But it’s possible for you to host a watch party and watch movies with friends online.
These services make it easy.
One of the Most Accessible Ways to Share Movies: TeleParty
Works with most popular streaming services.
ATHVisions / E+ / Getty Images
Newer and older release movies.
Only works on Chrome and Edge browsers.
Only available on desktop or laptop computers.
Hulu
TeleParty (formerly Netflix Party) is the feature that started it all.
Once it’s installed, choose a movie and then create a TeleParty.
you could even chat with each other.
Automatically syncs everyone’s video.
Anyone can control playback.
Must be friends with someone before inviting them to join.
Hulu
Does not support chat features.
In addition, watching content with friends and family online is free.
Watch Together works with a lot of different platforms, too.
Scener
Everything from Android and iOS to smart TVs and video game consoles are supported.
Once playing, anyone participating can also control video playback.
However, Plex Watch Together doesn’t offer any chat options.
And if you want to invite someone to join, you have to be friends with them first.
Thousands of on-demand movies and TV shows.
Unlimited people can join.
Can only be used on a web surfing app.
Huluis one of the top streaming services available.
Chat alongside the movie as you watch.
Create limited-attendance rooms or open a theater for anyone to join.
Must sign into your streaming service account through Scener.
Chat disappears when viewing in full screen mode.
Some streaming services are only available in the U.S.
Must pay to remove ads.
Scener is aChrome web app extension that you could addto create and share watch parties of any size.
A typical private room can hold up to 10 people.
A theater can host any number of people.
To start using Scener, you have to roll out the extension.
Select your options for services and what to watch, then add friends and start chatting.
Watch Videos With Friends Across the World: TwoSeven
Can join for free.
Free tier supports YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Max, and more.
Automatically syncs participants' video.
Can share web cam video for live reactions.
Some services, such as Disney+ and Hulu require a Patreon subscription.
Requires Firefox or Chrome web browsers for most features.
TwoSeven is a free watch party app that automatically syncs everyone’s videos and has no participant limits.
Any number of people can join, and many different services are supportedfrom YouTube to Netflix, and more.
There are some drawbacks, however.
You’ll also need to sign up with Patreon to use Screen Share.
So if you want to watch something on Netflix, everybody needs to have their own Netflix subscription.
Watch Streaming Media With Friends: Metastream
Can share any videos that have a URL.
Able to set up a queue for continuous play.
Supports chat and timestamp markers.
Only offers text chat (no voice).
More complicated to set up and run than other services.
Requires Firefox or Chrome.
Once you get things set up, start a session and share your friend code to invite anyone.
Text chat is supported, and if the linked videos use timestamps those are also included.
This means you won’t have to find something else to watch after the current show ends.
Currently, Metastream is only available for Firefox and Chrome, so other web browsers won’t work.
Watch Parties Made Easy: Kast
Premium account supports Screen Share and Kast’s own media library.
Supports video and text chatting.
Share with up to 100 people.
Free accounts aren’t limited in what they can watchonly what they can share.
Free accounts are limited to sharing Tubi and YouTube streams.
Includes ads unless the host has a premium subscription.
Kast is a solid option in situations where not everybody has access to the same streaming services.
However, Discord limits screen sharing to a maximum of 10 users.
Then choose something to watch.
