Watching movies and shows with friends is a fun activity, but distance can make it tough. Luckily, the internet offers many platforms that let you enjoy films together, no matter where you are. This article looks at the best website for you and your friend to watch shows together, helping you connect with friends over your favorite titles. Read on to find out the perfect solution for your next movie night!
Top 16 Ways to Watch Movies Together with Friends
Finding the best way to watch movies together has become easier than ever with many options available. Here are the top 16 ways to make your next movie night fun and interactive:
1. Kast
Kast is a top choice for many users as it allows up to 20 participants to stream their screens or webcams, while an additional 100 can join as viewers making it ideal for group watch sessions or live events. The platform also works on popular web browsers (Chrome and Edge), desktop apps for both Windows and Mac computers, as well as mobile apps for iOS and Android devices.
Best Features:
- Free Access.
- Voice and Text Chat.
- Animated Reactions (Premium Membership).
- Cloud-Based Library.
- User-Friendly Interface.
2. Rave
Rave combines social media with streaming, allowing you to watch shows and videos from platforms like Netflix and YouTube. Everything stays synced, so you and your friends can enjoy the content together in real-time. There's also a chat feature that makes it easy to discuss what you're watching.
Best Features:
- Public and Private Rooms.
- Unlimited Participants.
- RaveDJ AI Feature.
- Customizable User Profiles.
- Content Sharing from Google Drive and Photos.
- Subtitles Support.
3. Teleparty
Teleparty, formerly known as Netflix Party, allows you to easily sync Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video for group viewing. One person just needs to install the Chrome extension, create a watch party link, and share it with friends.
Best Features:
- High Participant Limit (Up to 1000 participants).
- Real-time Chat.
- Customizable User Icons and Nicknames.
- HD and 4K Streaming Support.
- GIFs and Emoji Integration.
- Voice and Video Chat (Premium Feature).
- Cross-Border Compatibility.
4. Scener
Watching movies with friends is now even better with Scener, where you can host watch parties with video chat features. Scener’s homepage highlights trending shows and movies, making it easy for you to find fresh content and check out what your friends are watching.
Best Features:
- Supports Over 10 Major Streaming Platforms.
- Public and Private Viewing Options.
- Real-Time Interaction.
- Host Control Features.
- Integrated Watchlist.
5. Twoseven
You won’t need to worry about missing out on fun movie nights with friends anymore, thanks to Twoseven. This platform allows you to use different streaming services and share your webcam or audio commentary while watching. As a room creator, you can quickly turn webcams and microphones on or off, set passwords for privacy, and enable screen sharing for interactive fun, like browsing Netflix together.
Best Features:
- Multiple Streaming Service Support.
- Playback Controls for All Participants.
- Persistent Chat History.
- Dedicated Mobile App (iOS & Android).
6. Zoom
While Zoom is mostly for video meetings, it’s widely used for movie nights too. You can show your screen while streaming your favorite films from your device. There are also poll and survey features during movie night to gather feedback, hear opinions, or play fun games related to the movie, making your watch party more interactive and exciting.
Best Features:
- High-Quality Video and Audio.
- Breakout Rooms.
- Whiteboard and Annotation Tools.
- Recording and Sharing.
- Virtual Backgrounds.
- Closed Captioning and Live Transcription.
7. Metastream
Another great option for watching movies together is Metastream, an open-source platform that lets you host watch parties easily. It features a UI design where you and your friends can share links to the shows or movies you want to watch and chat instantly.
Best Features:
- Collaborative Media Queue.
- Timestamp Cue Points.
- Basic Host Administrative Controls.
- Public, Private, and Offline Sessions.
- Supporting multiple languages.
8. StreamParty
Host watch parties with StreamParty on popular platforms like Netflix and YouTube. Easily create invite links so your friends can join your watch party.
Best Features:
- Available Browser Extension.
- Customizable Watch Party Settings.
- Real-Time Chat with Reaction Features.
- Cross-Device Compatibility.
9. Watch2Gether
Watch2Gether is another platform that allows you to create virtual rooms where you and your friends can enjoy videos. You can also create and manage playlists to queue up videos for nonstop viewing, making your watch parties more seamless and enjoyable.
Best Features:
- Wide Range of Supported Sources (YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, SoundCloud, and more).
- Webcam and Screen Sharing Support.
- Room Moderation Tools.
- Temporary and Permanent Rooms.
- Search Functionality.
- No User Account Required for Basic Use.
10. Syncplay
Syncplay is a desktop app that lets you sync video playback across different devices. Instead of streaming, everyone needs their own copy of the media file or access to the same streaming service.
Best Features:
- Supports Different Media Players (MPC-HC, MPC-BE, VLC, and mpv).
- Room-Based Synchronization.
- Chat Functionality.
- Managed Rooms for Large Groups.
- Playback Threshold Settings.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility (Windows, macOS, and Linux).
11. Prime Video Watch Party
You can host Watch Parties for Amazon Originals or any rented or purchased titles, as long as everyone in the group has access to the same content. However, participants need to be in the same country as the host because of licensing agreements.
Best Features:
- Up to 100 Participants.
- Integrated Chat Room and Temporary Chat History.
- Compatibility with Various Devices.
- No Additional Software Required.
- User-Friendly Setup Process.
12. Hulu Watch Party
Everyone can join the same session, chat during the viewing, and explore Hulu's wide variety of content. But Hulu's Watch Party only allows up to eight participants, including the host, which can be limiting for larger gatherings.
Best Features:
- Built-In Emoji Reactions.
- Chat Moderation Options.
- Notification for Out-of-Sync Playback.
- No Additional Fees Required.
13. Disney+ GroupWatch
With Disney+ GroupWatch, up to six friends or family members can be invited to enjoy movies or shows together in real-time. Playback stays in sync, and emojis allow for sharing reactions while watching.
Best Features:
- All Participants Share Playback Control.
- Easy Setup Process.
- Compatibility Across Devices.
- Link Sharing for Invitations.
14. Apple SharePlay
Apple SharePlay is a fantastic way for you to watch movies with friends on your iOS devices. While you’re on a FaceTime call, you can simply show your screen and enjoy content together.
Best Features:
- Seamless Integration with FaceTime.
- Smart Volume Control.
- Picture-in-Picture Mode.
- Support for Multiple Content Types.
- Group Activities Beyond Watching.
15. Plex Watch Together
Plex offers a "Watch Together" feature that allows users to share their media libraries with friends. It creates a virtual space where participants can enjoy synchronized playback of personal or shared content.
Best Features:
- Cross-Platform Support (iOS, Android, Fire TV, Roku, and web browsers).
- No Limit on Invites.
- Playback Control and Subtitle Settings for All Participants.
- Lobby Feature Before Playback Starts.
- Friend Management System.
16. Chrome Watch Party
Chrome Watch Party is another option that utilizes browser extensions to allow synchronized viewing of videos from different platforms. You and your friends can create rooms where they share links and chat while watching together.
Best Features:
- Multi-Platform Support (YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and more).
- Customizable Usernames.
- Emoji Reactions.
- Playback Controls for All Participants.
How to Take Advantage of TRTC to Watch Movies Together Online?
For developers who want to build their own app to watch movies together online, good news! You can easily do so with the screen-sharing functionality of Tencent Real-Time Communication or TRTC. This feature enables you to share your screen with others, allowing everyone to watch the movie together in real-time. You can follow this detailed tutorial to learn how to implement screen sharing in the TRTC Web SDK.
Conclusion
There are many great websites for you and your friend to watch shows together, making it easy to enjoy entertainment from anywhere. Building your own app is also a great option because it allows you to create a customized experience and even earn money through various monetization methods. Not only is it beneficial, but it’s also simpler with SDKs available from TRTC that you can use to streamline development.