35 Best Streaming Services for Original Content

For years, only a handful of streaming services released original content. Netflix topped the competition by performing exceptionally on both the quality and quantity fronts, while Amazon Prime and Hulu were never far behind. Between them, they produced recognizable shows like Stranger Things, Fleabag, and The Handmaid’s Tale, not to mention films that have gone on to receive wide acclaim. 

Original content ensures you’re getting your money’s worth when you subscribe to a service, and thankfully it’s something that’s almost become a prerequisite in the streaming world. Apple TV+ is fast becoming a contender in prestige TV, Showtime is the go-to place for thoughtful documentaries, and small-timers like Revry, Viki, and Britbox make the grade by providing niche content for those seeking out LGBTQ, Asian, and British-specific shows, respectively. 

There are plenty of services out there that provide in-house films and shows, and we rounded up the best of them in the list below.

Our recommended three best streaming services for original content:
Hulu $9.99 Watch
Starz $2.99 Watch
Disney+ $10.99 Watch

Glewed TV

Glewed TV is a free, ad-supported streaming channel that provides an extensive lineup of movies, series, and documentaries. It also has its own exclusive set of titles and podcasts, with genres spanning travel, sports, comedy, action, and more, plus it's available on a plethora of platforms. If you're still on the fence about going completely cordless, Glewed TV is one of many easy and accessible streaming options to choose from.

Price: free for 1 channels available

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, Vizio

Channel lineup:

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Docsville’s focus is on documentaries sourced from around the world, originally launched by award-winning documentarian Lawrence Elmen and his business partner, Nick Fraser, who worked for the British Broadcasting Corporation. This streaming service is for those doc junkies who can’t get enough of real-world exploration and have a thirst for knowledge about many different aspects of our planet and the human race. Topics include climate change, inequality and racism, inspiring real-life tales, and true crime. Most of the documentaries offered are independent films.

Price: $4.99/month

Free Trial: 3 days

Device availability: Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, iPhone, Website

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The most popular Disney+ bundle is the trio bundle, which combines Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for the reasonable price of $12.99/month. But if you don't care much for sports, we're here to tell you that you can actually get a leaner (and cheaper!) deal with just Disney+ and Hulu. It's called the Disney+ Bundle Duo and it gives you access to Disney+'s family-friendly hits as well as Hulu's more contemporary original movies and TV shows.

As of this writing, the bundle doesn't allow you to download titles, and you'll have to upgrade to pricier tiers if you want to avoid the ads, but at $9.99/month, it does give you up to 37% in savings compared to purchasing each service separately. Not a bad deal if you're after a good mix of blockbuster and indie fare.

Price: $9.99/month

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, Hisense, iOS, LG, PlayStation, Roku, Website, Xbox

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CuriosityStream is an American streaming services that focuses on documentary movies and shows and is available in more than 175 countries.

In the US, pricing starts at $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year for the basic plan, with an upgrade to the 4K Monthly plan available for $9.99 per month or $69.99 per year. 

CuriosityStream can be accessed via web browser as well as Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Fire TV, Roku, and has a mobile app that is compatible across Apple and PC computers, and Android and iOS phones and tablets. 

Price: $4.99/month

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Google TV Streamer, iOS, LG TV, Roku, Samsung TV, Xbox

Amazon Prime Video has nearly 100 channels you can stack onto your subscription, and their specialties range from news to sports to education. But if it's pure entertainment you're after, then the Starz and MGM+ bundle might be of interest to you. You can add the bundle to your Amazon Prime subscription for a discounted rate of $11.99, saving you about $3 versus getting each of them separately. 

Amazon Prime already has a constantly replenished trove of originals, but Starz adds even more comedies, like Party Down and P-Valley, while MGM+ (formerly Epix) adds slick dramas like Godfather of Harlem, FROM, and A Spy Among Friends. It's a bundle made for serial TV fanatics.

Price: $26.98/month

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, Changhong, Chromecast, Haier, Hisense, iOS, LG, Nvidia SHIELD, Panasonic, Philips, PlayStation, Roku, Samsung, Sharp, Skyworth, Sony, TiVo, Vestel, Vizio, Wii, Xbox

MGM dominated the film industry in the 20th century, and despite a slight dip in the early 2010s, it has proven to be a strong contender in the streaming era. With MGM+, the production company continues to put out originals like the dystopian series From, the crime thriller Godfather of Harlem, and Western shows like Billy the Kid. And this is on top of their extensive collection of classic films—it has everything from the 12 Angry Men to Stripes to Ghost World to Babel. All this makes for a significant add-on: MGM+ costs a reasonable $5.99 to add to your existing Amazon Prime subscription. With this bundle, you get to combine MGM+'s decades-long list of content with Prime's top-tier features like offline downloads, parental controls, 4k viewing, and Dolby surround sound.

Price: $20.98/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, Changhong, Chromecast, Haier, Hisense, iOS, LG, Nvidia SHIELD, Panasonic, Philips, PlayStation, Roku, Samsung, Sharp, Skyworth, Sony, TiVo, Vestel, Vizio, Wii, Xbox

While programming depends on your geographical location, Acorn TV in the US focuses on TV shows from dozens of international networks in countries of the Commonwealth, from British channels like the BBC and ITV as well as Oceanic shows from Australia and New Zealand. 

Aside from British shows, there’s also a solid selection of content from other major European networks from France, Italy and Ireland. 

Price: $5.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Roku

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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.

That's all from us for the 35 Best Streaming Services for Original Content!