The best movie apps for iPad and iPhone in 2023
iPad’s large screen size makes it the perfect companion for watching your favorite movies and TV shows. However, given the wide selection of apps on the App Store for watching these movies and shows, choosing one can be quite difficult. So, I’ve compiled a list of the best movie apps for iPad and iPhone.
1. Apple TV – Editors’ Choice
On the list of the best apps to watch movies on iPad or iPhone, have you ever had doubts about which app an editor will choose? Since its launch in 2016, Apple TV has grown exponentially. What’s more, with OTT content at the forefront of innovation, Apple TV brings you tons of new shows and movies!
Apple has also made sure that some popular originals are regularly featured on the OTT platform. Shows such as Ted Lasso, Greyhound and others have already won the hearts of critics and audiences around the world. In addition, their exclusivity to the Apple platform ensures that their novelty does not fade.
As for the catalog, Apple TV will give you over 100,000 shows and movies to watch. These shows are available in the highest quality, such as 4K HDR. You can also access Apple TV channels like Paramount+, Noggin, and Showtime through the app itself. With so much great streaming content in the best quality, why would you want to go anywhere else?
However, one problem with the app is that its user interface is not the best. There should be some improvements on this front to improve the user experience.
pros
- Large collection of original shows
- Provides 4K HDR resolution
- Can access Apple TV channels
Minuses
- User interface needs some improvement
Price: Free (offers in-app purchases)
2. Disney+ is all about Marvel
Disney’s acquisition of Marvel in 2009 was lukewarm. However, one aspect of Disney that is growing in popularity is the Disney+ OTT platform.
With this OTT platform, Marvel has made it a lot easier to move from a niche feature for enthusiasts to a pop culture sensation. If you’re a fan of Marvel movies and TV shows, signing up for Disney+ won’t be a problem. This is the only app that will give you unlimited access to the latest Marvel movies and series.
From the first MCU movie, Captain America: The First Avenger, to the latest, you’ll find it all in the app. Whether you want to watch movies and TV shows or introduce your friend to the MCU, Disney+ is your one-stop shop. However, the application is quite versatile. You will also find many non-Marvel shows and movies on the app.
My only gripe with the app is that it adds more shows and movies in different genres.
pros
- The Best Collection of Marvel Movies and Series
- Intuitive user interface provides decent user experience
Minuses
- Need to expand other genres such as anime
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $7.99)
3. HBO MAX is a great movie collection
HBO is one of the largest blockbuster streaming companies. What’s more, as the company expanded its presence to multiple TV shows, the HBO MAX app offers an exquisite collection of content.
This app gives you instant access to the latest Hollywood movies and TV shows. In addition, the large catalog of films ranges from cult classics to contemporary action films, ensuring you don’t miss out on the best of any genre. You can also stream the HBO Max Originals series through the app. Recommendations for various centers such as TCM and DC are also selected by editorial experts!
HBO MAX also allows you to download various pieces of content on your iPad and iPhone. If you’re traveling and need to kill time, you’ll have easy access to your favorite shows and movies. Finally, flexible parental controls ensure that you have complete control over what your children can access!
However, there are a couple of issues with the app. Load times are slow and it takes forever to switch between genres.
pros
- Got the latest Hollywood movies
- Allows you to download up to 20 pieces of content for offline viewing.
- Can access 5 Live TV channels
Minuses
- Streaming quality needs to be improved
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $9.99)
4. Tubi – Large selection of free content
In the era of OTT content, finding platforms that offer free content can be quite a challenge. No matter which website you go to, everyone has a specific subscription plan. However, Tubi stands out from the crowd of OTT platforms by offering a lot of content absolutely free!
In fact, the app also streams the 2022 FIFA World Cup completely free of charge. You will also have access to films from leading studios such as Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM. While the app generates revenue from in-app ads, there are few such ads. In addition, the app provides over 40 content genres to explore, from comedy to anime.
The app also provides some nice categories to make it easier to find the perfect movie or TV show. The app is dominated by categories like Not on Netflix and films based on Rotten Tomatoes ratings. This feature may seem a little niche, but in the long run it is very useful.
The only problem with the app is that movies and shows can quickly become unavailable as the app makes room for new releases. So if you see a movie or show on Tubi that you want to watch, you can’t put it on the backburner for too long!
pros
- Every content item in the app is available for free.
- Has exclusive categories for interesting movies and shows
- You can stream sports events for free
Minuses
- Movies and shows become unavailable after a while
Price: Free
5. Netflix is a classic OTT
Would this even be a list of the best apps to watch movies on an iPad or iPhone if I didn’t turn on Netflix? After all, the Netflix app is one of the oldest OTT platforms out there. Since the company was one of the first to introduce video-on-demand to the Internet, it only makes sense to mention Netflix here.
In the years since Netflix’s release, the app (and the company) has seen its ups and downs. What remains unchanged, however, is the large selection of Netflix shows and movies that you can access through the app.
In addition, the user interface is intuitive, elegant and complemented by a minimalist aesthetic. However, the star of the show is the algorithm. Netflix’s recommendation algorithm remains top-notch and recommends some great movies or shows based on your previous viewings.
However, the app has some improvements. In particular, many shows are geo-referenced and can only be viewed if you live in a certain region. Also, the cost of a subscription plan can be a bit cheaper.
pros
- Has a wide variety of content
- The user interface is elegant and smooth
- Decent recommendation algorithm
Minuses
- Subscription plans are slightly more expensive
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $9.99)
6. Amazon Prime Video – Decent Original Content
While it took a while for Amazon to find its footing with Prime Video, it has finally come strong and true. The video-on-demand service has finally provided users with many features to compete with their competitors. What’s more, the content that Prime Video provides is slowly but surely getting better.
When using Prime Video, you will find many movies and TV shows in different genres. However, their original content shines through in movies and TV shows like Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and The Amazing Mrs Maisel. Other than that, there are a few other features of the platform that you might like.
For example, a website allows you to play a picture-in-picture (PiP) while viewing other content on the Internet. You can also download a large number of videos for offline viewing. In addition, the multi-user interface also provides each user with personalized recommendations.
Overall, this is definitely one of the best movie apps for iPad. However, most of their new content is blocked by additional paywalls, which can be frustrating for some users.
pros
- Great selection of original TV shows and movies
- Picture-in-Picture enabled
- Provides a multi-user experience with personalized recommendations
Minuses
- Some of the new content is blocked by paywalls.
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $8.99)
7. Hulu – 65+ Live TV channels
Hulu was founded in 2007 and has become a household name in the entertainment segment. With many new original shows, a great movie collection, and a great user experience, Hulu is at the forefront of OTT platforms. However, he steals the show when it comes to live streaming.
The platform offers over 65 Live TV channels including Showtime, Cinemax and Starz. This means that you not only have access to what’s currently on Hulu, but also to a plethora of shows and movies streaming on cable.
You can also create up to 6 user profiles for a more personalized experience. So the app is perfect for sharing accounts with friends and family! However, the app runs into some issues when you have to use casting options like Chromecast.
pros
- Has a decent user interface
- Large collection of original shows
- Can access over 65 live channels such as Cinemax and Showtime.
Minuses
- It might be a little buggy
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $7.99)
8. Peacock TV – an unrivaled collection
NBCUniversal developers have created the Peacock TV app. It is one of the most popular entertainment apps in the Apple App Store with over a million ratings. There is a good reason for this too; The application has a great collection of movies, series and even sports broadcasts!
From the 2022 FIFA World Cup to watching the Peacock Original show, there’s a lot of content to explore here. You’ll also find films from studios such as Universal, DreamWorks Animation and Focus Features. You can even watch live broadcasts under the Peacock brand!
My only problem with the app is that it takes forever to load. Developers should work on improving the functionality of the application.
pros
- The largest collection of shows and movies you can find on the web
- Can broadcast live sports events
Minuses
- A bit slow to load on some devices
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $4.99)
9. Paramount+ – for live viewing
With all these apps for streaming movies and TV shows on iPad or iPhone, very few apps provide exceptional live streaming. However, Paramount+ can be a great option if you need 24/7 access to live channels.
While the app has a decent collection of movies and series, with up to tens of thousands of episodes, its true strength lies in its live streaming. With a premium plan, you get 24/7 news and sports news through CBS programming. In addition, the content is also localized depending on your region.
Live streaming of events such as the NCAA March Madness and Masters Tournament can also be streamed from the comfort of your home. In addition, Paramount is a well-known studio, always guaranteeing you exceptional content!
However, there is a small problem – the application tends to crash frequently. Hope the developers find a fix soon.
pros
- Ideal for watching live sporting events such as the NCAA March Madness.
- Live broadcasts are localized and tied to your region.
- Good and extensive movie catalog
Minuses
- Prone to crash quite often
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $4.99)
10. YouTube is an exceptional recommendation algorithm
You must have heard a lot about people browsing YouTube and getting lost in the various depths of the app. This is mainly due to YouTube’s recommendation algorithm, which quickly picks up patterns and recommends videos that can suit the tastes of the viewer. This algorithm alone makes YouTube one of the best apps to watch movies on iPad or iPhone.
It is also estimated that at least 30,000 hours of content are uploaded to YouTube every hour. This means that on YouTube you won’t run out of movies or TV shows to watch. From full episodes of user-uploaded TV shows to obscure movies that will make you think, YouTube has it all!
Plus, with YouTube Premium, you don’t have to deal with ads and you can access hundreds of YouTube Originals TV shows. YouTube is at the elite level in terms of free and paid content. However, the application needs to be improved, as it can sometimes be buggy. Some issues, from black screens to reduced resolution, need to be fixed immediately.
pros
- The best recommendation algorithm among all applications
- Has a mind-blowing assortment and catalog of content
- Easy to use
Minuses
- The app has a lot of bugs
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $6.99)
That’s all!
So what do you think of my list of the best movie apps for iPad and iPhone? Let me remind you that these applications can also be downloaded to your iPhone. Have I missed any of your favorite apps? If yes, let me know about them in the comments section below. I will definitely check them out!
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