Virtual watch parties
And the best new movies this week on streaming
It's no surprise that virtual watch party tools and platforms exploded in popularity over the past year. With limited things to go out and do to spend time together, watching movies and shows together virtually was an easy activity to do with friends. These tools aren't new. Teleparty (previously NetflixParty) has been around for some years now and we've seen a myriad of other similar apps that do the same thing in different flavors. One that stands out is Scener which brilliantly brings a Twitch-esque broadcasting angle to the concept. Prime Video and Hulu eventually jumped into the fray offering their own built-in watch party tools which shrunk the space and shuttered upstarts like WatchWithFriends as they saw the writing on the wall that third party tools aren't likely to survive in this space. Still, only one of these tools from the streaming platforms gets it right.
Disney+ is the only streaming platform that offers native synchronized streaming with friends via their Group Watch feature. What does this mean? Unlike all the other watch party tools that forces you to use a web browser on a laptop or desktop, Disney+ is the only platform that has the feature built natively into their app across all devices so you can watch virtually with friends directly on your TV. And it doesn't add chat (video or text) to the screen you're using to watch the movie or show - my pet peeve. Simply, it focuses on one thing - synchronizing the stream so you can have the shared experience of watching a movie or show with other people virtually.
Now, I totally support third party extensions adding all the bells and whistles...superfluous they may be but the streaming platforms do themselves a disservice by not investing properly in their virtual watch party offerings. This will continue to be a growing space and watching from a browser on a 13 inch laptop just doesn't cut it. Kudos to Disney+ for being the first to approach it in a thoughtful way.
Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Subscribe now for free to get the best streaming movie recommendations every week.
Do you like the recommendations? Don’t keep it to yourself, share it with a friend!
Here are the best new movies available this week on streaming video
In The Heights (2021)
Available Friday, June 11 on HBO Max
The scent of a cafecito caliente hangs in the air just outside of the 181st Street subway stop. The likeable, magnetic bodega owner Usnavi saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes, imagines and sings about a better life.
Awake (2021)
Available Wednesday, June 9 on Netflix
After a devastating global event wipes out all electronics and eliminated people's ability to sleep, a former soldier may have found a solution with her daughter.
Come True (2020)
Available Thursday, June 3 on Hulu
A teenage runaway takes part in a sleep study that becomes a nightmarish descent into the depths of her mind and a frightening examination of the power of dreams.
Best foreign language films to watch this week on streaming video
Skater Girl (2021)
Available Friday, June 11 on HBO Max
When a teen in rural India discovers a life-changing passion for skateboarding, she faces a rough road as she follows her dream to compete.
Camellia Sisters (2021)
Available Thursday, June 10 on Netflix
Three sisters reunite in the wealthy palace they grew up in, as the secrets in their family begin to unravel.
Other movies available this week
Netflix
Vampire Academy (2014)
Tragic Jungle (2020)
A Haunted House 2 (2014)
Wish Dragon (2021)
Hulu
Legion of Brothers (2017)
The Croods 2 (2020)
Trust (2021)
Two of Us (2019)
Dragonheart 3: The Sorcerer's Curse (2015)
Not Fade Away (2012)
Willy's Wonderland (2021)
DragonHeart: A New Beginning (2000)
DragonHeart (1996)
Dragonheart: Battle for the Heartfire (2017)
Prime Video
Pinocchio (2019)
Disney+
The Happiest Millionaire (1967)
HBO Max
Killerman (2019)
Young Hearts (2020
The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)
If you’ve made it this far, share this newsletter with a friend. It’s how I evaluate if this newsletter is valuable and something I should continue.
Smash this subscribe button to get his list in your inbox every week.
Be sure to share Streamfunc with a movie lover you know!
Want to have a great experience watching movies at home? Watch this!