These days, it’s hard to have fun with friends when you’re spending time away from each other. But that doesn’t mean it’s unachievable. Thanks to today’s technology, there are many ways to spend time with friends even when you’re apart. From watching movies to playing games, the list is endless. We’ll teach you how to watch movies with friends online for free so you’ll never miss a movie night again.
Here are some of the best sites to watch movies with friends and end your cabin fever.
How to Watch Movies With Friends Online Easily
Metastream
Metastream is a great tool to help you watch movies with friends online. There is a desktop app available for you to download. But if you prefer not to, you can also opt to use the browser version. What’s great about Metastream is its interface. Built for multitasking, Metastream lets you seamlessly switch between watching movies with friends and other work. The screen minimizes to a small screen so you can simultaneously play a game or cram a report.
Metastream lets you chat with friends on the side as the video plays. The host can even queue up several other videos for seamless streaming. You can watch any video from many streaming services on the app. Metastream currently supports Netflix, Hulu, Twitch, Crunchyroll, and YouTube. You can also get the Metastream extension on Google Chrome and Firefox.
Watch2Gether
Watch2Gether is a Chrome extension that will let you watch any movie with friends online. All you’ll need is a link or file to set up, and you’re good to go. It’s a simple, intuitive extension with no bells and whistles. It’s the best way to watch movies with friends online. You won’t need to create a new account, just a temporary nickname. The host can set rooms to public, allowing any user to join. From there, you can also manage who has access to the room when you set it to private.
Watch2Gether has a small screen on the left that will display your movie. To the right, there is a chatbox so you can easily communicate with other members in the room. You can watch just about anything, as long as everyone disables any ad-blockers. There might be a few kinks here and there, but it’s an overall great site to use.
NetflixParty
If cabin fever has got you down, NetflixParty offers a simple solution. This Google Chrome extension lets you watch any Netflix shows and movies with friends. Unfortunately, everyone involved needs a Netflix account for it to work. If they don’t have an account, Netflix gives out a 30-day free trial that you can cancel any time. Or, if you’re feeling generous, you can always lend your account. That is, within your subscription’s screen limits.
The app is pretty easy to use. All you need is to set up the movie you want to watch. From there, the extension icon (NP) should turn red. When you click on it, you can press “Start the party” and start streaming. To share the stream with others, just copy the link and send it. You can see who enters the room and watches. This way, you can watch with friends and family to feel a little less alone in these times.
Scener
Scener is a great app specifically designed for watching movies with friends online. To date, Scener only streams movies and shows from Netflix. But we’re hoping they add more streaming services in the near future. All you need to do is install a Chrome extension, run the app, and create an account. It also needs to be installed by anyone you want to watch with. From there, you can share the link or code with friends.
Hosting up to 20 people, you can simultaneously video chat with friends as you watch. That way, you get to see everyone’s real-time reactions to the movie. Scener even has a remote control feature to handle playback options. If you’re the host, you can pause, play, and rewind anytime. Alternatively, you can pass along the remote to others in the room.
TwoSeven
TwoSeven allows you to watch, chat, and see your friends all in one go. With a sleek and useful interface, TwoSeven has a video and text chat feature in the same window. Like Metastream, the app supports a number of streaming services you can link to it. Aside from Netflix and YouTube, you can also watch videos from Vimeo, HBO Now, and Amazon Prime Video.
In TwoSeven, you can add people as friends so it’s easy to watch again with them in the future. The app is free to use, but you can avail of a subscription tier for more features. With US$5-$20/month, you can also watch movies from Hulu or Disney+. TwoSeven is currently offering a subscription of as little as US$3 right now. All you need is to access their Patreon and subscribe from there.
Gaze
Gaze is the perfect date night solution for long-distance couples or friends. The only downside is that Gaze only lets two people use the room at a time. You can’t watch with a group of friends, but it’s perfect for couples who are away from each other. In fact, Gaze developers designed the site with intimacy in mind. Based on “The Rope of Intimacy” framework, it aims to give long-distance couples a place to ease into natural conversation.
The site will let you watch any YouTube videos available. It even lets you play locally stored media files. However, you need to make sure both parties have the file on hand. Its charming interface adds to that romantic, date night ambiance. Many have raved about Gaze, and it’s easy to see why. It’s one streaming site you don’t want to miss out on.
Plug.DJ
With Plug.DJ, you can virtually hang out with friends in any way possible. As its namesake suggests, the app originally intends for you to share and mix music with friends. But with its recent new features, you can watch movies there as well. The site has a fun interface that will make you feel like you’re in a virtual party with friends. There might be a slight learning curve in the beginning. But once you get the hang of it, you can watch with friends online seamlessly.
The app comes with a queue where you can search and curate a list of things to watch. Simply drag and drop to rearrange the videos and music lined up. Plug.DJ even lets you import playlists for YouTube and create new ones. You can then use these playlists for future streams.
Discord
Discord is a popular messaging application home to many online communities. It has a range of features to help you connect with friends or people with the same interests. With topnotch screen-sharing capabilities, it’s worth checking out. You can opt to create a group DM for any of your friends, in which case you can screen-share. Otherwise, you can use media channels on existing servers to do so. Thanks to screen sharing, all it needs is for one person to host and all to enjoy.
To host, simply display the movie or show on the screen. Because you’re screen sharing, you can watch a movie from any site or app. If you’re the only one in your group with a Netflix subscription, this should be easy. If not, you can always check out free Putlocker alternatives and watch anything you want.
Zoom
Zoom is a video conferencing app commonly used by remote teams and businesses. But did you know, you can watch movies with friends on it, too? Because it is widely used by big companies, the app has a large room capacity. A Zoom meeting can host up to 1,000 participants. While it can only show 49 screens at a time, if you’re watching a movie, you only really need one. So, you can extend your movie night invitation to friends of friends, and have a virtual party!
The app is free to use and available on most platforms. However, if you’re worried about recent privacy issues on Zoom, never fear. There are still some Zoom alternatives that might work for you.
Kast
Kast (formerly Rabbit) is a software that lets you create virtual rooms for streaming. You can create custom rooms, with banners and descriptions, to let everyone know what it’s about. You can also join other existing parties from other users and friends. With advanced screen-sharing features, Kast lets you choose which screen to stream. It allows everything, from application to browser windows as well as your webcam. You can even customize your audio settings to control what other members hear.
Kast supports up to 120 users per room. You can send links to a party or invite people who are already your in-app friends. The app also lets you show multiple screens at the same time. This is perfect if you want to stream gameplay with other friends.
SyncPlay
SyncPlay is a free-to-use software that lets you sync your media players with friends. With SyncPlay, there are fewer chances of lag on your stream. Although you have to individually load the media files, anyone has access to playback controls. You can even link SyncPlay to your MyAnimeList account. The app uses a server-based system to connect you with your friends. There will be a slight learning curve as you set up the private room. However, once you get the hang of it, you can watch anything with friends online seamlessly.
SyncPlay works on Windows, macOS, and Linux desktops. It will play any file supported by the best media players. These media players include VLC, MPV, and more.
TogetherTube
If you want a simple and easy way to watch movies with friends online, look no further. TogetherTube has everything you need to do so. Apart from your standard chatting and watching features, TogetherTube has many other things to offer. One of its more prominent features is room voting. Anyone in the room can vote for a movie to watch next for a unified feel. The app recently partnered with Watch2Gether for even more great features.
TogetherTube works great not just for watch parties but for simply hanging out virtually. It’s a great way to stay connected with your friends at this time. You can watch anything from movies and vlogs to Let’s Plays together.
MyCircleTV
What makes MyCircleTV unique in this list is its VoIP integration. You can voice chat with friends while watching anything you want. The app is free to use, even without registration. However, making an account will give you certain benefits. You can have up to 5 GB of media storage, as well as a profile that saves all of your past streams. MyCircleTV even allows you to record any previous streams with friends.
You can send invitation links easily with built-in integration to social media sites. MyCircleTV also supports videos from YouTube, Dailymotion, and Vimeo.
SyncVideo
SyncVideo is an easy-to-use and accessible site for your next movie night. Because it’s so accessible, it’s the best way to watch movies with friends from any device. You will have to register for an account to use its services, however. But once settled, you can create rooms for your friends to watch in. SyncVideo will even let you join public rooms from other users.
With the app’s straightforward interface, it’s a great choice for hassle-free streaming. All you need is a YouTube or Vimeo link to get you started. You also have the option to watch locally stored media files, in MP4, OGV, FLV, and WEBM.
PlexVR
If you truly miss the feeling of physically hanging out with friends, this is for you. As its name suggests, PlexVR makes use of virtual reality for you to watch online with friends. You can create custom avatars that represent you or your friends. PlexVR also comes with a number of environments you can watch movies in. You can customize settings to make it look like you’re having a movie night at your friend’s couch. It even comes with a drive-in movie set up and an odd yet fun space design.
The app also comes with other great interactive elements depending on the environment. You can throw your popcorn on the screen as well as honk your car horn. Integrated with the Plex media library, there are tons of movies and shows you can choose from. The app works with Google Daydream, and Oculus Gear and Go.
What to Watch Online With Friends
If you’re looking for suggestions to watch with friends online, here are a few to get you started. We’ve compiled some movies and shows that will make you and your friends laugh, cry and just have fun. For more suggestions, check out our lists for the best movies to watch.
Spirited Away (2001)
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure
Spirited Away is a whimsical fantasy film from Studio Ghibli. It tells the story of a young girl who gets lost in a different world. When her parents get turned into pigs, she must work at a bathhouse filled with magical creatures to save them. On paper, the premise sounds a bit nonsensical. But that’s what makes it so great.
The movie has jam-packed action and great characters. It’s also a movie about friendship and youth. It’s definitely an animated film you can enjoy with your friends. Spirited Away is available on Netflix and HBO Go.
Someone Great (2019)
Directed by: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
Genre: Romantic Comedy
If you want to watch an empowering movie dealing with heartbreak, this is for you. Someone Great is a Netflix original movie starring Gina Rodriguez. Set in New York, the movie is about three best friends, each making realizations about love. It has a great message about love, loss, and the stages of moving on. Not to mention, it has a great soundtrack you and your friends can jam to.
Watching this movie feels like a night out with friends, which is great for when you can’t actually go outside. You can watch Someone Great on Netflix.
Jojo Rabbit (2019)
Directed by: Taika Waititi
Genre: Dark Comedy
Jojo Rabbit is a satirical comedy set in World War II. It’s about a boy living in Nazi Germany, whose mother secretly harbors a Jewish girl. The boy, however, aspires to become a Nazi himself and even has Hitler as an imaginary friend. Toward the end of 2019, the movie sparked a lot of controversies because it deals with sensitive topics such as the Nazi regime. But it became one of the most popular movies of the year, and for good reason.
The movie has many laugh-out-loud moments for you and your friends. It also has many heartfelt scenes you don’t want to miss. You can watch Jojo Rabbit on Amazon Prime Video.
Community (2009-2015)
Genre: Sitcom
Created by Dan Harmon, this situation comedy stars a group of unlikely friends in a community college. Aside from its unique setting, the show consistently delivers great storylines and character dynamics. It also has a lot of fun, gimmicky episodes. From school-wide paintball wars to an episode almost entirely set in an 8-bit video game, there’s never a dull moment.
All seasons of Community are available on Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. It’s a binge-worthy series that will make you laugh faster than you can say #SixSeasonsAndAMovie.
The Good Place (2016-2020)
Genre: Sitcom, Dramedy
The Good Place is a comedy that will make you question your morality. It’s about Eleanor, who accidentally gets sent to The Good Place after dying. The thing is, she doesn’t belong there. With a great cast of characters and an interesting plot to keep you guessing, it makes for a show that’s good as fork.
Each episode will have you either laughing or exchanging afterlife theories with friends. Either way, it’s a good choice for your next movie night. You can catch The Good Place on Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Netflix.
Friends (1994-2004)
Genre: Sitcom
What better way to spend time with friends than with Friends? This old classic sitcom remains one of the most binge-worthy shows of today. And it needs no further introduction. The show is about a group of friends going through the ups and downs of being in your 20s. It’s the perfect slice of life comedy you and your friends can relate to.
If you haven’t watched it yet, you can watch this great show on many video streaming sites. Friends is sadly no longer available on Netflix US. You can, however, still stream it, if you know how to watch Netflix with a VPN.
