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The Best Movie Streaming Services for 2024

Streaming services can do more than deliver on-demand shows and live TV. Check out our top picks that bring the movie theater experience to your living room.

By Kim Key
& Jordan Minor
Updated December 13, 2023

Our Top 17 Picks

Netflix

Best for Original Movies
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Hulu

Best for Movie Variety
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Peacock

Best for Affordable TV and Movie Streaming
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Amazon Prime Video

Best for Popular Movies
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Disney+

Best for Family-Friendly Movies
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Max

Best for WarnerMedia Movies
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KweliTV

Best for International Films
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Tubi

Best for Free Movies
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Amazon Freevee

Best for Free Popular Movies and Family Titles
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The Criterion Channel

Best for Classic Films
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IFC Films Unlimited

Best for Independent Films
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MGM+

Best for MGM Movies
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Mubi

Best for Cinephiles and Movie Discovery
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Paramount+

Best for Network Shows and Sports
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Philo

Best for Movie Channels
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Ovid.tv

Best for Indie Films and Documentaries
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Shudder

Best for Horror Fans
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  • Max $8.75 Per Month (Save 45% off Ad-Free 1-Year Plan)

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Cord cutters have numerous options for watching their favorite on-demand shows and live TV without the burden of a cable bill. Movie fans don’t have to miss out on the fun, either. Many video streaming services offer extensive libraries of popular theatrical titles, and support high-end streaming standards. You might need to wait for movies to land on your streaming service of choice after their theatrical runs, but the service's film variety (including original flicks) can tide you over. You may even discover a new favorite movie that you would never see in theaters or purchase outright.

With that in mind, these are the best movie streaming services we've tested, whether you're looking for big-name blockbusters or obscure indies. Read on for our top picks, followed by what to look for and consider when choosing the right service or services for your tastes and budget.


Our Experts Have Tested 33 Products in the Video Streaming Services Category in the Past Year
Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test.

Netflix

Best for Original Movies

4.5 Outstanding

Why We Picked It

Netflix is the standard-bearer for streaming video services. It hosts an impressive selection of content, with new titles exchanged for older ones on a monthly basis. Then there's Netflix's constantly growing library of premier, original programming that outclasses every other streaming service's offerings. Apart from its original movies, such as El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie and The Irishman, Netflix has the most high-quality movies of any streaming service.

Who It’s For

Netflix is a premium service for people willing to pay premium prices. Netflix recently raised the price of its subscription plans, and not for the first time. However, a cheaper, ad-supported version is also available.

PROS

  • High-quality original programming
  • Excellent apps and features
  • Offline downloads on mobile
  • Free mobile games

CONS

  • Ad-based tier doesn't include full library
  • Little to no information about changes to the availability of content

SPECS

Starting Price $6.99 per month
Concurrent Streams 2 or 4
Live TV
On-Demand Movies and TV Shows
Original Programming
Anime
Ads
Offline Downloads on Mobile
Learn More
Netflix Review

Hulu

Best for Movie Variety

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

Hulu is one of the best, all-in-one options for cord cutters, given its diverse set of streaming options. Movies are a key part of its content library, alongside on-demand streaming and live TV. 

Who It’s For

Hulu’s film library especially shines as part of the Disney bundle. This discounted collection also includes subscriptions for Disney+ and ESPN+. Disney movies and sports are great, but Hulu provides the thoughtful entertainment for adult audiences that's desperately missing from those other services. 

PROS

  • Excellent selection of TV series
  • Extensive live TV channel lineup
  • Robust cloud DVR option
  • Available on nearly every media streaming device
  • Appealing bundle deals

CONS

  • Base on-demand plan includes ads
  • Offline downloads feature requires premium account
  • Fewer high-quality originals than competitors
  • Missing most SportsNet and all Bally Sports RSNs

SPECS

Starting Price $7.99 per month; $75.99 per month
Concurrent Streams 2 or Unlimited (at home) and 3 (mobile devices)
Live TV
On-Demand Movies and TV Shows
Original Programming
Anime
Ads
Offline Downloads on Mobile
Learn More
Hulu Review

Peacock

Best for Affordable TV and Movie Streaming

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

NBC's Peacock offers two plans: an affordable base tier with 20,000 hours, some live sports, and clips-based channels; and a Premium Plus option that builds upon the previous tier by removing ads when you stream on-demand titles. Peacock's streaming library includes hundreds of movies, and some Hollywood blockbusters are available just a few weeks after their theatrical runs.

Who It’s For

Who doesn't appreciate quality, low-cost films? Peacock is an Editors’ Choice pick because of its generous affordable tier, but you can upgrade to Premium Plus if you want an even better experience.

PROS

  • Affordable base tier has no major limitations
  • Popular movies and network shows
  • Flexible plan pricing
  • Live sports
  • Supports multiple account profiles

CONS

  • New users can't create a free account
  • Constantly changing movie library

SPECS

Starting Price $5.99 per month
Concurrent Streams 3
Live TV
On-Demand Movies and TV Shows
Original Programming
Anime
Ads
Offline Downloads on Mobile
Learn More
Peacock Review

Amazon Prime Video

Best for Popular Movies

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

Amazon's streaming video library includes many popular and classic movies, either from a subscription, rental, or purchase. In addition, Amazon's $8.45 billion MGM acquisition considerably improved the movie selection.

Who It’s For

Although it has a subscription option, Prime Video is also for people who want to buy or rent movies a la carte. That’s where you’ll find the biggest selection. Don’t sleep on the subscription option, though. You can view video content in one of two ways: a standalone Amazon Video subscription or an Amazon Prime subscription. Either way, you'll find numerous films to enjoy.

PROS

  • Excellent original content
  • 4K and HDR streaming
  • Live Thursday Night Football and WNBA games
  • Supports offline downloads, multiple viewer profiles, and audio descriptions
  • Lets you rent or buy movies and TV shows

CONS

  • Continues to lose third-party content to other services
  • Not as many high-quality TV shows as competitors

SPECS

Starting Price $8.99 per month
Concurrent Streams 3
Live TV
On-Demand Movies and TV Shows
Original Programming
Anime
Ads
Offline Downloads on Mobile

Disney+

Best for Family-Friendly Movies

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

Star Wars. Marvel. Pixar. Disney+ is the exclusive streaming home for family-friendly blockbusters that continue to leave everlasting impressions on generation after generation. Forget films, Disney makes entire cinematic universes. Although these movies may be best enjoyed on the big screen, Disney+ is where you can watch them again and again. 

Who It’s For

If you have even a passing interest in just one of the many beloved properties under the Disney corporate umbrella, Disney+ is for you. Select Disney+ films are even available in "IMAX Enhanced" quality, bringing the fidelity of the large-format film theater resolution to displays that support it.

PROS

  • A central hub for Disney-owned content
  • Offline downloads in premium tier
  • 4K streaming
  • Good performance

CONS

  • Mostly relies on existing franchises
  • Some content from Fox acquisition is split with Hulu

SPECS

Starting Price $7.99 per month
Concurrent Streams 4
Live TV
On-Demand Movies and TV Shows
Original Programming
Anime
Ads
Offline Downloads on Mobile
Learn More
Disney+ Review

Max

Best for WarnerMedia Movies

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

Max bundles an impressive collection of popular movies from Warner Bros. Discovery's portfolio (DC Comics, New Line Cinema, Warner Bros.) and other sources (such as The Criterion Collection and Studio Ghibli). HBO, in particular, has a long history of offering new and classic movies from across the industry. That’s why it’s the home box office. 

Who It’s For

Max has one of the best and most well-rounded streaming libraries, thanks to Warner’s deep bench of brands ranging from Cartoon Network craziness to HBO prestige to Discovery reality trash. However, its impressive film library is especially appealing to mainstream cinephiles who care about movies beyond what was released this century.

PROS

  • Huge catalog of popular shows and movies from many sources
  • Attractive apps
  • User profiles and parental control tools
  • Ad-free tier lets you download content for offline viewing
  • Live news and sports
  • Ultimate tier includes far more 4K content than HBO Max did

CONS

  • Relatively expensive
  • Ad-supported tier doesn't support offline downloads
  • Potentially dramatic library changes

SPECS

Starting Price $9.99 per month
Concurrent Streams 4
Live TV
On-Demand Movies and TV Shows
Original Programming
Anime
Ads
Offline Downloads on Mobile
Learn More
Max Review

KweliTV

Best for International Films

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

KweliTV is your destination for films from Africa and beyond. The service features more than 400 total curated entries, including Africa United and Black Enuf, along with other documentaries and titles you might find at an indie film festival. There’s a free, live streaming component, and you can rent individual films.

Who It’s For

KweliTV is for anyone who celebrates the fact that incredible cinematic art exists outside their own borders. Apart from access to KweliTV's streaming library, a subscription grants you discounts with more than 35 Black-owned brands, plus invites to members-only events.

PROS

  • Well-curated, independent, international library
  • Flexible pricing options
  • Offline downloads on mobile platforms
  • Merchandise shop and discounts for Black-owned businesses

CONS

  • Inconsistent subtitles
  • Community still growing

SPECS

Starting Price $5.99 per month
Concurrent Streams Unlimited
Live TV
On-Demand Movies and TV Shows
Original Programming
Anime
Ads
Offline Downloads on Mobile
Learn More
KweliTV Review

Tubi

Best for Free Movies

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

Tubi is a free video streaming service that claims a collection of 50,000 movies and TV shows. Its film catalog includes popular hits such as A.I. Artificial Intelligence; Black Hawk Down; Donnie Darko; Legally Blonde; Memento; Minority Report; Planes, Trains, and Automobiles; Rain Man; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; and We Need to Talk About Kevin. Note that Tubi's library regularly changes.

Who It’s For

Tubi is for people who want a free service that doesn't feel cheap. Tubi's web interface and mobile apps have clean designs that neatly organize everything into descriptive categories. Unfortunately, the streaming resolution has a 720p cap, and you can’t download movies for offline viewing. On the upside, the service keeps track of the content you've watched, and lets you manage a watchlist.

PROS

  • Free
  • Extensive library of movies and shows
  • Live TV
  • Modern apps and interfaces
  • Supports watchlists
  • Parental control features

CONS

  • 720p streaming resolution cap
  • Lacks an ad-free option

SPECS

Starting Price Free
Concurrent Streams Unlimited
Live TV
On-Demand Movies and TV Shows
Original Programming
Anime
Ads
Offline Downloads on Mobile
GET IT NOW
Learn More
Tubi Review

Amazon Freevee

Best for Free Popular Movies and Family Titles

3.5 Good

Why We Picked It

Previously known as IMDb TV, Freevee is Amazon’s free alternative to Prime Video. You can watch ad-supported versions of popular movies, such as The Invisible Man, Logan, and Undercover Brother. Freevee also has original movies, such as Love Accidentally.

Who It’s For

Freevee is just one more reason to step into the Amazon ecosystem. When you aren’t buying products or enjoying the company’s other subscription services, you can watch movies without forking over cash.

PROS

  • Decent movie collection
  • Reliable streaming performance in testing
  • Supports many popular platforms and devices
  • Free

CONS

  • Small selection of original programming
  • Few notable TV shows
  • Disjointed navigation experience on the web

SPECS

Starting Price Free
Concurrent Streams Unlimited
Live TV
On-Demand Movies and TV Shows
Original Programming
Anime
Ads
Offline Downloads on Mobile
GET IT NOW

The Criterion Channel

Best for Classic Films

3.5 Good

Why We Picked It

True cinephiles love the Criterion Collection for its lovingly curated collection of classic films. The Criterion Channel offers that same artistry and historical preservation as a convenient streaming service.

Who It’s For

The Criterion Channel doesn’t feature the entire Criterion Collection, but it has more than enough content to appeal to serious film fans. It may not replace a physical edition, but you can download movies to mobile devices for offline viewing. The Criterion Channel even includes extras, such as interviews and commentary, to provide even more insightful historical context.

PROS

  • On-demand streaming of curated Criterion Collection films.
  • Offline downloads on mobile devices.
  • No ads.
  • Tons of video extras, including interviews, features, and other commentary.

CONS

  • Not all Criterion Collection movies are available for streaming.
  • No parental controls or user profiles.
  • Some aggressive DRM and HDCP restrictions.

SPECS

Starting Price $11.99 per month
Concurrent Streams 3
Live TV
On-Demand Movies and TV Shows
Original Programming
Anime
Ads
Offline Downloads on Mobile

IFC Films Unlimited

Best for Independent Films

3.5 Good

Why We Picked It

IFC Films Unlimited lets you stream a strong selection of independent movies, without ads, for a very reasonable price of $6 per month. Note that you must use it as an add-on channel to another service, such as Apple TV or Roku. However, you can download videos for offline mobile viewing. 

Who It’s For

Movie fans tired of Hollywood pablum always want a chance to catch the latest, unknown indie flicks. Even if you don’t have the most adventurous film palette, IFC Films may be a gateway to broader movie horizons.

PROS

  • Strong selection of indie movies
  • No ads
  • Supports offline downloads on mobile devices
  • Inexpensive

CONS

  • Only available through Prime Video or on Apple TV and Roku devices
  • Doesn't include a lot of older, classic independent films

SPECS

Starting Price $5.99 per month
Concurrent Streams 3
Live TV
On-Demand Movies and TV Shows
Original Programming
Anime
Ads
Offline Downloads on Mobile
Learn More