13 Ways to Watch Movies Together Online (It’s Easier Than You Think)

A virtual movie night is in order

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Published Mar 8, 2024

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Even though the strictest days of social distancing are behind us, we’ve gotta admit: We’re going to keep some of our pandemic habits alive. Case in point? Watching movies and shows with our favorite people without leaving our couch.

No, we're not talking about an adult slumber party. Instead, you can remotely watch movies together online, thanks to services like Teleparty, Rave and Scener. Even better? Most of them include the option to message or video chat with your friends as you watch, which means you'll have access to the best live commentary. So, grab your popcorn and check out some of the best ways to watch movies together online, even if you’re thousands of miles apart.

Courtesy of Zoom

1. Zoom & Skype

Looking for a hassle-free streaming solution? We recommend scheduling a watch party via a video chat platform like Zoom or Skype—that way, everyone can decide on a movie, press play at the same time and enjoy the picture with minimal tech requirements.

How to watch movies together online with Zoom:

If you don't already have an account, sign up to create a new one.
Once you're signed in, start or schedule a meeting.
Share the link that's generated with your friends and family.
Once everyone has joined, click the "Share Screen" button on your Zoom control panel. Enable the "Share Computer Sound" and "Optimize Screen Sharing for Video Clip" settings, then click "Share."

How to watch movies together online with Skype:

Once you're signed in, click the button with two overlapping screens to share your screen with your friends.
Pull up your movie and hit play.

Try Zoom

Try Skype

2. Prime Video Watch Party

Prime Video Watch Party allows customers to simultaneously watch content. FYI, it allows you to include up to 100 of your friends, and you can select any movie available through Prime. However, everyone needs to be a Prime member, and everyone watching must be located in the same country as the host or at least have purchased the video.

How to watch movies together online with Prime Video Watch Party:

Pick the movie or show you'd like to watch.
Click on the Watch Party Hat icon on the movie's home page.
Type in the name you'd like to use while chatting with friends and click "Create Watch Party."
Use the generated link to share with your friends and family.
Once everyone has joined, you can start watching (and chatting!).

Try Prime Video Watch party

3. Rave

Rave is unique in that it’s the only platform that allows users to sync their streaming services, so they can watch movies together. Not only is it free of charge, but it’s also compatible with the most popular services, like Netflix, Hulu, Max and more. Even better? There’s no limit to the number of people who can join, and you can chat with others while watching in real-time. But keep in mind that all users must have a Rave account and access to the same streaming service.

How to watch movies together online with Rave:

If you haven't already signed up, start by downloading the Rave app and set up your account.
Add people by tapping the menu icon and selecting "Friends." Search for the friends you'd like to add, or you can send text invites for people to join Rave.
Decide what you want to watch. (Sign in to your streaming account if necessary.)
Pull up the movie and hit play.

try rave

Courtesy of Netflix

4. Teleparty

Formerly called Netflix Party, the service allows users to connect with up to 50 people. There’s a Google extension that enables subscribers to chat and watch the streaming service together at the same time.

How to watch movies together online with Teleparty:

Download the Teleparty add-on.
Make sure it's enabled when you’re ready to stream.
Hit play and gossip about the most popular titles. (“Did you see Jen’s blouse in that Dead to Me scene? I need it…now.”)

Try teleParty

5. Twoseven

Introducing another extension that allows you to group stream a variety of services, including Netflix, HBO Now, Vimeo, YouTube and Prime Video. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, the premium version allows you to watch Hulu and Disney+ (for an extra fee, of course).

How to watch movies together online with Twoseven:

Create an account and make sure to download the TwoSeven extension.
After signing in, click on "Start Watching" and create a new private virtual room.
Select "Allow participants to use webcam/mic in this room" and invite your friends to join by sending the link.
Pull up your movie and hit play.

Try TwoSeven

6. Scener

Users can not only video chat while streaming, but they can also message each other and send documents in real-time. Please note that everyone in the group must be subscribed to the streaming service in order for it to work.

How to watch movies together online with Scener:

Create a Scener account and install the extension.
To start a watch party room, go to the website and click the "Host a watch party" button. You can select one of two options: room (for invite-only for up to ten people) or theater (where an unlimited number of guests can join).
Adjust your audio and visual settings, then choose your streaming service.
Invite your friends with the generated link.
Pick a show or movie and enjoy.

Try Scener

7. Hulu Watch Party

Hulu Watch Party allows subscribers to watch movies together, no matter their location. Up to eight people can join, although all participants must be subscribers and 18 or older. Also, Hulu Watch Party is an online-only feature.

How to watch movies together online with Hulu Watch Party:

First, make sure you're logged in to Hulu.com on a supported browser (like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge).
Find the show or movie you'd like to watch, then look for the Watch Party icon, which is located on the Details page next to “List.”
Click "Start the Party," then click the chain button to copy the link and share.
Hit play when everyone has joined.

Try Hulu Watch Party

8. Disney+ Groupwatch

With Disney+ GroupWatch, users can sync up to seven devices across web, mobile and television to watch movies together. It’s important to note that there’s no chat feature—instead, viewers interact via emoji reactions.

How to watch movies together online with Disney+ Group Watch:

Once you've logged in to Disney+, select the movie or show you'd like to watch.
To activate GroupWatch, simply select the icon that looks like three people grouped together, which is located on the right side of the screen.
Click the invite (plus) button to add your friends and family. (You can also share a generated link.)
Start streaming once everyone has joined.

Try Disney+ GroupWatch

9. Kast

Kast allows you to stream online movies (even games!) with whomever you please. It's important to note that the service is free with Tubi and YouTube. But if you want to watch something else—like Netflix—you’ll be asked to pay a small fee.

How to watch movies together online with Kast:

Log in to Kast via their website.
To create a new party, click the button on the bottom left that says "New Party." (Pssst, after you sign up, you'll notice that Kast automatically creates the first party for you, so you can also just click the available link under "My Parties.")
Find what you want to watch with your friends, then click the "share your screen" button.
Invite others to join by clicking the "Invite people" button on the right side. You can also share the provided link.
Start streaming after your friends join!

Try Kast

Metastream

10. Metastream

Metastream is a foolproof platform that connects people, one movie at a time. Unlike the other services, users can add multiple URLs to their queue, which will play consecutively. That way, you’ll never run out of options.

How to watch movies together online with Metastream:

Create your account on getmetastream.com and download the extension.
After signing up, click “Start Session.”
Click the “Invite” button to share the link with your friends. (You also have the option of making this watch party public or private.)
Once your friends have joined, simply paste the URL for the video you'd like to watch in the bar and click “Add to Session.”
Remember that you can actually build a queue for everyone to watch, so if you'd like to add another, click a video source in the middle of the screen, search for the video you want and click “Add to Session.”
Hit play once your queue is all set.

Try Metastream

11. Apple SharePlay

SharePlay is a great option if everyone has an Apple device. It's compatible with Apple TV+, Pluto TV, Hulu, Max, Disney+, Paramount+, ESPN+ and more. The only downside? It won't work with Netflix or Prime Video.

How to watch movies together online with Apple SharePlay:

Launch FaceTime on your device.
Select the "new FaceTime" button to invite your friends to the group video call. (Another option is to select "Create Link" and share it with others.)
After everyone joins, launch the video streaming app and hit play.

Try Apple SharePlay

12. Plex Watch Together

With Plex Watch Together, you and your friends get to watch movies together via the Plex Media Server and Plex's movie library. It's compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS and more. However, it doesn't include a chat feature.

How to watch movies together online with Plex Watch Together:

Launch Plex and choose the movie you'd like to watch.
Then, select the "More" button (which looks like three dots) and choose "Watch Together."
Select the friends you want to invite to the watch party, then hit "Done."
After everyone has accepted the invite, the movie will automatically start to play.

Try Plex Watch Together

Google

13. Chrome Watch Party

Chrome Watch Party is a free tool for watching movies and shows, and it's compatible with browsers like Firefox, Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. It syncs movies from several streaming platforms, including Max, Netflix, Hulu and Disney+, and friends can have group video or audio chats as they watch.

How to watch movies together online with Chrome Watch Party:

Download the extension/add-on to your browser.
Click the "Watch Party" icon and fill out the three text fields to create a new party.
Once you've invited everyone, select your streaming platform, choose a movie and hit play.

Try Chrome Watch Party

Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty Images

How Do Watch Parties Work?

Watch parties allow streamers to virtually enjoy movies and TV shows with their friends and family without ever leaving the comfort of their couch. The videos are synced for those who join, so you can stream content at the same time. Most services have additional features—like chatrooms—so participants can communicate through their computers.

It’s important to note that, in most cases, everyone needs to have a streaming subscription in order for the watch party to be successful. (For example, if the movie is available on Netflix, all parties must have an active Netflix subscription.)

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Greta Heggeness

Senior Editor, News and Entertainment

Writes and edits news and entertainment content
Specializes in breaking celebrity news, royal family coverage and TV show and movie recommendations
Has 9 years experience in entertainment coverage

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