Watching movies has never been easier. Gone are the days when you had to get dressed and head out to the cinema to see the latest blockbusters. A subscription to the right streaming services for movies means you can access all the action in the comfort of your own home.
The only question is: Which are the best streaming services for movies? With so many on offer, it can be overwhelming to decide which one will suit your needs.
You can make your movie marathons even more enthralling when you stream with a VPN. No matter which movie streaming platform you choose, CyberGhost VPN can help you bypass content-based throttling, so you can stream in high quality without any buffering.
How to Stream Movies with CyberGhost VPN
Binge-watch movies to your heart’s content without any buffering or error messages.
- Get CyberGhost VPN. It’s as easy as 1-2-3!
- Download the app and connect to a server that works with your preferred movie streaming service.
- Grab the popcorn and let the movie marathon begin.
The 10 Best Streaming Services for Movies
1. Netflix: Best for Original Movies
Subscription cost: From $6.99 to $22.99 per month
Free trial: None
Availability: 190+ countries
Out of all the movie streaming platforms, Netflix has the best selection of original movies. The streaming giant hosts more than 2,000 original movies, including hits like The Irishman, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, and All Quiet on the Western Front.
Netflix regularly adds new originals to its catalog, along with plenty of fan favorites from other production houses. Just keep in mind that what you’ll see in the library will vary depending on where in the world you’re watching.
| Pros | Cons |
| 👍 Huge library of original movies & series | 👎 Content varies widely by country |
| 👍 Streaming in up to 4K | 👎 Premium plan is expensive |
| 👍 User-friendly interface | 👎 Accounts can only be shared within a household |
2. Peacock: Best for Blockbusters
Subscription cost: $5.99 to $11.99 per month
Free trial: None
Availability: The US, certain European countries (via Sky, SkyShowtime, and Now)
Fans of big-name movies will find Peacock to be top of the best streaming services for movies list. The platform’s catalog includes blockbusters in every genre, from action, thrillers, and sci-fi to romance, drama and comedy titles.
A Peacock subscription will get you access to classic hits from American Psycho and V for Vendetta to more recent releases like The Hunger Games and Oppenheimer.
| Pros | Cons |
| 👍 Affordable pricing | 👎 Cheaper plans are ad-supported |
| 👍 Universal Pictures films added soon after theatrical runs | 👎 Limited selection of films outside of Universal content |
| 👍 Wide selection of classic movies | 👎 Interface can be difficult to navigate |
3. Paramount+: Best for Classic Movies
Subscription cost: $4.99 to $14.99 per month
Free trial: Yes, 7 days
Availability: The US, Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Australia, Japan, select European countries
Cinephiles will delight at the selection of classic movies offered by Paramount+. The movie streaming platform has an impressive lineup of hits from the silver screen (think Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Cabaret, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers), along with plenty from more recent years.
Paramount+ gives you access to a library of films that have shaped the industry, making it the best streaming service for anyone looking to revisit the Golden Age of Hollywood.
| Pros | Cons |
| 👍 4K streaming with the Premium plan | 👎 Most of the library is limited to Full HD |
| 👍 Early access to Paramount Pictures movies on the small screen | 👎 Ads on more affordable plans |
| 👍 30,000 movies and TV episodes available | 👎 Viewing recommendations are poor |
4. Hulu: Best for Indie Films
Subscription cost: $7.99 to $89.99 per month
Free trial: Yes, 7 days
Availability: The US, Australia
Movie fans looking for unconventional yet compelling narratives are sure to find films they’ll love on Hulu. The platform’s carefully curated selection of indie films will have you thinking, laughing, and perhaps even crying your way to the end credits.
Whether you prefer Sundance or Cannes, Hulu gives you access to all of the most critically acclaimed art house hits.
| Pros | Cons |
| 👍 Available on almost every streaming device | 👎 Premium subscription needed to download titles |
| 👍 Can be bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+ | 👎 Add-ons are pricey |
| 👍 Live TV add-on available | 👎 Relatively small collection of titles |
5. Disney+: Best for Family Movies
Subscription cost: $7.99 to $13.99 per month
Free trial: None
Availability: 100+ countries
The Walt Disney Company makes more than just movies – it creates stories that capture the imaginations of generations.
You’ll find Disney classics (and remakes) along with Pixar animations, Marvel smash hits, and the Star Wars saga on Disney+. This wide selection of animated and live action movies makes Disney the best streaming service for family movies.
| Pros | Cons |
| 👍 Access to Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars & National Geographic content | 👎 Focus is skewed towards kids’ content |
| 👍 Affordable pricing, without ads | 👎 Less variety than other streaming platforms |
| 👍 App available for a most popular streaming devices | 👎 Lacks original programming |
6. Max: Best for Fantasy Films
Subscription cost: $9.99 to $19.99 per month
Free trial: None
Availability: The US, Latin America, the Caribbean, select European countries
HBO is known for the immersive and enthralling hit series it offers fans. And the network’s approach with movies on Max, its streaming service for movies and on-demand TV, is no different.
Bring fantasies to life as you fight for a better world with Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, or grab a broomstick and fly by the Harry Potter series. Better still, imagine living in your very own Dreamhouse while watching Barbie navigate the real world.
| Pros | Cons |
| 👍 Large catalog, including WarnerMedia movies and HBO titles | 👎 Lots of overlap with other WarnerMedia platforms |
| 👍 Loads of kids’ shows | 👎 No free trial |
| 👍 Easy-to-navigate interface | 👎 Not a standalone service |
7. Amazon Prime Video: Best for Choice of Movies
Subscription cost: $8.99 to $14.99 per month.
Free trial: Yes, up to 30 days
Availability: 180+ countries
Amazon Prime Video has the widest selection of films out of any of the streaming services for movies. The platform offers everything from Hollywood blockbusters to indie gems, making it the best choice for movie buffs who value quantity just as much as quality.
Another big benefit is that one Amazon Prime Video subscription lets you stream on up to three devices at the same time. That means there needn’t be any fighting over the remote – everyone can simply screen their own movie marathon.
| Pros | Cons |
| 👍 20,000+ movies in the catalog | 👎 Ads for Amazon content on all subscription tiers |
| 👍 Entertaining originals | 👎 Search functionality is limited |
| 👍 Rent or buy your favorite movies | 👎 Poorly designed interface makes it easy to accidentally rent or buy titles |
8. Apple TV+: Best for Documentary Movies
Subscription cost: $9.99 per month
Free trial: Yes, up to 3 months
Availability: 100+ countries
Apple+ TV is the go-to movie streaming service for curious viewers who are looking to learn and be inspired by real-world stories.
The platform has created and curated a selection of original documentaries that explore fascinating stories and address critical issues in every sphere of life, from music and entertainment to nature and history.
| Pros | Cons |
| 👍 Excellent original content | 👎 One profile per account makes sharing difficult |
| 👍 No ads | 👎 Some titles are only available to rent or buy |
| 👍 Support for 4K, HDR, and Dolby Atmos | 👎 Compatibility issues on non-Apple devices |
9. The Roku Channel: Best for Free Movie Streaming
Subscription cost: Free (ad supported)
Free trial: N/A
Availability: The US, Canada, and the UK
Attention budget-conscious cinephiles: If “free” is your second-favorite word after “movies,” then The Roku Channel – from the makers of the Roku streaming device – is the best movie streaming platform for you.
The platform has a wide variety of movies, featuring everything from Legally Blonde to The Terminator. The always-changing selection of movies can be accessed at absolutely no cost, but that does mean that there will be ads breaking up your binge-watching session.
| Pros | Cons |
| 👍 80,000+ movies and TV shows available | 👎 All titles contain ads |
| 👍 Fresh content added regularly | 👎 No downloading for offline viewing |
| 👍 Apps for most major streaming devices | 👎 Limited original content |
10. Sling TV: Best for Live TV and Movies
Subscription cost: Free to $55 per month
Free trial: Yes, 7 days
Availability: The US
Sling TV gives movie buffs the best of both worlds. With more than 40 live TV channels as well as the EPIX Drive-In movie channel and access to Paramount, the platform is the best streaming service for live TV and movies.
In addition to the on-demand movie library and optional movie channels, you’ll be able to watch live sports, news, and entertainment titles.
| Pros | Cons |
| 👍 Free tier offered | 👎 Confusing packages |
| 👍 Get popular on-demand movie channels, plus live TV channels | 👎 Limited movies available on the free tier |
| 👍 Movies for rent | 👎 Only available in the US |
Why You Need a VPN for Streaming Movies
Nobody wants to watch an endlessly spinning buffering wheel in place of a movie marathon. That’s why you need a VPN for streaming movies. This handy piece of tech encrypts your internet connection to keep your ISP from monitoring your movements online and restricting your connection speeds because you’re streaming.
VPN encryption also allows you to maintain access to your favorite streaming platforms when you’re out and about. Restricted networks (like the ones at work and school) are no match for a VPN; all you need to do is connect to your nearest server to get around those pesky blocks.
It’s also a great way to be sure that you’ll be able to catch up on your favorite films and shows when you’re even further afield – like when you’re traveling abroad. A VPN allows you to change your virtual location so you can watch whatever you want, just like you would at home.
This is where CyberGhost VPN becomes the star of the show. Our global server network is equipped with streaming-optimized servers to ensure a smooth viewing experience, free from location-related error messages. Plus, with unlimited bandwidth, a CyberGhost VPN subscription means you can watch all the movies you want without worrying about your stream slowing to a crawl because of high data usage.
Try it risk-free with our 45-day money-back guarantee.
Can I Use a VPN to Watch Streaming Services from a Different Country?
Some VPN users connect to a server in a different country to watch Netflix or Showmax, but this is against our terms of service and is not acceptable.
CyberGhost is a privacy-forward no-logs VPN, meaning we can’t view your online activity and we never share your browsing data. While we don’t know what you’re doing online, you should always comply with your streaming provider’s terms of use, our terms of service, and any applicable law, including copyright.
FAQ
The most popular movie streaming service varies by region, but Netflix generally takes the crown as the most popular movie streaming platform worldwide. It offers a good mix of favorite classics and fresh originals.
What’s most important to you – like catalog size, original content, or price – will have an effect on which online movie streaming service is best for you. That said, Netflix and Disney+ frequently feature on the ‘best’ lists for movie streaming services.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a single streaming platform that gives you everything. It’s best to subscribe to a combination of services (e.g. Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+) to get all the content you want.
Intellectual property laws, licensing agreements, and company policies mean that there isn’t a service that combines all streaming services onto one platform. The best way to get all of them is to use a streaming device that supports all of the streaming apps.
Netflix and Amazon Prime Video both have extensive content libraries. Which is better for you will depend on your personal preferences. Netflix is better for original content, while Amazon offers more movies overall.
Max, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+ all occasionally stream movies while they’re still in theaters. Paramount+ and Peacock give you early access to titles from Paramount and Universal Pictures.
The cheapest way to watch movies is by using an ad-supported streaming service like The Roku Channel. The platform features a variety of new and old movies, with the selection changing on a regular basis.
Yes, you can stream movies with a VPN. In fact, it’s the best way to ensure smooth, buffer-free streaming. The encryption protocols used by VPNs prevent your ISP from seeing that you’re streaming so they can’t deliberately slow your connection speed because of it.
With a network of high-speed servers across the globe, top-notch encryption protocols, and streaming-optimized servers for the most popular platforms, CyberGhost is the best VPN for streaming movies and TV shows.
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