TV series · 2002 · Where to watch
The Shield
Updated November 2, 2026
The law is just a suggestion.
The Shield is included with three subscriptions in the US — Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and Prime Video — plus four rent-or-buy options. Here is the full list and the cheapest way in.
Set in an inner-city Los Angeles precinct, this gritty police drama follows officers who bend or break the rules while trying to protect their streets and advance their own interests. Their work blurs the line between law enforcement and criminal behavior, creating constant tension within the department and the surrounding community.
- Year
- 2002–2008
- TMDB rating
- 8.2/10 · 920 votes
- Genre
- Crime, Drama, Action & Adventure
- Length
- 7 seasons · 88 episodes
- Network
- FX
- Rated
- TV-MA
Streaming now
How to watch The Shield
The Shield is included with three different subscriptions — Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and Prime Video — so if you already pay for any of them there is nothing extra to buy.
To own it instead, you can rent an episode from $1.99 on Google Play and buy an episode from $1.99 on Google Play, Amazon and Fandango at Home.
Hulu streams it in 4K; the others top out at HD.
The Shield ended in 2008 after seven seasons and 88 episodes, so what is listed above is the complete run — nothing new is coming.
Created by Shawn Ryan and starring Michael Chiklis, Catherine Dent, Paula Garcés and Walton Goggins; it originally aired on FX.
Common questions
Is The Shield on Hulu?
Yes. As of November 2, 2026, The Shield is on Hulu in the US with a subscription.
Is The Shield on Netflix?
No. As of November 2, 2026, The Shield is not streaming on Netflix in the US. It is on Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and Prime Video instead.
Can I watch The Shield for free?
Not without a subscription. There is no ad-supported free stream in the US right now; the closest is a free trial on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ where one is offered.
How many seasons of The Shield are there?
There are seven seasons, and the series has ended.
Track The Shield in GuideStream TV
Add it to a watchlist and get an alert when a new episode lands, or when it moves to a service you already pay for.
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