9 ways to watch movies with friends on Netflix, Disney, Hulu and more

It’s the time of year to watch things together with friends and family. It’s easy to long for the time when you can gather around the TV and watch a flick or holiday show. But if you can’t see them in person, or they’re simply too far away, don’t worry. The internet is a world of streaming options that offers almost any type of entertainment.

Once upon a time, the go-to movie-night-with-remote-friends option was Rabb.it, a video streaming website which let users either broadcast their own screens for others, or use the built-in virtual browser to log into one account. The service has since gone to the great internet beyond (press F to pay respects), but thankfully, successors to Rabb.it’s legacy exist — though with varying strengths and weaknesses, since none of them have that service’s exact screenshare technique. As more officially sanctioned watch-party options roll out, there really isn’t one that can do it all, but here are your options.

TelepartyThis app was formerly called Netflix Party

It is what does it support? Netflix, Hulu. Disney Plus. and HBO

Is it necessary for everyone to have their accounts? Yes

How do I use it?The Chrome extension was formerly known as Netflix Party. It recently added Disney Plus, Hulu and HBO. However, you still have the option to watch any Netflix Christmas movie. Once you have installed the Chrome extension, go to your streaming site and click the extension at the bottom. The extension will open a chat room. Once the conversation is over, you can send the link to others. Teleparty supports a group-chat feature, though it doesn’t come with video. Even better, you can create your avatar! It all depends on how the server is performing at the moment. During holiday season, there may be some limitations. However, in the ideal case, it can hold around a hundred people. Teleparty can be accessed in any country that Netflix is accessible. However, before watching with international friends, be sure to check whether the title you’re watching is available in their countries.

Image from Netflix Party

It supports what? Hulu — but only the Hulu (No Ads) and Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV tiers

Is it necessary for everyone to have their Hulu account?You must all have either the Hulu – No ads or Hulu – Live TV tiers.

Image: Hulu

How do I use it?Hulu Watch Party integrates right into Hulu. It can be activated using a little icon found on the detail page for a title towards the bottom. From there, click “Start Watching” and share the link using the chain icon. Not all titles have this option, but according to Hulu “thousands of on-demand movies and shows” are available. Hulu Watch Party does not support titles that aren’t available on Hulu. These include premium add-ons and live TV, such as Starz. Watch Party can be used by up to eight persons.

GroupWatch: Official Disney Plus Choice

It supports what? Disney Plus

Do all people need their Disney Plus accounts? Yes

Image: Disney Plus

How do I use it?GroupWatch is a part of Disney Plus. Scroll to any title in Disney Plus. Click on the GroupWatch icon. You will be asked to share the invitation link with up to six people on the next screen. GroupWatch doesn’t have a chat option, unlike the others. To respond to important moments, GroupWatch uses little emojis. Another downfall to GroupWatch is that it’s designed for users within the same country, and can’t be used internationally.

It supports what? Prime Video

Is it necessary for everyone to own their streaming account?Yes

Amazon Image

How do I use it? Similar to the official options above, it is embedded into each title. Scroll to Prime Video’s title and click on the Watch Party icon. It is located at the bottom of Prime Video, just to the right side of Watch Now. Send the invitation link to your email address and enter your name. You will find the chat room on the right. You’ll also be able to watch on your Fire TV and chat on mobile by scanning a QR code, if you prefer that.

KastTubi: The Vast Realm

It supports what? Tubi and YouTube, though a premium account will allow you to screen share and give you access to Kast’s own library.

Is it necessary for everyone to own their streaming account? No, but you’ll need to make a free account for Kast.

Kast

How do I use it?Various Rabb.it Chrome extensions remain up for whatever reason. However, the links to Kast redirect to them. It’s not exactly the same, but Kast is pretty robust, even if the selection is limited to YouTube and Tubi on the basic plan. You can create an account and launch a party. Then, browse through the available selection. The invite link can then be sent out. Kast allows you to video chat and send text-based messages.

ScenesYou can be the host you desire to see around the globe

It is what does it support? Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus. YouTube, Vimeo. Shudder. Alamo. Showtime. Hotstar. Hulu (ad free), Funimation.

Do all streaming platforms require their own accounts? Yes

Scener

How do I use it? The bonus of Scener is that in addition to cozy private parties of up to 10 people, you can also use it for larger public viewings of up to a million — perfect if you want to try hosting Rocky HorrorOr Cats or any other film that truly benefits from having a wide audience of faithful followers. Be the Elvira you’ve always dreamed of being!

You will need to create a Scener account. Then, download the Chrome extension. From there, navigate to the home page, where you’ll be prompted to create a public or private room. An event can be scheduled in advance.

It supports what?YouTube, Vimeo, Twitch

Do all streaming platforms require their own accounts? No, but mostly because it doesn’t really support streaming platforms.

Image: Petrana Radulovic/Watch2Gether

How do I use it?Watch2Gether allows you to share the podcast episodes with your friends. You can also jam to the same songs or browse the same Wikipedia pages together. This one doesn’t require any fancy Chrome extensions (probably because it is the most limited in scope), but it works well for simple sharing. Simply create a new room and load up the link. Then, share it using the people icon at the bottom. On the right-hand side, you will see the chat button. Live reactions can be made with your camera by enabling the option to enable it.

TwoSevenTeleparty Gaps:

It supports what?YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Crunchyroll (Hulu, Disney Plus, Patreon Options), Crunchyroll, Vimeo, Apple TV, Crunchyroll.

Do all streaming platforms require their own accounts?Yes

TwoSeven

How do I use it? Teleparty doesn’t cover every single streaming service out there, but TwoSeven picks up some of the big gaps like Crunchyroll.

An extension is required to view any content that requires you to login to an account. You’ll also have to manually go into the Chrome extension’s settings to get it to work with Netflix specifically. Once that’s installed, you’ll be able to play your desired content right in the TwoSeven browser. Another perk of TwoSeven is that you can also upload files of movies that you’d like to watch; time to relive your high school iMovie files, like that music videos you made for a microeconomics class, about the Four Principles. Not that I do have any of these files lying around. The best bonus of TwoSeven is that in addition to regular chat, it supports video and audio, so if you want to see a friendly face, it’s perfect.

Metastream: for a shared queue experience

It supports what?Youtube, Netflix and Crunchyroll. SoundCloud. Twitch. Reddit. Google.

Do all streaming platforms require their own accounts? Yes

How do I use it? This one’s especially good for the timeless party activity of loading up YouTube and watching old music videos and Vine compilations. After the Chrome Extension or Firefox is installed, go to the Metastream window. Click on the sidebar to add any media. It’s a little wonky for Netflix, which will pop up in a separate window, but everything else can be added by copying and pasting a link. If you’re having issues with Hulu or Crunchyroll, you’ll have to adjust some Chrome extension settings. You can find more information in the Metastream FAQ. A cool feature of Metastream is that you can queue up media, which really brings the whole “watching old internet videos together” experience to life.

To share a link, simply click on the invite icon once you have started a session. From there, add media with the “add media” button at the center (or to the side if something is already playing). Chat is available, however audio and video are not supported.