In times like these many of us may turn to a streaming platform to help us through. And if you’re looking for something a little different to Netflix, Amazon or Disney Plus, then Daily Info has you covered. We’ve put together a list of the best alternative streaming platforms out there to help you find the one that suits you.
And if you want both a 90-day free trial to Mubi AND 15% off of 'In Cinema' rentals with Curzon Home Cinema then why not sign up for a memembership to Oxford's own Ultimate Picture Palace who have added both as a benefit for their members.
Shudder
For those horror fanatics looking for a genre hit, Shudder is the streaming platform for you. Iconic cult watches like Oldboy, Donnie Darko and Audition mingle with some cracking exclusive films like One Cut of the Dead, Revenge and Bliss. There are also a few TV series for you to dig into, such as a reboot of Creepshow and The Dead Lands, where an undead warrior must stop an evil from returning. Shudder are even giving anyone who signs up a whole month free with the code SHUTIN. The streaming service starts at £3.99 a month, so why not watch a whole load of horror this pandemic?
Mubi
Mubi works a little different from other streaming platforms. Each day a new film is added, which subscribers have 30 days to watch before they are taken off. Currently you can experience Jean-Luc Godard’s latest (The Image Book), dive back into Park Chan-wook’s Vengeance trilogy or watch Charlie Chaplin’s directorial effort A Countess from Hong Kong (his first in colour). You can get three months for a £1, so hopefully this can cover the time that cinemas will need to be closed.
Curzon Home Cinema
Fans of arthouse cinema will be familiar with Curzon cinemas, and Curzon Home Cinema is the perfect way to watch all their gems during the current pandemic. Films available on the platform include recent releases, like Bacurau, Midnight Family and the stunning Portrait of a Lady on Fire, more esoteric picks that haven’t made it to Oxford (Colour Out of Space, First Love), and older works (Cinema Paradiso, La Dolce Vita). Curzon members get a discount on rentals as well as access to 12 free films every month, curated by the platform. Prices range from £3.99 to £11.99 per rental, so this does feel like a bit of a treat. But then again, this is surely the time for cinematic treats.
BFI Player
The British Film Institute is a jewel in the crown of British cinema and right now the BFI Player is your only way to access their amazing content, with three levels of films to pick from. You can purchase a subscription (for £4.99 a month), which gives you access to some older classics and hidden gems, such as The Seventh Seal, Wake in Fright and Bicycle Thieves, with curated selections to line up with the BFI’s strands. There are also some utterly fabulous new releases you can pay to rent, with the latest releases including The Peanut Butter Falcon, The Kingmaker and Monos. And then there is a wealth of free content, both shorts and features that will allow you to take a journey through the archives of cinema.
iPlayer
As well as some truly outstanding TV content, the iPlayer is home to some exemplary works of cinema. Most of the films that play on BBC channels will end up on the iPlayer for a short time - this currently includes Manchester By the Sea, The Beguiled and The B.F.G. Films on for a longer period include A Simple Plan, Cat People, Happy New Year, Colin Burstead, and Queen of Versailles. There are also currently 13 documentaries to watch in the Storyville strand, with Alex Homes’ fascinating Maiden a particular highlight. Really, there is something for everyone on this entirely free (and ad-free) service.
All 4
Also free, though sadly there are ads, is Channel 4’s on demand platform. As well as TV catch-up and exclusive box sets, this is the place to find films that play on Channel 4’s channels (including More4 and Film4). Viewers have around two weeks to watch the films, and the catalogue has everything from British horror gems A Dark Song and The Ghoul to cracking arthouse fare like Force Majeure and Diego Maradona.