Californication poster

TV series

Californication

2007TV-MA7 seasons7.6 / 10

He's in way too deep.

A self-loathing, alcoholic writer attempts to repair his damaged relationships with his daughter and her mother while combating sex addiction, a budding drug problem, and the seeming inability to avoid making bad decisions.

Streaming, rental and purchase options

Where to watch in United States

Checked Jul 22, 2026

Californication is available to stream on DirecTV On Demand, Paramount+, Paramount+ (Via Amazon Prime), Spectrum On Demand, YouTube TV, and Fubo in United States. You can also rent or buy it from Google Play, Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.

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Synopsis

A self-loathing, alcoholic writer attempts to repair his damaged relationships with his daughter and her mother while combating sex addiction, a budding drug problem, and the seeming inability to avoid making bad decisions.

Season 5 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

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Episode 1

JFK to LAX

28m6.6 / 10

A few years have passed and Hank is living in New York but looking for a ticket out of town after his latest breakup. He accepts an invitation from Charlie to come to Los Angeles for a job writing a film starring rapper/actor Samurai Apolcaypse, then reunites with Karen, her former professor and now-husband Richard, and his daughter Becca, who now has a boyfriend named Tyler that is the spitting image of Hank himself ... in the worst possible way.

Episode credits

Directed by John DahlGuest stars Jason Beghe, Stephen Tobolowsky, Ana Rey, Scott Michael Foster, Meagan Good, Natalie Zea, RZA, Annie Abbott

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Episode 2

The Way of the Fist

28m7.0 / 10

Hank passes on writing Samurai Apocalypse's new movie but Sam won't take no for an answer and drags Hank to a meeting with director Peter Berg, where they discover that Hank and Peter have shared more than just a love of the written word. Sam takes it on himself to get rid of Tyler, which makes things worse between Hank and Becca. Co-parents Charlie, Marcy and Stu have their hands full when Little Stuart exposes himself to a preschool classmate, and Charlie takes it upon himself to mend fences with the offended girl's attractive mother.

Episode credits

Directed by David DuchovnyGuest stars Jason Beghe, Stephen Tobolowsky, Scott Michael Foster, Meagan Good, RZA, Jim Tavaré, Kinetic, Ervin Ross

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Episode 3

Boys & Girls

28m6.7 / 10

Hank hands a completed draft of "Santa Monica Cop" over to Samurai Apocalypse, but he still finds himself stuck in L.A. when he's asked to take Kali, his "acquaintance" from the flight to Los Angles, out for a night on the town. Tyler crashes at Karen and Becca's house while he recovers from his injuries. Charlie is rescued from a serious parental crisis by Stuart's nanny, Lizzie.

Episode credits

Directed by Seith MannGuest stars Jason Beghe, Stephen Tobolowsky, Scott Michael Foster, Meagan Good, RZA, Quin Baron, Reed Baron, Kinetic

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Episode 4

Waiting for the Miracle

28m7.1 / 10

Hank receives an unwelcome surprise in the form of Carrie, ex-girlfriend and arsonist that he's forced to invite along when Karen and Becca show up to invite him to a dinner party. Stu, Marcy and Bates' talk of sexual proclivities leaves the Moodys searching for the nearest exit, but the party gets even more out of control when Carrie has a realization about Hank. Meanwhile, Charlie goes on a blind date with Mary, a "nice girl" who's more than a little inexperienced.

Episode credits

Directed by Bart FreundlichGuest stars Jason Beghe, Stephen Tobolowsky, Natalie Zea, Camilla Luddington, Gillian Vigman, Jasmine Lowe

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Episode 5

The Ride-Along

28m6.7 / 10

Charlie's boyhood dream is realized and Hank's worst nightmare comes true when Samurai Apocalypse invites the boys on a ride-along with the Santa Monica Police Department and takes them on a joyride that goes sexually awry for Charlie; Richard hits the bottle at a crowded Venice restaurant but Hank and the boys arrive to save the day for Karen and Becca, and Tyler realizes he's seen Sam somewhere before.

Episode credits

Directed by Millicent SheltonGuest stars Jason Beghe, Bryan Callen, Scott Michael Foster, Meagan Good, RZA, Camilla Luddington, Ciera Payton, Sinqua Walls

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Episode 6

Love Song

28m7.1 / 10

When Samurai Apocalypse hits a lyrical roadblock with his protege, he calls on the best writer he knows: Hank Moody, who unites with Kali to imbibe, bear his soul, and write a song that takes Hank back in time to an era when he, Karen and Charlie were happier and life was simpler before "A Crazy Little Thing Called Love." But the present comes roaring back when Karen shows up at Hank's door, worried that she made a mistake.

Episode credits

Directed by Eric StoltzGuest stars Jason Beghe, Meagan Good, RZA, Analeis Anderson, Gregory George Frank, Matthew Simmons

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Episode 7

Here I Go Again

28m6.7 / 10

Hank saves Karen from embarrassment with a drunk Richard, then covers for Richard by pretending to be dating a stripper named Holly, who takes a liking to Tyler and offends his girlfriend, Becca. Meanwhile, when she's fired after an inappropriate encounter with Stu, nanny Lizzie calls on Charlie and allows their relationship to progress, only to have Marcy beg for her return.

Episode credits

Directed by Michael WeaverGuest stars Jason Beghe, Stephen Tobolowsky, Scott Michael Foster, Camilla Luddington, Drea de Matteo

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Episode 8

Raw

28m6.4 / 10

Hank is stuck reading Tyler's screenplay but discovers some talent under that head of hair, even though the script appears to be disturbingly autobiographical account of the author's relationship with Becca. Charlie and Lizzie's love quadrangle with Stu and Marcy heats up, but when their bedroom games hit too close to home for Charlie, it may be off to therapy for all four of them.

Episode credits

Directed by Bart FreundlichGuest stars Stephen Tobolowsky, Rob Lowe, Scott Michael Foster, RZA, Camilla Luddington, Lea DeLaria, Melora Walters

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Episode 9

At the Movies

28m7.1 / 10

On the first day of production on Hank Moody's latest movie "Santa Monica Cop," Stu has brought back his "F--king and Punching" director in hopes of creating a cinematic masterpiece, but Hank's rendezvous with the film's leading lady puts his relationship with Sam in jeopardy. Luckily for Hank, Stu and the production's crew, Charlie has a backup plan.

Episode credits

Directed by Helen HuntGuest stars Stephen Tobolowsky, Jon Kasdan, Scott Michael Foster, RZA, Kinetic, Ervin Ross, Camilla Luddington, Jim Calloway

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Episode 10

Perverts & Whores

28m6.9 / 10

Minus one agent and best friend, Hank crashes with his two favorite ladies, Karen and Becca. Looking for new representation, he meets with Hollywood power agent Larry Levine, who quickly sets a meeting with world-class filmmaker and Hank Moody idol Lars Manderhoff. It may be a match made in heaven when Lars surprises Hank with one of his favorite working girls, Trixie (guest star Judy Greer). Distraught over his personal losses, Charlie seeks comfort from Marcy while Lizzie enjoys her big break, a part in "Santa Monica Cop" courtesy of Stu.

Episode credits

Directed by Bart FreundlichGuest stars Judy Greer, Stephen Tobolowsky, Scott Michael Foster, Camilla Luddington, Clement von Franckenstein, Daniel Benzali, Jenny Lin

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Episode 11

The Party

28m7.1 / 10

Hank overstays his welcome at the house of Karen and Richard and hits the road with one last stop at Malibar, where he runs into Lizzie, who uses her newly acquired acting chops to lure him back to the Runkle Manor. Once there, Hank is surprised by everyone he loves and loathes: Karen, Becca, Charlie, Marcy, Stu, Richard and his creepy sponsor, Gabriel. Even Sam and Kali show up, but it's not a party until someone gets hurt and luckily for these partygoers, Hank has it in him for one final run-in with Tyler.

Episode credits

Directed by Michael LehmannGuest stars Jason Beghe, Stephen Tobolowsky, Scott Michael Foster, Meagan Good, RZA, Quin Baron, Reed Baron, Camilla Luddington

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Episode 12

Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be

28m7.6 / 10finale

Hank discovers the bartender at a local watering hole is his late friend Lew Ashby and wonders if he's in Hell. Richard makes a startling announcement about Hank and Karen. Hank tries to make things right with Becca, but her news about Tyler leaves him stunned. On the set of "Santa Monica Cop," Sam's jealousy and fondness for firearms give Charlie an opportunity to show how much he loves his best friend and number-one client; Hank's arsonist ex-girlfriend surprises him with a way for them to be together forever.

Episode credits

Directed by Adam BernsteinGuest stars Callum Keith Rennie, Jason Beghe, Stephen Tobolowsky, Jon Kasdan, Ana Rey, Scott Michael Foster, Meagan Good, Natalie Zea

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Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026

More about Californication

Cast

David DuchovnyHank Moody
Natascha McElhoneKaren van der Beek
Evan HandlerCharlie Runkle
Pamela AdlonMarcy Runkle
Rachel MinerDani
Madeleine MartinBecca Moody
Madeline ZimaMia Lewis
Callum Keith RennieLew Ashby

Credits

Created by
Tom Kapinos
Written by
Tom Kapinos, Gina Fattore, Daisy Gardner, Gabriel Roth, Eric Weinberg, Matt Patterson, Susan McMartin, Ildy Modrovich

Production details

Status
Ended
Series type
Scripted
Episodes
84
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • ShowtimeUnited States
  • Aggressive MediocrityUnited States
  • Showtime NetworksUnited States
  • Totally Commercial FilmsUnited States
  • And Then...United States
  • Twilight Time FilmsUnited States

Themes

addictioncaliforniachangeself-destructionwillpowerwriter