Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Streaming platforms are like onions. When you peel away the layers, there’s so much more to them than you originally thought! OK, so maybe not the most technological analogy, but it’s true: too often do subscribers of Netflix, Hulu, HBO NOW, and Prime Video overlook how much is actually available to them when they sign up for membership.
Heck, I know people who had no clue they could access Prime Video with their Amazon Prime membership. So as cord-cutting becomes increasingly popular and streaming services continue with their own onslaughts of original programming, it’s time we all take a closer look at what perks are available to you below the surface. Below are ten features available across Netflix, Hulu, HBO NOW, and Prime Video you should really have on your radar so make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
Netflix has a slew of secret genres hidden from view.
You may have heard about Netflix’s hidden codes that let you narrow down your search from “Drama” to “Film Noir” (code 7687) or “Silent Movies” (53310) or “Gangster Thrillers” (code 31851). The only catch is, this hacking feature is only available if you watch on your desktop or laptop. Simply choose a genre, any genre, and change the last few numbers of the URL with one of these hundreds of codes.
You can watch A24's and Tribeca Film's library on Prime Video.
You may already be aware that you can add on membership subscriptions to Showtime and Starz through Amazon’s Prime Video for an additional fee, but did you know you have free access to some of the most acclaimed independent fare available? See every indie flick distributed by Tribeca Film and trailblazing distribution house, A24, for free with your Prime subscription; including Oscar-nominated The Broken Circle Breakdown, Oscar-winning Amy and Ex Machina, sci-fi sleeper hit Under the Skin, and many, many more. How do you access these titles, you ask? Simply search for “Tribeca Film” or “A24” on your device.
HBO has an exclusive deal with Prime Video too.
Can’t quite afford your subscription to Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video and HBO NOW? Hey, everyone needs to tighten their budgets every now and then. Good thing HBO has an exclusive deal with Prime Video that allows members to stream seasons of their iconic and award-winning series, including The Wire, Veep, The Sopranos, Sex and the City, and more. Not every show, season, special, or mini-series is available for free but you do have the option to rent or purchase those that aren’t.
Hulu's "Staff Picks" are on point.
The ol’ “there’s nothing to watch” complaint of the digital age is “there’s too much to choose from.” And if you’re as indecisive as I am, then you probably prefer having your streaming choices narrowed down for you. Cue: Hulu’s Staff Picks. Never heard of them, you say? That’s because they’re hidden under the TV pull-down menu. They change every few weeks or so and include fun curations like “We Love the ’90s,” “Surprisingly Great Duos, “TV’s Most Stylish Shows,” and more.
Don't sleep on HBO NOW's "Collections" section
If you’ve navigated your way around HBO’s standalone streaming service, HBO NOW, then you’re aware that there’s so much more to watch than Game of Thrones. What you may not have noticed, however, is their “Collections” curations (available under the “More” pull-down menu), which offer batches of movies and shows to suit your mood. If you’re feeling up for a major binge session, check out “Essential HBO” to see what original series you haven’t had the chance to watch yet (or maybe want to re-watch). Also included is “By Women,” which includes films from female directors; “You Work Out?” where you can find the muscliest gents on streaming; and “Absolutely ’80s,” which includes Brat Pack favorites and screwball comedies.
If you type in "Netflix Originals" into Netflix's search bar, you can see their entire programming library.
Go ahead, give it a try. Just type in “Netflix Originals” into search and you’ll find every single one of their original series (both existing and upcoming so you can add them to your list ahead of time), documentaries, narrative films, comedy specials, and mini-series; plus all of those Netflix acquired originals from the BBC like Peaky Blinders, Happy Valley, and more.
Stream your way through film school with Criterion Collection on Hulu.
Can’t afford a cinema studies degree? That’s fair, they’re hella overpriced. Good thing Hulu has adopted the Criterion Collection: a cinephile’s dream come true. Found under their Movies pull-down menu, Criterion — known for its prestigious adoption of the art form’s greatest works — features films from notoriously studied directors like Akira Kurosawa, Louis Mall, Federico Fellini, Ingmar Bergman, John Cassavetes, and more. Sometimes they even feature guest curators like Richard Linklater, director of Dazed and Confused and Boyhood, to pick their favorites.
IMDb X-ray helps you figure out who's who when streaming on Amazon Video.
See a familiar face, but aren’t exactly sure who you’re looking at? If you don’t have IMDb handy and you happen to be watching Prime Video on your desktop or via your Amazon Fire Stick, then you have access to IMDb’s X-ray tool. Simply pause whatever show or movie you’re watching and click “X-ray” up in the top left hand corner and you can see the name and character of every cast member. If you’re watching via Fire Stick and pause, this information will automatically pop up.
FYI, HBO NOW has a massive movie library.
That’s right: even if you don’t have HBO access through linear cable, all of the same movies are available to you on HBO NOW. To see all of them listed in their entirety, simply navigate to the “Movies” tab and scroll down to see them in alphabetical order. From Magic Mike and its sexier sequel, Magic Mike XXL to Oscar winners like Ali and American Sniper and just about everything you can think of in between: you’ve got quite a bit to explore.
Need something to watch with the kids? Each platform has a dedicated section for youngsters.
Found up at the top navigation bar on every streaming service (or, sometimes via search if you’re watching through Roku or XBOX One) is a Kids section that’s just for, well, those who aren’t old enough to watch Empire or Orange Is the New Black or Vinyl. Under these sections you’ll find family-friendly movies and original programming. Settings that make them accessible can be controlled and limited, so if you leave your remote in the hands of your little one, they won’t get any ideas.
