2024, just like every recent year before, has been an incredible year for lovers of TV shows and movies alike. While cinemas have seen their fair share of quality movies, those who prefer the at-home experience have been equally well-endowed with content on the best streaming services in New Zealand. Even right now, we have 3 Body Problem, Shogun, The Gentlemen, X-Men '97 and Manhunt, and that barely scratches the surface of quality series available on streaming platforms right now.
We haven't even got to the movies yet, and even if we restrict it to streaming originals, it's still quite the list. Prime Video recently dropped Musica, Roadhouse and Ricky Stanicky, on Netflix there's The Beautiful Game, Damsel and Spaceman, and while Apple TV Plus, Disney Plus and Neon may release original content less often, they all have something that differentiates them from the others.
The point is, there's plenty to choose from when analysing streaming platforms and which one, or ones, is right for you. Whether you love regular new content, a strong library of classics or just quality releases now and then, there is a streaming service that will provide for you perfectly.
The fact that they are always changing, though, means that one could be perfect one month, and not the next – that's what we're here for. Whether you're looking to pick one up for April or just want to see what's out there, we've got you covered.
Recent updates
April 05, 2024: updated Disney Plus and Neon pricing structures. Updated streaming service of the month pick.
Streaming service of the month (April 2024)
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We’ll be highlighting a streaming service that has some big shows or features coming to it in our pick of the month.
Best TV streaming service 2024:
What is the best TV streaming service you can get right now?
Even with big changes over the last twelve months, Netflix has remained on top of its competitors as it delivers a massive library, snappy streams and high-quality production both in its content and use experience right to your TV screen here in New Zealand.
Since 2013, Netflix has been delivering massive TV series and movies in the form of Netflix Originals, offering a variety of highly entertaining content that’s exclusively available through the platform. Some major hits in the last few years include the Addams Family spinoff series Wednesday and supernatural thriller Stranger Things, though some of these hit shows have faced a delay due to the writers' strike back in 2023.
Additionally, not all shows on Netflix are met with great success – Netflix does have a reputation for cancelling series just after its first season, with the cancellation of 1899 early last year being met with criticism from many fans who enjoyed the sci-fi mystery series. It won't be the last show that Netflix cancels, and while they have a slight reputation for producing less-than-quality content, there are more wins than losses. Or, more accurately, the wins are big enough to overshadow the losses.
New Zealanders were at the forefront of Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown as well, having been one of the initial countries to test it out before spreading across the globe.
On the flip side, New Zealanders haven’t yet been exposed to Netflix with ads just yet, keeping its cheapest tier as the Basic plan which comes with one HD stream at NZ$12.99 per month. From there, plans increase from NZ$12.99 per month for two HD streams to NZ$24.99 per month for up to four concurrent streams in Ultra HD. All plans allow for downloads on one and up to six different devices, and the two more expensive plans allow you to add between one and two external household members for an additional cost of NZ$7.99 per person.
If you’re looking for something to watch on Netflix NZ, check out the following media throughout April: The Gentlemen, 3 Body Problem, One Day: Limited Series, The Crown, Oppenheimer and Physical 100.
Verdict: 5/5
There’s a lot to enjoy on Disney Plus with the platform, like Disney itself, having grown its content library since first arriving in New Zealand back in 2019. Once offering a library largely limited to only Disney films and series, the introduction of Star has transformed the platform, delivering more adult-oriented films and series from some of the many Disney-linked studios such as the wildly popular Star original Only Murders in the Building and FX's The Bear.
Then there’s the major Disney-owned franchises such as Marvel and Star Wars, and if you want all the content from either of these massive brands then Disney Plus is the platform you’re gonna want to get. Whether you want to watch The Marvels, Ashoka, or rewatch the original Star Wars films for the 50th time, Disney has fans of both these franchises covered with a variety of shows, movies and even some behind-the-scenes documentaries.
Disney Plus is also one of the best services to cater to families especially, with stacks of kid-friendly content perfect for little ones including Disney favourites both old and new, educational TV shows and documentaries and more, making this platform the best option for family-friendly viewing.
As of March 5, 2024, Disney Plus now offers two different streaming tiers in New Zealand, both of which offer a discount if you get the yearly subscription. Disney Plus Standard will set you back NZ$14.99 p/m or NZ$149.99 p/a, and give you two concurrent HD streams, while Disney Plus Premium costs NZ$18.99 p/m or NZ$189.99 p/a and comes with four streams, 4K video and Dolby Atmos sound.
Some of the most popular series on Disney Plus are The Bear, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Only Murders in the Building, The Artful Dodger, Shogun and Loki.
Verdict: 4/5
You’ve likely heard of HBO Max, the US streaming platform home to all the latest HBO shows including the 2022 hit House of the Dragon and the adaptation of the PlayStation exclusive video game franchise The Last of Us. Unfortunately, HBO Max isn’t available here in New Zealand, but thankfully the platform Neon is here to give Kiwis access to all the latest and greatest from HBO, and more.
While Neon might be lacking 4K streams, it does come with a 14-day free trial so you can test the service out before fully committing, with pricing for the service starting at NZ$12.99 p/m for the Basic plan. From January, the Standard plan's price jumped to NZ$19.99 p/m or NZ$199.99 p/a. The Basic plan unfortunately does come with ads these days, and you can only download content on the Standard plan, but both tiers offer five profiles across two screens and HD video.
There’s a pretty decent compatibility list for this service, though Xbox consoles are the most noticeable and weirdest omission. Still, between PlayStation, Smart TVs, computers, Android smartphones and more, there’s likely going to be a device that you can access this service on. Depending on the plan you go for, you can connect up to five different devices and there’s selected content that you can download so you can view it offline too.
Here’s our pick of the top shows to watch on Neon across January: Fargo, Mr Robot, Succession, The Last of Us and The Gilded Age.
Verdict: 3.5/5
Like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video has its own set of original series – Upload, Hunters, The Expanse and The Boys among others – but, generally speaking, they don't receive the same fanfare as their Netflix-bred brethren. The same can be said about Amazon's original movies, which often arrive on the service months after their theatrical debut.
Amazon’s theatrical library spans anything from the latest and greatest to trashy B-rated flicks and cult classics that don't appeal to the broader audience. Not all are included with Prime Video, though the service will let you know which movies come with an additional cost before you stream them. Some of these rentals can still be in cinemas and will typically be cheaper than a single movie ticket if you opt to stream it at home.
That said, Amazon can boast a huge library of films and older television shows. While it's true that many of its movie offerings are low-budget and trashy (which have their place), there's seemingly an endless number to choose from, which is pretty impressive.
Amazon Prime Video's library of successful theatrical releases has been getting better lately, too, and you also have the option of renting premium film releases – many of which are still showing in cinemas.
While Prime Video is part of the Amazon Prime subscription in some countries, it's available as an independent service in New Zealand, setting you back NZ$9.99 a month, with a 7-day free trial.
There’s a stack of shows and movies to catch on Prime Video, but here’s what we recommend to kickstart 2024: Reacher, Doctor Who, Supernatural, The Boys, Invincible and Good Omens.
Verdict: 4/5
Closing out the list of the best TV streaming services in New Zealand is Apple TV Plus, which doesn’t mean the service isn’t worth getting as it depends on what you want to watch, and Apple TV Plus has slowly been building a library of some seriously impressive originals. The big reason it falls at the end of this list is its otherwise comparatively small library, especially when compared to its cost which experienced another hike in 2022.
To get Apple TV Plus, you’ll need to fork out NZ$12.99 p/m. While this cost sits in line with the base plan for Netflix, you are restricted by the devices you can access this service on top of the smaller library it offers. Thankfully, in recent years Apple TV Plus has increased its compatibility list to include both Xbox and PlayStation consoles, so the list has increased over the years and will likely continue to get bigger.
Where Apple TV Plus stands out is with its exclusive shows on the platform. Series such as Ted Lasso, a comedy about an American football coach taking on coaching an English soccer team, and Slow Horses, about a team of M15 agents who are grouped due to their incompetence, have seen acclaim for years, while newer releases like Masters of the Air, Manhunt and Sugar have continued Apple's pursuit of high-quality over quantity.
Apple TV Plus also offers a 7-day free trial to test the service out, and some new Apple devices and a Playstation 5 even come with a multi-month extended free subscription so you can test the service out with your new device before committing further.
If you’re curious about what Apple TV Plus has to offer, here’s what we recommend: Slow Horses, Masters of the Air, Silo, The New Look, Ted Lasso and Severance.
Verdict: 3.5/5
Specialty streaming services
After something a little more specific? From sports content to horror and thrills, these streaming platforms offer you a curated collection of streams, shows and movies so you can find exactly what you’re after without shuffling through waves of content you’re not interested in.
Sky is known for its all-encompassing approach to sports coverage, however, signing up for a cable subscription or set-top box can be a bridge too far to cross for many people. It's with this in mind that Sky has introduced a dedicated streaming option in Sky Sport Now.
A subscription to Sky Sport Now will let you stream 12 Sky Sport and ESPN channels, with access to live and on-demand coverage, including the ability to rewind up to 24 hours if you miss an event. Additionally, you also get highlights, stats and the ability to access pay-per-view events (for an extra fee, of course).
In terms of sports, Sky Sport Now is a great place to stream all the action out of the Olympic Games, and it also provides coverage for cricket, rugby, netball, Rugby League, motorsport, basketball, football, tennis, golf and more. Furthermore, you also get access to beIN Sports Connect as part of your subscription, which gives you even more sports to sink your teeth into.
While Sky Sport Now's coverage is certainly impressive, it does come at a significant cost. A monthly subscription to Sky Sport Now will set you back NZ$44.99 per month, while a yearly subscription will cost you a somewhat staggering NZ$449.99. At these prices, you'll want to be a truly devoted sports aficionado.
That said, Sky Sport Now also offers a NZ$24.99 weekly pass that does not automatically renew, which is ideal for the occasional major sporting event. Sky Sport doesn't offer a free trial, however, there is a selection of free content that can be viewed without paying a subscription, so you can still trial the service with this selected content at any time.
Given how expensive it is, it's baffling that Sky Sport Now only offers one FHD concurrent stream, though we appreciate that the service can deliver that content at 60fps.
A streaming service that's strictly for horror fans, Shudder offers a vast selection of fright flicks, both old and new, along with a growing library of original films, TV shows, documentaries, podcasts and live-streaming events.
Shudder Originals include FX guru Greg Nicotero's Creepshow TV series, the blood-drenched cult flick Revenge, the indigenous zombie film Blood Quantum, and the critically adored movie Host, which sees a demonic presence infiltrate an online séance.
Admittedly, Shudder has some work to do when it comes to competing with the big streaming players. For one, its maximum streaming resolution is 720p (with many older movies available in standard definition only). And while its device compatibility has come a long way since its US launch, there's no Shudder app for gaming consoles, and many TV brands are also lacking native support.
That said, you can't argue with Shudder's price, which is set at a very reasonable NZ$7.99 per month (and even cheaper at its yearly rate of NZ$79.99, essentially netting you two free months of the service).
If you're a horror aficionado with a thirst for (fake) blood, you can test the Shudder waters with a free 7-day trial.
