Where to stream a movie legally? The simple guide
Looking for a specific movie but don't know which platform has it? Here's how to find it legally, and why movies sometimes move from one platform to another.
A friend recommends a movie. You open Netflix: nothing. Prime Video: nothing. Disney+: still nothing. Yet the movie definitely exists somewhere. Here's how to find it, legally, without spending the evening on it.
Why a movie isn't everywhere
Platforms don't buy movies forever. They buy streaming rights, for a given period and country. That's why:
- a movie can be on Netflix in France but not in the United States, and vice versa;
- a movie can leave a platform overnight, when the contract ends;
- recent movies move from one platform to another according to precise rules.
Release windows, in short
In France, after its theatrical release, a movie follows a path set by law and industry agreements (other countries have their own rules):
- Theaters first.
- Digital purchase or rental, usually 4 months later.
- Canal+, then subscription platforms (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video…), depending on each one's agreements.
- Free TV, later on.
3 habits for finding a movie
- Search a tool that lists the platforms, instead of opening every app.
- Consider renting: for a recent movie, it's often the only option, for a few euros.
- Don't forget free, legal services, like TV channels' streaming sites or some online library services.
The simplest way
With Ta Dose, the question disappears for the movies in the selection: each one comes with the platform to watch it on and a direct link. You click, you watch.