10 Apps to Watch Movies Together with Friends Remotely

Enjoy movies or TV shows together with your friends or family, regardless of your location, with the help of watch party apps. Technological advancements have enabled us to watch online content with our loved ones without the need to travel. Watch party services synchronize the videos you are watching and keep you connected throughout.

To start a watch party, you first need to select an app to watch movies with friends. Everyone should have an active subscription to the same streaming application, such as Netflix or Amazon Prime. For most applications, you need a computer and a Google Chrome browser. Once you have logged onto your devices and applications, you can start watching a movie together. The watch party services synchronize the video for everyone watching. If one person pauses, it gets paused for everyone, and the service allows you to chat with friends while watching the movie. Some applications even enable video chat, letting you enjoy commentary with friends, making the moment extremely enjoyable.

Here are some of the most preferred apps for watching online movies:

1. TeleParty

2. Amazon Prime Watch Party

3. Scener

4. Chrome Watch Party

5. Rave

6. TwoSeven

7. Watch2Gether

8. Kast

9. Syncplay

10. Plex

Here is a breakdown of each of the 10 apps to watch movies together with friends remotely, including their benefits, drawbacks, requirements, and how they work:

1. TeleParty (formerly Netflix Party)

Benefits: Allows for synchronized streaming across multiple platforms, including Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime. The Chrome extension only needs to be installed on one computer, and not everyone needs a Netflix subscription. Chat functionality available.

Drawbacks: Limited to the Chrome browser. The extension must be downloaded on each device for access.

Requirements: All participants need an internet connection, a Chrome browser, and access to the streaming platform of choice.

How it works: After downloading the TeleParty extension, start watching a movie or TV show on the streaming platform. Pause the video and share the unique link with other participants to start the watch party.

2. Amazon Prime Watch Party

Benefits: Allows for up to 100 participants to watch movies and chat simultaneously. Supports any movie or TV show included in Prime.

Drawbacks: Everyone watching the video must be in the same country as the host, a Prime member, or have purchased the video. Limited to certain web browsers.

Requirements: Access to Amazon Prime Video and a compatible web browser.

How it works: Select a movie or TV show to watch and click the "Watch Party" icon to create a watch party link to share with friends or family.

3. Scener

Benefits: Supports up to 10 people to join and watch movies together on multiple platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max. Video chat and live chat functionality included.

Drawbacks: All participants must have a laptop or computer with internet access, a microphone, webcam, and a subscription to the streaming platform.

Requirements: A Chrome browser and a Scener account.

How it works: After downloading the Scener extension, invite friends already on the platform by searching their names and clicking the "Add Friend" button. Start watching the video together, and the virtual remote can be passed to other participants by clicking their name.

4. Chrome Watch Party

Benefits: Completely free and available for multiple web browsers, including Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Google Chrome. Supports multiple streaming platforms and group video or audio chats.

Drawbacks: Limited to certain web browsers. Chat history is automatically deleted after 24 hours.

Requirements: Access to a compatible web browser and the streaming platform of choice.

How it works: Download the Chrome Watch Party extension, Firefox add-on, or Microsoft Edge add-on on your respective browser. Click on the "Watch Party" icon and fill in three text fields required to create or join a party.

5. Rave

Benefits: Allows for streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max to sync on all users' devices. Free of charge and available on multiple devices, including iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows.

Drawbacks: Users need a Rave account and access to the same streaming service. Limited to certain streaming platforms.

Requirements: Access to the streaming platform of choice and a Rave account.

How it works: One user can create a room by sending an invitation to others through a link or by searching their name inside the platform.

6. TwoSeven

Benefits: User-friendly and supports both streaming applications and personally owned videos. Built-in text and video capabilities.

Drawbacks: Limited to certain streaming platforms.

Requirements: Access to a compatible web browser and the streaming platform of choice.

How it works: After setting up an account, watch videos from streaming apps, or privately stored or owned videos.

7. Watch2Gether

Benefits: Registration is not required to get started, allowing users to watch movies or videos, listen to music, and shop online. Supports multiple streaming platforms and audio from SoundCloud

Drawbacks: Limited to certain web browsers. Some users report buffering and syncing issues.

Requirements: Access to a compatible web browser and the streaming platform of choice.

How it works: Click "Create a Room" on the Watch2Gether homepage and type a temporary nickname. You will then be directed to a virtual chat room where you can add your friends and start watching the video.

8. Kast

Benefits: Allows for sharing of games, documents, and more in addition to videos. Supports up to 20 people to join a session.

Drawbacks: Limited free access to streaming platforms like Netflix, with a small fee required for more access. Limited to certain web browsers and devices.

Requirements: Access to Kast on either the web version or desktop app.

How it works: Download a desktop app for Windows or macOS or use the web version supported by Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Create your watch party or join an already available one.

9. Syncplay

Benefits: Free and compatible with multiple video player apps such as VLC, Media Player Classic, and KM Player. Allows for voice or video chat with third-party apps.

Drawbacks: Limited to syncing only with the same video file. Requires a third-party app for voice or video chat.

Requirements: Access to the same video file and a compatible video player app.

How it works: All users should download the video from the same file and save it locally on their hard drive. After setting up your Syncplay account, you can start enjoying the movies.

10. Plex

Benefits: Offers virtual reality options for watching videos. Supports movie and TV libraries on Plex and personal media libraries. Available on Android/iOS and desktop devices.

Drawbacks: Complex and requires compatible hardware for virtual reality options.

Requirements: A mobile or desktop device with compatible hardware and a Plex account.

How it works: Create a Plex account, select a movie to watch, and click the "Watch Together" button to start a session and invite friends to start watching.

Summary:

Overall, each of these 10 apps has unique benefits and drawbacks, and requirements vary depending on the platform. Users should consider their preferences and needs when choosing the best app for them. Choose the app that best suits your needs and start enjoying movies or TV shows with your friends and family remotely.