Streaming services have changed how we consume content, as you only need a subscription, an internet connection, and a streaming device to watch movies online.
There are many free movie streaming services, but the best ones require a subscription. With so many movie streaming options in the US, how do you choose the right one?
The streaming services in the United States offer extensive libraries and support the highest streaming standards. Depending on the streaming service you’re subscribed to, you might have to wait for your favorite film to finish its theatrical run before it’s available online.
However, most streaming services have invested heavily in original content, meaning they have content you can’t find anywhere else.
Also, there are a few additional factors to consider when choosing a streaming service and device compatibility is one of them. For example, Crazystreamers have an excellent guide on how to get Disney Plus on any smart TV.
With that in mind, these are the best streaming sites for movies in the United States, whether you’re looking for a blockbuster or an original film.
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Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime Video is the top streaming service for movies and has a more extensive collection of films. The platform has over 24,000 movies, beating competitors like Hulu and Netflix. Its large movie library grew after the MGM acquisition, which means Amazon Prime is the only streaming service to watch classics like Rocky and James Bond films.
That’s not all; Amazon has invested heavily in original content like Samaritan, Thirteen Lives, Cargo, etc.
A standard subscription to Amazon includes tens of thousands of films, but you’ll also find more titles for an additional fee. The best thing about Amazon Prime is that some of the newer titles are available on the platform as long as you don’t mind a few ads.
All films on Amazon Prime have incredible quality, and the interface is super easy to use. Amazon Prime is available for $14.99 per month or $139 per year, while Prime Video membership sets you back $8.99 per month.
Amazon Prime has apps for Kindle Fire devices, macOS, gaming consoles, PC, iOS, smart TVs, etc.
HBO Max
HBO Max, an acronym for Home Box Office, is a long-time favorite for movie buffs in the United States. It’s the best movie streaming service if you prefer watching classics or critically acclaimed titles.
The number of titles on HBO Max is smaller than on Amazon Prime but offers much quality. HBO Max is home to classics like A Space Odyssey, Bringing Out the Dead, Seven Samurai, The Dark Knight, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, and more. Newer films, such as The Batman, Free Guy, and Matrix Resurrections, are also available.
You don’t have to pay for HBO Max if you’re already a subscriber to the HBO cable plan. You only need to download the app and sign in with your credentials.
HBO Max supports gaming consoles, smart TVs, iOS, macOS, Android, and PCs, and the subscription costs $14.99 a month.
Disney+
Disney+ is a must-have streaming service if you’re a fan of Disney content. Pixar, Marvel, Disney, and National Geographic content is available in the Disney Plus library. Disney+ is home to all Disney Classics, including live-action and animated films.
This platform gives you access to all Marvel movies, from the first Iron Man movie released in 2008 to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Thor: Love and Thunder will join the platform after its theatrical run. The service is also ideal for families with kids because of Pixar content like Brave, Finding Nemo, Up, Toy Story, and more.
Disney+ supports smart TVs, gaming consoles, iOS, macOS, Android, and PC. The service is available for $7.99/month or $79.99/year, making it one of the most affordable in the United States.
Netflix
Netflix is the largest streaming service platform by subscriber numbers, and the US content library is coveted worldwide. The streaming service launched as a mail-order DVD rental service but transitioned online thanks to high-speed internet.
After transitioning to a streaming service, licensing content was the way to go for Netflix over the years. However, the online content behemoth had to change tact because of rising fees, forcing it to invest heavily in creating original content.
Netflix channeled most of its investment towards producing original shows but has managed to create enjoyable films too. Notable Netflix original films include The Gray Man, 365 Days: This Day, Matilda, The King, EL Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, and The Old Guard.
Choose the right plan that’s right for you on Netflix, i.e., Basic Plan for $9.99, Standard for $15.99, and Premium for $19.99. Netflix’s interface is easy to use and is available for all streaming devices.
Hulu
Hulu’s movie collection is enough to appeal to general audiences hungry for popular titles. Hulu doesn’t have an extensive movie collection like the other streaming services on this list, but it has a good movie lineup.
Some of the best movies on Hulu include Shadow in the Cloud, I’m Your Man, Jacinta, Pig, King Arthur, The Cursed, Prey, Source Code, etc.
You can broaden your movie library by adding some premium channels like Cinemax, HBO, Showtime, etc., but each plan will cost an additional $10 per month.
Hulu has several plans, i.e., an ad-supported plan for $6.99/month or $69.99/year. The Hulu (No Ads) plan for $12.99/month, Hulu + Live TV with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $69.99/month, while Hulu (No Ads) with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $75.99/month.
The streaming service has additional live TV add-ons and premium add-ons, but it isn’t ideal if you’re streaming on a budget because they cost additional funds.
Hulu supports various streaming devices, including Apple TV (4th Gen or newer), Android phones and tablets, iPhones and iPads, streaming consoles, Roku, Chromecast, etc.
Wrapping Up
There are many movie streaming sites in the United States, but you must find one that aligns with your needs and budget. Each movie streaming site offers something different, so it’s okay to subscribe to more than one service.
Take advantage of a free trial to know the ins and outs of a particular streaming service before subscribing.
