CinemaSpin Article

With more time to spend at home during the COVID-19 quarantine period, streaming services are fighting for who gets your family’s attention by each offering you a little something special. While some are allowing free streaming, others are releasing movies and shows early. So, what is each bringing to the table?

Amazon Prime Video has launched its Cinema platform which brings to you (for purchase) movies that were set to be released in theaters, but no longer can due to closures. Some releases include Disney Pixar’s Onward, the highly anticipated and controversial Universal Pictures film The Hunt, and the eighth DC Comics movie Birds of Prey. These films, and others, are available now for $19.99 each. Additionally, Amazon has made various children’s shows available to all users for free–no prime account necessary. 

Disney+ is also working to make sure you and your family have entertainment through this hard time. Earlier this month they announced the early release of Frozen 2–three months before its expected date. In a statement, Disney’s CEO Bob Chapek shared, “Frozen 2 has captivated audiences around the world through its powerful themes of perseverance and the importance of family, messages that are incredibly relevant during this time, and we are pleased to be able to share this heartwarming story early with our Disney+ subscribers.” 

Rise of Skywalker also made an early digital release on March 17 and is set to be sold on DVD March 31. 

Hulu has partnered with Disney+ and ESPN to offer a bundled free seven day trial of all three platforms and then a rate of only $13 a month after that. Hulu has also released episodes of their show Little Fires Everywhere early. 

While Netflix hasn’t made any changes during this time, they still have many new shows for your streaming pleasure. Most notably, the release of their docuseries Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness. This true-crime series tells the story of Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also known as Joe Exotic, The Tiger King. In January, Netflix also released a docuseries titled Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak that chronicles pandemics throughout history. Both are currently trending in the top ten most-watched shows in the United States and guarantee to have you sitting in front of the TV for hours. 

Not only hoping to attain your viewership, these streaming services are also looking for something to bring us together and give us something to talk about beyond the news. Whether that’s a new show to binge-watch, or a movie with the family, they are giving us something to look forward to.