If mainstream streaming feels like endless scrolling through content you don't want to watch, the UK's specialist arthouse services offer a different proposition: curated cinema, thoughtfully programmed, with actual editorial perspective.
But which one deserves your subscription? We compare MUBI, BFI Player, and Curzon Home Cinema.
Quick Verdict
| Service | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|
| MUBI | Contemporary arthouse, festival films, daily curation | £11.99/mo |
| BFI Player | British cinema, classics, archival depth | £4.99/mo |
| Curzon Home Cinema | Same-day theatrical releases, new premieres | £7.99+/mo or rental |
Short answer:
- MUBI if you want fresh curation and international festival cinema
- BFI Player if you want British film history and archival classics
- Curzon if you want arthouse films as they hit cinemas
MUBI
What It Is
A curated streaming service that originally showed 30 films at a time, rotating daily. Now expanded to a larger library while keeping the curatorial voice.
Price
- £11.99/month or £95.88/year (£7.99/mo)
- 7-day free trial
The Good
- Strong editorial voice — films are programmed, not just catalogued
- Festival circuit focus — films from Cannes, Venice, Berlin often premiere here
- MUBI Go (included) — one free cinema ticket per week to selected arthouse screenings
- Exclusive premieres — MUBI distributes films and releases them here first
- International depth — world cinema from every continent
Key Films (March 2026)
- Recent Cannes/Venice premieres
- Retrospectives (currently featuring a director spotlight)
- Exclusive MUBI releases
- World cinema deep cuts
The Drawbacks
- Most expensive of the three
- Smaller overall library than Netflix (but that's the point — curation over volume)
- Not ideal for British cinema specifically
Best For
Cinephiles who want someone else to program their viewing. Festival circuit devotees. People who use MUBI Go for cinema tickets.
BFI Player
What It Is
The British Film Institute's streaming platform. Deep archival collection, British cinema focus, and exclusive access to BFI restorations.
Price
- £4.99/month (subscription tier)
- Free tier available with limited content
- Rentals available separately (£3.50+)
The Good
- British cinema archive — from silent era to present day
- BFI restorations — exclusive access to their restoration work
- Cheapest option at £4.99/month
- Thematic collections — programmes around directors, movements, themes
- Free tier — some content available without subscription
Key Content
- Classic British cinema (Powell & Pressburger, Ken Loach, Mike Leigh)
- BFI-funded contemporary films
- Archival rarities and restorations
- Documentaries about British film history
The Drawbacks
- Smaller international selection than MUBI
- Interface is dated compared to competitors
- Less focus on new releases
- UK-centric (great if that's what you want, limiting if not)
Best For
British cinema enthusiasts. Film students. People who want deep catalogue over new releases. Budget-conscious cinephiles.
Curzon Home Cinema
What It Is
Curzon Cinemas' streaming platform. The key differentiator: same-day home premieres of films showing in Curzon cinemas.
Price
- Membership: £7.99/month for 20% off rentals
- À la carte rentals: typically £4.99-£6.99 per film
- Premium/same-day releases: often £9.99-£15.99
The Good
- Same-day premieres — watch new arthouse releases at home on release day
- No commitment — pay per film without subscription
- Curzon programming — same taste as their cinema programming
- Early access — sometimes before wider home release
Key Content
- New arthouse theatrical releases
- Curzon Artificial Eye catalogue
- Festival circuit films
- Same-day premieres of Curzon cinema releases
The Drawbacks
- Most expensive per-film if you rent frequently
- No flat-rate "all you can watch" subscription
- Premium pricing for same-day releases
- Smaller catalogue than MUBI or BFI Player
Best For
People who want new arthouse releases at home immediately. Cinema-goers who can't always make it to screenings. Those who prefer à la carte to subscriptions.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | MUBI | BFI Player | Curzon Home Cinema |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | £11.99 | £4.99 | £7.99 + rentals |
| Free trial | 7 days | Free tier available | No |
| Library size | Medium (curated) | Large (archival) | Small (new focus) |
| Focus | International festival cinema | British cinema & classics | New arthouse premieres |
| Quality | Up to 4K | Up to HD | Up to 4K |
| Offline download | Yes | Yes | No |
| Free cinema ticket | Yes (MUBI Go) | No | No |
| Same-day theatrical | Rare | No | Yes |
| Special features | Occasional | Yes | No |
What Kind of Film Lover Are You?
"I want fresh programming without doom-scrolling"
Choose MUBI. The curation is the product. Someone thoughtful picked these films.
"I want to explore British cinema history"
Choose BFI Player. The archive is unmatched. From silent films to contemporary British indie.
"I want to see new arthouse films at home on release day"
Choose Curzon Home Cinema. That's literally their specialty.
"I want the cheapest option"
Choose BFI Player at £4.99/month. Or use their free tier.
"I want cinema tickets included"
Choose MUBI. MUBI Go gives you one free ticket per week to selected screenings.
Can You Subscribe to Multiple?
Honestly, yes. At the lower end:
- BFI Player: £4.99/month
- One of MUBI or Curzon
For £12-15/month total, you'd have excellent coverage of arthouse cinema — probably better than any single mainstream streamer for serious film lovers.
What About Mainstream Streamers?
| Service | Arthouse Selection |
|---|---|
| Netflix UK | Limited — occasional prestige titles |
| Prime Video | Decent — some classics, MUBI channel available |
| Disney+ | Very limited — Studio Ghibli is the exception |
| MUBI | Core offering |
| BFI Player | Core offering |
| Curzon | Core offering |
If arthouse is what you want, the specialist services are genuinely better.
Our Recommendations
Best overall: MUBI
The curation is excellent, MUBI Go cinema tickets add real value, and the exclusive releases justify the premium.
Best value: BFI Player
£4.99/month for that archive is remarkable. Essential if you care about British cinema.
Best for new releases: Curzon Home Cinema
Same-day premieres aren't cheap, but if you want new arthouse films at home immediately, there's no alternative.
Best combination: BFI Player + MUBI
British archive plus international festival circuit. Comprehensive arthouse coverage for under £18/month.
FAQ
Can I watch MUBI on my TV?
Yes — apps for Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, smart TVs, and game consoles.
Does BFI Player have free content?
Yes — a limited free tier is available without subscription.
Are Curzon rentals available permanently?
No — standard 48-hour rental window.
Which has the best app?
MUBI, then Curzon, then BFI Player. BFI's interface could use an update.
Do any have physical cinema benefits?
MUBI Go includes a free cinema ticket weekly. BFI membership (separate) includes BFI Southbank discounts.
Looking for something specific? Try our recommendation engine to find UK streaming options.