Watch party software enables people to watch the same movie at the same time, independent of having the same physical location. Streaming services make it possible to enjoy your favorite shows and movies with a long-distance partner or group of friends. When surrounded by loved ones, nothing beats a night in front of the television and to watch movies together. However, the separation has made us both miss and value those times more than ever before.
Thanks to technological advancements, we can now share our favorite content from the internet with our loved ones without having to physically be together. The videos you’re watching will sync and keep you connected across many web services, i.e., watch parties.
What is the Procedure for a Watch Party?
The first step is choosing a movie app to use with your pals. One streaming service, such Netflix or Amazon Prime, must be used by all members of the group. Most software these days expects you to be using Google Chrome on a PC.
When everyone has logged into their own devices and software, you may start watching the movie. The video for all attendees of a “watch party” is displayed at the same time. Everyone’s video gets paused when anyone else does. Users can have conversations with one another within the app while watching a movie together. In some programs, you can have a video conversation. The event will be more fun when you and your friends can offer your own commentary.
11 Apps to Watch Movies Together with Friends Remotely
If you’re looking for a good app to watch movies together, these are the top picks.
1. TeleParty
Previously known as Netflix party, TeleParty is a Chrome extension that lets you watch Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO GO, and Amazon Prime simultaneously. Only one computer needs the program installed, and then you may invite others to join in on the viewing party via a shared link. The Teleparty Chrome extension must be set up on just one machine. Chrome should be pre-installed on every computer.
How does it function, exactly?
Download the TeleParty add-on for Chrome. To start watching a movie, simply launch Netflix once it has finished installing. You can copy this URL by pausing the video and sending it to your friends. Teleparty ensures that all of the video-playing apps are operating in sync.
A single computer is allowed to use the Teleparty Chrome addon. You can’t expect everyone to have it so they can watch movies remotely. There’s also the fact that you can get by just fine without a Netflix account.
2. Amazon Prime Watch Party
With the help of Amazon Prime Watch Party, you can gather your friends and family around a shared viewing of a movie on Amazon Prime. Up to 100 of your closest friends and family members can join you on the screen at once. In other words, if you have Amazon Prime, you can watch anything.
Participants must either be in the same country as the host, be Premier Members, or pay to watch the video.
How does it function, exactly?
Pick a movie or show that everyone wants to watch. To create a watch party on Amazon Prime, select the appropriate icon and enter the desired name. A maximum of 100 people can be invited to a viewing party through a shared link. Once everyone is linked up, the host can start, stop, pause, or skip the video.
Benefits
Except for Safari and Internet Explorer, it works with all other browsers. With an Amazon watch party, you and up to a hundred of your closest friends can watch and discuss movies at the same time, and you don’t need any additional software to get started.
3. Scener
Scener is a Chrome add-on that lets groups of up to ten people watch videos from the same streaming service at the same time. Streaming video and real-time chatting are both available within the app. Everyone must be equipped with a streaming platform membership, a microphone, a webcam, and a laptop or desktop computer with internet access.
How does it function, exactly?
In order to use Scener, you must first install the Scener Chrome extension on your desktop. Afterwards, you should add all of your current platform friends by searching for their names and clicking the “Add Friend” option next to their profiles. With the remote, the viewer can start, stop, rewind, and fast-forward through the film at will. The virtual remote can be handed on by moving the pointer onto the person’s name and then hitting the remote button.
Benefits
Video from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu (No Ads), Disney+, HBO Max, and YouTube can all be seen with Scener. It allows you to see your friends’ reactions to movies through chat or video calling. The capacity to watch movies with complete strangers during a prearranged public viewing event is a novel feature.
4. Chrome Watch Party
In order to watch videos and TV shows from your chosen streaming providers, you can download the free Chrome Watch Party app. All major browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, work fine with it.
How does it function, exactly?
Get the add-on for your browser from Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge. Simply click the Watch Party button and fill out the required forms to start or join a party.
Benefits
To use Chrome Watch Party doesn’t cost you a dime. The software can synchronize video content from a wide variety of streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video. It enables simultaneous audio and video calls in a group setting and provides a limitless supply of gifs for use in chats. After 24 hours, all chat history is deleted.
5. Rave
In addition to speaking or conversing with others, users of the free software Rave can also watch movies or Google photos simultaneously. An active account with Rave and the required streaming service are needed.
How does it function, exactly?
By sharing a link or conducting a search, a single user can invite other users to join a room they’ve created. Among the many sources included are YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Google Drive, Vimeo, and Google Photos.
Benefits
It coordinates media streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO, and others across many user devices. It’s completely free of charge. Rave is compatible with iOS, Android, Mac OS X, and Windows. Any number of people are welcome to join the watch party.
6. Gaze
Take, for instance, the YouTube platform for hosting a video viewing party. Only two persons can watch videos from YouTube or local storage at the same time. Get started with shared YouTube viewing via a Gaze account now. To keep things in sync, use the same local file on both devices.
How does it function, exactly?
A user can create a monitoring space and then invite another by sending them the room’s unique identifier. When the recipient clicks the link, the YouTube video or locally stored video will begin playing at the correct time.
Benefits
This website is perfect for a long-distance online date, a night in with friends, or a night out for kids. The use of Gaze is intuitive and simple.
7. TwoSeven
In a long-distance relationship, a couple created TwoSeven. It’s one of the simplest options available. You will need access to media streaming services or your own collection of videos in addition to a TwoSeven account.
How does it function, exactly?
This web-based tool is required, and access must be gained. Videos from streaming services are available to users after registration. In addition, it lets people watch recordings that are kept in private places or that belong to other people.
Benefits
It’s a slick web app that can handle both written and visual content. A Chrome extension is included for checking a site’s video for compatibility with the platform. The website makes it easy to watch videos from various sources, like Netflix, YouTube, Vimeo, Crunchyroll, and even your own personal collection.
8. Watch2Gether
With Watch2Gether, spending time with loved ones is as easy as sharing a movie or playlist on Spotify. All you need is a computer, an internet connection, and a streaming service to enjoy your favorite shows and movies with your loved ones.
How does it function, exactly?
Start by giving your new space a name and clicking “Create a Room” on the platform’s main page. When you click the button, you’ll be taken to a room where you may start chatting and start inviting your friends. If you want to watch with some people online, you may either host your own watching party or join one that someone else has already set up.
Benefits
There is no sign-up procedure to use this service. Users can take advantage of features including media playback, music streaming, and e-commerce. SoundCloud, Vimeo, YouTube, and DailyMotion are all accessible to users for searching and playing back audio and video.
9. Kast
Kast is a media streaming and syncing platform that also supports the viewing of games, documents, and other media. While sites like YouTube and Tabi are completely free to use, subscription services like Netflix require a small monthly fee. Each session can have up to 20 people in it. Kast has a web app (only for Chrome and Edge) and a desktop app where you can get started.
How does it function, exactly?
Users of Kast can watch videos, play games, and share even more media with one another. Either a Windows or macOS desktop app or a web-based version (compatible with Chrome and Edge) is available for download and use. Step two is to organize or join an existing viewing party.
Benefits
During group viewings of Kast TV shows, viewers can share their screens, cameras, and browsers with one another. Software for computers and the web are also on hand.
10. Syncplay
It’s easy to host a movie night with friends using Syncplay, a platform that supports multiple video players and is free source. In order to watch a movie in sync, everyone needs to use the same video file. To engage in voice or video chat, everyone needs to install a third-party program like Skype or Mumble.
How does it function, exactly?
In order to see the video, each user must first save it to their own device from the same source file. Once you’ve signed up for Syncplay, you can start watching movies right away.
Benefits
Syncplay allows you to view movies over the internet with friends and family at no cost. It works with a wide variety of media players, such as VLC, Media Player Classic, and KM Player.
11. Plex
Plex takes virtual reality video sharing to a whole new level. It’s like having your own personal movie theater in your own living room, but online. As far as we’re concerned, this is the most complicated platform available. Mobile or desktop device equipped with Google Daydream, Gear VR, or Oculus Go-compatible hardware.
How does it function, exactly?
To get started with Plex, sign up for an account and then choose a movie to watch from either the Plex movie and TV library or your own media collection. Begin a session and invite your friends to join you by clicking the More button next to the movie, then selecting the Watch Together option. It creates a shared virtual space in which people can watch the same video in real time.
Benefits
It’s a nice place for people who know their way around technology to gather for a movie night. In addition to desktop computers, it also works on Android and iOS mobile devices.
Summary
Now that you’ve sampled some of the most common and unusual film viewing options, it’s time to plan your next movie night. Gather your loved ones around, and host a viewing party on the platform of your choice and watch movies together.
