How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Paramount+ and Peacock are the cheapest full-service options, with live sports and broad catalogs.
- Max and Apple TV suit couples who want prestige drama and film in one place.
- Disney+ is the family-friendly pick, with Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar in one app.
- MUBI is the pick for film lovers who want a curated pick each day instead of endless scrolling.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Hulu | Current TV and originals | See website | No |
 Max | Prestige drama and film | See website | No |
 Disney+ | Family and franchises | See website | No |
 Peacock | Sports and NBC shows | See website | No |
 Paramount+ | Value and live sports | From $8.99/month | No |
 Apple TV | Ad-free originals | From $14.99/month | 7-day trial |
 Prime Video | Bundled value | See website | 30-day trial |
 MUBI | Curated cinema | See website | 7-day trial |
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We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best Netflix and chill alternatives
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Hulu is the current-TV pick for a night in. It is known for next-day episodes from major broadcast networks, a deep back catalog of sitcoms and dramas, and originals that regularly draw awards attention. A live TV plan adds channels for couples who also want sports and news in the same app. Published comparisons put the ad-supported plan around $9.99 a month.
The trade-off is ads on the base plan and a catalog that leans more on TV than film. Hulu's homepage was blocked from opening in this review, so its details here rest on published comparisons rather than a direct homepage check. For couples who follow current shows together, Hulu's next-day TV is hard to match.
What we like- Next-day TV from major networks
- Strong originals
- Live TV option
Watch out for- Homepage could not be opened here and is kept on search evidence
- Ads on the base plan
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Max, now branded HBO Max, is the prestige pick. Its homepage presents series and movies across HBO, Discovery, and Warner Bros., with current hits and deep catalogs of drama, documentary, and reality. For a movie night, its film library and HBO originals give it the strongest single-app case after Netflix itself.
The trade-off is price: published comparisons put entry pricing around $10.99 a month, with ad-free tiers higher. For couples who bond over prestige drama and big films, Max delivers the most consistent quality here.
What we like- HBO originals
- Large film library
- Discovery reality and documentaries
Watch out for- Higher price than budget services
- No free plan
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Disney+ is the franchise pick. It gathers Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic in one app, with 4K streaming and family profiles that suit households watching together. Published comparisons put entry pricing around $10.99 a month, with bundles available alongside Hulu and ESPN.
The trade-off is range: Disney+ is thinner on adult drama and indie film than Max or MUBI. Disney+'s homepage was blocked from opening in this review, so its details here rest on published comparisons. For couples who love franchise films and animated classics, it is an easy second subscription.
What we like- Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and Disney in one app
- 4K included
- Family profiles
Watch out for- Homepage could not be opened here and is kept on search evidence
- Thinner adult drama catalog
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Peacock is the sports-and-TV pick. Its homepage presents hit movies, must-see TV, and live sports, with plans including Select for TV favorites with ads, Premium for TV, movies, sports, and originals with ads, and Premium Plus with downloads and no ads except limited exceptions. It also offers a student deal: 12 months of Premium at $6.99 a month instead of the current rate of $12.99 a month, and annual plans give 12 months for the price of 10.
The trade-off is that much of Peacock's value sits in live sports like Premier League, WWE, and golf, so film-only couples get less from it. For couples who mix a game with a movie night, Peacock's bundle of sports and TV is strong value.
What we like- Live sports and events
- NBC and Bravo hits
- Premium Plus downloads and fewer ads
Watch out for- Homepage prices not shown in text
- Sports drive much of the value
Starting priceFrom $8.99/month
Free planNo
Paramount+ is the value pick. Its homepage shows Essential at $8.99 a month with ads and Premium at $13.99 a month without ads except live TV, both with 40,000-plus episodes and movies and streaming on three devices at once. It covers NFL on CBS, UFC live fights, UEFA Champions League, and Showtime originals on Premium, plus family content from Nickelodeon and Comedy Central.
The trade-off is that the cheaper Essential plan keeps ads and drops downloads and some Showtime content. For couples who want live sports, big franchises, and a low entry price, Paramount+ is the best value here.
What we like- Lowest entry price here
- 40,000-plus episodes and movies
- NFL, UFC, and Champions League
Watch out for- Essential plan has ads and no downloads
- Showtime originals need Premium
Starting priceFrom $14.99/month
Free plan7-day trial
Apple TV is the ad-free originals pick. Its homepage presents hundreds of exclusive shows and movies with new releases every week, no ads, and a 7-day free trial followed by $14.99 a month. It is the home of acclaimed series like Severance, Slow Horses, Ted Lasso, and The Morning Show, plus Friday Night Baseball and, starting in 2026, every Formula 1 Grand Prix and every Major League Soccer match for US viewers. Family sharing covers up to five people at no extra cost.
The trade-off is catalog size: Apple TV has far fewer titles than Netflix, so it works best as a second service rather than a sole replacement. For couples who want a short, high-quality watchlist with no ads, it is the most polished option here.
What we like- No ads
- Acclaimed originals
- Family sharing for up to five people
- Formula 1 and MLS in the US
Watch out for- Smaller catalog than Netflix
- Higher price than budget services
Starting priceSee website
Free plan30-day trial
Prime Video is the bundled-value pick. It comes with an Amazon Prime membership, which also covers fast shipping and music, so many households already have it without paying for a separate streaming plan. Its library spans licensed films, original series, and live sports including Thursday Night Football, and a standalone subscription is available for those without Prime.
The trade-off is the interface, which mixes included titles with rentals and purchases in a way many viewers find cluttered. Prime Video's homepage was blocked from opening in this review, so its details here rest on published comparisons. For couples who already pay for Prime, it is the cheapest movie night available.
What we like- Included with Prime shipping
- Large film and TV library
- Thursday Night Football
Watch out for- Homepage could not be opened here and is kept on search evidence
- Interface feels cluttered
Starting priceSee website
Free plan7-day trial
MUBI is the film-lover pick. Its homepage presents curated cinema chosen by hand, from classic directors to new voices around the world, with a new film added each day and a 7-day free trial. MUBI GO adds a weekly cinema ticket in participating cities, and its Notebook magazine covers film culture in depth. Published comparisons put membership around $14.99 a month.
The trade-off is intent: MUBI is deliberately small, so couples looking for a new blockbuster each night will run out of mainstream picks fast. For couples who enjoy discovering arthouse and world cinema together, MUBI's curation removes the endless scrolling that kills a movie night.
What we like- Hand-picked films
- One new film a day
- MUBI GO weekly cinema ticket
- Film magazine included
Watch out for- Small catalog by design
- Not for mainstream blockbuster nights
How we chose
We compared these services on catalog depth, originals, live sports, ad load, device support, and price. We opened each vendor's homepage where possible to confirm the service exists today and matches its description; Hulu, Disney+, and Prime Video homepages were blocked from opening in this review and are kept on strong published comparison evidence, flagged here rather than hidden. We did not claim hands-on testing. Where a price could not be verified from the vendor, we wrote See website rather than guessing.
What to verify in a trial
Start with one real movie night, not a browse session. Pick a film you both want to watch, check that it is included rather than a rental, and confirm that playback works on your TV without buffering or sign-in trouble. Next, test the ad load on your plan, since ads change the mood of a night in more than any catalog difference. Finally, check the real monthly cost with any add-ons or bundles, since several of these services cost more once live TV or ad-free tiers are added. Also confirm offline downloads if you watch on planes or at a cabin, and check whether your plan supports 4K on your TV, since some base plans cap resolution.
Also confirm download support for offline viewing, since not every service allows downloads on every plan.
Frequently asked questions
What does Netflix and chill mean?
It is slang for a relaxed night in watching a show or film together, often used for a low-key date night at home. This guide treats it that way, comparing streaming services that suit a cozy movie night, and it keeps the focus on films and shows rather than anything else.
Which service is closest to Netflix overall?
Max, for its mix of prestige drama and film, and Hulu, for current TV and originals. Neither matches Netflix's catalog size alone, so many couples pair one with a second service.
What is the cheapest Netflix alternative here?
Paramount+ Essential at $8.99 a month, confirmed on its homepage. Peacock's student Premium deal at $6.99 a month is cheaper still for eligible students. Bundles can also cut costs: the Apple TV and Peacock bundle starts at $17.99 a month, which beats buying both separately.
Which service has no ads?
Apple TV has no ads on its standard plan. MUBI is also ad-free. Paramount+ Premium, Peacock Premium Plus, and higher tiers of Max and Hulu remove most ads, with live TV and a few shows excepted.
Can we share one account?
Most services allow multiple profiles and simultaneous streams, with Apple TV sharing up to five family members. Check each service's stream limit before sharing across households, since some plans restrict it. Also note that sharing outside your household may breach a service's terms, so keep sharing within the rules of your plan.
What if we cannot agree on a film?
MUBI's one-film-a-day curation removes the choice, which many couples find easier than scrolling. Otherwise, agree on a shortlist before the night starts, or rotate who picks each week so neither person always decides. Setting a time limit for choosing also helps: if no film wins in ten minutes, pick the top title on the list and start watching, since the night matters more than the perfect pick.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.hulu.com
- https://www.max.com
- https://www.disneyplus.com
- https://www.peacocktv.com
- https://www.paramountplus.com
- https://tv.apple.com
- https://www.primevideo.com
- https://mubi.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.