The Top Niche Streaming Platforms in 2023

We have replaced our previous Spanish-language streaming service with ViX, following the shutdown of Pantaya. Discover more about this service as you continue reading!

While services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Video are widely known, there is a vast array of streaming options available that cater to specific interests. Here are our top recommendations for specialty streaming services.

UPDATE: 10/26/2023

We've replaced our best Spanish-language streaming service with ViX, as Pantaya has shut down. Read on to find out more about the service!

shudder

Best Streaming Service for Horror Shudder

The Criterion Channel

Best Streaming Service for Classic Cinema Criterion

Acorn TV

Best Streaming Service for British/International TV Acorn TV

Crunchyroll

Best Streaming Service for Anime Crunchyroll

Discovery+

Best Streaming Service for Reality TV Discovery+

See More

Vix

Best Streaming Service for Spanish-Language Television See at Vix

MUBI

Best Streaming Service for Indie/Arthouse Cinema MUBI

Hi-Yah!

Best Streaming Service for Martial Arts Movies Hi-Yah!

What to Look For in a Streaming Service in 2023

Specialty streaming services differ from larger ones in their focus on specific interests rather than catering to a wide range of viewers. Therefore, the key factor in choosing a specialty streaming service is to determine the type of content you desire.

While Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime offer a wide selection of movies and TV series across various genres, they may have limited options for your preferred programming. Once you pinpoint the content that is lacking on these platforms, you can explore niche streaming services to complement them.

If mainstream entertainment offered by major streaming services doesn't interest you, perhaps you prefer focusing on your specific niche, be it a particular genre, era of filmmaking, or global region.

There's no need to pay for popular streaming services that don't provide the content you seek. Many specialty services offer cheaper monthly fees compared to their well-known counterparts. By subscribing to just a few specialty services aligned with your preferred media genres, you can save money.

If you use specialty streaming services as your main source of entertainment or as additions to other extensive services, it's unlikely that you'll want to subscribe to multiple ones. These services may not be suitable for everyone, and that's precisely their intention.

Our recommendations will assist in directing you to the perfect service that aligns with your specific interests.

Best Streaming Service for Horror: Shudder

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Shudder

Launched in 2015, Shudder, owned by AMC Networks, is a well-established specialty streaming service that has gained popularity and reputation over the years. Its commitment to the horror genre is admired by its fans, who appreciate the inclusion of productions that may not be widely accepted by mainstream audiences.

What sets Shudder apart is its dedication to providing for its horror audience. In addition to offering well-known horror classics and eccentric cult favorites for streaming, Shudder is committed to showcasing new findings and unconventional choices from the depths of the horror vaults to its viewers.

Shudder has established itself as the go-to platform for independent and innovative horror films, with a growing collection of original and exclusive content. Not only does it offer a wide selection of movies, but Shudder also presents its own original series, such as the highly anticipated revival of the Stephen King/George Romero anthology, Creepshow.

To cater to viewers who are indecisive about what to watch, Shudder provides themed live-stream channels featuring films from its extensive library. Moreover, the platform goes the extra mile by organizing special live-stream marathons, hosted by legendary figures in the horror community like Joe Bob Briggs and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.

Shudder's strength lies in its carefully curated collection of movies. However, this means that films are regularly cycled in and out, causing the library to grow slowly. Consequently, many movies often expire or get removed. Nevertheless, if you are unable to find your favorite horror movie to watch, you can rely on Shudder's skilled programming team to provide you with an equally exceptional or even superior alternative.

There are two plan options available: a monthly subscription priced at $5.99 per month, and an annual subscription priced at $56.99 per year, which equates to $4.75 per month.

provides the ultimate streaming experience for horror enthusiasts. With a meticulously hand-picked assortment of both timeless and contemporary horror movies, as well as a collection of original and exclusive content, Shudder caters to the unique tastes of this genre. Additionally, Shudder has formed collaborations with renowned horror personalities, further enhancing its status as the go-to streaming service for all things horror.

Shudder

Best Streaming Service for Classic Cinema: The Criterion Channel

Criterion

Criterion has established itself as the top brand for collecting and presenting classic and respected films on home video since 1984, starting with laserdisc and progressing to DVD and Blu-ray formats. With the introduction of the Criterion Channel, this commitment to quality is carried over to a streaming service.

Unlike other platforms that simply offer an overwhelming list of titles, the Criterion Channel offers a curated selection of movies organized into themed sets. Additionally, many of these films are accompanied by extensive bonus material, a characteristic that has become synonymous with Criterion's home releases. This means viewers can enjoy feature-length commentary and supplemental interviews for a variety of movies on the Criterion Channel.

Criterion's definition of classic cinema is extensive, covering vintage Hollywood films, international movies, underground and experimental cinema, and even certain new releases. The themed collections facilitate focused exploration or the discovery of new cinematic territories.

However, accessing these additional features comes at a cost. Criterion's subscription fee of $11 per month or $100 per year is higher compared to most specialized services. Additionally, due to the inclusion of content from various sources, some of which are bound by intricate copyright issues, Criterion frequently rotates its catalog. As a result, several movies leave the service at the conclusion of each month.

But there is more than enough at any given time to satisfy even the most discerning cinephile.

The Criterion Channel

brings the renowned Criterion Collection's high-quality and attentive curation to its streaming platform, offering meticulously curated selections of timeless films, accompanied by a wealth of additional content.

Best Streaming Service for British/International TV: Acorn TV

Acorn TV

In the past, British TV series could only be watched in the U.S. through PBS stations. However, the advent of streaming services has greatly improved the accessibility of international TV shows. While major streaming platforms offer a variety of shows from different countries, the range of options for die-hard fans of British and European TV is still somewhat restricted.

Acorn TV offers a diverse selection of shows from the United Kingdom and other countries, excluding American-produced content. From beloved classics to new releases, you'll find a wide range of dramas and comedies. Whether you fondly remember shows like Midsomer Murders and Poirot from your childhood, or you're intrigued by cult British comedies like Detectorists and Only Fools and Horses, Acorn TV has it all. Additionally, if you're eager to be one of the first American viewers to enjoy the latest Scandinavian murder drama, you'll find it on Acorn TV. With a library that includes British TV staples and new productions from the U.K., Europe, Canada, and Australia, Acorn TV is the ultimate destination for international television content.

Acorn primarily focuses on English-speaking countries and mainland Europe, limiting its international reach to those regions. This means that if you're looking for shows from South America or Asia, Acorn isn't the right platform for you. While it does offer a small selection of feature films, these choices may appear somewhat random.

However, there is still an abundance of content available for those interested in exploring television shows from across the pond. If you're a fan of British or European TV, Acorn TV is the ideal subscription for you. The month-to-month plan is priced at $6.99, while the annual membership comes with a tag of $69.99.

Acorn TV is the ultimate streaming service for British and international TV enthusiasts. With a wide range of classic and contemporary British TV series, as well as captivating international shows and select movies from English-speaking countries and mainland Europe, Acorn TV offers a diverse and compelling content selection that caters to Anglophiles and global viewers alike.

Acorn TV

Best Streaming Service for Anime: Crunchyroll

rafapress/Shutterstock.com

Anime, the Japanese animation, has had a dedicated American fanbase for many years. While it gained occasional mainstream recognition in the past, such as with Akira and Studio Ghibli films, its popularity has surged in recent times. This can be attributed to the devoted fans who established Crunchyroll in 2006.

Originally starting as a semi-legitimate streaming platform, Crunchyroll has transformed into a dominant force in the anime industry. It has become the ultimate online hub for watching anime outside of Japan, boasting a vast collection of thousands of episodes from beloved series like My Hero Academia, One Piece, and Mobile Suit Gundam.

Crunchyroll has successfully diversified its content, now offering more than just anime. It includes manga (Japanese comic books often adapted into or from anime), live-action series, and even video games. This expansion has made Crunchyroll an essential service for fans of Japanese pop culture and those who enjoy original content in an anime style. The best part is that Crunchyroll offers a free ad-supported version, making it accessible to most users. However, for viewers who prefer an ad-free experience, premium subscriptions are available starting at just $8 per month.

Crunchyroll, a renowned streaming service for anime enthusiasts, has established itself as a dominant force in the industry, leading to multiple corporate takeovers. In late 2020, it was acquired by Sony, the owner of anime service competitor Funimation. The merger between the two services took place in March 2022, resulting in a significant amount of uncertainty. Many eyebrows were raised when it took several months for various popular Funimation titles to be transferred to the Crunchyroll platform. Regrettably, even as of January 2023, more than 200 shows have yet to be fully uploaded to the site, post-merger.

However, despite these challenges, Crunchyroll offers an extensive library of over 1,000 titles that viewers can enjoy either for free with ads or with an ad-free subscription.

With its extensive collection of anime, Crunchyroll stands out as the premier streaming service for fans of Japanese animation. It boasts the largest library in the world, offering a plethora of content not only limited to anime but also encompassing various aspects of Japanese and Asian pop culture.

Crunchyroll

Best Streaming Service for Reality TV: Discovery+

Discovery

The cable networks affiliated with Discovery, including HGTV, TLC, Food Network, Travel Channel, and Animal Planet, showcase some of the most beloved reality TV shows. As a cable subscriber, you can indulge in endless reruns of home renovation and true crime shows, but your chances of catching a new episode are in the hands of TV schedulers.

Enter Discovery+: the ultimate streaming service that brings together all of these reality shows, and many more, in one place. With numerous seasons and episodes available on demand, you not only have access to popular shows like 90 Day Fiancé, Ghost Adventures, and Dr. Pimple Popper, but you can also enjoy exclusive spin-offs and expanded versions found only on Discovery+.

Discovery's cable networks have limited hours for programming, unlike Discovery+ which offers unlimited space for new versions of popular reality shows. The platform also includes thought-provoking documentary feature films that align with its emphasis on true-life programming while aiming for greater artistic success.

In spring 2023, a merger between HBO Max and Warner Bros. streaming giants is set to take place. The combined service may be called "Max" and will provide viewers with access to a wide range of content from HBO, DC Comics, Cartoon Network, HGTV, and other networks.

For now, Discovery+ offers a tiered subscription plan, with the option of an ad-free version for $7 per month or a version with ads for $5. Although this pricing structure is more common among larger services, these shows were originally created with commercials in mind, so viewers may not find the ads bothersome.

Discovery+

is the ultimate streaming service for reality TV enthusiasts. With an extensive collection of shows from the Discovery cable networks, it offers a wide range of the most sought-after reality shows on television. Additionally, Discovery+ provides an array of expansions and spin-offs from these beloved franchises, making it the go-to platform for all reality TV lovers.

Best Streaming Service for Spanish-Language Television: ViX

Image credit: ViX

The demand for Spanish-language TV content has seen a significant increase in recent years, resulting in the rapid growth of services like ViX. Having started as PrendeTV in 2021 and undergoing a re-brand a year later, ViX has amassed a substantial number of subscribers for its free and premium packages. This enormous success can be attributed to the appeal of accessing content from Spanish-speaking regions worldwide.

ViX primarily offers TV content from Univision and free-to-air channels like Las Estrellas, Canal 5, Canal 9, and Foro. Additionally, it includes movies, news, and sports from various Spanish-speaking regions. The recent acquisition of the popular Pantaya service has granted ViX exclusive rights to air numerous renowned Latin American novellas and series, making it even more appealing.

ViX's free package offers a decent amount of content that can be accessed through smart TVs, browsers, and iOS or Android devices. For an ad-free experience and access to over 100 channels, thousands of movies, and novellas, the premium subscription is available at an excellent value of $6.99 per month or $49.99 per year.

Sports fans, particularly those passionate about soccer, are in for a treat. ViX offers extensive coverage of Liga MX, the UEFA Champions League, and beIN Sports. Additionally, hardcore sports enthusiasts can enjoy MMA action from Combate Global and professional bull riding.

Unfortunately, provision for non-Spanish speakers is currently quite limited. While ViX may enhance its subtitling efforts for English and other languages as it evolves, its primary focus for now is to provide content that appeals to its core audience.

Experience the Best Streaming Service for Spanish-Language Television

Discover an extensive collection of Spanish-language content on ViX, featuring a diverse selection of originals and co-productions with Amazon. Immerse yourself in captivating novellas, Latin American movies, and thrilling sports programming. Look no further than ViX for all your favorite Spanish-language entertainment.

See at Vix

Best Streaming Service for Indie and Arthouse Cinema: MUBI

MUBI

If you long for the days of independent video stores or art-house cinemas, where film enthusiasts with in-depth knowledge of niche movies would assist you, then MUBI is the perfect service for you. Unlike other streaming platforms, even those with a niche focus, MUBI stands out through its carefully curated content. Each day, they present a new title that is exclusively available for a limited time.

Rather than aimlessly scrolling through never-ending lists of unfamiliar titles, you can rely on MUBI to present you with the day's chosen film. Rest assured that their selection has been meticulously curated by experts with refined taste and extensive expertise.

The movie could be an acclaimed masterpiece from a pioneer of the French New Wave, a lesser-known and budget-friendly exploitation film, or a recently released work from a prominent figure in global cinema. Regardless of its nature, rest assured that watching it will prove to be both thought-provoking and enriching, elevating your understanding and admiration for the art of filmmaking.

Moreover, MUBI acts as an arthouse distributor as well. Once these films have completed their theatrical runs, including those acquired from film festivals or restored versions of overlooked classics, they become available for streaming on the MUBI platform.

MUBI's unique business model eliminates the possibility of adding a desired film to a queue for later viewing if it premieres on the service. However, the service compensates for this by constantly offering enticing new movies, ensuring a consistent flow of exciting content. Despite being relatively costly at $12.99 per month or $107.88 per year, Mubi justifies the expense with its expertly curated selection and the convenience of bypassing the endless decision-making process of "what should we watch?".

MUBI

Ideal Streaming Platform for Indie/Arthouse Films

MUBI stands out as the ultimate choice for daring film enthusiasts seeking invaluable recommendations on what to delve into, highlighting their distinctive method of showcasing a single cinematic masterpiece each day.

MUBI

Best Streaming Service for Martial Arts Movies: Hi-Yah!

Hi-Yah!

Hi-Yah! is a streaming service that focuses on martial arts action. Its name may sound silly but it is also memorable. If you browse through Hi-Yah!'s selections, you will be amazed by the wide variety of martial arts movies and related Asian action cinema available. Fans of this genre have long been aware of its richness and diversity, and they are some of the most dedicated fans in the world of cinema.

Finding many of these foreign action movies used to be quite a challenge, as they were only available through import home video releases or questionable bootleg trades. However, Hi-Yah! has changed this by bringing together previously unavailable martial arts movies for streaming, including new premieres.

Martial arts stars such as Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, and Donnie Yen are well-represented on Hi-Yah!, but the platform goes beyond these renowned names. It actively seeks up-and-coming talents and regional cinemas, providing subscribers with the opportunity to be among the first to experience new martial arts sensations from Malaysia or Indonesia. In addition to classic Hong Kong action movies, Hi-Yah! offers a diverse selection of other types of action movies from Asia, ensuring that genre fans have a plethora of new films to explore. However, it is important to note that while Hi-Yah! has a vast collection of martial arts movies to cater to its viewers, the service's narrow focus may cause even the most dedicated fans to become fatigued with the repetitive content.

The great advantage of Hi-Yah! is its affordability at just $4 a month, making it a convenient add-on option for other services, regardless of consistent usage.

Hi-Yah!

Best Streaming Service for Martial Arts MoviesAll the action is on Hi-Yah!, featuring martial arts classics and other action movies from Asia, including exclusives and hard-to-find titles.

Hi-Yah!

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have a few thoughts on the article about niche streaming services.

First, I think it's great that there are so many different streaming services available these days. It means that I can find content that is tailored to my specific interests, whether it's horror movies, classic cinema, or British TV shows. I no longer have to rely on mainstream services like Netflix and Hulu, which often don't have the variety of content that I'm looking for.

Second, I appreciate that the article provides recommendations for the best streaming services in each category. This makes it easy for me to find the services that are right for me, and I don't have to waste time searching through all of the different options.

Overall, I think that the article is a great resource for anyone who is looking for niche streaming services. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in finding new and exciting content to watch.