7 Of The Best Movie Streaming Services To Sign Up To ASAP

Whether you’re looking to pass the time while quarantining or you want a new series to binge during your lunch break, Netflix shouldn't be your only go-to streaming service. The launch of Disney+ saved us all during lockdown - who didn't rewatch High School Musical one, two...and three? - but there's also the likes of Amazon Prime and Apple TV+ to consider. So which is the best streaming service?

Each option offers something different - from original series to childhood classics - so we'd suggest investing in a few to satisfy all your viewing needs. After all, we’re spending a lot more time at home these days, and the monthly cost is about the same as a Pret lunch.

Getting started is simple, too. All you need is a good internet connection and a compatible device. Then, before you know it, you’ll have a packed TV schedule to get lost in.

How We Test

We put the best streaming services to the test, reviewing the size and range of films and TV shows available across all genres. We assessed how easy it is to sign up and how user-friendly the interface is to navigate.

We streamed films and TV shows on a range of devices, from TVs to smartphones, and judged the picture quality on each. We also noted any additional features, such as parental controls or offline playback.

Netflix

Price per month: from £5.99

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You probably already have access to a Netflix account, as each account can have up to five user profiles (ideal if you're in a flatshare). From Queer Eye to Dead To Me, it's packed with original TV shows as well as the latest film releases. You’ll also find old favourites, including every episode of Friends.

We found it intuitive to use and it's easy to download content to watch offline later. There's limited Disney content for obvious reasons (see below), and you won't always get every season of every show. Streaming to more than one screen at a time will also cost you extra.

Netflix is at the top of its game though, and it's the best option if you're looking for the stuff everyone's talking about. Sign up now and you'll just about have enough time to binge watch seasons one to three of The Crown before season 4 comes out in November...

Key specifications
Catalogue size: 3,900 movies and more than 2,000 TV shows
Playback quality available: SD, HD and 4K
Maximum streams at one time: 4
Number of profiles per account: 5
Compatible devices: Smartphone, tablet, computer, smart TV, TV streaming devices, set-top boxes and games consoles

Disney+

Price per month: £5.99

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If you thought Disney+ was just for your nieces and nephews, think again. As well as all the beloved Disney classics, you’ll find films from Pixar, Marvel and 21st Century Fox, as well as TV shows from National Geographic - no, we can’t get enough of David Attenborough's dulcet tones either.

Although the library is smaller than some of the other services we tried, most of the 350 TV shows and 500+ films are exclusive, so you won’t find them anywhere else. Prepare to fork out an extra £19.99 to watch the live action version of Mulan though (coming soon).

Similar to Netflix, Disney+ allows for seven separate profiles on each account and you can download shows to watch offline. Also, 4k is included at no extra cost.

Key specifications
Catalogue size: 500 films and more than 350 TV shows
Playback quality available: HD and 4K
Maximum streams at one time: 4
Number of profiles per account: 7
Compatible devices: Smartphone, tablet, computer, smart TV, TV streaming devices

Prime Video

Price per month: £5.99 or free with Amazon Prime annual subscription (£79.99)

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We can’t remember signing up to Amazon Prime either but now you have it, you may as well make the most of it - starting with Prime Video.

With thousands of films and TV shows on demand, Prime Video also rivals Netflix when it comes to original shows - we’d recommend Reese Witherspoon’s Little Fires Everywhere or Homecoming featuring Julia Roberts and Janelle Monae.

You'll need to pay extra to rent or buy certain films and TV shows, but we were impressed with the picture quality and how quick content was to play or download. You'll also have access to every season of most TV shows, which is something Netflix lacks.

Key specifications
Catalogue size: Thousands of films and TV shows
Playback quality available: HD and 4K
Maximum streams at one time: 3
Number of profiles per account: 6
Compatible devices: Smartphone, tablet, computer, smart TV, TV streaming devices, set-top boxes and games consoles

Apple TV+

Price per month: £4.99 or free for a year with a new iPhone, iPad, Mac computer or Apple TV

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If you’re the friend people turn to for TV recommendations, Apple TV+ is for you. You’ll only find original content here, with new shows coming out every month or so.

Remember all the hype about The Morning Show? That was one of the first shows to be released on the channel, and plenty more A-list directors and stars followed with their own content - think Oprah Winfrey and Jason Momoa. The relatively small catalogue of shows is reflected in the cheaper monthly cost (£4.99) compared to other services, while all content is shown in 4k as standard.

You can share your subscription with up to five people through the 'Family Share' function and download content to watch offline. It's an impressive first step into the world of streaming services for Apple, but we wouldn't expect anything less.

Key specifications
Catalogue size: 40 TV shows and films
Playback quality available: HD and 4K
Maximum streams at one time: 6
Number of profiles per account: 0
Compatible devices: iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, TVs that support AirPlay 2, Samsung smart TVs, computers, and Roku and Amazon Fire TV streaming devices

Now TV

Price per month: from £3.99

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Here’s a clever little hack if you can’t justify a Sky TV contract. Now TV gives you access to the same shows, films and sporting events but only for a month at a time.

You pick from five different ‘passes’ (a bit like you might for the gym but way less energetic) based on your preferences, and all last for 30 days. You can watch the Sky channels linked to your pass live through the app too, but only TV shows can be downloaded to watch offline.

We found the service simple to use and content started quickly after selection. You'll need to pay extra to watch in SD or HD though and 4K just isn't available. The search function isn't as good as other streaming services either. On the plus side, it's the only service other than Disney+ to offer some Disney content and one of the passes gives you access to reality TV platform Hayu, too.

Key specifications
Catalogue size: More than 1000 movies and 300 boxsets
Playback quality available: SD and HD
Maximum streams at one time: 3
Number of profiles per account: 0
Compatible devices: Smartphone, tablet, computer, some smart TVs, TV streaming devices, set-top boxes and games consoles

Hayu

Price per month: £4.99, or £3.99 per month when bought through NowTV or Prime Video

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If the latest Keeping up with the Kardashians announcement has left you with a reality show-shaped hole in your life, sign up to Hayu pronto. There's more than 6,500 episodes of 250 reality shows available, including The Real Housewives franchise. Trust us, you’ll be hooked before you know it.

You can only watch one show on one device at a time, which is a little limiting, and you can't create different profiles. We love that many of the US shows are available just hours after being broadcast live though, so you'll always be up to date.

Key specifications
Catalogue size: More than 6,500 episodes of 250 reality TV shows
Playback quality available: HD
Maximum streams at one time: 1
Number of profiles per account: 0
Compatible devices: Smartphone, tablet, computer, smart TVs and TV streaming devices

BritBox

Price per month: £5.99

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Not to be confused with the post-apocalyptic thriller Bird Box (remember that?), BritBox is dedicated to classic British TV shows and films. It's the one to go for if you've found yourself in lockdown with your parents, or you're a fan of programmes like Only Fools and Horses, One Foot in the Grave and Gavin and Stacey.

You can watch shows by the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 without the ads, unlike when using catchup services, but some seasons of some shows are missing (sorry Top Gear fans). You can't download anything to watch offline either.

Its full of feel-good telly though, and a trip down memory lane is just what we need right now...

Key specifications
Catalogue size: 289 boxsets and 65 movies
Playback quality available: HD
Maximum streams at one time: 5
Number of profiles per account: 0
Compatible devices: Smartphone, tablet, computer, some smart TVs and TV streaming devices, YouView set-top boxes