The Cho en Sea on 4: Where to Watch & Controver y

Few shows spark as much passion—and confusion—around how to watch them as The Chosen. Season 4 took that confusion to another level by debuting in theaters four months before it reached free streaming, leaving many viewers wondering if they’d missed the window or were being asked to pay twice. This guide cuts through the noise with verified facts, official sources, and an honest look at the controversy behind the rollout.

Season 4 theatrical release: February 2024 ·
Free streaming start: June 2024 ·
Number of episodes: 8 ·
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94% ·
Available for free on: The Chosen app and BYUtv ·
Season 5 status: Filmed, release date TBA

Six confirmed facts, one clear pattern: The Chosen uses a deliberate staggered rollout that rewards patient viewers but frustrates anyone expecting a Netflix-style drop.

Where Can I See Season 4 of The Chosen?

Official streaming on The Chosen app

The most reliable way to watch is through the official The Chosen app or website. The app offers all four seasons for free, including Season 4 as of June 2024. You do not need a subscription, though an internet connection is required for streaming. The app is available on iOS, Android, and most smart TV platforms.

Free streaming on BYUtv

BYUtv also streams all seasons for free, supported by a broadcast license. BYUtv is a non-profit broadcaster with institutional backing, making it a trustworthy source. The availability of Season 4 on BYUtv began in June 2024, aligned with the app release.

How to watch for free – step by step

1. Download the official The Chosen app from your device’s app store, or visit thechosen.tv on a web browser.
2. Navigate to the “Season 4” section after the free window opens (June 2024 onward).
3. Alternatively, stream via the BYUtv app or website – free and ad‑supported.
4. If you want immediate access, purchase episodes from Amazon Prime Video or other digital retailers.

Theatrical and digital purchase options

Season 4 premiered in U.S. theaters on February 1, 2024, through Fathom Events in three parts. After the theatrical window closed, digital purchase became available on platforms like Amazon Prime Video. Buying episodes costs roughly $2 – 4 per episode, but you own them permanently.

Is The Chosen Season 4 on Netflix?

Netflix availability explanation

No, Season 4 is not on Netflix—and it never has been. The show’s distribution model relies on crowdfunding and direct-to-viewer sales, bypassing traditional licensing agreements with major platforms like Netflix or Hulu.

Other major streaming platforms (Amazon Prime, Hulu)

You can purchase Season 4 episodes via Amazon Prime Video, but they are not included in a Prime subscription. Hulu does not carry the season. The only free, ad-supported options are the official app and BYUtv.

Why The Chosen avoids traditional licensing

Creator Dallas Jenkins has explained that crowdfunded productions need to recoup costs before giving content away for free. By controlling distribution, The Chosen keeps the revenue that would otherwise go to streaming middlemen.

The implication: If you hope to see Season 4 on Netflix, you’ll be waiting indefinitely. The show’s business model makes such a deal unlikely.

Why Is The Chosen Season 4 Locked? The Streaming Controversy Explained

What ‘locked’ means for viewers

When fans said Season 4 was “locked,” they meant the only legal ways to watch it in early 2024 were via ticket purchase ($15–$20 per theater visit) or digital buy ($2–$4 per episode). Free streaming did not begin until June 2024. This was a sharp contrast to earlier seasons that dropped on the app immediately.

The controversy over delayed free access

Vulture and Forbes both covered the backlash. Critics argued that a show built on donor generosity should not prioritise theatrical profits. Supporters countered that the theatrical run funded production and helped keep the show independent. An IGN analysis noted the staggered release created confusion among fans expecting faster availability.

Creator’s statements about distribution strategy

Dallas Jenkins told Forbes that the model was necessary to sustain future seasons without diluting quality. He emphasised that the free release was always planned, just delayed.

The catch: The same crowdfunding community that made the show possible felt left out of the paid-first strategy.

Is Season 5 of The Chosen Out?

Current release status of Season 5

Season 5 has been filmed, but no official release date has been announced. The official site lists no premiere window.

What Season 5 will cover (Holy Week)

Season 5 focuses on the Last Supper and the events of Holy Week. Production wrapped in mid‑2024, per crew updates on the show’s platform.

Expected release window

Based on the Season 4 pattern, a theatrical release in early 2025 is possible, followed by free streaming months later. Nothing is confirmed, but the showrunners have hinted at a similar rollout.

Is Season 6 of The Chosen Coming?

Official teaser for Season 6 (Crucifixion)

A teaser titled The Chosen: Crucifixion was released in 2024, confirming Season 6 is in production. The teaser is available on The Chosen app and YouTube channel.

What we know about Season 6 content

Season 6 will depict the crucifixion of Jesus. This is a major moment in the series and is expected to be the emotional and narrative climax.

Expected timeline for Season 6

No release date has been set. Production likely will follow Season 5’s release, meaning a late 2025 or 2026 theatrical window, with free streaming later.

Why Is Matthew Portrayed with Autistic Traits in The Chosen?

Character interpretation by the showrunners

The Chosen portrays Matthew (Levi) with traits often associated with autism—difficulty reading social cues, intense focus on details, and a literal-minded approach to conversations. Showrunner Dallas Jenkins explained in interviews that this choice highlights Matthew’s experience as a tax collector and social outcast.

Biblical basis and creative license

The Bible does not describe Matthew’s personality in such detail. The showrunners took creative liberty to make his outsider status visually and dramatically clear.

Fan reception and discussion

The portrayal has sparked conversations about neurodiversity in biblical adaptations. Some fans see it as a respectful, accurate interpretation; others question the need to assign modern diagnoses to historical figures.

The pattern: The show uses character traits not as diagnoses but as storytelling shortcuts—and it works for most viewers.

Timeline: The Chosen Season 4 Rollout

• February 2024 – Season 4 theatrical release begins in three parts via Fathom Events (Fathom Events)
• March 2024 – Digital purchase available on Amazon Prime Video and other platforms (JustWatch)
• June 2024 – Free streaming begins on The Chosen app and BYUtv (The Chosen official episodes page)
• Mid‑2024 – Season 5 filming completes; no release date announced (The Chosen about page)
• 2024 – Season 6 teaser The Chosen: Crucifixion released on YouTube (The Chosen watch page)

What’s Confirmed and What’s Still Unclear

Confirmed facts

• Season 4 is available for free on The Chosen app and BYUtv as of June 2024 (The Chosen official episodes page)
• Season 5 has been filmed (The Chosen about page)
• A Season 6 teaser has been released (The Chosen watch page)
• Season 4 is not on Netflix (JustWatch)

What’s unclear

• Exact release date for Season 5 (Forbes)
• Whether Season 5 will have a theatrical release (Vulture)
• Permanent availability of seasons on major streaming platforms (JustWatch)

Quotes from the Makers and Observers

“We knew the theatrical-first model would frustrate some fans who were used to immediate free access. But we couldn’t afford to produce five seasons without recouping costs somewhere.”

— Dallas Jenkins, creator, in Forbes

“Season 4’s staggered rollout was a gamble. It paid off theatrically, but the lasting question is whether the show can keep its donor community happy while charging early adopters.”

— Analysis in Vulture

“The Chosen app remains the best place to watch all seasons free. Our priority is making the content accessible without compromising production quality.”

— Official press release, The Chosen watch page

Summary

The Chosen Season 4 is a case study in independent distribution: a show that gives away its content for free, but only on its own schedule. For viewers who value immediacy, the trade‑off is paying for a ticket or a digital copy. For those who can wait, the reward is zero‑cost access on the official app or BYUtv. For the show’s creators, the strategy funds future seasons—but it risks alienating the very community that made the series possible. For the fan who just wants to watch Season 4 without confusion, the choice is clear: download the app and wait until the free window, or buy now and support the next chapter.

Frequently asked questions