Finding the perfect medium for watching a movie is like finding the perfect restaurant to eat at. It takes a few trials, but in the end, you will find the right platform for you. You might have tried a few options, and nothing seemed to work for you. Fear not, I am here to show you how you can watch movies on your computer, be it a laptop or desktop.
You can either choose to stream movies online or watch them by legally downloading, purchasing, or renting You can either choose to stream movies online from platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney plus, Apple Plus, or you can watch them by legally downloading, purchasing, or renting them.
Now you know how to watch movies on your computer. Do you know where to look? Do you know the best platforms to give you the quality of service you desire? Keep reading to learn more.
How Can I Stream Movies Online?
Over the years, the advancement of technology has made our lives easier. With just the touch of a screen, we are able to accomplish numerous tasks. Watching movies is no exception to this development
Now, you can find a good number of streaming platforms that offer a plethora of movies across all genres. Using these platforms is entirely legal, and you are allowed to use their services.
To ease your stress so that all you have to do is make your popcorn and click on a button, here are some of the best streaming platforms that let you watch movies and series on your computer.
Are Streaming Platforms Free?
The fee for streaming services varies from brand to brand. Some platforms offer you free services (although the library is probably minimal and full of ads), while others charge as high as $15 per month depending on the package you choose.
While the charge might seem high to you, you have to consider the variety of movies and series you will have access to. When you put that into perspective, the price might not seem as scary to you.
Will I Have Access to All Movies on These Streaming Platforms?
The movies and series available for streaming on the service of your choice, depends completely on the service’s parent company and the amount of distributions rights and media properties it owns.
Services that already own a vast library of movies or can afford to buy streaming rights, have the upper hand and can offer their clients the most amount of content to digest.
For example, Disney, the parent company of Disney+, already has rights to classic Disney films such as The Little Mermaid and Lion King, some Marvel movies, Star Wars, and Pixar films. Lucky them, right?
How Do I Pick the Right Streaming Service for Me?
Picking the right streaming service to watch movies on your computer can be tricky. Some factors have to come into play, and you have to make decisions that will benefit you now and in the long run.
Price
As you know, the price for streaming services differ and sometimes, when you consider all the bills you have to pay, you might realize that you do not have enough for a certain subscription package.
So, when choosing a service to patronize, you have to consider how much you are willing to forego monthly. Remember, it isn’t a one-time payment; it is a continuous service that you lose access to once you stop paying.
If you have enough money to subscribe to more than one of these streaming platforms, go for it. You are bound to have a wonderful experience.
Region
Platforms that have been offering their streaming services for a long period have the advantage when it comes to areas covered.
For example, Netflix has been in the game since 1997 and can boast of a broad reach that spans several regions worldwide.
However, this advantage does not apply to all platforms. Some are still relatively new and are still finding their footing regarding how widespread they are.
Putting this into consideration, you have to pick a service that is available where you are. But if you are not patient enough and must use this service now, you could always just download a VPN and stream away.
Exclusivity
Earlier, I mentioned that the number of movies and series a platform showcases depends on its parent company’s distribution right.
There might be a particular movie you have been meaning to watch or a collection of movies you love that is exclusive to a specific streaming service. Maybe you just like a studio and all the movies it churns out.
It is up to you to determine which service has the movies you enjoy most and subscribe to them.
Features
Streaming platforms tend to add features to their services to entice more customers. Some offer 4K videos, some allow for sharing of profiles, and others provide you with the option of an ad-powered or ad-free experience (usually at a cost).
Maybe you are someone who prefers to watch their movies in 4K, or maybe you want to share your account with a family member or friend. These are all features that vary from platform to platform so before you pick one, make sure it has all the features you need.
How Do I Purchase or Rent Movies?
Purchasing or renting movies is probably the least used method for watching movies, but it still works nonetheless.
There are two ways you can acquire movies. You can either buy or them as digital copies, or as DVDs. Yes, DVDs are a dying breed, but some computers, especially desktops, still come with a DVD player which allows you to watch your movie in old-school style.
You can purchase or rent a digital copy of the movie of your choice from several platforms online, and if you buy it, you get to own that copy for the rest of your life. Examples of platforms you can find these movies are Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Apple iTunes, and VUDU.
If you choose to buy a movie, note that each movie will probably cost more than subscribing to a streaming service and this is because you will always be the owner of that copy of the movie.
For those who still appreciate a good old DVD experience, you can buy or rent a disc of your favorite movie on platforms like Amazon, or you can visit a local store that still deals with DVDs.
How Do I Download Movies and Watch Them Using a Video Player?
Streaming isn’t for everyone. Who knows? Maybe you’re one of those people. Well, you’re in luck because you can buy movies online and download them to watch on your computer. Here’s how.
Here are a few websites where you can download movies:
Sadly, you won’t get the diversity you would on a streaming platform but, these sites offer
Now you’ve downloaded your movie, how do you watch it? Most computers come with an in-built video player, but if you do not like the interface or prefer a different player, you can find numerous video players online and download one of them.
Some players come free; others require you make a payment for premium services. These are some of the better-known video players:
- VLC Media Player (Windows and Mac)
- PotPlayer (Windows Only)