10 Apps to Watch Movies Together with Friends Remotely

In the era of social distancing and remote connections, staying connected with friends and family has become more crucial than ever. One popular way to bridge the gap is through virtual movie nights, and a variety of apps now allow you to watch movies together with friends, no matter how far apart you may be. Here are 10 apps that bring the joy of shared movie-watching to the digital realm.

1. Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party)
 - Platform: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, and more.
 - Key Features: Synchronized playback, chat function, and easy setup.

Formerly known as Netflix Party, Teleparty has expanded its compatibility to various streaming services. Users can sync their movie or TV show playback, ensuring everyone watches in perfect harmony using their Chrome extension.

2. Scener
 - Platform: Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Prime Video, and more.
 - Key Features: Virtual rooms, integrated video chat, and synchronized viewing.

Scener stands out with its integrated video chat feature, allowing you to see your friends while watching your favorite content together. It also supports a wide range of streaming platforms.

3. Amazon Prime Watch Party
 - Platform: Amazon Prime Video.
 - Key Features: Native watch party feature, synchronized playback, and chat.

Amazon Prime members can now enjoy movies and TV shows together using the built-in Watch Party feature. Invite your friends, sync up, and enjoy the show.

4. Chrome Watch Party
 - Platform: Google Chrome.
 - Key Features: Browser extension, synchronized playback, and chat.

As a Chrome extension, this app allows users to synchronize their movie or series watching experience across multiple screens, all within the Chrome browser for free.

5. Rave
 - Platform: iOS, Android.
 - Key Features: Mobile compatibility, synchronized playback, and chat.

Rave goes beyond movies and TV shows, allowing users to watch YouTube videos, listen to music, create rooms and more. The mobile-centric design makes it a versatile choice for on-the-go virtual hangouts.

6. Kast
 - Platform: Windows, macOS.
 - Key Features: Screen sharing, video chat, and synchronized viewing.

Kast goes beyond movie nights, enabling users to share their entire screen. This flexibility makes it ideal for collaborative work, gaming, and other shared experiences.

7. TwoSeven
 - Platform: Chrome, Firefox.
 - Key Features: Synchronized playback, video chat, and reaction emojis.

TwoSeven supports a variety of streaming platforms and boasts features like synchronized playback, video chat, and fun reaction emojis to enhance the shared viewing experience.

8. Watch2Gether
 - Platform: Web-based.
 - Key Features: Synchronized playback, chat, and customizable rooms.

Watch2Gether is a user-friendly, web-based platform that allows you to create customizable rooms where you and your friends can watch videos together, including movies from YouTube and Vimeo.

9. Syncplay
 - Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux.
 - Key Features: Synchronized playback, chat, and local media support.

Syncplay is unique in that it not only supports synchronized playback for streaming content but also for locally stored media files. This makes it an excellent choice for those who want to share their personal movie collections.

10. Plex
  - Platform: Web-based, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
  - Key Features: Shared libraries, synchronized playback, and chat.

While primarily known for organizing and streaming personal media libraries, Plex also offers synchronized playback and a chat feature in addition to Plex’s TV and movie library, allowing users to enjoy their favorite content together.

These 10 apps open up new possibilities for virtual movie nights, turning distance into a mere technicality. While there are a few more worthy mentions like Rabbit, Zoom, and Metastream it doesnt get easier streaming the latest blockbuster or revisiting classics. These platforms ensure that the joy of shared movie-watching remains a central part of your social life, no matter where you are. So, grab your popcorn, invite your friends, and let the virtual movie nights begin!