Historically, Riverdale makes it to Netflix pretty quickly, just not while the new episodes are still airing. As What’s On Netflix reported, last season, the finale aired on May 15 with Riverdale season 3 debuting on Netflix on May 23 in full. As Adweek reported, this rollout is standard for many CW shows. All of the “legacy” shows on the network (Riverdale included) hit Netflix eight days after each season finale airs, with newer shows (like Nancy Drew) streaming exclusively on The CW’s app and website until the season finishes airing… at which point they’ll move over to other streaming services 30 days later. Going by this logic, it would make sense if season 4’s finale aired sometime in May 2020, with the full season hitting Netflix just eight days later. This means that fans who can’t carve out time each week to watch the latest episode as they air will definitely be able to catch up before season 5 (hopefully) premieres next year. So, get ready to wait about seven months. That said, for those of us who just can’t get enough Riverdale, season 3 is available on Netflix in full. No one is judging you if you need to rewatch the season before diving into season 4 — between Gryphons and Gargoyles, Archie (KJ Apa) running from Hiram Lodge (Mark Consuelos)... and getting attacked by a bear, and Betty’s mom (Mädchen Amick) being ensnared by a cult, there was a lot going on, so the details might be fuzzy five months later.
And with all that action, there are a lot of questions the season premiere needs to answer, from how the series handles the loss of Luke Perry and thus Fred Andrews, and whether or not that flashforward means Jughead (Cole Sprouse) is doomed. You'll just have to suffice with pouring over season 3 episodes until Spring 2020, if you're hoping to catch it all on Netflix.
Riverdale Season 4 was cut short after production ended early following the coronavirus outbreak. This in some ways is bad news for fans of The CW show, who get 19 episodes rather than the usual 22, but is good news for fans who have been waiting to stream the entire season at once on Netflix.
Usually, seasons of Riverdale come to Netflix in the U.S. in late May. The CW has a deal with the streamer whereby all of their shows which began before the 2019-20 TV season started are available to stream eight days after their season finales. And, as most seasons of Riverdale have ended in mid-May, those episodes do not come to Netflix until a week and a day later.
However, with Riverdale Season 4 coming three episodes earlier than usual, the show is also streaming early. Netflix has confirmed that the most recent 19 episodes will come to Netflix on Thursday, May 14. As with most of Netflix's shows, episodes will be released at 00:01 a.m. PDT. When they arrive in your country will depend on your time difference from America's west coast, which is currently 9 hours behind GMT.
Internationally, episodes of Riverdale Season 4 have already been dropping weekly. Episodes arrive on Netflix outside of the U.S. on Thursday mornings at 00:01 a.m. PDT. This means that Season 4 will be complete on international Netflix sites as of May 7, the night after the season concludes on The CW.
U.S. fans who have been waiting for Riverdale Season 4 to drop on Netflix can catch up on the first three seasons now on the streamer. Those viewers may want to watch the Season 3 finale again, as it sets up one of the biggest mysteries of Season 4.
In that finale, we see a blood-soaked Archie (played by KJ Apa), Veronica (Camila Mendes) and Betty (Lili Reinhart) burning their clothes as well as the beanie hat of Jughead (Cole Sprouse), suggesting that the latter has died.
Exactly what happens to the aspiring detective and writer is teased out in flash-forwards throughout much of Riverdale Season 4. Among the other highlights of the season is a touching tribute episode to Fred Andrews actor Luke Perry, who died while the cast were making Season 3, as well as the show's annual musical episode, which sees the cast tackling songs from the cult movie Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Fans can also expect some of the series' craziest moments yet, including a bizarre return for Jason Blossom (Trevor Stines).
Riverdale Season 4 is released on Netflix on Thursday, May 14 on Netflix.
The CW
Gargoyle kings and queens, gather round. Riverdale is finally back from the season 4 hiatus. A lot happened in the midseason finale: Veronica’s college admission attempts were continuously sabotaged by her dad, Archie got back to his vigilante ways, Betty was still investigating the mysterious phone calls, and Jughead hung out with his grandpa (or something). So, grab your Pop’s-inspired milkshakes, because it’s about time we get some answers.
But first, here’s everything you need to know about how to actually watch the show, since your brain is probably conditioned to just watching whatever pops up on your Netflix home page.
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New episodes air at 8 p.m. ET Wednesdays, and it comes back tonight! Just another reason to look forward to hump day.
What channel is this on again?
Riverdale is on The CW. If you have cable, good for you, fancy-pants. You can just catch it live on your TV.
What if I don’t have cable though?
No worries! There’s literally no reason to feel any type of way about cutting the cord. We’re in the golden age of streaming, so you can watch it for free the next day on The CW’s website or app.
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Depending on where you live, you can stream it live on Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, or DirecTV Now. If you don’t have Hulu with Live TV, hit up its seven-day free trial. And, you know, use all the emails you have until you finally give in and buy it.
Great, what if I completely forgot what happened last season(s)?
Call in sick to work and binge seasons 1 through 3 on Netflix instead. Or read this and this.
Are you a binge-watcher or someone who savors a TV show? If you’re in the latter category, the Season 4 finale of Riverdale airs tonight on The CW. If you’re the type of fan who devours a season of television over the weekend (guilty as charged on my end), the newest season of this popular CW series premieres on Netflix next week.
If you’re looking for additional coverage of all the ups, downs, and stolen kisses from the fourth season of Riverdale, be sure to follow along with Alex Zalben’s expert coverage of “the town with pep” on Decider. But let’s get down to business. Has Riverdale been renewed for Season 5? When is Riverdale Season 4 coming to Netflix? Don’t worry, we got your back. Here’s everything you need to know.
WHAT TIME IS THE RIVERDALE SEASON FINALE ON TONIGHT?
The Riverdale season finale airs tonight (May 6) from 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET on The CW.
WILL THERE BE A RIVERDALE SEASON 5?
You bet your sweet, sweet maple syrup Riverdale will be back for Season 5! Back in January, The CW renewed the series for a fifth season.
WHEN IS RIVERDALE SEASON 4 COMING TO NETFLIX?
Riverdale was grandfathered in under The CW’s previous deal with Netflix. If you’re a U.S. Netflix subscriber, Riverdale Season 4 will be available to stream eight days after the Season 4 finale airs on The CW, which is tonight!
Riverdale Season 4 officially premieres on Netflix on Thursday, May 14, 2020.
Photo: The CWHOW TO WATCH THE RIVERDALE SEASON 4 FINALE ONLINE:
The Riverdale Season 4 finale will be available for next-day streaming on The CW website. Episodes are also available to purchase on Prime Video ($2.99 HD/$1.99/SD).
Where to stream Riverdale
- lili reinhart
- Netflix
- Riverdale