The best VPNs for streaming movies

Watch more content from around the world.

By Joseph Green

Oct. 14, 2024

Credit: Pexels

NordVPN

Best For Security

You can't go wrong with Nord. It's a well-known and reliable VPN that has over 5,000 servers worldwide and doesn't track your activity.

Pros & Cons

CyberGhost VPN

Best For Simplicity

CyberGhost makes staying protected on your Android device easy.

Pros & Cons

PureVPN

Best For Customisation

Android users can profit from the customisable modes used to optimise their connection.

Pros & Cons

Surfshark

Best For Multiple Devices

Surfshark offers an impressive set of features with an unlimited number of simultaneous connections.

Pros & Cons

What would we do without movies? It's honestly not worth thinking about. A good movie has the ability to capture your attention and keep it for hours, which is especially useful if all you've got planned is staying in and doing as little as possible.

The good news for anyone planning on a movie marathon is that we're living through a golden age of streaming services. Nowadays, film buffs can pick from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and many more sites to get their fix. Put simply, we're not short of options when it comes to settling down on the sofa for a day sat in front of a screen.

It's not all good though, because the demand on these sites is probably at an all time high. It's great that we have so much choice, but there is still a finite amount of content tucked away on these sites. It's inevitable that the most dedicated viewers will reach a point where their options are actually quite limited. We know this is a scary thought, but it's important to prepare for this difficult moment.

The most obvious solution to this crisis would be to subscribe to another streaming service, and binge on all of that extra content. This might work in the short-term, but it's not realistic to think that you can just keep subscribing to new sites. This is an expensive tactic, and definitely not something we would recommend. Instead, you should consider investing in a virtual private network (VPN).

What is a VPN?

These security services are primarily used to protect your online identity and data. They do this by providing an encrypted tunnel that your online traffic can pass through. Everything going through this tunnel is protected from prying eyes, meaning that your identity is kept under wraps. This is certainly useful, especially when you come to understand just how exposed you are in the online world. The web is full of threats, including hackers, viruses, and malware, and it's important that you stay safe out there. VPNs are great for cybersecurity, but a large portion of VPN subscribers use these services for a completely different reason, and it all comes down to streaming.

VPNs can be used to bypass geo-restrictions and unblock leading streaming sites from all over the world. How does this work? If for example you wanted to stream all of the films on American Netflix from the UK, you could open up your VPN and select an American server in order to spoof your IP to a U.S. address. This makes Netflix think you're in the U.S. when you're actually in the UK, so you can watch everything that is normally unavailable in your location.

There are plenty of VPNs that can trick streaming sites into thinking that you're based in another country, so you can watch all the films hosted by that version of the site. This simple trick can significantly boost your content options without the need to subscribe to a new service. You'll still need to be subscribed to whatever site you are streaming on, but there's no need to look elsewhere.

If you're considering investing in a VPN for streaming films, there are some features that you will need to look out for. It's important to carefully consider these features before making any sort of decision.

What should you consider when selecting a VPN for streaming?

We have done you a solid and researched everything that matters when it comes to streaming with a VPN, so you don't have to. These are the most important VPN features to consider for streaming movies:

Bandwidth — Some VPNs have monthly caps on network bandwidth, meaning you can only download a certain amount of data. Avoid these services at all costs. We want you to be able to enjoy as much online content as you want, so you should always seek out a VPN with unlimited bandwidth.
Connection speed — Don't even try and start streaming a movie if your VPN doesn't offer solid connection speeds. It's perfectly normal for a VPN to produce a drop in speed, but anything significant is going to result in a lot of buffering, and that's no fun for anyone. Make sure you don't select a VPN that negatively impacts your connection speed to the point that you can't watch a movie without constant interruptions. We're not asking for a lot.
Number of connections — This feature differs greatly between providers. There are some VPNs that will allow an unlimited number of connections, whilst others limit you to just a single device. Naturally, it's better to have the possibility of multiple simultaneous connections, so you can watch movies on all your devices at any time. Plus, if you have a large family or group of friends using the same account, you can all watch your favourite content without being bumped off by other members.
Price — There are free VPNs out there that offer a decent set of features, but there is always going to be a catch. Free VPNs almost always have limits on data, server network, and connection speed, so if you want to stream freely, we recommend opting for a paid plan. There are a lot of different types of paid plans on offer from the leading services, and the cheapest monthly rates are reserved for the longest contracts. If you find a VPN that ticks all of the boxes, it might be worth making a commitment.
Server network — Most of the best VPNs provide access to thousands of servers located all around the world. Connecting to these servers is what grants you access to foreign libraries of movies, so it's crucial that your VPN of choice offers a strong selection. It's also useful if a VPN has a lot of servers in key locations like the U.S., so if a particular server is struggling to connect, you can simply try another.

It's important to take all of this into consideration when selecting a VPN for streaming films, but there's one more thing to note. It's worth taking some time to research whether a service can actually unblock your preferred streaming site. A VPN can offer everything we have just outlined, but some services simply aren't able to bypass the restrictions of a site like Netflix. These sites have a lot of protections in place that can detect some VPNs, meaning you aren't guaranteed access with every VPN.

Fortunately, the best VPNs for streaming films are one step ahead and can remain undetected.

What is the best VPN for streaming movies?

There are plenty of VPNs that can unblock streaming sites and provide a user-friendly viewing experience, but we know you're only interested in the best VPNs for watching films.

We have checked out everything on offer and lined up a selection of the very best VPNs for watching films on sites like Netflix and Prime Video. There should be something for everyone and every budget on this list, with popular providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN making the cut. All you need to do is consider the options we have highlighted, and pick the service that suits you best. It's that easy.

These are the best VPNs for watching films in 2024.

NordVPN

Best For Security

The good

One of the sturdiest, most reliable VPNs Fast servers Can connect six devices Doesn't log activities

The Bad

It's expensive

The Bottomline

If you want a VPN that has a fast service and allows you to connect to multiple phones at once, try out NordVPN.

Specs

Monthly: £10.39/month
One-year plan: £3.99/month
Two-year plan: £3.19/month

Read our full review of NordVPN.

NordVPN has a reputation for being amongst the sturdiest, most reliable VPNs out there. NordVPN has fast servers that are also not on any blacklists. You should be able to stream Hulu or Netlfix shows in several European countries without any issues.

NordVPN says it offers over 5,000 servers worldwide. It lets you connect six devices at the same time, and it claims to keep no logs of your activities. INordVPN is one of the most secure VPNs, with a wide range of advanced security features that combine to protect your data and identity.

CyberGhost VPN

Best For Simplicity

The good

Great security features Easy to use with Android Generous money-back guarantee

The Bad

Speeds can drop

The Bottomline

CyberGhost VPN keeps things real simple, and focuses on strong security features.

Specs

Monthly: £10.89/month
Six-month plan: £6.19/month
Two-year plan: £1.92/month

Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.

Cyberghost VPN has a really simple interface with easy-to-understand terminology explaining all of its features. It keeps things easy and focuses on strong security features. It’s very fast to set up and has intuitive apps for a variety of popular devices.

CyberGhost might be easy to use but that doesn't mean it's not on par with other options on this list. Users have access to 3,600 servers in over 60 locations around the world, with unlimited bandwidth and traffic. This makes for reliable streaming, but some users have said connections can be slower than with other VPN offerings.

PureVPN

Best For Customisation

The good

Customisable modes Private connection possibilities Protection against viruses and ads

The Bad

The modes can actually be limiting

The Bottomline

Android users should love the customisable modes that can be used to optimise connection.

Specs

Monthly: £8.37/month
One-year plan: £2.86/month
Two-year plan: £1.75/month

PureVPN is different to other virtual private network services, due to its customisable nature.

Your connection is based on what 'mode' you select. Some of the options include streaming, 'internet freedom', privacy, file-sharing, and dedicated IP modes.

Some Android users might actually find this a bit limiting, but all your activity is kept private no matter what mode you're in, and that's the most important thing. The dedicated IP mode helps deal with some of the speed issues VPNs frequently face, too.

PureVPN also has many of the other features you expect to get from a VPN, such as the ability to change your location, and in-built protections against malware, viruses, and ads.

Surfshark

Best For Multiple Devices

The good

No limit on simultaneous connections Intuitive app Multi-hop and split tunnelling tools

The Bad

Not the strongest connection speeds

The Bottomline

Surfshark ticks a lot of boxes for streaming sport and should be your top choice if you rely on a lot of tech.

Specs

Monthly: £9.90/month
One-year plan: £3.05/month
Two-year plan: £1.76/month

Surfshark is probably the best VPN for anyone who relies on a lot of tech, as you can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously with the same plan. This also makes it something to seriously consider if there is a lot of people in your house looking to stream at the same time.

Surfshark also offers a wide range of impressive features including split tunnelling and enterprise-grade infrastructure, with an easy to use and stylish interface making it a strong choice for total beginners.

Surfshark is not the cheapest provider, but if you're willing to commit to a longer contract, the monthly rate comes down sharply.

Topics: Tech, VPN (Virtual Private Networks), ExpressVPN, Surfshark, NordVPN, PureVPN, CyberGhost VPN