Netflix’s lavish reboot of the classic Laura Ingalls Wilder adaptation, Little House on the Prairie, is set to arrive on the streaming service on July 9, introducing a new generation of viewers to the beloved Ingalls family while giving longtime fans a fresh take on the timeless story.
But for fans of the original 1970s series starring Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert, the show will always hold a special place in their hearts. Running for nine seasons, the NBC drama became one of television’s most beloved family series as they followed the Ingalls family on the American frontier and their lives in Walnut Grove.
For many, it might be time to binge-watch the beloved series that captured the hearts of TV viewers back in the day. But where can one watch the antics of pig-tailed Laura, bully Nellie Oleson (Alison Arngrim), and poor, poor Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson)?
Here is all the info you need to get caught up on the goings-on of Walnut Grove before you dive into Netflix’s newest series.
Where can you watch the classic Little House on the Prairie?
All nine seasons are currently streaming in order, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on Pluto TV‘s Little House on the Prairie channel, available for free.
With a subscription, all nine seasons and the three movies are available to stream on Peacock.
The series is also available for purchase or rent on Prime Video and can be watched live via Philo on Hallmark Family or Frndly TV.
What was Little House on the Prairie about?
Based on the autobiographical books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, the landmark series followed the close-knit Ingalls family as they struggled to survive on the 19th-century American frontier in Walnut Grove, Minnesota. Focusing primarily on middle child Laura, played by Gilbert, the series featured her “Pa,” Charles (Landon), her “Ma,” Caroline (Karen Grassle), and her sisters, Mary (Anderson) and Carrie (Sidney and Rachel Lindsay Greenbush). The show highlighted themes of family values, hard work, and community as they dealt with harsh prairie conditions and neighborhood issues, yet it also tackled current issues like addiction, illness, and racism.
What are the best episodes to watch before the reboot?
Don’t have time for a full binge? Here are a few suggested episodes to catch before you begin your Netflix watch.
Little House on the Prairie: The Pilot – The original film that started it all followed the Ingalls family as they leave the “big woods” of Wisconsin and travel across the American Midwest to settle in the plains of Kansas. With the help of a local mountain man, Mr. Edwards (Victor French), they braved dangerous river crossings, wildfires, and wildlife in hopes of a better life.
“A Harvest of Friends” (Season 1 Episode 1) – Directed by Landon himself, the first episode set up the Ingalls family on Plum Creek just outside Walnut Grove and introduced them to the residents of Walnut Grove, including Mr. and Mrs. Oleson (Richard Bull and Katherine MacGregor), Reverend Alden (Dabs Greer), and Doc Baker (Kevin Hagen).
“Country Girls” (Season 1 Episode 2) – The introduction of Nellie Oleson (Alison Arngrim) as the antagonist of the series and general pain in the behind for Laura made this a landmark episode. She mocked the Ingalls sisters, while her mother, Harriett, proved to be a challenge to Caroline. It’s a quintessential Little House episode with low stakes and a fun moral message while showcasing two of the show’s most iconic characters in full bloom.
“I’ll Be Waving as You Drive Away” (Season 4 Episodes 21 & 22) – The episodes in which eldest daughter Mary goes blind are often considered the best in the series both for acting and storytelling. The Ingalls family had many hardships, including the loss of their baby son and the occasional plague, but Mary’s blindness was an emotional gut punch that was building ever since the girl needed glasses. From Charles having to break the news to Mary to the Ingalls family’s decision to send her to a school in Iowa, the episodes were heartbreaking and outstanding.
Little House on the Prairie, Series Premiere, July 9, Netflix