Millennials have been blamed for ruining everything from the restaurant industry to marriage. In a world where everything we want costs money, there are few pleasures we can find that don’t vie for our paychecks. We can’t afford to go to concerts as often as we’d like, restaurants are pricey, and there’s only so many times we can pay $7 for a latte and sit in a coffee shop. We need something else, and that’s where movies and TV come in.
Unfortunately, actually going to the movies costs an exorbitant amount of money. But thankfully, streaming services have stepped up to the plate to offer a breadth of movie and TV options that range from nostalgic classics to current hits to completely original programming. Since we ruined the restaurant industry and will be eating dinner at home, subscription services are a pocket-friendly way to unwind and enjoy.
Cable packages are expensive and tend to come with other things we don’t need, like a landline phone number and a ton of channels we aren’t interested in. Why not pay for exactly what we want to watch, without all the extras? With subscriptions starting as low as $5 a month—and a lot of them offering free trials so you can see what they’re about. From Netflix to Sling, check out these cable alternatives.
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Prime Video is included with an Amazon Prime account. This membership is a little more pricey, but with the rate we online shop, $100 a year is worth it for the 2-day shipping feature alone. Amazon Prime is home to a variety of acclaimed original shows, as well as all HBO favorites like Sopranos, Sex and the City, and Six Feet Under.
Hulu also has a range of subscription plans, starting at $7.99/month and working up to $39.99/month to include live TV. You can also utilize the different add-ons to create a package that’s perfect for your watching needs.
Netflix offers three different streaming plans for you to choose from, in addition to a DVD plan where you have the option to get physical DVDs to borrow for titles unavailable for streaming. The platform also comes with the ability to download shows onto your phone or other devices to watch TV on the go.
Pluto TV is a free streaming site that gives easy access to what’s already available online. Although you won’t find traditional TV channels available here, it’s a one-stop site for less conventional videos and 100+ channels that are curated to suit different categories, including sports, news, and entertainment.
Sling TV allows you to customize your channel lineup for $25/month, from a selection of sports, cooking, travel, and kids’ channels. Sling tends to run specials on a regular basis—right now they’re offering a free Roku device with one prepaid month of the service!
Crackle is a free streaming service with movies, popular TV shows, and original content available for streaming. Your Crackle profile is customizable, with the options to start a Watch Later list, set alerts for new seasons or movies, and stream on multiple devices. There is also no limit to the amount you are able to stream on your devices; binge watching has never been easier.
For $10 a month, VRV gives you premium access to Crunchyroll, Boomerang, Nerdist, throwback Nickelodeon shows, and handpicked horror movies, just to name a few. There’s a 30-day free trial available if you’re looking to see if VRV is right for you, but the variety of shows offered is nothing to sneeze at. VRV also comes with the ability to stream different channels of original content from gamers.
YouTube TV comes with a $40 price tag and allows you to stream on three devices simultaneously, with up to six accounts per household. YouTube TV offers over 40 channels of live TV in addition to access to YouTube original shows and movies. They are currently offering a 30-day free trial.
