TV series
A love story in reverse.
A father recounts to his children - through a series of flashbacks - the journey he and his four best friends took leading up to him meeting their mother.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Jul 22, 2026
How I Met Your Mother is available to stream on DirecTV On Demand, Disney+, Hulu, and YouTube TV 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.
A father recounts to his children - through a series of flashbacks - the journey he and his four best friends took leading up to him meeting their mother.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
Robin's anxiety on her wedding day to Barney prompts Ted to recount the time he insisted on leaving Victoria's jilted fiancé a note before they drove off into the sunset together.
Directed by Pamela FrymanWritten by Carter Bays, Craig ThomasGuest stars Becki Newton, Ashley Williams, Thomas Lennon, Michael Trucco, Colleen Smith, Judith Drake, Hal Havins
Episode 2
When Barney designs an extensive pre-nup, the guys take note and propose their own relationship amendments to their significant others. Meanwhile, Quinn is outraged and draws up a pre-nup of her own, which causes friction between the sexes.
Directed by Pamela FrymanWritten by Carter Bays, Craig ThomasGuest stars Becki Newton, Suzie Plakson, Ashley Williams, Bob Odenkirk, Bill Fagerbakke, Thomas Lennon, Michael Trucco, Blake Bertrand
Episode 3
When Lily and Marshall have trouble finding a nanny, they learn it's because of an elaborate scheme Barney came up with to meet girls. Meanwhile, Robin and Ted butt heads over who has a more serious relationship.
Directed by Pamela FrymanWritten by Chuck TathamGuest stars Chris Elliott, Jane Carr, Ashley Williams, Kim Shaw, Michael Trucco, Melissa Christine, Francesca Capaldi, Daisy Faith
Episode 4
When Lily and Marshall can't decide on godparents for Marvin, they put the gang to the test to see who would make the best one.
Directed by Pamela FrymanWritten by Matt KuhnGuest stars August Maturo, Ashley Williams, Michael Trucco, Ned Rolsma, Nikki Limo, Jake Elliott, Lyndsy Fonseca, David Henrie
Episode 5
As the season of break-ups continues, Ted and Victoria must choose the next step in their long and complicated relationship. Meanwhile, Robin worries about Barney when he chooses a dog to be his wingman.
Directed by Pamela FrymanGuest stars Ashley Williams, Michael Trucco, Vanessa Lee Chester, Amanda Reed, Sy Smith, Lyndsy Fonseca, David Henrie
Episode 6
When Robin is hesitant to break up with Nick, Barney takes matters into his own hands. Meanwhile, Lily and Marshall are desperate for some private time.
Directed by Pamela FrymanGuest stars Ellen D. Williams, Michael Trucco, Morgan Peter Brown, John Paul Green, Karthik Srinivasan, Jenni-Kate Deshon, Karolin Luna
Episode 7
Marshall recommends his old law school classmate Brad for a job at his firm, but the interview goes awry, leaving Marshall to do damage control with his boss. Meanwhile, Robin helps negotiate Barney's return to the strip club circuit.
Directed by Pamela FrymanWritten by Tami SagherGuest stars Joe Lo Truglio, Joe Manganiello, Joey D'Auria, Jared Gertner, Brian Shortall, Brendan Hunt, Raymond Lee
Episode 8
Marshall takes on his old friend/new nemesis Brad in the biggest case of his career. Meanwhile, the gang reminisces about their own run-ins with the law, leading to a debate over who was the biggest delinquent as a teenager.
Directed by Pamela FrymanGuest stars Cheryl Lynn Bowers, David Burtka, Joe Manganiello, Don Lake, Mark Cohen, Missy Hairston, Jake Elliott, Kim Estes
Episode 9
Robin is determined to get Barney back no matter what it takes. Meanwhile, Ted fills in as Marvin's Nanny, leading Marshall and Lily to realize that Ted is using baby Marvin to replace his other baby, the GNB building.
Directed by Pamela FrymanGuest stars Chelan Simmons, Ellen D. Williams, Cornelius Peter
Episode 10
Barney's developing relationship with Patrice leaves Robin questioning his motives. Marshall's widowed mother gets back into the dating pool, but he thinks she may be swimming with a shark.
Directed by Pamela FrymanGuest stars Suzie Plakson, Ellen D. Williams, Chris Elliott, Matt Boren, Suzi Barrett, Amy Holland Pennell
Episode 11
Robin takes steps to have Patrice fired from WWN, while Marshall puts a jinx on Barney. Later, Ted invites his architecture professor to the dedication of the GNB building, and Marshall and Lily bump into an oddball acquaintance from college.
Directed by Pamela FrymanWritten by Carter Bays, Craig ThomasGuest stars Seth Green, Chelan Simmons, Ellen D. Williams, Alexis Denisof, Peter Gallagher, Doug Mand, Misty Monroe
Episode 12
Christmas approaches and Ted wrestles with whether to tell Robin about Barney's intentions involving Patrice, while Marshall and Lily get an early Yule gift, a night away from Marvin, but a case of separation anxiety strikes and threatens to ruin the evening.
Guest stars Marshall Manesh, Ellen D. Williams, Chris Elliott, Bruce Gray
Episode 13
When Robin learns that Barney never asked her father's permission before proposing, she insists that he seek his approval before announcing their engagement. Meanwhile, Ted keeps his feelings concealed by throwing himself into planning their wedding.
Directed by Pamela FrymanWritten by Carter Bays, Craig ThomasGuest stars Kaylee DeFer, Rachel Bilson, Ray Wise, Tony Robinette
Episode 14
Barney begs Ted to continue seeing his much younger, much wilder girlfriend, even though Ted has nothing in common with her. Meanwhile, Robin must adjust to the power of the bling.
Guest stars Ashley Benson, Zach Bandler, Sachin Bhatt, Jason Heymann, Chauncey Jenkins, Nikki Tuazon
Episode 15
Barney uncovers the lost episode of Robin's “Underneath the Tunes” as Robin Sparkles. Meanwhile, Marshall and Lily are concerned that Ted's new girlfriend is a stalker.
Guest stars Abby Elliott, Paul Shaffer, Alex Trebek, Dave Thomas, Jason Priestley, Geddy Lee, Dave Coulier, Steven Page
Episode 16
Ted is reluctant to break up with his crazy girlfriend Jeanette. Meanwhile, Robin becomes attached to Marvin after finally holding him for the first time.
Guest stars Abby Elliott, Mike Tyson, Lyndsy Fonseca, David Henrie, Reatha Grey
Episode 17
When Ted receives an unexpected call from The Captain, the gang reminisced about their last awkward encounter with him.
Directed by Pamela FrymanWritten by Carter Bays, Craig ThomasGuest stars Kyle MacLachlan, Becky Baeling, Laura Bell Bundy, Ron Nicolosi
Episode 18
Barney's legendary relationship playbook, which Robin thought was destroyed, rears its head when Ted and Jeanette break up and Barney decides to use his chick manual to help Ted find a new girlfriend.
Guest stars Abby Elliott, Maliabeth Johnson, Christopher Nicholas Smith, Irene Choi, Ashley Michaelsen, Weston Nathanson
Episode 19
Barney reluctantly attempts to sell his apartment by holding an open house, during which Ted and Marshall get mistaken for a couple. Tension arises between Lily and Marshall when her new job causes her to spend less time at home.
Directed by Michael J. SheaWritten by Stephen LloydGuest stars Kyle MacLachlan, Ogy Durham, Bianca Haase, Karen Lew, Cyrus Deboo, Jessica Gardner, Grace Parra Janney, Emily Roche
Episode 20
Ted and Barney's future versions attempt to persuade present day Ted to go see Robots Versus Wrestlers. Marshall and Robin have a dance-off.
Guest stars Joe Nieves, Jayma Mays, Lou Ferrigno Jr., Lyndsy Fonseca, David Henrie
Episode 21
When The Captain asks Lily to move to Rome for a year as his art consultant, she fears that Marshall will resent her. Meanwhile, Ted and Barney become obsessed with a girl who is hiding her amazing body under a puffy coat.
Directed by Pamela FrymanWritten by Chuck TathamGuest stars Kyle MacLachlan, Mircea Monroe, Robert Baxt, Mario Di Donato, Jocelyn Osorio
Episode 22
The gang works together to plan a legendary bachelor party for Barney.
Directed by Pamela FrymanWritten by Chris HarrisGuest stars Becki Newton, Frances Conroy, Ralph Macchio, Calvin Jung, William Zabka
Episode 23
Robin desperately tries to locate the item that she buried in Central Park years earlier to wear as her "Something Old" for the wedding. Meanwhile, Marshall and Lily ask Ted to help them pack for Italy, and Barney invites Robin's father to play Laser Tag in order to bond with him.
Guest stars Ray Wise, Sonora Chase, Jacob Guenther, Billy 4 Johnston, Michael Leone, Robert Daniel Sloan, Albert Tsai
Episode 24
As the gang prepares to go to Robin and Barney's wedding, Ted invites Lily to see the house he's finally finished fixing up. Meanwhile, Robin and Barney's night of relaxation is ruined by an obnoxious couple, and Marshall takes the baby on a last-minute trip to Minnesota to see his family.
Directed by Pamela FrymanWritten by Carter Bays, Craig ThomasGuest stars Cristin Milioti, Joe Nieves, Suzie Plakson, Marshall Manesh, Casey Wilson, Keegan-Michael Key, Brian Huskey, Cherub Moore
Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026
Josh RadnorTed Mosby
Neil Patrick HarrisBarney Stinson
Jason SegelMarshall Eriksen
Alyson HanniganLily Aldrin
Cobie SmuldersRobin Scherbatsky
Cristin MiliotiTracy McConnell
Becki NewtonQuinn Garvey
Jennifer MorrisonZoey Pierson
CBSUnited States
20th Century Fox TelevisionUnited States
