How to Give Netflix, Hulu, and Other Streaming Services As Gifts

First: The Black Friday Deals

These streamers are doing special deals for a limited time.

➼ Disney: Disney is giving a special offer: their Disney+ and Hulu bundle, including ads, for only $2.99 monthly for 12 months, until December 2nd.

As a discerning movie connoisseur, I find myself regularly astounded by Netflix’s seemingly inexhaustible wellspring of captivating content. From the lofty heights of prestigious cinema to the infectious energy of reality shows that spark countless group chats, their offerings cater to a wide array of tastes.

How to gift it: A gift card! To give Netflix, you can buy $15 to $200 worth of gift cards, either online or in stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target, or Best Buy. And unlike some other services’ gift subscriptions, a Netflix gift card can apply to new and existing subscribers. They can redeem those cards on Netflix’s website and go to town.

at Amazon

at Netflix

The gist: An easy hit with parents, let your giftee take advantage of family-friendly Disney and Pixar movies like Moana or Inside Out 2, get sucked into Marvel and Star Wars with Andor or Deadpool & Wolverine, or chill to nature docs. It can keep kids happy and adults buzzing about laser swords and African lions.

As a cinephile, if you’re looking to share the magic of Disney+ with someone special, here’s an easy way to do it: Unfortunately, Disney+ has discontinued the yearly subscription gifting option and now only offers gift cards. The good news is that these gift cards can be used by both new and existing subscribers, and you can choose to give them anywhere from $25 to $200 towards their subscription. So whether it’s a friend who just joined or someone who’s been a loyal viewer for a while, they’ll appreciate the chance to stream all their favorite Disney content in stunning 4K quality. Plus, if your recipient already has a Disney bundle with Hulu and ESPN+, the gift card will work for all three services, making it a triple win! To redeem the gift card, simply visit the website, enter your payment information, and voila! You’ve just given someone the gift of endless entertainment.

at Disney Plus

The gist: Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming service has had a confusing run. We’ve broken down everything you need to know about Max, formerly known as HBO Go/Now/Max), but it boasts an impressive library of movies and television that anyone would appreciate. From classics like Singin’ in the Rain and The Red Shoes, to DC Universe content like The Penguin and Discovery+ additions like Trixie Motel, to — of course — HBO shows like The Last of Us and Succession (with our No. 1 boy, Jeremy Strong!), Max has something for everyone.

Here’s a way to rephrase it in a friendly and personal tone: “Sharing the joy of a shared experience is priceless. Gifting them access to our special place by sharing my login details feels like the ultimate expression of affection.

at Hulu

at HBO Max

If they haven’t signed up for Prime membership by 2024, it could make an excellent versatile gift. Where else can you purchase a car air freshener value pack all while enjoying Walton Goggins in ‘Fallout’?

How to gift it: You just can’t gift Amazon Prime Video anymore, you gotta get an Amazon Prime gift card, which the giftee can then use to their heart’s content. Log in and fill out the usual details: your recipient’s email address, when you want it delivered, and a special little message. Gift cards start at $25.

at Amazon

at Amazon

If you’re longing for the old days of flipping through channels or want a cable-TV feel without the high cost, Hulu is an excellent choice. They provide a Live TV option with their subscription plans, and they also make popular shows from networks like ABC and Freeform available the day after they air, so you can enjoy new episodes of “Abbott Elementary” on date night. Plus, FX network shows like “Atlanta,” “Reservation Dogs,” and “The Bear” are exclusive to Hulu. They also create original movies and series, such as “Palm Springs,” “The Dropout,” and “Only Murders in the Building.

How to gift it: For Hulu, you can gift digital or physical gift cards to new or existing subscribers, which you can buy at retailers like Best Buy or Target for $25, $50, or $100.

at Best Buy

For those who appreciate classic films, The Criterion Channel is a go-to streaming service with over 2,000 titles to explore. Delve into the captivating films of French New Wave pioneers like Agnès Varda and Jean-Luc Godard, and you might find that many contemporary directors drew inspiration from their indie works.

How can I present it as a gift: The Criterion Channel makes gifting incredibly convenient. On their website, simply click on “Gift Subscription” and decide on the duration you’d like to offer, ranging from one month at $10.99 to a full year for $99.99.

at The Criterion Channel

Unlike some other recent streaming platforms that made a big splash, Apple TV+ is more like the quiet friend supporting from the sidelines. But don’t be fooled by its low-key approach! While it primarily offers original films and TV shows, many of them are quite excellent. For instance, “CODA” was the first streaming movie to win Best Picture at the Oscars. Plus, you can find shows like “Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet” (created by Rob McElhenney), “The Morning Show”, and the highly-rated “Severance”. So, if you haven’t checked it out yet, you might want to consider giving Apple TV+ a try, especially with season two of “Severance” on the horizon.

Here’s one way to rephrase: It’s easy to gift Apple TV+. With a monthly price of just $9.99, you can purchase an Apple gift card, which is widely available. Alternatively, consider Apple One, offering a bundle deal that includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, and more for as low as $19.95 per month.

at Amazon

at Best Buy

Paramount+ has significantly expanded since it moved away from CBS All Access, offering a multitude of new originals along with content from networks like BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Pictures’ archives. Now, it also includes Showtime, giving you access to series such as “Yellowjackets”, A24 films, “The Curse”, and an abundance of “Star Trek” and Taylor Sheridan content.

To present someone with a Paramount+ subscription as a gift, the most effective approach would be to purchase a digital gift card. A Premium monthly subscription that includes Showtime on this streaming service costs approximately $12.99. (Although there’s a $7.99-per-month tier, you’ll miss out on live TV and see more commercials.) The gift cards are available in denominations of $25, $50, or $100.

at Best Buy

at Gamestop

$6

$6

The gist: For the horror fans in your life, Shudder is the most obvious, yet underrated, choice of a streaming service to gift. From innovative horrors like a Zoom séance gone wrong (at this point, do they ever go right?) in Host to unique horror documentaries like Xavier Burgin’s Horror Noire, Shudder is dedicated exclusively to the kinds of films that get your heart racing, with a library full of horror, thriller, and suspense titles.

Gifting Options: Unfortunately, there is no direct gifting option available, but here’s a workaround: You could give your horror-enthusiast buddy a Visa gift card instead and clearly state that the funds should be exclusively used to purchase a Shudder subscription, or else!

$6

at Shudder

$8

$8

In essence: Peacock is an online streaming platform that features content from NBCUniversal family members such as Paramount, Bravo, and E! Similar to Hulu, it releases prime-time NBC shows the day after they air, and offers a “Channels” feature for easy navigation. Although its original streaming content is expanding, Traitors and Poker Face are strong initial offerings.

How to gift it: Again, you can’t. But you could always offer your friends and neighbors an official open-door policy to come watch Peacock at your house whenever they want.

$8

at Peacock TV

Starz offers a more limited range of original content compared to its counterparts Showtime and HBO, but it boasts popular series such as Outlander and Sweetpea, along with a good collection of Sony titles like Venom, Planet of the Apes, and Pan’s Labyrinth directed by Guillermo Del Toro.

Gifting Options: Starz offers gift cards worth $25 and $50, but only in physical form, as stated on their FAQ pages. There are no digital options available, which is an interesting choice! However, if you’re out shopping, you might find them at local retailers. In case they’re not readily available, a monthly Starz subscription costs $9.99, and occasional discounts are offered. Currently, you can subscribe for just $7 per month for three months.

at Starz

Discovery Plus is the primary platform for reality TV series centered around lifestyle brands, boasting an extensive collection of content covering Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Food Network, TLC, and HGTV shows such as “Property Brothers”, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”, “Planet Earth”, and “Say Yes to the Dress”. This streaming service also houses fresh, original programming like three new versions of “90 Day Fiancé”, a nature documentary narrated by David Schwimmer, and collaborations with Chip and Joanna Gaines’s Magnolia Network.

Gifting Options: Unfortunately, Discovery+ no longer provides gift subscriptions. However, if you have a past gift code, you can still redeem it. As for new gifting options, you can either opt to pay for someone’s monthly subscription (starting at $4.99 with limited ads) or share your account password with them.

at Discovery+

The gist: A streamer specifically focused on anime, Crunchyroll is another niche service perfect for gifting to a certain category of fan. From shows like My Hero Academia to Naruto and Attack on Titan, Crunchyroll is one of the few comprehensive anime hubs, period. Plus, its different tiered subscriptions — Premium Fan, Mega Fan, and Ultimate Fan — allow for access to Crunchyroll events and discounts at their store. It’s one of the few subscriptions on this list to give extra perks.

Gifting Options: To present someone with a Premium Fan Crunchyroll subscription, you’re in luck! They provide digital gift cards that make gifting a breeze. These gift cards come in one-, three-, and 12-month options priced between $7.99 to $79.99. Opting for the yearlong subscription will save you approximately $16. After purchasing the digital gift card online, you can elect to send it as an email to your intended recipient. It’s as simple as that!

at Crunchyroll

Mubi caters specifically to dedicated film enthusiasts, offering a unique blend of a streaming platform, a curated space, and a discussion forum for movies. Here you can enjoy and engage in conversations about captivating art-house and independent films such as “The Substance” and “Aftersun” with an online community reminiscent of your movie-loving friend who always logs their watched films on Letterboxd. In essence, Mubi is the go-to service for film aficionados.

Gifting Method: Mubi makes it simple to send gift subscriptions! You have two choices: Gift three months for $39.99 or a full year for $109.99. Since the regular monthly subscription costs $14.99, you’ll save on the annual gift, but ultimately, the decision is yours.

at Mubi

(

How to gift it: In full-year commitments at $119.99 a pop and, for new users only, through ESPN+’s gifting portal.

at ESPN+

Delighted hoops enthusiasts! Giving an NBA subscription online is surprisingly straightforward compared to other prominent sports subscriptions. With NBA League Pass, you’ll enjoy premium access – live and on-demand games, out-of-market game access, selected archives of NBA TV shows, and sometimes additional camera angles (depending on availability). However, keep in mind that location restrictions like blackouts will still apply. Nevertheless, it’s a hassle-free way to catch all the NBA action without relying on cable. There are different subscription plans available, such as NBA TV for live coverage, Team Pass to focus on a single team, and League Pass Premium to eliminate ads and add more devices. The League Pass tier is often favored by fans.

Gifting Option: Since there’s no specific gift card or purchase option, here’s a simple method: Provide the recipient’s email address and login details on the site, create an account for them, and pay for their annual subscription to League Pass plans ($109.99-$159.99).

at NBA

Essence: Sling TV represents an on-demand live television service operated by Dish Network. The service’s premise is straightforward – subscribers can enjoy live content without the hassle of a standard cable or satellite contract. Sling TV offers an affordable alternative for sports enthusiasts who prioritize ESPN or Fox Sports, but do not require access to every single game.

Gifting Options: Sling Gift Cards come in various cash amounts and can be purchased from physical stores or directly on the Sling website, with a minimum purchase of $35.

at Sling TV

If you’ve got a friend or family member who prefers the charm of British television over American networks, I highly recommend BritBox as their go-to streaming service. Packed with classics like Downton Abbey, an array of Agatha Christie adaptations, and a plethora of comedies, it’s a treasure trove just waiting to be explored – and you might even spot some familiar faces along the way! As I swiftly scanned through the titles, I couldn’t help but notice Olivia Colman, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Daniel Kaluuya gracing the screen.

Here’s one way of paraphrasing it in a natural, easy-to-read manner:

at BritBox