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Whether you are in a long-distance relationship or a million miles apart from your best friend, with these ten free ways to watch movies together online, nothing stops you guys from setting up a virtual watch party and enjoying movie night like you are together!
These watch party apps and services not only give you a perfect sync feature but also enable you to have a video chat, voice chat, and textual messages with each other. All while watching the movie.
Without any further ado, let’s explore our best options for watching movies and shows together with your loved ones using online watch party services. These services work even if you are in LDR.
1. Teleparty
Teleparty, previously known as Netflix Party, is a fantastic way to watch live TV, movies, and even TV series with your loved ones, no matter where they are, for free.
The platform lets you set up and stream watch parties using multiple streaming channels, including Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video.
Requirements
The add-on is compatible with multiple browsers, including Google Chrome, Opera, and Microsoft Edge.
For mobile devices, if you have an Android device, you can get a dedicated app from the Play Store. Support for iOS devices will be added later.
How it works?
Download and install the Teleparty add-on for a compatible web browser. Then, head over to the streaming service website and play the movie or content.
Now, you have to click on the red NP button located at the top-right corner of the browser to host the chat room.
Simply copy the party link and share it with your friends to invite them to join your streaming party.
2. Apple FaceTime SharePlay
If everyone has Apple devices, including you, your loved ones, and your long-distance friends, the perfect solution in this scenario would be to use Apple’s SharePlay feature, which is built into FaceTime.
It enables you and your friends to watch movies and shows and even listen to music together regardless of the streaming service you use, including Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Apple TV+, and others.
Requirements
SharePlay is compatible with iPhones running iOS 15.1 and above, iPads running iPadOS 15.1 and above, Macs running macOS 12.1 and above, and Apple TVs running TVOS 15.1 and above.
How it works?
The simplest way to start a SharePlay session is to hold two iPhone devices close together. This only applies if both of you are together.
If you two are a million miles away, you can begin the SharePlay watch together session by sending an invitation while both of you are on a FaceTime call.
All you need to do is find the show or movie you want to watch, tap the share icon, and select the SharePlay option. In the To field, enter the contact you want to share with, and tap FaceTime.
3. Kosmi.io
Kosmi.io is a free web app that allows you and your friends to watch movies and TV series, listen to music, browse websites, and play games together fully synchronized.
The best part about this web service is that you don’t need to create an account. Simply create a room and invite your friends by sharing the room link. Then, you can begin screen sharing, watch the same video by sharing the URL, or even load a local file stored on your device.
Requirements
Dedicated mobile apps are available for mobile devices; however, the recommended method of enjoying Kosmi.io services is to use a tablet or a desktop.
How it works?
Visit their official website, click on the yellow launch button, click on the Create a Room button, give your virtual room a name, and click Create.
Now, you can invite friends into the room by sharing links, screen sharing with them, watching any online video, or listening to music with them. While enjoying all the entertainment, you can communicate via video calls, voice calls, and even textual messages with support for GIFs.
4. Discord Screen Sharing
It might be a little tricky in some cases, but Discord screen sharing does wonders if you have properly set it up for streaming. The best part is that you and your friends can continue to chat.
You can stream almost any content with your loved ones regardless of whether they have a subscription, as you will be sharing your screen.
Requirements
Discord allows you to screen share only on voice channels. You need to make sure you are in the correct channel. It works on both mobile and desktop devices.
How it works?
In Discord, you might need to add the movie streaming app or your browser as a game by going into the User Settings option and adding the app there.
You will have to disable hardware acceleration, and now you need to begin the screen sharing by selecting Go Live within the voice channel.
5. TwoSeven
As the name of the web service sounds, the service itself is the simplest. TwoSeven is designed and developed by a couple who have been in LDR (long-distance relationship) for several years.
The aim was to bridge a gap between two couples who have been longing to enjoy and watch movies, TV series, or videos together regardless of the distance between them, along with the ability to auto-sync video playback as well as the possibility to enjoy webcam and textual chats.
Requirements
The only requirement is a TwoSeven account. A subscription to streaming services (like Netflix, HBO, or Disney+) would be a plus.
However, you can even stream and watch locally stored videos or films via screen sharing.
How it works?
Sign up by visiting the official website. Then, you can either install a Chrome add-on or use the web app to watch and stream the content with your friends and family without any limitations.
6. Scener
Scener is a free service that doesn’t require any subscription to begin a watch party for movies, TV series, and other online content. The service ensures the video is perfectly synched between everyone who has joined the stream.
The app natively supports various streaming services, including Tubi, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Hulu.
Requirements
As a host, you are required to begin the watch together party using the Google Chrome extension or iPhone running iOS 15 and above.
You also need to ensure that everyone joining your watch party has access to the content you are playing and a valid account.
How it works?
The very first step is to download and install the Chrome extension on your desktop web browser by going to the official website and clicking on the Get Scener button.
You then need to add your friends to the list with whom you want to enjoy the watch party. You will be required to add them individually by searching their names. Once everyone is added, you can begin the watch together session.
For control, anyone with remote access can play, skip, rewind, pause, and stop the show. Remote access can also be easily passed on to other friends with just a simple click.
7. Rave
Rave is a free multi-platform app that lets you set up a watch party and watch movies from a variety of streaming services with amazing sync without limiting the number of people who can join.
With streaming support, the app gives you access to chat using in-app texting and voice chat systems.
Requirements
Rave is natively available on multiple devices, including Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, iPad, Chromebook, AndroidTV, and GoogleTV.
App for relevant devices can be easily downloaded from their official website or by searching on the app store.
How it works?
To begin with, you and all your friends are required to create a Rave account and have access to the streaming service.
You or your friend must create a room and send an invitation to others, which can be done by sharing the invite link.
8. Hyperbeam Watch Party
Hyperbeam Watch Party is a free web app that allows you to enjoy any content together and browse the web. The possibilities are endless.
You can easily watch endless movies and series with your long-distance partner or set up a watch party with your buddies and binge-watch your favorite film regardless of where in the world you are.
Requirements
To enjoy the services, you first need to create an account at Hyperbeam.
You can then download the Hyperbeam web browser for Windows, Linux, and Mac. If you have Android, you can also download a mobile app.
How it works?
Once the browser is installed and set up, one person needs to create a room by clicking on the Add Room option. Give it a name and maybe a picture (if you want). Once done, click Create.
You can get an invitation link for this room by clicking on a button with a green plus sign. Simply send this link to the friend you want to invite, and they can then join you at the watch party.
Concluding Thoughts
In a world where connections matter more than ever, watching movies together online has become the perfect way to stay close to our friends and family, no matter how far away we are.
Whether you’re planning to host a virtual movie night, want to laugh together at a classic comedy series, or want to watch every twist of a thriller, these eight apps and online services we have reviewed here will make it easy to create unforgettable shared experiences.
In the comments below, let us know which method worked best for you to arrange a watch-together movie party with your loved ones!
