No, Friends is no longer available on Netflix in most countries. The beloved sitcom left Netflix UK, India, Germany, and Italy on December 30, 2025, following the expiration of Warner Bros. Discovery's licensing agreements. In the US, Friends was already removed from Netflix back in 2020.
However, all 10 seasons are still available on Netflix in a handful of regions and the show has a confirmed new streaming home arriving in March 2026. Here is exactly where and how to watch Friends today.
Our team verifies streaming libraries regularly. As of February 2026, the availability is split across multiple platforms depending on your region:
🇺🇸 United States
Platform: Max (formerly HBO Max)
Status: ✅ All 10 seasons available
Also on: TBS (live airings), purchasable on Amazon, Apple TV
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Platform: HBO Max (launching March 26, 2026)
Status: ⏳ Currently in a gap — available for digital purchase on Amazon, Apple TV, and Sky Store
Note: HBO Max UK will carry all 10 seasons from day one.
🇨🇦 Canada
Platform: CTV (free with ads) and Crave
Status: ✅ All 10 seasons available
🇦🇺 Australia
Platform: Netflix Australia and Stan
Status: ✅ All 10 seasons available
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Platform: TVNZ+ (free)
Status: ✅ All 10 seasons available
🌏 Other Netflix Regions Still Carrying Friends
Based on our latest checks, Friends remains on Netflix in select countries including Australia, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Lithuania. This list changes frequently as licensing deals expire.
🚫 No Longer on Netflix
US, UK, Germany, Italy, India (Removed December 30, 2025)
The departure was widely expected. Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns Friends, has been pulling its flagship content back to its own streaming platform, Max (known as HBO Max internationally), to drive subscriptions.
Friends was one of the most-watched shows on Netflix UK since it arrived in 2018. According to the BBC, the announcement of its removal in December 2025 triggered an immediate fan backlash, with many threatening to cancel their Netflix subscriptions. The timing was strategic: HBO Max is set to debut in the UK on March 26, 2026, and Friends is being used as a marquee title to attract subscribers from day one.
This is part of a broader industry trend. The same licensing pull-back has already happened with The Office (moved to Peacock in the US), The Big Bang Theory (moved to Max), and Supernatural (removed from Netflix in December 2025).
Even though Friends has left Netflix in many countries, it remains available on Netflix in regions like Australia, South Korea, and Thailand. If you are in a country where the show has been removed, a VPN allows you to access a Netflix library that still carries it.
A VPN is also essential if you are a paying Max (US) or CTV (Canada) subscriber traveling abroad, as these platforms geo-block your account outside your home country.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, Friends ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 and remains one of the most-watched sitcoms in television history. The show follows six friends — Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe — as they navigate love, careers, and adulthood in New York City.
Is Friends completely gone from Netflix?
No, not completely. While it was removed from Netflix in the US (2020), UK, Germany, Italy, and India (December 2025), it remains available on Netflix in some regions including Australia, South Korea, Thailand, and several European countries. Availability changes frequently.
When is Friends on HBO Max UK?
All 10 seasons of Friends will be available on HBO Max in the UK from the platform's launch date of March 26, 2026.
Can I watch Friends for free?
Yes, in select countries. Friends is free to stream on CTV in Canada and TVNZ+ in New Zealand (both require a free account). You may need a VPN to access these services from outside those countries.
Will Friends ever come back to Netflix?
It is extremely unlikely in major markets. Warner Bros. Discovery is consolidating its content library on Max/HBO Max globally. However, licensing deals in smaller markets may continue for the foreseeable future.
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