That is the eternal question.
There are so many streaming services. Like, how do you decide which service is worth it? I currently use five. I’ve also been on a binge-watching spree. So, I thought it’d be fun to talk about streaming services. You know, which ones are worth it and what I’ve been watching. We all know I’m not cool enough to partner with any of these streaming services so, these are my thoughts, feelings, and opinions. I’ll be letting you know which services I think are worth the subscription and which are skippable.
First up, we’ve got Netflix! I don’t remember life before Netflix. I’ve used Netflix since they sent DVDs straight to your house. I can also say it’s my most utilized streaming service. I love Netflix’s original series. They’re some of my favorite shows to watch. I recently watched Emily in Paris in under 12 hours. I know, I know I’m late for the party. I usually am when it comes to series. Reason one, I don’t have the time to enjoy it. Reason two, I let other people’s opinions sway the urgency. Like, with Emily in Paris, people said it was on the cheesier side. Don’t get me wrong; I love cheesy TV and movies, but I need to be in the mood. The mood finally struck. I’ve got to say, Emily in Paris, not cheesy at all. It was fun and lighthearted and totally bing-worthy. Halfway through my bing-a-thon, I decided to check the status of the series. I didn’t want to finish the show if there wasn’t going to be a second season. Thankfully there is! But Netflix is notorious for canceling great shows. They always, ALWAYS cancel a show at a crucial moment. If I had a nickel, for all the cliffhangers Netflix has left me with, I’d be a billionaire. That’s my biggest issue with Netflix, also taking off Friends. But that’s where HBO Max comes in.
Netflix: Subscribe
HBO Max came to the rescue! I won’t lie; part of the reason I hopped on the HBO train was for Friends. I’m also a huge fan of HBO series, like Sex and the City and Euphoria. Thanks to HBO Max, I’ve been able to maintain my love for movies safely at home. HBO doesn’t charge extra for the latest movies. If it’s on their streaming service, it’s available for your viewing pleasure. It’s not just the movies or the series. We all know how much I like crime, which means I’m always looking for new documentaries. HBO has had some of the best this year. Like, The Vow, Murder on Middle Beach, and Farrow v. Allen. Honestly, I can’t think of any flaws. It’s a yes from me.
HBO Max: Subscribe
We’ve had a good run, but all good things must come to an end. Amazon, I love you. I use you for everything. I don’t know if I could live without my Amazon Prime. But why do I need to pay extra for movies or series when I already pay for prime? Like, why is that a thing? If I’m already subscribed to prime and have access to these things, why is that access limited? Sometimes if I want to watch the free version, it includes ads. Now don’t get me wrong, ads aren’t the end of the world. To me, it just feels like a principal thing. I mean, when Amazon Prime is the only service that has a specific movie (or show), I’m not going to pay extra. I’ll take the ads! There are some great originals on Amazon Prime. I love adult cartoons; Amazon recently released a superhero one. It’s called Invincible. You should definitely watch it. As far as this service goes, I wouldn’t go out of my way for it. If you have Amazon Prime, I think you have Amazon Prime Video. But I’d use it as a last resort! I’m talking desperate times, desperate measures.
Amazon Prime: Skip
Disney+ you do the same thing to me! I love Disney. Having a place to watch all of my old favorite series and movies is everything I ever wanted. Can you think of anything more nostalgic than Lizzie McGuire? I also love their original series. I won’t give any spoilers, but I will say that you NEED to watch Wanda Vision as well as The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. Wanda Vision is unlike any show I’ve seen before. The first episode or so might seem a little weird, but I swear it’s worth it. I didn’t binge-watch this series. Disney+ releases shows on a week-to-week basis, so I kept up weekly. I’m not sure if it works as well as a binge-a-thon. I think the anticipation and the waiting added to the enjoyment. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier is a different story. I binged almost this entire series in one go. The flow of this storyline works very well as a binge. I wish I could say more, but I honestly don’t want to spoil anything! Just, please take my word for it. The production is flawless. I swear every episode is like a mini Marvel movie. The biggest gripe with Disney+ is the additional charges. Some of the costs of their new releases are mind-blowing. Like, why do I need to pay for a movie when I pay for the subscription? I don’t understand.
Disney+: Subscribe
Finally, we have Hulu. Hulu is more of a convenience thing. They offer package deals that include channels (premium), live TV options, and bundling with Disney+ and ESPN. I have the bare minimum because that’s all my wallet would allow. But it’s honestly enough for me! I’m able to catch up on a variety of crime shows and see things I’ve missed. I don’t watch cable a lot, so I almost always forget when things are on. With Hulu, I can watch it the next day. My only issue with Hulu is that I don’t need it. It’s more of a pleasure subscription. I have a smart TV that has free apps. More than half of those apps are for TV and movies. So, the shows I’m watching on Hulu are elsewhere, for free. Like this new freeform series called Cruel Summer. It’s brand new, but I’m addicted. It’s another show doing something I’ve never seen before. It takes place throughout three summers. Each episode explains a specific day through each year. It’s hard to explain; but worth it. I think I’ve proven how much of a sucker I am for original series. Hulu, like every other service, has them. Streaming services everywhere saw me coming from miles away.
Hulu: I’ll be honest, this is a toss-up. I think it would work better as a bundle. Get the best of both worlds. Or I guess triple the entertainment. Either way, bundle it!
Which will you choose?
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