At a time when mainstream streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ stretch their coverage to the utmost limit, it's nice to know that there are plenty of alternative platforms out there that carefully curate movies and series for their small but dedicated fanbase. Whether that means streaming cult and horror titles (our picks are Shudder and Screambox), East Asian dramas (Viki and Asian Crush), independent cinema (Criterion and Mubi), or the oldest TV shows you can think of (Shout TV), a good non-conventional service knows its bounds well and treats content like the specialty that it is. Below, we list the best niche streaming services that are available right now, plus some other information (like price and device compatibility) you might want to know.
40 Best Niche Streaming Services Available Right Now
| Magnolia Selects 7 days free trial
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$4.99 | Watch | |
| BritBox 7 days free trial
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$8.99 | Watch | |
| Mubi 30 days free trial
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$10.99 | Watch | |
| Dekkoo 3 days free trial
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$12.54 | Watch | |
| Cultpix No contract, cancel anytime
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$6.66 | Watch | |
OutTV is one of the earliest LGBTQ+ oriented streaming services, dating back to a channel by the same name that was launched in 2001. OutTV offers a wide range of programming, from original series and movies to licensed content from other networks. Some of their most popular titles include "Canada's Drag Race" and "Call Me Mother".
If you lived through the '80s, you may have heard of Night Flight, the nighttime cable channel that aired punk rock music videos, low-budget monster flicks, psychedelic documentaries, and adult cartoons, among many others. It went under at the turn of the '90s but has recently returned to join the streaming wars, seemingly bigger and better than ever. As a subscription-based streaming service, Night Flight Plus gives you access to classic gems, plus new content from partner studio companies. It's basically a time capsule with extra room for all the new niche movies it could've aired during its prime. If you're looking for carefully curated nostalgic picks, Night Flight Plus is a great choice to consider.
Price: $4.99/month
Free Trial: 7 days
Remember those thrashy (but fascinating!) films that would air on TV late into the night, long after the proper programs had their run? Those titles have found a new home in Midnight Pulp, a free streaming service that lets you watch films and TV shows on-demand and live. It specializes in the weirdest content you can imagine; whether that's a 1960s Star Trek knockoff, a B-movie erotica, or a laughable monster flick, they likely have it here. Midnight Pulp also offers a live TV stream that's active 24/7 with channels that offer much of the same—with the exception, perhaps, of RetroCrush and AsianCrush, which have solid lineups of anime and dramas. Midnight Pulp also offers more titles (many of which are adult-themed) ad-free if you pay for their premium $4.99/month tier.
Price: $4.99/month
Free Trial: 14 days
Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, Hisense, iOS, LG, LG TV, Plex, Roku, Roku TV, Samsung, Vizio, Website
Channel lineup: Asian Crush, AsianCrush, Crime Hunters, Midnight Pulp, Retro Crush, RetroCrush, Screambox TV, Tokushoutsu
MagellanTV’s content focuses mostly on documentaries. New movies and series are added weekly, so the library is frequently updated. This streamer is for people who love learning about science, space, and the earth. MagellanTV provides a thoughtfully curated selection of films that focus on current events and global topics of importance. The cheapest subscription it offers is $4.99/month and it has a 14-day free trial. It was launched in 2019.
Price: $4.99/month
Free Trial: 14 days
Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Google Play, iOS, Roku, Samsung, Vizio
There are many streaming services out there dedicated to specific and underrepresented communities. Black-oriented streamers alone account for a significant portion. But Kweli TV stands out for its far-reaching and careful curation. It hosts films and series from all over the world, many of which are festival winners and official selections coming straight from Africa and the Caribbean. It also claims to dedicate 60% of its revenue to content creators, so you can be sure that your money goes to a good cause. On top of all this, Kweli TV also has a 24-hour live streaming service; a worthwhile package for just $5.99 a month.
Price: $5.99/month
Free Trial: 7 days
Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, Roku, Xfinity Flex
KocowaTV is a streaming service for K-dramas and Korean content in general. Once a new TV episode airs in Korea, you can get it in as little as 12 hours - the time it usually takes for translation and subtitling. Non-paid users do complain quite a bit about the ads, but if that's something that doesn't bother you, this is a good way to access a variety of Korean content.
Klassiki is a streaming service dedicated to classic and modern films from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. The platform's team carefully curate the titles that go into their library, and every week, they handpick a special film for you to enjoy. Since Klassiki is still new, their library is not too stacked (they have about 50 titles as of this writing), but the leanness is perfect for those who value quality over quantity. A monthly subscription costs $10.99 (£9.99 if you're in the UK), and along with on-demand content, you get exclusive program notes, reviews, and interviews from different critics and filmmakers via their journal section.
Price: $10.99/month
Free Trial: 7 days
Largely known as China's Netflix, iQiyi is a popular and wide-ranging streaming platform that hosts the best of East Asian content. Among its catalog are Asian blockbusters, Chinese variety shows, Japanese anime, and of course, Korean dramas. iQiyi also has multiple deals with studios all over the world, including Netflix, so it's able to stream global content to its Chinese audiences.
Perhaps the best part about iQiyi is that it comes for free; no need to pay to see its plenty and diverse titles, although you will be subject to some ads. To avoid ads and avail of perks such as concurrent viewing and download privileges, iQiyi offers a VIP membership that costs $2 per month.
Price: free for channels available
Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Website
The History Vault has all the best of The History channel: excellent documentaries, informative series, travel shows, and of course, historical specials. The difference is that the streamer offers all this on-demand and ad-free, with curated collections and exclusive titles to boot. Some programs that are no longer available on the cable channel can also be found in the Vault. If you're a fan of quality deep dives on everything and anything related to history and humanity, then this streamer is for you.
Price: $4.99/month
Free Trial: 7 days
Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, Roku, Website
Hidive focuses mainly on anime shows and films. Its offerings include classical anime, popular anime films and shows, as well as hidden gems of the anime world, put together for those who love anime and don’t want to wait for the releases of their favorite shows.
They add new content via simulcasts which means that you’ll be able to stream new anime shows online as they’re released in real-time. This service is great for anime lovers who don’t want to wait months for their favorite anime shows to be released on DVD. Hidive is an independent anime streaming company based in Texas that was launched in 2017.
Price: $4.99/month
Free Trial: 14 days
Device availability: Android, Android TV, Fire TV, iOS, Website, Xbox
Ready to cut the cord? Here are the 14 live TV streaming services that offer a free trial.
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The streaming services on this page were chosen by our editors. If you choose to subscribe to a streaming service we recommend as a result of our research, analysis, and curation, our work is sometimes (but not always) supported by an affiliate commission from the streaming service when you make a purchase.