If you aren't aware that streaming is the new way to watch
TV, then we're sorry to say but you're living in the past.
But we know that's not really you. Nearly everyone these
days has a subscription to at least one of the big three streaming services:
Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.
We also bet that you, or someone you know who gives you
their password has access to other streaming services, such as HBO GO or
Disney Plus.
However, despite having all this content at your
fingertips, how many times have you sat down to watch something, scrolled
through what feels like a million titles, only to put on a show or movie you've
already seen before? We're guessing this probably happens quite often,
because, while there are plenty of shows to watch on these platforms, things do
get repetitive.
Luckily, this doesn't mean you need to go crawling back to
cable.
There are tons of specialty/niche streaming services out
there that offer you a whole new selection of content. Yet most of them are
completely unknown to the average streamer.
So, to help you expand your digital library, we've
identified 23 relatively unknown streaming services that will allow you to
finally watch something completely different and new.
For
Everyone:
If you're looking for alternatives to the big streaming
services that give you a wide range of content, often for free, then check out
some of these:
1. Hoopla
Probably the most interesting thing about Hoopla is that
it's completely free. Well, not completely. We pay for it with our tax dollars,
as part of the funding we give to public libraries.
That's right - that old, dingy library card that's
probably hidden in a drawer somewhere has more uses than simply allowing you to
check out some new books before you head on vacation - it gives you access to
thousands of movies and television shows at no additional cost to you!
The Hoopla catalog features sections such as "Directed by
Women," "Cult Classics," and "Based on a True Story," and it even has a full
section of films based on Agatha Christie novels, as well as many other strange
but delightful specialty categories.
Another nice perk of Hoopla is that it includes all of
Miramax's titles. For those who don't know, Miramax was the studio owned by
renowned creep and convicted sexual predator Harvey Weinstein. It produced
classics such as Good Will Hunting, Trainspotting, and No
Country for Old Men.
However, when you stream these titles through Hoopla, the
company set up by Weinstein doesn't receive a penny, which will mean you don't
need to feel guilty about watching them.
The one catch with Hoopla is that you're limited to eight
titles a month. This isn't bad, but if you're haphazard with your choices, you
could run out before you've had the chance to find something you really want to
watch.
There is also the possibility that your local library
doesn't participate, but if this is the case, bring it to their attention. It's
relatively easy for them to sign up, and then you and the rest of your
community can enjoy tons of movies for free!
2. Kanopy
Kanopy is a very similar service to Hoopla in that it's
offered to you free through your library membership. However, it's slightly
different in the films it puts up there.
The vast majority of films are what we would call
classics, so here's your spot to watch all-time-great directors such as
Bergman, Fellini, and Chaplin. It also has lots of new releases too, with many
studios that are currently releasing films putting their content up on Kanopy
as soon as they're out of theaters.
The categories Kanopy uses to organize its collection is
quite useful. For example, it puts "Directorial Debut" and "Critics' Picks" into their own categories, making it much easier for you to find something that
is both new to you and interesting.
Like Hoopla, Kanopy also has limits on how many things you
can watch in a month, but unlike Hoopla, the exact number will depend on your
specific library. The low end of the range is six titles in a month, but some
cities allow you up to ten, which is more than two a week. Not bad!
3. Crackle
TV
Crackle TV is a free streaming service that, at face
value, looks much like Netflix or Hulu but it's different in that it features more
than 200 movies and/or television shows that are available on a rotating basis,
meaning what's there one month might not be there the next.
It is a great spot to watch network shows that have
recently gone off the air, as well as selected episodes of classic shows such
as Seinfeld or All in the Family.
The only catch to Crackle TV is that you will have to sit
through ads, as this is what makes it free to users. Considering you have to do
this with Hulu and still pay $5.99 per month then this doesn't seem all that
bad.
Crackle is beginning to offer some original content,
although it's still not anywhere close to what the big streaming services are
putting out but what can you expect if it's free?!
That the titles change frequently might be frustrating to
some, but for others, it's a really easy way to find new shows and expand your
streaming horizons.
4. Tubi TV
Thanks to partnerships with a lot of the major film
studios, Tubi TV offers you tons of content for free, as long as you are
willing to watch ads. In total, there are more than 5,000 titles available from
studios such as Paramount, MGM, and Lionsgate, and Tubi also has agreements with
Starz, Sky, and ITV.
Not a lot of US television networks participate in Tubi,
so if it's free TV you want, you'll have to settle for a smaller selection that
is made up of mostly British programming but this is far from a bad thing - the
Brits make some excellent TV.
What's nice about Tubi is that the selection is constantly
rotating, and it's drawn from a collection of over 50,000 titles, meaning there
is always something new to watch. There's a whole category dedicated to stuff
that's not available on Netflix or Hulu, which makes it fairly easy to find new
stuff to watch without having to cross-compare with the other services you
subscribe to.
For Movie
Buffs and Enthusiasts:
If you're looking for a place to stream classics, or if you're trying to explore more of the film industry and become more of a buff, check out some of these streaming services:
5. The
Criterion Channel
Movies are such a big part of our lives, and they have
been for so long, but too many of us stream modern classics, or watch them in
the theaters, without really understanding the history of the industry.
The Criterion Channel is a way to change this. It features
more than 1,000 titles, all from the Criterion list, which is a collection of
the best and most important films ever made. It replaced the platform
FilmStruck, which used to be the go-to spot for classic films, and allows you
to watch films dating as far back as 1917.
You can get access to the Criterion Channel for $10.99 per
month, or you can purchase a yearly subscription for just $99.99.
6. Warner
Archive
Another good option for those looking to explore the
history of film, Warner Archive has more than 800 films to choose from that
have release dates ranging from 1930-1990.
The difference between Warner Archive and other similar
services such as The Criterion Channel is that its library is made up entirely
of movies made by the Warner Bros. studio however considering this is one of
the most prominent film companies of all time, this is by no means a knock on
the platform.
Warner Archive also has a small selection of classic TV
shows dating from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, although this part of the
catalog is considerably smaller than the movie one, there are still some gems.
A subscription to Warner Archive costs $9.99 per month or
$94.99 per year.
7. Fandoor
Built out of its magazine and well-read online editorial,
Fandoor is the ideal platform for movie buffs or those who would like to become
one, as it features some 6,000 movies that are considered non-mainstream classics.
The vast majority of the titles found on Fandoor were
selected by its staff, which dedicates itself to finding and reviewing obscure
movies, so you know what you're watching is going to be good.
Fandoor will every once in a while release some television
series, and they are once again random and not well-known but nonetheless
fantastic. A lot of these shows come from overseas, which gives you a chance to
really expand your horizons.
There is also talk of Fandoor branching into original
programming, which should be exciting considering the service's dedication to
excellent albeit obscure movies and television, so keep your eyes open for
this.
At the moment, a Fandoor subscription goes for $10 a
month, or $90 for a year.
8. Tribeca
Shortlist
This is a streaming service based entirely on the
world-famous New York Film Festival. It includes just 150 titles, but each one
of them has been carefully chosen by a select group of well-known film critics
and enthusiasts.
Don't be discouraged by the small section. Around
one-third of the titles rotate out each month, meaning there will always be
something new to watch, and given the criteria for making it onto this list,
you can always expect to find something good.
In addition, there is a section on the platform titled "Movies Not Found on Netflix or Hulu," which makes it easy to find movies to
watch that are not available anywhere else.
A subscription to Tribeca Shortlist costs $4.99 a month.
For the
Specialists:
There are countless genres of film and television, and to truly appreciate each one, you need to spend some time digging deep into each genre. Below you will find some streaming services that are all dedicated to different genres, making it much easier for you to become a specialist:
9.
Crunchyroll
Although the name does not suggest anything related to
television, Crunchyroll is the go-to spot for anime on the web. It
includes a wide range of classic titles, such as Dragon Ball Z, Cowboy Beehop,
and Samurai Champloo, but it is also the place to go for recently released
episodes of newer anime series.
Netflix has indeed added some more anime options, but for
true fans, or for those looking for a platform that will allow them to truly
explore the genre, it's tough to beat Crunchyroll.
To get access to the service, you will need to pay $7.99
per month, or if you're sure you're going to love it, you can get a year's
subscription for $79.99, which works out to about $6.50 a month, so a small
saving.
10. Shudder
For this streaming service, the name does give you a
pretty good idea of what you can expect: films that make you shudder. That's
right, this is a streaming platform entirely dedicated to the horror genre.
It features a lot of the classics, for those who are
looking to explore some of the films that have helped make the horror genre
what it is today, but you can also catch a lot of newer films that are helping
to redefine it and bring it back into the mainstream.
One cool thing the service does is offer a weekly "movie
marathon," which lasts 24 hours and features 13 movies accompanied by
commentary from Joe Bob Briggs, a famous personality within the
world of horror. There are also weekly double-feature events on Friday, and
both of these are great ways to find new films and learn a little bit more
about what it is you're watching.
Currently, Shudder, which is part of the AMC family, is
available for $5.99/month, or for those looking to save a bit, you can buy a
year for $59.99, which gives you two months "free."
11.
ScreamBox
Similar to Shudder in that it exclusively offers horror
films, ScreamBox is different as it focuses mainly on indie films, meaning
you've probably never heard of any of the films on this platform. Consider this
is a good thing, especially if you're looking to take a deep dive into the
genre.
ScreamBox also distinguishes itself by featuring a wide
selection of HorrorTube movies, which are what they sound like - homemade
horror movies.
Buyer beware! The stuff on ScreamBox is not for the faint of
heart, so only sign up for a subscription, which costs $4.99/month or
$35.99/year if you're ready to take a significant step towards conquering your
fears.
12. Urban
Movie Channel
A streaming service launched by the founder of BET, Robert
L. Johnson, Urban Movie Channel is a streaming service featuring entertainment
designed for and created by Black Americans. There are around 250 titles to
choose from, many of which feature famous Black actors such as Mo'Nique, Isiah
Washington, and Garcelle Beauvais.
In addition to films, there are some television shows. Although at the moment you will only find about ten, Urban Movie Channel has
announced that it will begin producing original content, so expect more to come
in the future.
There are also lots of stand-up specials from comedians
such as Kevin Hart and Gary Owen, among others, meaning you will not run out of
options.
Right now, a subscription to Urban Movie Channel will run
you $4.99 per month, or $49.99 for the year.
13. Black
Sugar
Black Sugar has cast itself as the go-to place for "badass
cinema." It's a commercial-free platform that specializes in black films, and
it's where you can find tons of uncut "blaxploitation" films, which are action
films featuring black actors that were very popular in the 1970s.
As a result, Black Sugar is an incredibly specialized
streaming service, but it gives users the chance to experience a film genre
they might not be able to watch anywhere else. It costs just $5.99 per month,
so there's really no reason not to at least check it out for a few months to
see what you're missing.
14. Toon
Goggles
A lot of people these days subscribe to streaming services
to have something to put on for their kids. However, few streaming services
cater specifically to this market, and if your kids have access to the TV, they
can easily find things to watch that are inappropriate.
All of the content on Toon Goggles has been filtered for
appropriateness, which means you can let your kids make their own profile and
surf through the titles on their own without worrying about them watching
something that's not suited for them.
And if this doesn't already sound amazing, know that Toon
Goggles costs just $4.99 per month.
15. Gaia
Who says watching TV needs to be mindless and
unproductive? Not Gaia, which is a streaming service dedicated to wellness and
consciousness. On the platform, you can find yoga sequences, guided meditation
sessions, and films and documentaries that are designed to expose viewers to
new ways of thinking about life and the reality in which we live.
Interested in trying Gaia? You can get it for two weeks
for just $0.99. If you like it, a monthly subscription costs $11.99, and you
can get a whole year for $99.
16.
Broadway HD
Broadway theater is a truly unique form of entertainment
that you used to need to travel to New York to experience. Thanks to Broadway
HD, lovers of the many musicals the Big Apple's famous street has produced can
watch all their favorites, both past and present, right from the comfort of
their own home.
To get Broadway HD, sign up for a monthly subscription for
just $8.99 a month or $99.99 for a whole year.
17. Dekko
Although Netflix and some of the other major streaming
services are getting better about producing content that deals with some of the
issues facing the LGBTQ community, many feel they still don't go far enough. For
those who want to learn and experience more from this part of society that is
often shunned or overlooked, there's Dekko.
Dekko features a wide range of movies, TV shows, and
documentaries that feature themes related to drag, bisexuality, civil rights,
and much more. It costs $9.99 per month to subscribe.
18.
Curiosity Stream
Created by the founders of the Discovery Channel,
Curiosity Stream is a streaming platform dedicated entirely to documentaries.
Its motto is to give you a "journey through our world and beyond."
In total, there are over 2,400 films and television series
that plunge into topics ranging from animals and the environment to history and
space. It's a nice complement to the many documentaries and education programs
found on other streaming platforms and is ideal for those who love to learn
something while sitting on the couch watching TV.
A monthly subscription to Curiosity Stream costs just
$2.99 per month or $19.99 for the whole year. Not a bad deal for all that
learning you'll be doing!
For
International Intrigue
Interested in watching stuff that's not made in the United States? The following services bring you content from all over the world:
19. Mubi
Although the name sounds similar to the previously
mentioned Tubi TV, these two services have nothing to do with one another.
Instead, Mubi is entirely dedicated to international films or those that were
created outside the United States.
There are just thirty films available on Mubi at a time,
but a new one is added each day, and when something is added, it lasts for
thirty days. This means there are always new things to watch, and since Mubi
also has its own digital film newsletter, a lot of these films are the same
ones that are featured at world-renowned festivals such as Cannes.
20. Acorn
TV
If you're interested in seeing other parts of the world
without having to leave your couch, Acorn TV could be a great streaming service
for you. It offers more than 200 television shows from the UK and Australia, as
well as around 50 movies that rotate on a monthly basis.
The movie selection isn't amazing, but fans of British
television will be pleasantly surprised by what Acorn TV has to offer.
It's free for the first month after you sign up, and then
after that, it's just $4.99 per month. It's available on a wide range of
devices, too, such as iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Chromecast, meaning
you can watch it from pretty much anywhere.
21. Pantaya
As English speakers, we often forget that Spanish is one
of the most widely-spoken languages in the world, and there are great films
coming out all the time from countries where Spanish is the primary language.
Pantaya puts them all in one spot and makes it really easy
for you to search based on country or genre.
It's a great option for those who are looking to
experience content from different parts of the world, as well as for those who
are interested in learning how to speak and understand Spanish in a fun and
exciting way.
The only subscription option that exists is a yearly one,
which costs $49.99. That breaks down to just a little more than $4 per month.
22. Eros
India is a land famous for its movies. Many of them
feature truly compelling love stories, and the music alone is enough to make
any Saturday night more fun. However, on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, the
selection of Bollywood films is dismal.
If this bothers you, or you're simply curious about
watching more movies from the world's most populous country, then consider
signing up for Eros, which gives you access to countless films from Bollywood,
as well as some original programming, music and music videos.
A subscription to Eros will cost you just $7.99 a month,
not bad considering all you get.
23.
OnDemandKorea and Viki
Asia is the world's most populated continent and this
means that new movies and television shows are coming out at all times, some of
which are very good.
OnDemandKorea, as the name suggests, specializes in
movies, music, and news coming from Korea, and it's free if you don't mind
watching ads. There is a Plus plan, which costs $6.99 a month, and there's also
a Premium option, which is $10.99 a month. All the content features English
subtitles, meaning you don't need to speak Korean to be able to enjoy it.
For those looking to expand beyond Korea, Viki offers
Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese, and also Korean television shows, with English
subtitles, for free, so long as you're willing to watch ads.
Start
Streaming
As you can see, there are tons of streaming services
available beyond just the big three (or four, or five.) Of course, signing up
for all of these doesn't make any sense, as doing so would cost you way more
than a cable subscription, but since many of them allow you to sign up for a
month and cancel at any time, it's worth it to check a few out to see what
you're missing. Who knows? You may just discover a love for a film or TV genre
you never even knew existed.
