You're probably here because you want to watch a guy in a henley kill people. Not just any guy, though. You want Dexter Morgan. Whether it's the 2006 nostalgia of the OG series or the absolute chaos of Dexter: Resurrection that just wrapped up its first season in late 2025, the itch to binge-watch is real. But let’s be honest—streaming subscriptions are getting ridiculous. By now, in early 2026, it feels like every network wants fifteen bucks just for the privilege of clicking "play."
If you're looking for the free showtime dexter 101 crash course on how to avoid those charges, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve spent way too much time tracking the shifting landscape of Paramount+ and the "Showtime" brand (which, fun fact, they keep trying to rename). Here’s the deal: you can still watch it for free, but the rules changed about six months ago.
The Paramount+ Pivot: What Just Happened?
Okay, so first things first. There is no standalone "Showtime" app anymore. That died a while back. Now, everything lives inside Paramount+. But here’s the kicker: they just did a massive rebrand in June 2025. What used to be "Paramount+ with Showtime" is now officially called Paramount+ Premium.
If you sign up for the cheap "Essential" plan, you aren't getting Dexter. Well, you might get a "sampling" of a few episodes, but not the full eight seasons, plus New Blood, plus Original Sin, plus Resurrection. You need the Premium tier.
Free Showtime Dexter 101: The 7-Day Strategy
The most reliable way to get Dexter for free is the standard 7-day free trial. It’s the oldest trick in the book, yet people still mess it up by picking the wrong plan.
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- Go to the Paramount+ site.
- Hit "Try It Free."
- Crucial step: You have to select the Premium (formerly Showtime) tier. If you pick Essential, you’re going to be staring at a locked screen when you try to watch the Season 4 finale (the Trinity Killer one—still the best, don't @ me).
- Put in your info. Yes, you need a credit card.
The strategy here is simple: The Binge. If you’re a new fan trying to watch the original Dexter Episode 101 (the pilot), you can easily knock out the first season in a weekend. If you’re trying to catch up on the 2025 sequel Resurrection where Dexter is in NYC, those 10 episodes are easily doable in a 7-day window.
Expert Tip: Set a calendar alert for Day 6. Paramount+ is notorious for charging you the second that clock strikes midnight on Day 7. They don't do refunds. If you miss it, you're out $12.99.
The "Secret" 30-Day Codes
Everyone talks about the 7-day trial, but honestly? Seven days is barely enough time to appreciate the Bay Harbor Butcher’s handiwork.
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Keep an eye out for promo codes. Historically, Paramount+ drops codes like "WALMART30" or "SOUTHPARK" that extend trials to a full month. These usually pop up around major releases—we saw a bunch of them when Dexter: Original Sin premiered in December 2024. Before you click "Start Trial," just do a quick search for "Paramount Plus promo code January 2026." You’d be surprised how often a 30-day code is just sitting there on a subreddit or a coupon site.
What Most People Get Wrong About "Dexter 101"
When people search for free showtime dexter 101, they’re often looking for the very first episode. In the fan community, "101" is the technical production code for the pilot.
Interestingly, Showtime (now Paramount+) occasionally puts the first episode of their hit series on YouTube for free. Right now, they often leave Episode 1 of Original Sin or the original 2006 pilot up as a "hook." It’s a great way to see if you even like the vibe of 1990s Miami (in the prequel) before you bother putting in your credit card info for a trial.
Is It Still on Netflix?
Short answer: No.
Longer answer: It depends on where you live, but in the US, the "Great Dexter Migration" happened a while ago. Netflix lost the rights because Paramount decided to keep their crown jewels for themselves. You might find it on Netflix in Canada or parts of Europe if you're using a VPN, but for the most part, the Dexter franchise is now a walled garden.
Watching the New 2025/2026 Content
If you are specifically looking for the newer stuff—Dexter: Resurrection—you should know that the finale just aired recently. This is actually the perfect time for a free trial because the entire season is now available to binge. No more waiting week-to-week for new episodes.
- Dexter: Original Sin: The prequel starring Patrick Gibson as a young Dex.
- Dexter: Resurrection: The direct sequel to New Blood where Michael C. Hall returns (yes, he's alive, it was a whole thing).
- The OG Series: All 96 episodes.
Actionable Next Steps
Don't just sit there. If you want to watch Dexter for free, here is exactly what you should do right now:
- Check YouTube first: Search for "Dexter Full Episode 1" on the official Showtime or Paramount+ channels. Sometimes they have the first episode of each series available without a login.
- Scout for a 30-day code: Check sites like RetailMeNot or the "ParamountPlus" subreddit for any active January 2026 promo codes.
- The "Double Trial" Trick: If you have an Amazon Prime account, you can often get a separate 7-day trial of the "Paramount+ with Showtime" add-on channel through Prime Video. This is separate from the trial on the Paramount+ website. That's 14 days of free Dexter if you play your cards right.
- Cancel immediately: You can actually cancel the trial the minute after you sign up. You will still have access for the full 7 or 30 days, but you won't risk the "surprise" charge on your bank statement later.
Go grab some pork sandwiches and lime pie—it's time for a marathon.