Quarantine and chill.
That’s our new reality, for now at least. If you’ve already torn your way through Netflix’s Tiger King, caught up on every episode of reality TV via Hulu, and even knocked a few classic films off the watch list from the Criterion Collection, we’ve got you covered. Below are six streaming services that are specially curated for independent, documentary, and art house cinephiles. With many platforms offering free trials, now is the perfect time to explore cinema beyond your comfort zone.
Alamo Drafthouse
Last week Alamo Drafthouse announced it would begin offering “Alamo-At-Home,” a virtual cinema initiative led by distributors like Kino Lorber, Film Movement, and Magnolia Pictures to allow independent theaters to digitally offer new films. Their signature programming series “Terror Tuesday” and “Weird Wednesday” return for Virtual Cinema experiences.
IFC Films Unlimited
If you’re an Amazon Prime Video subscriber, you can enjoy IFC Films Unlimited and 100+ more channels — for a free 30-day trial. Watch the best from IFC, like Boyhood, The Babadook, and In The Loop, from the comfort of your own home. After the free trial ends, IFC Films Unlimited bills $5.99/month, cancel anytime.
Kanopy
If you have a library card, then you have access to Kanopy, an on-demand streaming video platform for public libraries and universities that offers films and documentaries. Kanopy has a catalog of 30,000 documentaries, classic, and indie films (including an A24 film category) that can be streamed on a desktop computer, mobile device, and Roku app. While access is free with a library card, there is a limit of 10 credits (films) per month.
Kino Lorber
Last October, Kino Lorber launched Kino-Now an online movie rental and purchase platform with everything from festival hits to silent classics “Battleship Potemkin” and “Nosferatu” and works by Jean-Luc Godard, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Rick Alverson. Kino Lorber President and CEO Richard Lorber bills Kino-Now as a “kind of arthouse iTunes” where some of the most acclaimed films in history will be available at similar price points to Apple’s service.
MUBI
MUBI, the premiere streaming service for curated independent films, has its slate packed with recent festival hits and rediscovered classics. This month, they will celebrate the creative partnership between two icons of French cinema in the double bill Belmondo & Melville. April’s curated line-up also spotlights daring new voices and champions classics from the past. Get 3 months for just $1.
OVID
OVID was launched by a collection of 8 top U.S. Indie film distributors, and consistently adds 20+ titles per month. Since it’s launch one year ago, it has grown its collection from approx. 300 titles to almost 800 today. Enjoy a free 14-day trial, then OVID bills $6.99/month.
