How to watch movies together online while social
I
think about
When Harry Met Sally
a lot. And to be clear, I’ve always thought about the film a lot, but now that I’m self-quarantining in response to the coronavirus pandemic and trying to ideate new ways to feel closer to people with whom I can’t share physical space, learning how to watch movies together online feels particularly apt. Watching a film long distance isn’t a
new
innovation, per se, as evidenced by
When Harry Met Sally
. As the two protagonists demonstrate, being able to watch movies together online (well, depending on you define “online”) simply requires two telephones and
Casablanca
on channel 11 in order to work. But it’s not 1989 anymore, and streaming services and extensions are plentiful, so we blessedly have more options for being able to watch movies together online. On the flip side, now that streaming services and extensions are the plentiful,
we have more options
—and the last thing anyone needs right now is
unnecessary exposure to decision fatigue
.
So if you’re aiming to have a digital dinner-and-a-movie date with a friend or a long-distance love, there are several strategies to accomplish it. Below, find a guide to six stellar ways to watch movies together online, broken down by the best ways to use each, whether you’re
in a long-distance relationship
,
casually dating via apps and FaceTime
, or honestly, just miss
connecting with your friends
.
How to watch movies together online while you’re physically apart, using 6 services
1. Netflix Party
Pros:
It’s a simple and clean interface that’s easy to use and is
perfect for introverts
who spent much of their adolescence
in
chat rooms (ahem, not that I know from experience). Netflix Party is great for watching movies together for sure, but it’s
perfect
if you’ve been meaning to rewatch all of
Community
or finally check out
Tiger King
in a way that let’s you talk about your reactions in real time.
Cons:
Again, this is Netflix exclusive and requires a Google Chrome extension, so if you have a friend who’s married to Safari or Firefox, this option won’t work optimally for your movie night.
@wildforwyld i miss 2gether so much might go back and rewatch it when i have time
— lux Thu Jul 22 15:04:15 +0000 2021
2. TwoSeven
Pros:
TwoSeven allows for extreme versatility of content. It’s also webcam-friendly, which is great if you actually like seeing people’s reactions.
Cons:
Well, it does cost $3 a month, but it also requires logging in, which for me is a greater issue. (I’m just very low-commitment right now, and feel I’m probably not alone.) It’s also worth noting that TwoSeven
detects third-party videos
by scanning your websites, so be mindful of what you’re pulling up.
3. Scener
Pros:
This is similar to Netflix Party, but is ideal for extroverts. (So, it shares a lot of the same pros with Netflix Party.)
Cons:
Likewise, it shares a lot of Netflix Party’s cons, namely that it’s exclusive to that streaming service, and is a Chrome extension.
4. Metastream
Pros:
It has a sleek interface, is compatible with many platforms and services, and lets you build an actual queue of what you want to watch.
Cons:
It is a little bit buggy, which isn’t surprising given that it’s still in beta. Developers are currently working out the kinks, but definitely keep Metastream as an option for watching movies online with friends in the future.
5. Gaze
Pros:
It’s a simple interface that’s good for one-on-ones and virtual dates.
Cons:
Well, stress on watching
companion
, no plural. You can only watch with one person at a time. And while I do love me some YouTube, it’s kind of rare that I use it as my go-to streaming service for movies.
6. Watch2Gether
At a glance, it appears that
Watch2Gether
has an AOL interface with Gen-Z priorities. That’s because it took me a hot second to figure out how to use it. The service focuses on more short-form streaming platforms, with the toolbar allowing users to toggle between sites like YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion.
Pros:
It offers plenty of viewing options for internet-specific video sources. I can see this being useful if you just want to share YouTube videos with each other while you’re chatting. And, as a bonus, it is webcam compatible, so you can see your watch companion in real time.
Cons:
If you’re anything like me, Watch2Gether may confuse you and make you feel old.
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