The Best Movie Streaming Services for 2024

The rise of cord cutters has transformed our entertainment consumption, liberating us from the constraints of conventional cable expenses. The streaming realm, particularly for movie aficionados, is expansive, presenting a myriad of choices for indulging in on-demand shows, live TV, and a vast array of cinematic gems. Within this guide, we delve into the premier movie streaming services of 2024, ensuring you're abreast of the most recent developments in the dynamic world of film.

Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

1. Netflix: Best for Original Movies

Rating: 4.5 EXCELLENT

Why We Picked It: Netflix stands as the industry standard for streaming video services, boasting an impressive selection of content that includes a constantly evolving library of original programming. From high-quality original movies like "El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie" to blockbuster titles, Netflix offers a premium experience.

Who It’s For: Ideal for those willing to pay a premium for high-quality original programming and an extensive movie library. Netflix recently introduced a cheaper, ad-supported version.

Pros:

• High-quality original programming

• Excellent apps and features

• Offline downloads on mobile

• Free mobile games

Cons:

• Ad-based tier doesn't include the full library

• Limited information about changes to content availability

2. Hulu: Best for Movie Variety

Rating: 4.0 EXCELLENT

Why We Picked It: Hulu offers a comprehensive, all-in-one streaming solution with a diverse content library, including a strong focus on movies. As part of the Disney bundle, Hulu stands out for its thoughtful entertainment for adult audiences, complementing Disney+ and ESPN+.

Who It’s For: Perfect for those seeking a variety of TV series, live TV, and a rich movie library, especially within the Disney bundle.

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 a premium account

3. Peacock: Best for Affordable TV and Movie Streaming

Rating: 4.0 EXCELLENT

Why We Picked It: NBC's Peacock offers affordability without compromising on content. With two plans, including an affordable base tier and a Premium Plus option, Peacock's library features hundreds of movies, including Hollywood blockbusters available shortly after their theatrical runs.

Who It’s For: Ideal for those who appreciate quality, low-cost films, with the option to upgrade for an enhanced experience.

Pros:

• Affordable base tier with 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

4. Amazon Prime Video: Best for Popular Movies

Rating: 4.0 EXCELLENT

Why We Picked It: Amazon Prime Video boasts a vast streaming library with popular and classic movies, enhanced by the $8.45 billion MGM acquisition. Offering subscription, rental, and purchase options, it caters to a wide audience.

Who It’s For: Perfect for those who enjoy a mix of subscription-based streaming and a la carte rentals or purchases.

Pros:

• Excellent original content

• 4K and HDR streaming

• Live Thursday Night Football and WNBA games

• Supports offline downloads, multiple viewer profiles, and audio descriptions

• Rental and purchase options available

Cons:

• Losing third-party content to other services

• Fewer high-quality TV shows compared to competitors

5. Disney+: Best for Family-Friendly Movies

Rating: 4.0 EXCELLENT

Why We Picked It: Disney+ stands as the exclusive streaming home for family-friendly blockbusters from Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, and Disney itself. With a focus on cinematic universes, Disney+ is the go-to platform for beloved franchises.

Who It’s For: Perfect for anyone with an interest in Disney-owned content and a passion for franchises like Star Wars and Marvel.

Pros:

• Central hub for Disney-owned content

• Offline downloads in premium tier

• 4K streaming

• Good performance

Cons:

• Mostly relies on existing franchises

• Some content from the Fox acquisition is split with Hulu

6. Max: Best for WarnerMedia Movies

Rating: 4.0 EXCELLENT

Why We Picked It: Max offers an impressive collection of popular movies from Warner Bros. Discovery's extensive portfolio. With a well-rounded streaming library, it caters to mainstream cinephiles who appreciate movies from various sources.

Who It’s For: Perfect for those seeking a diverse range of shows and movies, especially Warner Bros. Discovery's deep bench of brands.

Pros:

• Huge catalog of popular shows and movies from many sources

• Attractive apps

• User profiles and parental control tools

• Ad-free tier with offline downloads for offline viewing

• Live news and sports

Cons:

• Relatively expensive

• Ad-supported tier lacks offline downloads

• Potentially dramatic library changes

7. KweliTV: Best for International Films

Rating: 4.0 EXCELLENT

Why We Picked It: KweliTV stands out as the destination for films from Africa and beyond, offering a well-curated selection of independent, international cinema.

Who It’s For: Ideal for those who appreciate celebrating cinematic art from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

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

8. Tubi: Best for Free Movies

Rating: 4.0 EXCELLENT

Why We Picked It: Tubi offers a vast collection of 50,000 movies and TV shows for free, making it an excellent choice for those seeking quality content without a subscription fee.

Who It’s For: Ideal for budget-conscious viewers who don't mind ads and appreciate a diverse range of movies and TV shows.

Pros:

• Free, ad-supported platform

• Vast library of movies and TV shows

• Available on various devices

• No subscription required

Cons:

• Ad interruptions

• Limited high-quality content

• No original programming

9. Amazon Freevee: Best for Free Popular Movies and Family

Rating: 3.5 GOOD

Why We Picked It: Formerly known as IMDb TV, Freevee is Amazon’s free alternative to Prime Video. Offering ad-supported versions of popular movies like The Invisible Man, Logan, and Undercover Brother, Freevee also features original movies such as Love Accidentally.

Who It’s For: Freevee serves as another compelling reason to immerse yourself in the Amazon ecosystem. When you're not making purchases or enjoying other subscription services, Freevee allows you to watch movies without spending a dime.

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

10. The Criterion Channel: Best for Classic Films

Rating: 3.5 GOOD

Why We Picked It: True cinephiles adore the Criterion Collection for its meticulously curated assortment of classic films. The Criterion Channel extends this artistry and historical preservation as a convenient streaming service.

Who It’s For: While not encompassing the entire Criterion Collection, The Criterion Channel offers more than enough content to enthrall serious film enthusiasts. Though it may not replace a physical edition, the option to download movies to mobile devices for offline viewing enhances its appeal. The Criterion Channel includes extras such as interviews and commentary, providing insightful historical context.

Pros:

• On-demand streaming of curated Criterion Collection films

• Offline downloads on mobile devices

• No ads

• Abundance 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

11. IFC Unlimited: Best for Independent Films

Rating: 3.5 GOOD

Why We Picked It: IFC Films Unlimited allows you to stream a robust selection of independent movies without ads, all at a reasonable price of $6 per month. Note that it functions as an add-on channel to other services like Apple TV or Roku. However, the ability to download videos for offline mobile viewing enhances its appeal.

Who It’s For: For movie enthusiasts seeking a break from Hollywood mainstream, IFC Films may be the gateway to undiscovered indie flicks. Even if your film palette isn't the most adventurous, IFC Films provides an avenue to broaden your 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

12. MGM+: Best for MGM Movies

Rating: 3.5 GOOD

Why We Picked It: In an era where streaming services churn out low-quality original shows, MGM+ stands out by highlighting fantastic films directly from theaters. Its mainstream catalog boasts modern hits and timeless classics, with a few original shows featuring Hollywood talent like Forest Whitaker.

Who It’s For: Formerly known as Epix, MGM+ makes an excellent replacement for fans of that premium channel. Ideal for any film enthusiast, especially those fond of James Bond or Rocky, MGM+ offers an affordable service with a fantastic library of modern movies, classics, and original shows.

Pros:

• Fantastic library of modern movies, classics, and original shows

• Offline downloads on mobile

• Available as an affordable add-on for other streaming services

Cons:

• Desktop version lacks many navigation features

• Some confusing gaps in the catalog

13. Mubi: Best for Cinephiles and Movie Discovery

Rating: 3.5 GOOD

Why We Picked It: Mubi distinguishes itself by curating a streaming lineup that ensures you frequently encounter films you've never seen before. With hundreds of films spanning diverse categories, Mubi offers a unique streaming experience for cinephiles. Beyond its catalog, Mubi fosters an enthusiastic online film community, allowing users to engage with critics' accolades, user reviews, and build watch lists.

Who It’s For: Catering to cinephiles and those seeking movie discovery, Mubi provides a curated lineup with new films added every day. The platform encourages community engagement, allowing users to follow other fans and compare tastes.

Pros:

• New film added every day to curated lineup

• Extensive catalog of films

• Community features

• 1080p streaming

• Offline downloads on mobile

Cons:

• No support for multiple viewing profiles

• Limited closed captioning options

14. Paramount+: Best for Network Shows and Sports

Rating: 3.5 GOOD

Why We Picked It: Paramount+ leverages its powerful corporate backing to emerge as a major streaming service, encompassing brands like Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and Star Trek. The platform offers a broad library of on-demand content across genres, with hundreds of movies, including original streaming flicks and content from Paramount’s prestigious back catalog.

Who It’s For: Following the transition from CBS All Access to Paramount+, fans of various studio brands have much to enjoy. Paramount movies are now exclusively available on this service, making it an enticing option for those seeking network shows and sports.

Pros:

• Broad library of on-demand content across many genres

• Premium tier now includes Showtime

• Live sports coverage

• Supports offline downloads and 4K streaming

• Allows three simultaneous streams and six profiles per account

• Excellent closed captions options and parental control tools

Cons:

• Fewer high-quality originals than competing services

• Offline downloads and 4K streaming restricted to premium tier

• Only premium subscribers get local CBS broadcast channels

15. Philo: Best for Movie Channels

Rating: 3.5 GOOD

Why We Picked It: Philo's relatively pricey streaming plan offers dozens of live channels, focusing on lifestyle and entertainment. With a variety of popular movies from AMC, IFC, and other recognizable channels, Philo caters to those who appreciate live streaming in an on-demand world.

Who It’s For: In a landscape dominated by on-demand streaming, Philo finds its place by offering more than 70 channels, ensuring you catch a movie that's worth watching without having to make a choice.

Pros:

• Inexpensive

• More than 70 channels

• Reliable streaming performance

• Good mobile apps

• Easy-to-use DVR

Cons:

• No sports coverage

• Few news channels

• Lacks parental control options

• Some saved and on-demand content includes ads

16. Ovid.tv: Best for Indie Films and Documentaries

Rating: 3.5 GOOD

Why We Picked It: OvidTVbrings together indie movies and documentaries, offering a streaming service with appeal beyond mainstream offerings. Its collection includes films from around the world, providing a diverse and unique viewing experience.

Who It’s For: Designed for audiences interested in indie films and documentaries, Ovid.tv distinguishes itself with an excellent collection and user-friendly interfaces. Note that access is limited to the US and Canada.

Pros:

• Inexpensive

• Extensive streaming collection

• Excellent web interface and mobile apps

• Offline downloads on mobile devices

Cons:

• Limited to the US and Canada

• Subtitles are not customizable

17. Shudder: Best for Horror Fans

Rating: 3.5 GOOD

Why We Picked It: Shudder caters to the unique tastes of horror fans, offering a vast collection of scary movies ranging from old-school schlock to top-tier terror. The streaming service goes beyond movies, producing original documentaries that highlight overlooked aspects of horror film history.

Who It’s For: Dedicated to film lovers with a penchant for horror, Shudder provides a platform for both seasoned fans and those looking to dive into the world of fright-filled films.

Pros:

• Extensive assortment of horror films and shows

• Engaging interface and aesthetic

• Cost-effective pricing

• Ad-free viewing experience

Cons:

• Absence of certain classic suspense and horror films

• Limited availability of content in 1080p resolution

• Lack of offline downloads on mobile platforms

• Non-customizable closed captions

How We Tested and Rated The Best Movie Streaming Services for 2024

Our Methodology: To determine the best movie streaming services, we evaluate each platform based on a range of criteria, including content library, user interface, streaming quality, pricing, and unique features. Our team tests services over an extended period, taking into account user feedback, industry trends, and any notable updates or changes to the platforms.

Rating System:

• 5.0: Outstanding

• 4.5: Excellent

• 4.0: Very Good

• 3.5: Good

• 3.0: Average

• Below 3.0: Below Average

Conclusion

As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, the Best Movie Streaming Services for 2024 ultimately depends on your specific preferences and priorities. Whether you prioritize original content, a vast movie library, or affordability, there's a streaming service tailored to meet your needs. Keep an eye on this guide for future updates, ensuring you stay informed about the latest developments in the world of on-demand cinema.