With so many streaming options available, including ones being offered at a great value, it’s easy to get lost among the latest releases. Perhaps we’ve been doing it all wrong. What if the next great movie to enjoy isn’t something new? Instead, it could be a film you remember watching with your grandparents, or an old title you’ve heard about but have never watched.
There’s a growing list of streaming video apps that give you access to vintage films. But of all the choices, one app cuts above the competition: Watch TCM.
What is Watch TCM?
I’m a little surprised by just how much there is to watch here
The Turner Classic Movies channel debuted on cable and satellite systems back in 1994. That date was significant since it was the 100th anniversary of the first commercial exhibition of a motion picture in the U.S. The first film available on the service was the 1939 classic, Gone with the Wind.
Watch TCM launched on iOS and Android in 2013. Five years later, it was added to Apple TV and Roku. Today, it’s also available on Amazon Fire TV and Android TV.
These features make Watch TCM great
Video isn’t the only offer on the service
Several Watch TCM features really caught my attention initially and kept me coming back. This begins with its vast library, which is updated monthly. Licensing issues mean it doesn’t contain everything in the Turner Classic Movies library, but, honestly, this doesn’t make much of a difference. There is a lot here to enjoy.
I’m also impressed with the app’s ease of use. Content is clearly laid out by genre and by the date it was added to the service. It also lets you know when a title is about to expire, so you can take the time to watch it before it’s gone.
Watch TCM also includes two live streams from the linear service. This consists of the East and West Coast live streams, so you have two chances to watch a film as it’s airing live on the channel. These feeds are where you will often find content that’s not available on demand.
However, my favorite Watch TCM feature is the information boxes for each title. Here, you can find a comprehensive synopsis, cast and crew details, image galleries, articles, and more. I’m not familiar with many of the titles on the app, and you probably won’t be either, which makes sense given the age of many of the titles. Having this information handy makes it much easier to find content that I’m likely to enjoy.
Another standout feature for the Watch TCM app is its expert commentary. Journalist Ben Mankiewicz, who has worked at TCM for more than two decades, delivers film introductions and background information that enhance viewers’ understanding of movies beyond what other platforms offer. This commentary has helped me many times decide to watch a film that I would have otherwise skipped. Other commentaries are available, but Mankiewicz’s is one of my favorites.
Although Watch TCM is available on mobile devices like iPhones, I recommend using it on a larger screen. On iPad and Apple TV, I have found the experience to be significantly better, although watching content on smaller screens is still acceptable in a pinch.
How to stream Watch TCM
The bad news is that most cord-cutters will have a problem
One notable downside of Watch TCM is its limited access. Currently, you can only access it by using a service that supports the “TV Everywhere” service, which means that to use it, you must have a subscription with a participating cable or satellite TV provider. Subscribers to digital offerings like DirecTV Stream and YouTube TV can also access it for free, but this still limits its availability to those who maintain specific television subscriptions.
It’s disappointing that Watch TCM isn’t yet offered as a standalone add-on for cord-cutters. The absence of this option leaves a significant number of potential subscribers without a way to enjoy commercial-free classic films on their devices. Given the increasing number of viewers ditching cable in favor of streaming services, having dedicated access to a rich library of classic films would not only enhance user experience but also align with current viewing trends. It’s a missed opportunity on TCM’s part.
Can’t stream Watch TCM? Try these alternatives instead
Unfortunately, these services also have limits, but there is one gem
If you’re one of those who can’t access Watch TCM but still want to check out classic films, several alternative services are available. However, finding similar content on the alternatives, especially without a cable or satellite subscription, can prove challenging. However, there are a few options to consider.
The Criterion Channel is the real gem if you can’t access Watch TCM. As any cinephile knows, Criterion has long been recognized as a company that releases high-quality, definitive editions of some of the best films ever produced on DVD. The Criterion Channel offers a highly curated list of film titles that fall into the classic or arthouse categories.
Then there are ad-supported options, Tubi, Pluto TV, the Roku Channel, and YouTube. Each of these services typically offers a limited selection of classic movies that are updated regularly. The rub, however, is that these are all ad-supported.
Of subscription-based services, I’d recommend HBO Max, a very popular streaming service. Available through your cable subscription or as a standalone service, this offering is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, which also owns Turner Classic Movies. This means you’ll find many of the same titles, but not all, as you would with Watch TCM.
Stumped on what other streaming services to try? We have some ideas on how to choose the best streaming service for your household.
