Best Places to Rewatch Old Movies: Top Streaming Platforms
Streamers are always changing and adapting their collections, but that can sometimes mean that the major platforms have dropped your favourite old movies in favor of new, hot blockbusters.
So let's say you want to watch some classic cinema. Where do you start? Well, we have a few recommendations. We'll list them here in order of how much we love them, and then break our choices down for you below.
- The Criterion Channel
- Tubi
- Kanopy
- Watch TCM
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The Criterion Channel
It's not just snobbery that makes us put The Criterion Channel at the top of our list – although cinephiles all over the world recognize and respect the Criterion stamp as a sign of quality.
No, this channel is our favourite because it's extremely well curated compared to other streamers, hosting more than 2,000 of the most beloved and respected films in history. Not only that, but the channel features interviews and commentary on many of the movies (remember when DVDs used to do that?!) as well as monthly programming.
In other words, watching old movies on The Criterion Channel isn't just about the movies – it's about the bonus content, and the fact that every movie is guaranteed quality.
How Much Does It Cost? Only US$10.99 a month, a pleasant surprise.
Where Can I Access It? That's the one bummer here – currently, the channel can only be accessed from Canada or the USA.
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Tubi
It might not have the classy feel of the Criterion Collection, but Tubi has one major draw – it's free, free, free! Sure you have to put up with ads every once in a while, but that's a small price to pay in 2024, a time where it feels like a jar of pickles costs $75 and your utility bill costs a kidney.
Hahahaha! (*weeps softly into her keyboard*)
In all seriousness, the fact that Tubi is free does sometimes mean that their collection of available movies is eclectic, but there are a ton of great titles on here. Think To Kill A Mockingbird, The Great Escape, 12 Angry Men, The Seven Year Itch, In The Heat of the Night, and a ton more.
There's also a lot of vintage television available on Tubi, including The Three Stooges and classic episodes of Doctor Who.
How Much Does It Cost? Nothing!
Where Can I Access It? Tubi is currently available in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia.
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Kanopy
A little trickier to use than our first two choices, Kanopy also has the benefit of being free – though you'll need a library card or a university card to sign in. Still, if you have one of those it should be pretty easy to sign onto the website and start watching, no subscription required.
Kanopy hosts not only classic Hollywood movies, but also documentaries, video essays, short-form series, education content, and a huge collection of Arrow Films' horror movies.
How Much Does It Cost? Nothing, as long as you have an acceptable library or school card.
Where Can I Access It? Worldwide.
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Watch TCM
Did you know that Turner Classic Movies has a streaming app now? It's not just for hotel rooms and your dad any more!
In spite of their collection being solid, TCM is last on our list because they aren't even close to the others in terms of ease of access or price. In order to sign in and watch movies on the app, you first need to have a TCM cable or satellite subscription.
Alternatively, you can add the Watch TCM channel to your Prime Video membership, Hulu, DirecTV, or other platforms.
How Much Does It Cost? It varies, depending on how you choose to access it.
Where Can I Access It? Worldwide – you'll just need to do some detective work on the best way to add TCM either as its own app (with a cable subscription) or as a channel on another streamer.