Sure, there’s the big streamers like Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max. But there’s also an increasing number of smaller streaming services offering up great content. Known as “niche streamers,” these smaller streaming platforms are gaining popularity thanks to their libraries of excellent, often tailored, shows and movies.
Whether they’re catering to a certain niche, like horror fans or lovers of British television, or they’re devoted to high-end, premium originals, these niche streamers absolutely deserve your attention. Plus, many offer free trials, making them perfect to try out without paying a penny. From Shudder to MGM+ and more, here are 10 niche streamers you need to check out.
Shudder
Must-Watch Originals: Late Night With the Devil, In a Violent Nature, Creepshow
Launched in 2015, Shudder actually predates many of streaming’s biggest platforms. The streamer is designed for fans of terror and suspense and specifically caters to the ever-growing horror fandom. Shudder offers its own original shows and movies, like Late Night With the Devil, Host, and The Beach House, while also providing a large library of other horror content as well. From classic slashers to cult indie hits and more, it’s got everything diehard horror fans want. Plus, with user reviews, watch parties, and more, it also does a great job at creating community.
MGM+
Must-Watch Originals: Godfather of Harlem, The Institute, From
While Amazon already has its own streaming service with Prime Video, it also has another with MGM+. In 2022, Amazon acquired the legendary film studio MGM, which also included the acquisition of its streaming service known as Epix. Since then, Amazon has turned it into the new streamer MGM+ to provide high-quality premium movies and shows. Think of MGM+ as Amazon’s version of HBO. It has its own film library of hits, like Gladiator II and Better Man, while also producing its own original movies and series, like its fan-favorite horror hit From, which has become a standout and is universally praised by critics. MGM+ also produces the original crime thriller Godfather of Harlem, which stars Forest Whitaker. For great premium content, MGM+ is one to watch.
Mubi
Must-Watch Originals: The Substance, Magic Farm, Bring Them Down
Mubi has been gaining attention over the last decade as a home for hardcore cinephiles. Loaded with indie hits, arthouse films, experimental cinema, and more, Mubi is the place to go for deep, daring movies. But everything changed in 2024 when Mubi released its original film The Substance, which took the world by storm and earned Demi Moore a slew of awards and nominations, including a Best Actress nomination at the Oscars. Suddenly, Mubi became one of the hottest studios and streaming services around, even being valued at over $1 billion in early 2025. On top of its originals, it has other hit, thought-provoking films like Paris is Burning, Mysterious Skin, Carol, and more.
Crunchyroll
The popularity of anime continues to grow, and so does the impact of the streamer Crunchyroll. It is absolutely the go-to destination for anime fans, offering up everything from shonen to shojo to seinen and more. It’s loaded with hits like Dan Da Dan, One Piece, and Attack on Titan, but it’s also got a huge library of more under-the-radar anime to discover and enjoy. Just like Shudder, Crunchyroll also does a great job at creating community thanks to its blog posts, game section, vibrant social media community, and appearances at various in-person events like Comic-Con.
BritBox
BritBox doesn’t technically have original content, but it does have content that—outside of the UK and Ireland—can only be streamed on the platform. BritBox is the international streaming home to hits like Outrageous, The Tower, and The Bay. But it’s also got tons of classic British and Irish hit series from throughout the years too, like Mrs. Brown’s Boys, Father Ted, and Downton Abbey, among many others. If you love scripted series from the UK and Ireland, then BritBox is absolutely the streaming service for you.
Starz
Must-Watch Originals: Power, P-Valley, Mary & George, Outlander
Starz has been around a while, and while it’s never boomed into a huge streaming service, it’s managed to carve out its own place with a devoted fanbase. The streamer is known for its iconic hits like Outlander and Spartacus, and, more recently, spawned an entire media universe with its Power franchise. On top of that, it has a large library of hit movies like M3GAN, The Holdovers, and Fast X, among others. Starz is perfect for fans who enjoy cinematic hits and originals that are different, quirky, and not afraid to push boundaries.
Screambox
Must-Watch Originals: Terrifier 3, Street Trash, Tales From the Void
Shudder isn’t the only streamer for horror fans. Screambox is a smaller streaming service than Shudder, but for hardcore genre fans, it’s a sure bet. Most notably, Screambox is the streaming home of Terrifier 3, but it’s also home to tons of other horror hits, like the Japanese remake of Cube, the infamous Audition, and tons of horror documentaries like Pennywise: The Story of It. If you’re a huge horror fan and love seeking out films you can’t find anywhere else, like foreign horror movies, arthouse horror, and low-budget grindhouse films, then Screambox is definitely worth checking out. Screambox is also unique in that it’s owned by Cineverse but operated by the iconic horror publication Bloody Disgusting.
Revry
Must-Watch Original: Unconventional
Revry is a newer streaming service devoted to LGBTQ content. The streamer is loaded with iconic queer favorites like Trick, Drop Dead Gorgeous, and Mulholland Drive, among others. But the streamer also has fun original webisodes like Versus, which is hosted by Mrs. Betty Bowers actress Devin Green, as well as original series like Unconventional, a dramedy that centers around the lives of two different queer couples. Revy also streams exclusive events like drag balls and comedy roasts of iconic queens like Sherry Vine and Thorgy Thor.
BET+
Must-Watch Originals: First Wives Club, Ruthless, All the Queen’s Men
Launched in 1983, BET became the premier network for Black entertainment. In 2019, it launched its own streaming service BET+. The streamer is loaded with all of BET’s hits, including Gabrielle Union’s Being Mary Jane and College Hill, but it’s also loaded with tons of original content, including many series created by Tyler Perry, like Ruthless. Another must-watch original is the BET+ re-envisioning of First Wives Club, starring Jill Scott. Just like the film, the series is a comedy that follows three divorced women who find strength in their friendship.
AMC+
Must-Watch Originals: Gangs of London, No Way Up, Silent Night
AMC+ is a bit of a weird streaming service. Instead of focusing on its own original content, it’s essentially a massive conglomerate of all of AMC’s properties. That means viewers can watch everything from the AMC network, along with all things IFC, Sundance, BBC America, and yes, even the entire Shudder library. On top of that, AMC+ also acquires the exclusive streaming rights to numerous UK series like Gangs of London and films like Silent Night. For a niche streamer that offers lots of versatility, like hit docuseries from Sundance like Jonestown: Terror in the Jungle to iconic IFC favorites like Documentary Now! and, of course, all things The Walking Dead, this is a great streamer to try out.
Where to Watch The Best Niche Streamer Originals and Exclusives Online
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