Actor-comedian Paul Reubens passed away on July 30 at the age of 70. Reubens is mostly remembered for his work as the iconic character Pee-wee Herman. As Herman, Reubens’ work and popularity gained a cult following beginning in the 1980s with his first special airing on HBO in 1981. The Pee-wee Herman character launched Reubens into international superstardom, with feature-length films and multiple TV series.
Reubens’ Pee-wee Herman is available to watch on many popular streaming services and you can find out how to watch three of his most beloved titles, below.
The Pee-Wee Herman Show (1981)
The show that started it all. The 60-minute special was recorded at the Roxy Theatre and was the performance that put Reubens and the character on the map. Phil Hartman, John Paragon, and Lynne Marie Stewart also starred in the special.
Where to Watch The Pee-Wee Herman Show: You can stream the special on Max which starts at $9.99 per month and new subscribers can try it for free for 7-days.
Pee-Wee’s Playhouse (1986 to 1990)
From 1986 to 1990, Pee-wee’s Playhouse became a beloved show that was spurned from The Pee-wee Herman Show special. Rubens’ show based on the childlike character aired for 45 episodes, and also starred Laurence Fishburne, and Hartman during its 5 season run.
Where to Watch Pee-Wee’s Playhouse: You can purchase all 5 seasons of the series on Prime Video and other VOD retailers.
Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
Directed by Tim Burton, Big Adventure became a cult classic that eventually spawned two sequels. The film is the launching pad of Burton’s career as it was his directorial debut and it grossed over $40 million on a $7 million budget. Reubens co-wrote the film with regular collaborator and co-star Hartman and Michael Varhol.
Where to Watch Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure: You can rent the film for as low as $3.99 on Apple TV, and on Prime Video you can rent it for as low as $3.39 or purchase it for $7.99.