The number of streaming services for movies and TV shows continues to rise. Disney+ launched recently, and mainstays like Netflix and Hulu are still going strong. On top of that, multiple services allow you to rent or buy your favorite content. The plus side of that is that there's more content than ever to enjoy. The downside is that you'll need a lot of apps and subscriptions to see all of your favorite content (not to mention trying to figure out what to watch). Here are the best apps to make sure you can stream all of your favorite films and TV shows.
Watch it first
Vudu
Staff pick
Vudu has an incredibly large catalog of movies and TV shows for you to rent or buy. Vudu prides itself on getting content before it's available on Blu-ray or DVD, so it's great for people who're dying to see the latest films first. It also has a plan where you pay to convert DVDs to digital content. Vudu is also a part of Movies Anywhere, so you can watch the content you bought on other supported services and vice versa.
Ol' reliable
Netflix
Netflix is one of the oldest streaming companies still going. It has a massive library of movies, TV shows, and a lot of original content. It's great for binge-watching, documentaries, and entertaining the family. Its Windows 10 app also has picture-in-picture mode, which makes it easy to keep watching.
Movies and live TV
Hulu
Hulu has a massive library of movies and some of the best original content around, but its focus is getting episode of TV the day after they air. You can start with a basic package that's quite affordable, and add on content like Live TV and HBO. Its Windows 10 app is a progressive web app, so it's regularly updated and works well.
Opening the vault
Disney+
Disney exploded onto the scene with the launch of Disney+. It has a library full of Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar content, along with all the Disney classics. Disney+ is a progressive web app, so you can easily watch it in a browser or install it through Microsoft Edge.
Rent or buy
Microsoft Movies & TV
This app comes built right into Windows 10 and allows you to buy or rent popular movies and TV shows. Microsoft Movies & TV works with Movies Anywhere, so content you buy in it will show up on other supported services and vice versa.
TV anywhere
Sling TV
Instead of streaming specific movies or TV shows on-demand, Sling TV gets you access to live television on a wide range of networks. It has major news networks, channels you're used to seeing on cable, and plenty of live sports channels. It also has a Cloud DVR so you can record content and watch it later.
Living the dream when you stream
There's never been a better time to be a fan of movies and TV now that a lot of us are working from home. Hundreds of thousands of shows and movies are at your fingertips on a whole slew of Internet-connected devices. That includes Windows 10 PCs, which allow you to stream content whether you rent it, buy it, or get it through a subscription.
Vudu is the most versatile movie and TV service that has an app on Windows 10. With it, you can buy or rent movies before they're out on Blu-ray or DVD. You can also convert your own DVDs to digital content that you can watch on Vudu for a price. On top of that, Vudu is part of Movies Anywhere, meaning if you buy content on any supported service, you can see it on Vudu and vice versa.
If you prefer to binge watch TV shows, Netflix should be your first port of call. It's been on the streaming market since the beginning and is an excellent service for streaming TV shows and films.