michelle Gellar) who would normally be a helpless victim into a superpowered slayer of all things that go bump in the night. Across seven seasons, viewers got a thrilling blend of laughs, frights, and goofy monster fights that felt innovative and transgressive in equal measure. As EW’s critic wrote, “Give series creator Joss Whedon credit: No other show balances so many elements as deftly, without a trace of corniness or melodrama.” Where to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tubi EW grade: A (read the review) Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alyson Hannigan, Nicholas Brendon, Charisma Carpenter, Anthony Stewart Head, James Marsters Related content: Sarah Michelle Gellar changes her mind on Buffy reboot, 'maybe' open to it: 'We need those heroes more so than ever' 05 of 20 Moonlighting (1985–1989) ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty It’s difficult to overstate what a cultural lightning bolt Moonlighting was back in the day. As a pair of unlikely private eyes, Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis bicker, banter, and flirt through a wholly unconventional mystery series that’s playful, sexy, and experimental in equal measure. The secret was the two stars’ amazing chemistry, which created what may still be television’s best “will they or won’t they” pairing. At the time, Moonlighting’s tongue-in-cheek approach was quite novel; rewatching it now feels like a revelation in an era when detective shows are often grim and serious without a glimmer of levity. Where to watch Moonlighting: Tubi Cast: Cybill Shepherd, Bruce Willis, Allyce Beasley, Curtis Armstrong Related content: How Moonlighting recruited Orson Welles, Billy Joel, and Shakespeare for its most iconic episodes 06 of 20 Farscape (1999–2003) Sci-Fi Channel / Courtesy Everett Farscape is one of the more eclectic entries in the anything-goes realm of science fiction. It’s the ultimate fish-out-of-water story, in which a present-day astronaut (Ben Browder) goes through a wormhole and emerges in a futuristic world of aliens, including an exotic blue being played by Virginia Hey. While the ambitious stories and powerful performances help Farscape stand out in small-screen sci-fi, the most distinguishing aspect is the awesome muppets, courtesy of the Jim Henson Company. Their inclusion makes the show look and feel truly alien in the best possible way. Where to watch Farscape: Tubi Cast: Ben Browder, Claudia Black, Virginia Hey, Anthony Simcoe Related content: 25 greatest cult TV shows ever 07 of 20 Grown-ish (2018–2024) Byron Cohen/Freeform It didn’t take long for this Black-ish spinoff to establish its own identity. Grown-ish revolves around Zoey (Yara Shahidi) as she spreads her wings and starts a new life in college. The formula is tried and true — a charismatic protagonist coming of age in a new, complicated environment; a tight-knit friend group of misfits; and wise but out-of-touch grown-ups getting in the way — but the show makes these tropes feel fresh. That largely comes down to Shahidi, whom EW’s critic singled out as a “magnetic actress.” Where to watch Grown-ish: Tubi EW grade: A– (read the review) Cast: Yara Shahidi, Deon Cole, Trevor Jackson, Halle Bailey, Francia Raisa, Chris Parnell Related content: Why Grown-ish star Yara Shahidi still loves playing Zoey after 6 years 08 of 20 Dawson’s Creek (1998–2003) Everett Collection Paula Cole’s theme song lays out the chief motivation of the Dawson’s Creek characters: “I don’t want to wait for our lives to be over.” Everyone’s in a hurry, including Dawson (James Van Der Beek), who can’t wait to be a movie director, and Pacey (Joshua Jackson), who can’t wait to get laid. The writing is whip-smart and the cast has remarkable chemistry. Of course, these weekly melodramas matter profoundly to the teens living them; Creek makes us care because, well, we’ve all been there. Come for the love triangles, stay for the nostalgia of your lost youth. Where to watch Dawson’s Creek: Tubi Cast: James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson Related content: Rewatching the Dawson's Creek pilot 20 years later 09 of 20 Columbo (1968–1978) NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Columbo rightfully earned generations of fans, having remained on the air for decades, plus several surprisingly good specials in the ’90s. The heart of the series’ appeal is Peter Falk, giving an all-time performance as the titular detective who always solves the most perplexing crimes after asking the main suspect “Just one more thing…” His Columbo is gentle and endearing, someone whose bloodhound instincts don’t keep him from oozing quirky charm. It’s a killer show for any procedural fan, but consider this mandatory viewing for lovers of Rian Johnson’s Poker Face. Where to watch Columbo: Tubi Cast: Peter Falk Related content: Peter Falk was Columbo and a whole lot more: a career-spanning appreciation 10 of 20 Empire (2015–2020) Chuck Hodes/FOX Empire is for those who prefer their behind-the-music drama with a capital D. It’s soapy, pulpy, and high-strung, the neo-Shakespearean power struggle playing out on a dazzling hip-hop canvas. The stage is Empire Entertainment, a family-owned music juggernaut facing a delicate succession plan. There are plenty of sour notes within this dynasty as a legendary mogul (Terrence Howard) and his ruthless wife/partner-in-crime (Taraji P. Henson) try to maintain order while various heirs vie for the throne. EW’s critic called Empire “electric when it engages our culture, and poignant when it digs into the minds and hearts of the Lyon clan.” Where to watch Empire: Tubi EW grade: N/A (read the review) Cast: Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Bryshere Y. Gray, Jussie Smollett Related content: Lee Daniels clarifies calling Empire 'the worst experience,' says it was a 'nightmare' that became 'great' 11 of 20 Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001–2015) Barbara Cole/Epitome Pictures As the name implies, Degrassi: The Next Generation is a revival of the ’80s original, focusing on a new crop of troubled teens at Degrassi Community School. This Canadian show has worldwide appeal thanks to its frank portrayal of young people dealing with drugs, pregnancy, rape, and various other weighty, topical concerns. In the wrong hands, The Next Generation could have felt like a moralistic after-school special, but the series works because it treats its topics and teen characters with genuine respect, crafting something both authentic and entertaining. Where to watch Degrassi: The Next Generation: Tubi Cast: Miriam McDonald, Aubrey Drake Graham, Christina Schmidt, Melissa McIntyre Related content: The Most Insane Things That Happened On Degrassi: The Next Generation 12 of 20 NYPD Blue (1993–2005) Timothy White/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty NYPD Blue was on the air long enough to go from transgressive (bare butts and foul language!) to quaint by the time prestige TV’s abundant nudity and buckets of blood became the norm. Fortunately, Blue (anchored by Dennis Franz’s volatile antihero Andy Sipowicz) is far more than its gritty content. It’s a thoughtful, often disturbing look at criminal justice — and an engaging character drama that finds grace notes in its criminals and cops. Where to watch NYPD Blue: Tubi EW grade: A (read the review) Cast: Dennis Franz, Jimmy Smits, Kim Delaney, Gordon Clapp Related content: Dennis Franz looks back on NYPD Blue's origins 13 of 20 Unsolved Mysteries (1987–2010) CBS via Getty Though it’s seen many reboots and revivals over the years, the original Unsolved Mysteries, hosted by the stoic Robert Stack, is still the best iteration. True to its name, the series involved deep dives into cold cases, some of which feel like discarded X-Files plotlines. Its potent blend of real facts and hair-raising speculation makes Unsolved Mysteries immensely watchable. And if you’re a true crime fanatic, it’s worth bingeing the series that helped launch (or at least, inspire) a thousand podcasts. Where to watch Unsolved Mysteries: Tubi Cast: Robert Stack Related content: Unsolved Mysteries anniversary special looks back on Matthew McConaughey as shirtless murder victim 14 of 20 Babylon 5 (1993–1998) Babylonian Productions/Courtesy Everett Babylon 5 once had a major rivalry with Deep Space Nine, which is only fitting. To this day, J. Michael Straczynski’s franchise is the darker, and arguably deeper, alternative to the more squeaky-clean world of Star Trek. The special effects don’t quite measure up to what Trek offers, but that hardly matters given the great performances from actors like Bruce Boxleitner and Claudia Christian and storytelling that grows more epic by the season. Where to watch Babylon 5: Tubi Cast: Michael O'Hare, Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle Related content: 20 Greatest Sci-Fi TV Shows 15 of 20 Gotham (2014–2019) Jessica Miglio/FOX Gotham is a Batman show without Batman, focusing instead on James Gordon (Ben McKenzie), Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue), and the beleaguered Gotham PD as they combat the city’s colorful villains. There’s no Caped Crusader to fight them because Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) is still a young man reeling from his parents’ recent murder. The show is a love letter to decades of comic storytelling. EW’s critic had no shortage of descriptive terms for it: “Bloody, sappy, explosive, campy, funny, generations of Batmyth tossed in a blender, every genre possible stewed into a high-tech, supernatural, ultraviolent cartoon.” Where to watch Gotham: Tubi EW grade: B+ (read the review) Cast: Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, David Mazouz Related content: Gotham's high-energy penultimate episode rewrites Dark Knight Rises with clever twists 16 of 20 Nikita (2010–2013) Ben Mark Holzberg/The CW Luc Besson’s assassin thriller La Femme Nikita (1990) already spawned a 1997 series, but many franchise fans consider this Nikita, starring Maggie Q, the better adaptation. The plot is simple and streamlined: Our heroine narrowly escaped a shady government-affiliated organization years earlier and is now determined to bring it all down. That’s difficult, though, when the notorious big bad (Xander Berkeley) always seems to hold all the cards. A simple formula executed with style, EW’s critic called Nikita “slick in the best way” and “a smart new take on the gorgeous-but-agonized-assassin character.” Where to watch Nikita: Tubi EW grade: N/A (read the review) Cast: Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca, Aaron Stanford Related content: Nikita: Shane West on filming his hot scenes with Maggie Q and upcoming 'chaos' 17 of 20 Kitchen Nightmares (2007–present) Greg Gayne/FOX Kitchen Nightmares is a piping-hot reminder that reality cooking shows still have plenty of variety on the menu. Each episode sees superstar chef Gordon Ramsay take over a failing restaurant and spend a week trying to change its fortune. There’s something voyeuristically fascinating about watching his fiery anger leveled at restauranteurs’ incompetence, and when he observes everyone’s awful dining experiences, it’s hard not to believe his rage is justified. It’s especially rewarding to see establishments begin to thrive thanks to his brutally honest suggestions. Where to watch Kitchen Nightmares: Tubi Cast: Gordon Ramsay Related content: Gordon Ramsay reveals his favorite Hell's Kitchen insults 18 of 20 Lovecraft Country (2020) Eli Joshua Ade/HBO You don’t have to be a fan of horror icon H.P. Lovecraft to enjoy Lovecraft Country — but it helps. This ’50s meta-narrative stars Jonathan Majors as Atticus, a veteran trying to find his father (Michael K. Williams) in the Massachusetts town that inspired Lovecraft’s most famous fictional locales. Monsters snarl, roar, and go bump in the night, but the racist humans Atticus encounters are just as monstrous, and the contrast works. As EW noted, “Lovecraft Country arrives in the midst of a generational reckoning with America's history of racial oppression, and it cuts between colonial history and family secrets.” Where to watch Lovecraft Country: Tubi Cast: Jurnee Smollett, Jonathan Majors, Aunjanue Ellis, Courtney B. Vance Related content: How HBO's Lovecraft Country confronts America's real and imagined monsters 19 of 20 Spartacus (2010–2013) Kirsty Griffin/Starz Time is a flat circle, and Spartacus proves sword-and-sandals entertainment never goes out of style (hello, Gladiator II). The title character (played first by Andy Whitfield, later by Liam McIntyre) is a gladiator with an axe to grind, and his abilities in the arena might just help him carry out a personal vendetta. We cannot overstate how astonishingly brutal and gory his revenge quest will be. Expressionistic carnage is the show’s primary aesthetic, so expect a lot of killer fight scenes along the way. Where to watch Spartacus: Tubi Cast: Andy Whitfield, John Hannah, Manu Bennett, Lucy Lawless, Erin Cummings Related content: Spartacus: Steven S. DeKnight breaks down the series finale 20 of 20 The Dead Zone (2002–2007) Shane Harvey/USA Network This TV show is an even looser adaptation of the Stephen King novel than David Cronenberg’s 1983 film, but it’s hard to quibble over fidelity when Anthony Michael Hall is giving such a great performance. His character emerges from a coma with psychic powers that allow him to see the future and, in the finest television tradition, solve crimes every week. The Dead Zone maintains key big-picture threads from the book and movie — the malevolent rising-star politician, the apocalyptic portent — while taking advantage of its format, succeeding as both a procedural and a long-term story. Where to watch The Dead Zone: Tubi Cast: Anthony Michael Hall, Nicole de Boer, Chris Bruno, John L. Adams Related content: Anthony Michael Hall answers 10 stupid questions Close