With just a couple of platforms dominating the streaming service pie, it’s hard to see the smaller pieces in between. But if you push away well-known names like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu, you’ll find streaming services that deserve more love, with even better movies and shows just waiting to be uncovered.
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Plex’s Free Content
If it’s been a while since you’ve used Plex, it’s changed in a big way: Plex now has content. It’s completely free, but ad-supported. Free services have to keep the lights on somehow, right? My kneejerk reaction was that it would make it harder to find my library, but surprisingly, its ads aren’t long, the content is good, and it’s entirely optional.
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More importantly, the content can add another layer of features, including live TV and on-demand movies, for anyone tuning into your Plex server. Go into Settings > Online Media Sources. Under General, for LIVE TV and MOVIES & SHOWS, click Edit and set it to Enabled. To make it stick, click Save Changes, where you’ll now find it on the side menu.
My wife and I, most of my family really, are big fans of horror, and when I got a chance to try out Shudder, I was hooked. Evil Dead, Hellraiser, Color Out of Space—it has most, if not all, of my favorite horrors and thrillers, and it’s just $9 a month! There’s a 7-day trial, so start the trial on a Friday, maybe Thursday, and enjoy a weekend of slashers and psychological horror.
The mix of genres is a breath of fresh air, and I particularly like how some popular genres get their own tab, like “cult” and “revenge.” Even comedy has its own category, so it’s not all doom, gloom, and suffering.
Download: Shudder for Android | iOS | Fire TV (Subscription required)
You know what I noticed? Free streaming services, more often than not, have stellar content if you’re willing to sit through a few ads. In a way, it’s like watching television all over again, only with more freedom over what you watch. FilmRise is similar, offering a mix of modern and indie titles, such as Train to Busan and Unsolved Mysteries.
What’s also great about FilmRise is that it’s one of the few streaming services that doesn’t require signing up. Whether a business is small or large, having to sign up is a big deal for me these days. I have several burner email accounts just for testing out new services.
Download: FilmRise for Android | iOS (Free; contains ads)
If you remember the vibe of the antique shop in Gremlins, then you should have a pretty good idea of what’s on Night Flight Plus. It is dripping with generations of bizarre movies, music videos, and horror to boot. What’s special is that Night Flight used to be a TV series, and it’s been essentially reborn as a streaming service.
You can see this with its notable entertainment-related interviews with musicians and actors, like Freddie Mercury, Ozzy Osbourne, and Grace Jones. One aspect I can’t stress enough is that Night Flight Plus isn’t for kids due to it being a tad spicy. But, it’s worth the $5 per month entry fee.
Download: Night Flight Plus for Android | iOS | Fire TV (Subscription required)
I don’t know if it’s the power of an accent, but foreign comedy has been a recent interest of mine. It’s almost solely because of Netflix’s growing library of Korean films and shows, and from Asia in general. Marry My Dead Body (Taiwanese) and Chicken Nugget (Korean) are two of my favorites there. It’s movies like Chicken Nugget (and Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite) that had me seeking out a streaming service like Kocowa+.
KocowaTV is focused on Korean media—shows, movies, live TV, and even K-Pop. The genres are just as varied, like action, drama, fantasy, and comedy. It’s neat to see how the premise from one country can be filtered through other cultures and totally work. Starting from $7 per month, it’s an absolute must if you love Korean content.
Download: KocowaTV for Android | iOS (Subscription required)
I’ve seen enough movies to know when an otherwise good message has been compromised or blunted by a big budget. I also love seeking out passion projects, where people show off their talent, especially in the practical effects department. It’s abundantly clear I’ll find that kind of magic on IndieFlix.
What’s particularly amazing about IndieFlix is the possibility of getting IndieFlix for free if your library card participates in the service. Otherwise, it’s $5 a month (there’s a yearly plan), and a 7-day trial. I’m just outside the area for that to work, but at least I know my money is supporting upcoming artists.
Download: IndieFlix Android | iOS | Fire TV (Subscription required)
Tubi has a solid community that knows that, despite some stinkers that float to the top, the content is an easy B+. In fact, its selection of anime is surprisingly varied, which blows my mind because Tubi is free. Yes, you will watch ads, but they aren’t torture and are worth sitting through just to watch Paprika and Inuyasha.
What puts Tubi higher on my scale is a UI like Netflix, which I believe is among the best streaming services to navigate. It’s immediately familiar to get around. And a side note: the purple color is pleasing to the eyes; don’t underestimate a good color palette.
Download: Tubi for Android | iOS | Fire TV (Free; contains ads)
I’ve dabbled with MHz Choice for the same reasons I enjoy KocowaTV, but on an international level. It’s a hodgepodge of films and shows from outside the US, and it features a lot of unfamiliar faces, which is a breath of fresh air. You won’t see a lot of actors from America.
Content diversity is really strong and particularly fascinating. Bloodless crime? Nordic noir? Foreign buddy cop films!? You then get whiplash the other way when you see content from Croatia, Chile, or Greece. And if you’re worried about a language barrier, don’t be. Even if a movie doesn’t have a dubbed version, it will have English subtitles, but we both know the subbed version is superior—and you can enjoy it all from $8 per month.
Download: MHz Choice for Android | iOS | Fire TV (Subscription required)
If you’re constantly talking film and take the craft seriously, having a go with the Criterion Channel is perfect for exposing yourself to its form. And I’m not talking indie films only, although there’s plenty of that, but the platform itself is a celebration of the medium. One month, you might see a deluge of Scorsese, then suddenly, you’re watching Hitchcock’s Rear Window.
There’s also a wonderful collection of interviews with actors, behind-the-scenes, and documentaries. The Criterion Channel is essentially one big vault full of film nerd stuff, so if you were curious about the art, start with the app. There is a 7-day free trial available, while a subscription will set you back $11 per month.
Download: Criterion Channel for Android | iOS | Fire TV (Subscription required)
As someone who usually has at least two active streaming subscriptions, it was easy to drop one of them and try something entirely new. I recommend trying something similar, but if you can’t afford it, there are free movie streaming sites that don’t require signing up.
