Mubi is a streaming service focused on independent, international, and classic films

Mubi is a subscription video service that shows films outside the mainstream — independent productions, documentaries, international cinema, and restored classics. Unlike Netflix or Amazon Prime, which rotate thousands of titles, Mubi keeps a smaller, curated library and changes the featured film daily. You watch what Mubi decides to show that day, though you can also browse and save films to watch later.

The service operates on a model where one film is available to stream for 30 days, then rotates out as a new one arrives. This means you cannot always watch exactly what you want exactly when you want it, but the rotating schedule is intentional — it mirrors the experience of a film festival or arthouse cinema, where discovery and timing matter.

Mubi is owned by the same company that runs the Criterion Collection, a publisher known for restoring and releasing significant films. That ownership shapes what appears on the platform: you will see a lot of Criterion releases, international directors, and films that streaming services built for mass audiences typically skip.

Key Takeaways

  • Mubi shows one featured film at a time on a rotating 30-day schedule, plus a browsable library of older titles you can watch anytime during your subscription.
  • The monthly cost varies by region and payment method, but typically runs between $10 and $15 per month in the United States.
  • You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart TVs, though the app and browser experience differ slightly.
  • Mubi offers a free tier with limited access, and a paid subscription removes ads and gives you full library access.
  • The service works best if you enjoy films outside mainstream cinema — documentaries, international work, experimental pieces, and restored classics.

What you actually watch on Mubi

The core experience is the daily film rotation. Each day at midnight (in your time zone), one film leaves the platform and a new one arrives. During those 30 days, you can watch the featured film as many times as you want. Mubi also maintains a library of older featured films — typically 30 to 50 titles at any given time — that you can watch anytime without waiting for them to rotate in.

The featured film changes every single day, which means if you see something you want to watch, you have a month to do it. If you miss that window, the film goes away and may not return for months or years. This creates real pressure to stay engaged with what Mubi is showing, which is either appealing or frustrating depending on how you watch films.

Mubi also produces original content — documentaries, interviews, and short films — that appear alongside the rotating schedule. Some of these are exclusive to Mubi; others are available elsewhere but Mubi funds or distributes them.

Cost and payment options

Mubi charges a monthly subscription fee that varies by country. In the United States, the standard monthly cost is typically $10.99 per month when you pay month-to-month. If you commit to an annual plan, the per-month cost is lower — often around $8 to $9 per month when divided across 12 months, though you pay the full year upfront.

The service also offers a free tier with ads and limited library access. The free version shows you the featured film and a smaller selection of older titles, but you see advertisements. Upgrading to paid removes ads and gives you access to the full library of available titles.

Mubi accepts credit cards and PayPal. Some regions also offer payment through local methods. You can cancel anytime, and the service does not charge you again after you cancel — your access ends at the end of your billing period.

Devices and streaming quality

Mubi works on phones and tablets (iOS and Android), computers (through a web browser or desktop app), and some smart TVs. The app is available on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV devices. If your TV is not on that list, you can usually connect a computer or streaming device to watch on the bigger screen.

Streaming quality depends on your internet connection and the device you use. Mubi streams in up to 4K on supported devices, but most films are delivered in 1080p or lower. The service automatically adjusts quality based on your connection speed, so you do not have to choose a quality setting yourself.

One limitation: Mubi does not support offline downloads. You must be connected to the internet to watch. If you travel or have spotty connectivity, this is a real constraint.

How Mubi differs from other streaming services

The rotating schedule is the biggest difference. Netflix, Amazon Prime, and most other services let you browse a large library and watch whatever you want whenever you want. Mubi forces you to work within a schedule — you watch what is available now, or you wait. This is intentional design meant to recreate the experience of a cinema or festival, where you show up for what is playing.

The library is also much smaller and more specialized. Mubi does not carry blockbusters, recent mainstream releases, or most television. It carries films that appeal to people who seek out cinema as an art form — which means you will find less familiar work, more subtitles, and more experimental pieces than on mainstream platforms.

Mubi also does not have the same licensing deals as Netflix or Amazon. It cannot show everything you might want to see, and what it does show is often available for a limited time. This scarcity is part of the model, not a bug.

Whether Mubi makes sense for your household

Mubi works well if you watch films regularly and enjoy discovering cinema outside the mainstream. If you like documentaries, international films, restored classics, or experimental work, you will find a lot to watch. If you want to watch the latest Marvel release or popular television series, Mubi is not the service for you.

The rotating schedule also suits people who like having a curated choice made for them — people who sometimes struggle with decision paralysis when faced with thousands of options. The daily rotation creates a natural rhythm and a reason to check in regularly.

The service is less useful if you watch casually or want to binge a series. You cannot watch multiple episodes of anything because Mubi does not carry television. You also cannot always watch what you want when you want it, which frustrates people who prefer control over their viewing schedule.

Cost-wise, Mubi is cheaper than most premium streaming services if you commit to an annual plan, but you are paying for a smaller, more specialized library. Whether that trade-off makes sense depends on whether you will actually watch what Mubi shows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Mubi on multiple devices at the same time?

Mubi allows simultaneous streaming on a limited number of devices — typically two or three at once, depending on your subscription tier. If you exceed that limit, you will get an error message on the oldest active stream. Check Mubi's current policy on their website, as this can change.

What happens if I cancel my subscription?

Your access ends at the end of your current billing period. You do not lose access immediately, and Mubi does not charge you again after cancellation. If you resubscribe later, you start fresh — you do not retain a history of what you watched.

Is Mubi worth it if I only watch a few films a month?

That depends on how picky you are. If you watch three or four films per month and enjoy most of what Mubi shows, the cost is reasonable. If you watch one film per month or often find nothing you want to watch, you are paying for access you do not use. The free tier lets you test this before paying.

Can I download films to watch offline?

No. Mubi requires an internet connection to stream. You cannot download films to your phone or computer to watch later without a connection.

Does Mubi have subtitles for non-English films?

Yes. Most films on Mubi include subtitles in multiple languages, including English. Some films are in English originally, so subtitles are not needed. Check the film's page before you start watching if language matters to you.