What MUBI is and how to watch it

MUBI is a streaming service focused on independent, foreign, classic, and art house films rather than mainstream Hollywood releases. You pay a monthly subscription fee to watch films on demand through their website or mobile app. The service rotates its library — films stay available for a set window (usually 30 days) before new titles replace them, so the catalog changes constantly rather than staying fixed.

You watch through a web browser on a computer, or through MUBI's app on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast-compatible devices. You create an account, choose a subscription plan, and stream films when ready after signing up. MUBI does not require a cable subscription or any other service to work.

The service includes films you will not find on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video — directors like Agnès Varda, Andrei Tarkovsky, and contemporary independent filmmakers whose work reaches smaller audiences. MUBI also produces original content and documentaries about film.

Key Takeaways

  • MUBI charges a monthly subscription with no contract, and you can cancel anytime without penalty.
  • The film library rotates on a 30-day cycle, meaning titles disappear and new ones arrive regularly, so you cannot keep a film indefinitely.
  • You watch on computers, phones, tablets, and streaming devices like Roku and Apple TV, but not on all devices equally.
  • MUBI offers offline read on mobile apps in some regions, letting you watch films without an internet connection.
  • The service does not include ads on any subscription tier, and there is no free tier with ads.

Subscription plans and pricing

MUBI offers one main subscription tier with a monthly cost that varies by country and currency. In the United States, the monthly price is set by MUBI and changes periodically — you can see the current price on their website before you sign up. There is no annual plan option; you pay month to month only.

MUBI occasionally runs promotional pricing for new subscribers, such as a discounted first month. These offers appear on the MUBI homepage and change throughout the year. You can pause your subscription for up to three months without losing your account, then resume when you want to return.

Payment methods include credit cards, debit cards, and in some regions PayPal or local payment options. MUBI bills you on the same date each month. If you cancel, your access ends at the end of your current billing period — you do not lose access mid-month.

What films and content you can watch

MUBI's library includes independent films, documentaries, international cinema, classic films from cinema history, experimental work, and short films. The collection emphasizes directors and movements that mainstream streaming services do not prioritize — you will find retrospectives of specific filmmakers, thematic collections, and films from film festivals like Cannes and Berlin.

The rotating 30-day window means the same film does not stay on MUBI indefinitely. If you see a title you want to watch, you have 30 days from when it appears before it leaves the service. MUBI shows you how many days remain for each film, so you know when it will disappear.

MUBI also produces original documentaries and series about film, filmmakers, and cinema history. These originals are exclusive to MUBI and do not appear elsewhere. The service occasionally adds films based on user requests and community voting, though the rotating model means even popular titles eventually cycle off.

Devices and streaming quality

You can watch MUBI on web browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge) on computers, and through native apps on iOS and Android phones and tablets. For television, MUBI works on Roku, Apple TV (4th generation and newer), Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast devices. MUBI does not have apps for Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, or other smart TV platforms, though you can cast from a phone or use a Chromecast dongle.

Streaming quality depends on your internet connection and the device you use. MUBI streams at up to 1080p on most devices, though some older devices or slower connections may stream at lower resolution. The service does not offer 4K streaming. read quality on mobile apps is typically 720p.

You can watch on one device at a time with a standard subscription — if you start playing a film on your phone, you cannot simultaneously stream on your TV. If you try to play on a second device, the first stream stops.

Offline viewing and downloads

MUBI allows you to read films to your phone or tablet through the mobile app in most countries, so you can watch without an internet connection. Downloaded films remain on your device for a limited time — usually 30 days from when you read them, or until the film leaves the MUBI library, whichever comes first. Once the read expires, you must be online to watch again.

Downloads are available only through the iOS and Android apps, not through the web browser or on other devices like Roku or Apple TV. Storage space on your device determines how many films you can read at once.

Account sharing and simultaneous viewing

MUBI's terms of service state that one subscription is for personal use by one household. The service does not officially support sharing your account across multiple households or with people outside your home. Simultaneous streaming on multiple devices is not allowed — only one stream can play at a time per account.

If you attempt to stream on a second device while a film is already playing on another, MUBI will stop the first stream. This is enforced automatically by the service.

Cancellation and account management

You can cancel your MUBI subscription anytime through your account settings on the website or app. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period — you keep access until that date, then your account stops. There is no cancellation fee or penalty for ending your subscription early.

If you cancel and later want to resubscribe, you can sign back up with the same email address. Your watch history and saved films may or may not be retained depending on how long you have been away; MUBI does not publish a specific retention policy for inactive accounts.

You can update your payment method, email address, and password anytime in account settings. If your payment method fails, MUBI will attempt to charge it again — if it continues to fail, your subscription will be suspended until you update it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch MUBI on my smart TV?

MUBI has apps for Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. If your smart TV is Samsung, LG, or another brand without a MUBI app, you can cast from your phone using Chromecast or AirPlay if your TV supports it, or connect a Roku or Fire TV device to your TV's HDMI port.

What happens to films I want to watch if they leave the library?

Once a film's 30-day window ends, it leaves MUBI and you cannot watch it unless you have downloaded it offline. MUBI may bring the same film back later, but there is no may provide. You can add films to a watchlist to track them, but this does not prevent them from leaving.

Does MUBI have subtitles or dubbed versions?

Most films on MUBI include subtitles in English and other languages depending on the title. Dubbed versions are less common. You can usually choose subtitle language in the player settings before you start watching.

Can I share my MUBI account with family members in another city?

MUBI's terms state the subscription is for one household. Sharing across multiple households violates the terms of service. The service also blocks simultaneous streaming, so only one person can watch at a time regardless of location.

How do I know which films are leaving MUBI soon?

Each film's page shows how many days remain before it leaves the service. You can also check your watchlist to see expiration dates for films you have saved. MUBI sends email notifications to some users about films leaving, though this is not may provide for every title.