It is amazing to see how far movie rentals have come. Think back to when we received CDs in the mail and had to return them—foreign concept, right? Now, there are tons of streaming services to choose from with more to come soon. With so many options, it is hard to pick which ones are worth your while and which ones are just a free trial. So, in order to make this challenge easier for you, we have organized our recommendations for best streaming services and separated them into their respective categories. Let’s dive in!

Best Movie Selection: HBO Max

The pandemic has no doubt influenced the downfall of movie theatre ticket sales and the increase in streaming popularity. For the first time ever, a huge blockbuster, Wonder Woman 1984, was released in theatres and streamed on the exact same day. Who got the privilege of airing this movie? HBO Max, and they didn’t stop there. New movies released in theatres under Warner Bros. Pictures will also be available on HBO Max the same day. Additionally, anime fans get their dose of all Studio Ghibli content (Spirited Away, Ponyo, etc.). 

Best TV Show Selection: Hulu and Peacock

Hulu and Peacock tie in this category; each streaming service provides new, popular shows in addition to old favorites. While Peacock lacks original content, their Harry Potter movie series availability makes up for it. As for Hulu, it is not limited to NBC Universal, so you can watch ABC’s The Bachelor to your heart’s content.

Most Kid-Friendly: Disney+

If your goal is to watch Hannah Montana reruns or entertain kids with Disney movies, Disney Plus has you covered. However, if the Mandalorian is the only reason for your subscription, perhaps a 7-day free trial and a season binge are better suited for your wallet. Nevertheless, new Marvel Cinematic Universe shows, including the captivating WandaVision and highly anticipated The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, keep subscribers reeled in.  

Best Overall: Netflix

Maybe your cousin’s best friend’s girlfriend changed the Netflix password and you need to get your own account. Netflix Originals, its broad categories, and constant fresh content make the subtly increasing price *kinda* worth it. Do you find yourself spending more hours trying to find something to watch than actually watching anything? Netflix’s new “Play Something” function solves this dilemma. This service’s overall fluidity and ease of controls allows for it to maintain its crown of best overall. 

New and Notable: Paramount+

CBS All Access was replaced this month with Paramount Plus and there is great potential for this streaming service’s future. Nickelodeon just announced the creation of Avatar Studios, meaning new content for the fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra can be found exclusively on Paramount Plus. 

But Wait, BUNDLE:

A good deal to take advantage of right now is Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for 12.99 a month. Another purchase ideal for college students is the Hulu and Spotify student discount. Taking advantage of these deals should be used with caution though, because it has to make sense in terms of your individual usage. We don't recommend wasting money when there’s no need to.

With that, we set you free to find your perfect streaming service provider. We hope this inspires you to take a load off and find a binge-worthy series for your enjoyment. Happy streaming!

Written by Ceci Vail and Gretchen Evans, Photography by Esha Uddaraju and Laura Ashley Hartline, Design by Jessica McCarty, Media by Sarahi Majalca