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Windows 10 is built to do a lot more than just build spreadsheets and check email, and watching movies and TV shows on your PC has become a popular way to move beyond your “dumb” TV. Here are some of the most popular Windows 10 apps for movie and TV watching:
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Netflix
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Netflix is probably the king of all Windows 10 apps for binge watchers. In addition to watching old and new TV episodes, Netflix has thousands of movies available too. Netflix has its own original TV series, including Stranger Things, House of Cards, and Orange is the New Black. Netflix is also developing new movie content and comedy specials for its subscribers all the time.
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In addition to Windows 10, Netflix is available on Windows 10 Mobile, Xbox One, as well as other platforms. The Windows 10 Netflix app is free, but you’ll need a subscription. Netflix subscriptions start at $9.99 per month. New subscribers are eligible for a free one-month trial.
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Hulu
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Like Netflix, Hulu offers subscribers the opportunity to watch TV episodes, including Seinfeld and South Park. Hulu offers a cheaper monthly subscription at $7.99 a month with limited commercial interruptions ($11.99, no commercials). Like Netflix, Hulu also offers its own brand of original TV and movie content. Hulu offers an option of adding Showtime for an additional $7.99 a month, which can bring up the overall monthly subscription price substantially, depending on what monthly Hulu base plan you choose.
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Another bonus is Hulu [Plus] is available on Windows 10 Mobile, too.
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Hulu for Windows 10
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Hulu Plus for Windows 10 Mobile
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Crackle
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Crackle is a free way to watch your favorite TV shows and movies. Crackle is completely free; there’s no contract, no monthly fee, and the app is free to download. However, your free streaming content will be interrupted intermittently by advertisements. You may find the ads repetitive. For instance, you are likely to see the same exact ads interrupt whatever movie or TV show that you are watching. But, you can’t really complain because Crackle’s content is offered free with unlimited streaming.
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Crunchyroll
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Crunchyroll is the must-have streaming service any anime, manga or East-Asian cinema fan out there. In addition to Windows 10, Crunchyroll is also offered on Windows 10 Mobile, and Xbox One. Founded in 2006, Crunchyroll started out as a Pirate Bay-inspired website where members would upload content without the original owners’ permission. Now, Crunchyroll has over 5 million members, offering over 200 different anime, manga or East-Asian cinema series.
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Most of Crunchyroll’s content is to watch for free (with a short introductory ad) in SD. You can stream full 1080p HD content for $6.95 monthly. New Crunchyroll subscribers are eligible for a 14-day free trial.
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Movies & TV
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Microsoft’s own native Windows 10 app is perhaps the best way to watch your favorite movies and TV shows. Access all your movies and TV shows from any of your devices using your Microsoft account. Movies & TV allows you to access your favorite movies and TV shows on your Windows 10 PC or Windows 10 Mobile device. As an added bonus, you can add, manage, and play your own videos from your personal collection. Using the Windows Store, you can buy and add more of your favorite movies and TV shows.
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Once purchased, you can play movies and TV shows from any Windows 10 device. Whether it be your Windows 10 PC, Windows 10 Mobile device, or Xbox One, you can download or stream your purchased content to at your leisure.
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There is one honorable mention, Free Movies HD, although I am not sure whether this app will be in the Windows Store for very long due to possible legal issues from the free content that it streams. Don’t let the Windows 10 app name fool you, Free Movies HD is a great app for those looking to catch up their favorite TV shows too. You can check out the latest Season 7 episode of The Walking Dead, or watch the movie Sausage Party. There are no email or credit cards needed to sign up and the app is free to download. I imagine you may face some problems from your ISP with streaming the content within the app.
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There are some other Windows 10 TV and movie apps that are noticeably absent from the Windows Store. HBO GO and HBO NOW would be the obvious two. Although you can view HBO through your browser, the experience is not the same as it would be through an official HBO app on Windows 10. What Windows 10 app do you use to binge watch your favorite movie or TV content? Let us know in the comments.
\n\nFurther reading: Crackle, Crunchyroll, Hulu, Microsoft, Movies, Movies & TV, Netflix, TV, Windows 10, Windows Store, Xbox One
