With so many people cutting costs and staying in, many streaming services have extended their free trials. The time might be ripe for those of us at home to start streaming — to try the service you were holding off on, the one you've never heard of, the one you canceled and wanted to restart with a new email address. For the sake of your sanity (and ours), we didn't include entirely free streaming services like Crackle, Vudu, Tubi, or anything that streams live TV. We tried to keep to original programming and not to recommend 10-season dramas or other massive projects that will dominate a free trial period, but if that's your jam, you have our blessing. (Free trial: 1 month) If you aren't already a subscriber or living happily with someone else's login, Netflix's free trial is a merciful month. That's nowhere near enough time to piece through its now gargantuan library, but you can sample some essentials and come back with a paid subscription later. iRobot Roomba Combo i3+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop—$329.99(List Price $599.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet—$169.99(List Price $219.99) Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case—$189.99(List Price $249.00) Eero 6 Dual-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System (Router + 2 Extenders)—$149.99(List Price $199.99) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm, Midnight, S/M, Sports Band)—$299.00(List Price $399.00) To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before When They See Us Stranger Things Homecoming King Sex Education Big Mouth Astronomy Club The latest Big Thing - It seems like there's always a new Netflix show or movie dominating discussions. Last year it was Tiger King, before that it was Love is Blind, and back in September it was Squid Game. You'll know what this is because roughly everyone in your life will be talking about it and you'll hit Play just to shut them up. Happy bingeing. Like Netflix, Hulu is an excellent source for full seasons of current TV shows, including many you've wanted to start, even if you can't finish in a month. Its original programming includes award winners and critical darlings, so there's plenty to explore. (Free trial: 1 month) Ramy Killing Eve Castle Rock Harlots Pen15 The Handmaid's Tale Letterkenny If you haven't had the chance to watch Amazon darlings like Fleabagor The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, you're probably sick of hearing others sing their praises by now, so why wait! Start that trial and you'll probably finish both within a week — and after that, well, we've still got a few recs. (Free trial: 30 days) Fleabag Catastrophe The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Downton Abbey The Big Sick Good Omens (Free trial: 7 days) To incentivize people to stay indoors and keep safe from coronavirus, HBO announced that many of its most popular programs, including The Sopranos, Veep, and Barry, would stream for free on HBO Now and HBO Go withouta paid subscription. But if you’re still willing to sign up for a paid account, the free trial lasts a week, and that’s enough time to dip into some of its latest originals and whet your appetite for more. Watchmen Avenue 5 Chernobyl (Free trial: 7 days) If you have kids, our recommendations will not matter against theirs. But if they're amenable (and you are too), we recommend picking something from each of Disney+'s critical categories: Star Wars, Marvel, classic movies, and Disney Channel Originals. The Mandalorian Avengers: Endgame Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century Mulan Forky Asks a Question (Free trial: 30 days) 30 days is enough time to stream all of Homeland, but that's a heavy task. If you're going to try it, at least take breaks for other shows, and maybe you'll get hooked on one of these instead. Kidding (Free trial: 7 days) As with Showtime, we can't healthily recommend bingeing all of Outlanderin a week, but we can't deter you from trying. For less episodes but still a solid viewing experience, we have other suggestions. Vida Party Down Survivors Remorse (Free trial: 7 days) Like Netflix or Hulu, Cinemax's movie library sometimes feels utterly chaotic in its offerings (which is only amplified when they sometimes don't appear alphabetically). Crazy Rich Asians C.B. Strike Amelie Castaway The Meg (Free trial: 7 days) Apple's grand streaming experiment made the bold decision to offer nothing but original programming, but there'a already enough on there to keep you occupied well beyond a weeklong trial. Little America Ted Lasso The Morning Show Visible (Free trial: 7 days) Craving some programming from across the pond but tired of rewatching Sherlock and Downton Abbey? Britbox has an exhaustive library of British television dating back to early seasons of Doctor Whofrom before you were born. That's a lot to take in in a week, but browse the offerings for more legendary British TV, docudramas, and comedy legends. A Bit of Fry and Laurie Meghan and Harry: A Revolutionary Romance Fawlty Towers Mary Berry's Absolute Favorites Mr. Bean (Free trial: 30 days) This streamer is an essential destination for small- and big-screen indie darlings, with dozens of original series you've never seen but will soon be urging your friends to watch, too. A Discovery of Witches McMafia Next of Kin The Restaurant Killing for Love (Free trial: 30 day with code FREE30) So you used up your Britbox trial, maybe even bought a subscription, but you want to be up-do-date on the best new British television — try Acorn. What better way to connect with those U.K. pen pals you now video chat with once a week? Ackley Bridge Delicious MIdsomer Murders The Boy with the Topknot (Free trial: 60 days) It might not be the buzziest streaming service, but CBS All Access has been steadily producing a manageable amount of content for years now without overwhelming or disappointing the average viewer. That kind of dependability is special these days, and with a two-month free trial you can finally give the streamer the attention it deserves. Star Trek: Picard Why Women Kill Star Trek: Discovery The Good Fight (Free trial: 14 days) There is truly no way of fulfilling one's lifelong aspiration of being a noted ~cinephile~ than by finding more time to watch movies. Two weeks isn't limitless time, but if it's freer than normal for you during quarantine, the Criterion Collection is essential. Browse literally thousands of international and acclaimed films and become the smartest and most insufferable movie buff at your first post-quarantine party. The Fits Rashomon The Red Balloon On the Waterfront Pather Panchali The Thin Blue Line The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Free trial: 30 days) Like others on this list, Epix is accessible as an add on to existing streamers or as a standalone app full of movies and original series. Come for a killer movie selection, stay for Batman's horny butler. Belgravia Annihilation The Cabin in the Woods Pennyworth A Quiet Place Rocketman A Simple Favor Fast Color (Free trial: 30 days with code SHUTIN) Horror fans can find plenty of good selections on services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and Prime Video — but if you're looking for a niche, new fright there's no place like Shudder. Tons of foreign language films and 20th century classics make this the perfect place to find something fresh to go bump in the night. Audition A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) Train to Busan Mandy Alison Foreman contributed to this article. TopicsNetflixNETFLIX
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