With uproar last year surrounding changes to Netflix’s password sharing rules, as well as ongoing discussions on increasing streaming prices and streaming services offering lower cost subscription options with ads, it had me thinking about where I go to most to stream films in Canada. Below, I have provided and overview of each of the streaming services I currently or have been subscribed to, comparing the content and overall experiences I have had on each service, and which one(s) comes out on top.
Netflix
Netflix seems to be the biggest name in the streaming game today, with one of the largest collections of series and films available. Being one of the first out of the gate at the inception of the streaming world, I feel Netflix will stand the test of time as it was many people’s first streaming platforms. This means that for many, especially older or less tech-savvy viewers, they are comfortable and familiar with Netflix, so no matter how much they complicate their subscription process, they know they can rely on this huge and loyal group of subscribers. Netflix definitely excels in their ability to churn out massive amounts of original content, called Netflix Originals, but in recent years, these originals seems to be clearly mass-produced, with what seems like 1 of every 20 or so originals released being actually palatable. Sure, Stranger Things breaks records, Adam Sandler’s Hustle was critically acclaimed, and the Heartstopper captured the hearts of viewers everywhere, but did anyone even watch The Real Rob (2015-2017), or actually enjoy The Kissing Booth 3 (2021)? One positive to this is that subscribers could be convinced to stay for the sheer volume of originals offered, or the chance that every few will be good, but for others, with other options listed below, the new hassles associated with a Netflix membership just aren’t worth it.
Disney+
As a truly nostalgic person, I love visiting Disney+ for the simple assortment of films from my childhood. With classic Disney films, as well as films from Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Fox, Disney has one of the most exclusive libraries on the market. I find I often come here for childhood classics, as well as a good rom-com or feel good movie, but find their overall selection weak aside from these categories and the exclusive content from the studios they have acquired. New releases are added just a couple times per month, with the number of new releases in each group relatively small. Though those that are added tend to be highly anticipated, and exclusive to a Disney+ release. If it weren’t for the exclusivity of Disney’s collection, I don’t think this site would be worth it.
Prime Video
I have always said that Prime Video has a lot of selection, but up until a recent update in their front-end design, was quite tedious to search through. I find that although this update has improved user interaction, they seem to still hide much of their selection, seeming to often pushing the same 100 or so films over the various categories. If I know what specific movie I am looking for, quite often a quick search on Prime Video comes up with the film, included in my membership. But for most casual viewings, where I am browsing rather than searching for a specific film, it seems like the same films appear under every different category, resulting in consumers possibly assuming their options on Prime are quite limited. The biggest plus is that Prime Video is included with an Amazon Prime membership which many people have, and includes affordable subscription options for students.
Crave
Crave is one of my first choices to search through when looking for a movie to watch. As the Canadian streaming home to HBOMax originals, the entire HBO library, and many films and series offered through Showtime and STARZ, it seems to have a generous mix of blockbuster hits and hidden gems. New films and shows are added at the beginning of each month, with currently on air HBO shows like Euphoria and Succession added real time each week, when airing, at their allocated premiere times (often 9 pm EST on Sundays). Crave stands out in its HBO offerings, as well as their abundance in big Hollywood films, even displaying a “Blockbuster Hits” category on their main browsing page. While abundant in these categories, I feel Crave lacks in their international lineup, with few international films other than those that have gained extreme popularity in the west like In The Mood for Love, Chungking Express, and Parasite offered to subscribers. If there are more, they don’t seem to be pushed in categories displayed to viewers or recommended as much, but that could be due to my overall viewing habits.
Mubi
Mubi is a curated streaming platform, home to many independent, international, and Mubi exclusive films, including Decision to Leave (2022), Great Freedom (2021) and Alcarras (2023). Known to have a more “prestigious” catalogue of films, Mubi adds a new film each day, spotlighted as their film of the say. Each film’s description comes with the expected “synopsis”, as well as the additional “our take” paragraph, highlighting some of the unique filmic or thematic aspects of the film, available to the viewer when browsing through the films. This small but fun addition can make for a more enjoyable viewing experience, providing a small insight into each film from a more subjective perspective before the viewer watches. The catalogue is large, but in containing more independent and international films, is not as accessible for the casual viewer looking for a Hollywood or big budget blockbuster film to watch on a Friday night. One upside is they frequently offer discounts, like $1 for 3 months, as well as 1-month free often offered through affiliate links provided by partnerships between Mubi and “film influencers”, which can make a trial run of the service much more affordable.
Hoopla and Kanopy
While I am not going to compare these two to the rest, I encourage everyone to check in with their local library to inquire about subscriptions to these two services. With my library, and many around Canada, subscriptions to streaming services like Hoopla and Kanopy are included with a free library membership, allowing access to hundreds of curated films. I have watched so many on these sites for free through my library, including Pearl (2022), Punch Drunk Love (2002), Rent (2005) and loads of other including many Iranian, French New Wave, and classic Hollywood films not available to stream anywhere else I subscribe to.
To conclude, I find myself going to Crave the most when looking for a film or tv show to watch. I probably go to Netflix or Disney+ the least, and i think the choice between thw two comes down to what each individual subscriber is looking for. For a wider range of more films, Nefltix comes out on top, but if looking for exclusive Marvel and other Disney content, with seemingly less options overall, Disney+ is the way to go. Prime Video is a great option, but only when I feel like really looking, as I find they have a lot of variety available, but I am often recommend the same films over and over, requiring a deep dive into the lists of films to find anything not on the recommendations of the homepage. Mubi has a lot to offer, but with a catalogue that is a bit more “pretentious” than the others, I find I have to be in the right mood to sit and watch a film on Mubi (and have since cancelled my membership). I think in the future, if I were looking for a more curated catalogue, I would try out a subscription to The Criterion Channel, which includes Criterion’s streaming library of more than 1,000 classic and contemporary films, as well as many international independent films.
In terms of originals, Crave gives me access to HBO shows, which I find I enjoy the most as far as series and limited series goes, as well as many blockbuster films not available anywhere else. Disney+ has definitely been on the decline, with the return to theatres and less emphasis on limited series like it did in 2020, with shows like Wandavision. I am not the biggest fan of Prime originals, and it seems like for every 20 or so original films and series Netflix releases, only 1 or 2 are actually worth seeing. Mubi originals are great, but not accessible for all viewers, as well as scarce in their amounts. Overall, if I had to choose one, I would stick with Crave, and the movies and series available to me for free through my local library.
As a final recommendation, JustWatch.com is an amazing free service available online and as an app. After making an account, users can add the streaming sites they have access to, and with one quick search, can find where a film is availble to stream, on the websites they have specifically selected. It also includes where the film is available to rent, like the Cineplex Store or the Apple Store, and provides lists based on the websites each user subscribes to to recommend films available to them on services they already pay for. This is a great resource to avoid searching through 2, 3, 4+ websites to find a specific film, or to use when deciding which service to subscribe to, based on what is available depending on each viewer’s personal taste.
After Screening Cinema 