MGM+ may not receive as much attention as Netflix, HBO Max, or Disney+, but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked.
The premium entertainment service combines a collection of movies with a smaller but increasingly recognizable lineup of original series. Shows such as FROM, Godfather of Harlem, The Institute, Vanished, and Billy the Kid give MGM+ an identity beyond simply being another movie channel.
MGM+ also occupies an unusual position in today’s streaming market. It offers both an on-demand streaming library and traditional 24/7 live channels, making it something of a bridge between old-fashioned premium cable television and modern streaming.
At $7.99 per month when subscribing directly, MGM+ is also considerably less expensive than many of the largest ad-free streaming services.
But does MGM+ provide enough content to justify another monthly subscription in 2026?
Let’s take a closer look.
What Is MGM+?
That smaller focus can be either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on what you want from your streaming subscriptions.
MGM+ is a premium television and streaming service owned by Amazon MGM Studios.
The service was previously known as EPIX. EPIX officially became MGM+ on January 15, 2023, following Amazon’s acquisition of MGM.
Although the name changed, MGM+ retained many characteristics of a traditional premium movie network. Subscribers can watch movies, original series, documentaries, and other programming without traditional commercial interruptions.
MGM+ is available both as a standalone streaming subscription and through participating television and streaming providers.
Unlike larger general-purpose streaming services, MGM+ does not attempt to provide something for every possible viewer. Its focus is primarily on movies and original series, particularly dramas, thrillers, horror, and crime programming.
MGM+ Plans and Pricing in 2026
MGM+ keeps its pricing relatively simple.
When subscribing directly to MGM+, there is one ad-free service rather than multiple tiers.
| MGM+ Plan | Price | Advertising |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $7.99/month | Ad-free |
| Annual | $61.99/year | Ad-free |
The annual subscription works out to about $5.17 per month, saving you roughly $34 over a full year compared with paying monthly.
MGM+ also currently offers a 7-day introductory free trial for eligible new and returning subscribers.
Prices can differ when MGM+ is purchased through another provider. For example, MGM+ through The Roku Channel may be priced differently from a direct subscription.
Because third-party pricing and promotions can change, I recommend comparing the direct MGM+ price with the price offered through your existing streaming or television provider before subscribing.
How Can You Get MGM+?
TThere are several ways to subscribe to MGM+.
You can subscribe directly through MGM+ and use the MGM+ app, or you can get the service through participating streaming, cable, and satellite providers.
Depending on the provider, MGM+ may be available through services such as:
- Prime Video Channels
- The Roku Channel
- Philo
- DISH
- Participating cable and satellite providers
If you prefer keeping several subscriptions inside one app, getting MGM+ through a service such as Prime Video Channels or The Roku Channel can be more convenient.
However, pricing and channel availability can vary by provider, so compare the direct MGM+ subscription with any third-party option before signing up.
What Can You Watch on MGM+?
MGM+ combines a rotating movie library with a growing lineup of original series.
The movie selection is one of the service’s main attractions. MGM+ draws from the MGM film library while also offering movies from other studios, so the service is not limited strictly to MGM-produced films.
Because streaming rights change, individual movies regularly come and go.
Where MGM+ has become more interesting in recent years is its original programming.
Notable MGM+ Originals include:
- FROM
- Godfather of Harlem
- The Institute
- Billy the Kid
- Earth Abides
- Beacon 23
FROM has become especially important to MGM+ because it gives the service a recognizable original series for viewers who enjoy horror, mystery, and science fiction.
That leads to an important point when deciding whether MGM+ is worth subscribing to: you probably won’t choose MGM+ because it has the largest streaming library. It doesn’t.
You are more likely to subscribe because MGM+ has several specific movies or original series that you want to watch.
Does MGM+ Have Live TV Channels?
Yes. MGM+ still offers 24/7 live linear channels in addition to its on-demand streaming library.
The main MGM+ channel lineup currently includes:
| Channel | What It Offers |
|---|---|
| MGM+ | The flagship channel featuring movies and MGM+ Original series |
| MGM+ Hits | Popular Hollywood movies, blockbusters, concerts, and comedy specials |
| MGM+ Marquee | Major Hollywood films, well-known franchises, and notable filmmakers |
| MGM+ Drive-In | Action, horror, cult films, and B-movie-style entertainment |
DISH’s current 2026 lineup confirms all four channels: MGM+, MGM+ Hits, MGM+ Marquee, and MGM+ Drive-In.
The exact live-channel lineup you receive can depend on how you subscribe. Traditional cable and satellite providers may include all four channels, while streaming-platform availability can differ.
This gives MGM+ an advantage for viewers who still enjoy the traditional premium-channel experience. You can turn on a live movie channel and watch whatever is playing, but you also have the option to choose movies and series on demand.
When we had DISH Network, they carried MGM+ Drive-In, and I loved this channel. It’s basically a B-movie channel. You aren’t going there to find Oscar winners. Instead, you’ll find campy, silly, and sometimes downright stupid comedies, along with slasher films and other movies you probably won’t see anywhere else. The plots aren’t always strong, but that’s really not the point. These are the kinds of movies you can just sit back, enjoy, and happily kill a couple of hours watching.
MGM+ Streaming Features
MGM+ includes most of the basic features viewers expect from a modern premium streaming service.
Ad-Free Streaming
MGM+ programming is offered without traditional commercial interruptions.
You do not have to pay for a higher-priced ad-free tier because ad-free viewing is already included with the subscription.
Offline Downloads
The MGM+ mobile apps allow eligible movies and episodes to be downloaded for offline viewing.
That can be useful when traveling or when you know you will not have a reliable internet connection.
Live and On-Demand Viewing
One of MGM+’s more distinctive features is that subscribers can watch both live MGM+ channels and on-demand movies and series.
That gives you the option to browse for something specific or simply turn on one of the live channels and see what is playing.
Continue Watching
MGM+ includes a Continue Watching feature so you can return to movies or episodes you previously started.
My List
You can also save movies and programs to My List so they are easier to find later.
These features are not especially unusual by streaming standards, but MGM+ covers the basics well and adds something many streaming services no longer emphasize: the option to watch traditional live premium channels.
MGM+ Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable monthly price compared with many other premium streaming services
- Ad-free viewing included with the subscription
- Strong movie selection
- Distinctive Originals such as FROM and Godfather of Harlem
- Live MGM+ channels in addition to on-demand programming
- Offline downloads on supported mobile devices
- Discounted annual plan
- Available through several third-party providers
Cons
- Smaller overall library than Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, or Paramount+
- Fewer original series than the biggest streaming services
- Limited children’s and family programming
- No major sports offering
- Third-party pricing and live-channel availability can vary
- May not have enough new content to justify keeping it year-round
MGM+’s biggest weakness is not necessarily the quality of its programming. It is the amount of content. If MGM+ has several shows or movies you really want to watch, it can be a very good value. Once you finish those programs, however, you may have less reason to keep paying every month.
MGM+ vs. the Competition
MGM+ competes most directly with premium entertainment services rather than full cable-TV replacements.
| Service | Starting Monthly Price | Ads | Major Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGM+ | $7.99 | No | Movies, Originals, and live premium channels |
| Starz | $11.99 regular price | No | Original dramas and movies |
| Paramount+ Essential | $8.99 | Yes | Large library, CBS content, and live sports |
| Paramount+ Premium | $13.99 | Mostly no | Paramount+, Showtime, CBS, and live sports |
| HBO Max Basic with Ads | $10.99 | Yes | Large premium entertainment library |
| HBO Max Standard | $18.49 | No | HBO, Warner Bros., and a broad streaming library |
Starz currently lists its regular monthly price at $11.99, although it frequently runs introductory promotions. Paramount+ currently charges $8.99/month for Essential and $13.99/month for Premium.
MGM+ vs. Starz
Starz is probably MGM+’s closest competitor.
Both began as premium television networks, both offer movies and original series, and both can be purchased either directly or through participating providers.
Starz has a larger and more established collection of original franchises, while MGM+ costs less at its regular monthly price.
For many viewers, the decision may simply come down to which service currently has the movies and original series they want to watch.
MGM+ vs. Paramount+
Paramount+ offers considerably more variety.
It combines movies and television programming from Paramount, CBS, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, and other brands while also offering live sports and CBS programming.
The Premium plan also includes Showtime programming.
MGM+ is much more narrowly focused, but its lower price and commercial-free approach may appeal to viewers who mainly want movies and a handful of distinctive original series.
MGM+ vs. HBO Max
HBO Max is a much broader premium streaming service, with HBO programming, Warner Bros. movies, Originals, and additional entertainment brands.
It also costs considerably more if you want ad-free streaming.
MGM+ cannot match HBO Max for the size or variety of its library, but that doesn’t necessarily make MGM+ a poor value. If MGM+ has the particular movies and series you want, $7.99 per month is a relatively inexpensive way to add another premium service.
Who Is MGM+ Best For?
MGM+ is best for viewers who enjoy movies and premium-style original series but do not necessarily need another huge streaming library.
It is particularly worth considering if:
- You want to watch MGM+ Originals such as FROM or Godfather of Harlem
- You enjoy commercial-free movies
- You like having traditional live movie channels available
- You want a relatively inexpensive premium streaming service
- You prefer a smaller, more focused library over a massive catalog filled with content you may never watch
MGM+ may also be a good fit for viewers who like rotating streaming subscriptions. Because its library is smaller than services such as HBO Max or Paramount+, you can subscribe when a series or group of movies interests you, watch what you want, and cancel until something else catches your attention.
On the other hand, MGM+ probably should not be your only streaming service. It does not offer the same breadth of family programming, sports, news, or general television content available from larger platforms.
Is MGM+ Worth It in 2026?
For the right viewer, yes, MGM+ is worth it in 2026.
At $7.99 per month when subscribing directly, MGM+ is one of the more affordable premium streaming services. You get commercial-free movies, original series, on-demand viewing, and access to live MGM+ channels without having to move up to a more expensive ad-free tier.
The biggest question is whether MGM+ currently has enough programming that interests you.
If you want to watch shows such as FROM or Godfather of Harlem, enjoy the movie selection, or like having channels such as MGM+ Drive-In available, the service can offer very good value for the price.
However, I would not automatically recommend keeping MGM+ year-round.
For many cord-cutters, MGM+ makes the most sense as a rotational streaming service. Subscribe when a new season of a favorite series arrives or when the movie lineup looks particularly good, watch what interests you, and then decide whether there is enough left to justify another month.
That approach can help keep your streaming costs under control while still letting you enjoy what MGM+ does particularly well.
Final Thoughts on MGM+
MGM+ is not trying to compete with Netflix, Disney+, or HBO Max by offering the largest possible streaming library.
Instead, it works more like a modern version of the traditional premium movie channel. You get movies, original series, live channels, and on-demand viewing in one relatively inexpensive subscription.
Its biggest strength is also its biggest limitation: MGM+ is a smaller, more focused service.
If you are interested in Originals such as FROM or Godfather of Harlem, enjoy its movie selection, or simply like turning on a channel such as MGM+ Drive-In and watching whatever is playing, MGM+ can be a very good value.
On the other hand, if none of its current movies or Originals interest you, there probably is not enough variety to justify keeping another monthly subscription year-round.
For many cord-cutters, I think MGM+ works best as a service you can subscribe to when there is something you really want to watch and cancel when you are finished.
👉 Check the current MGM+ lineup before subscribing and make sure there are enough movies and Originals you actually want to watch.
👉 Compare the direct MGM+ price with third-party providers because pricing and live-channel availability can vary depending on where you subscribe.
👉 Take advantage of the free trial if you are eligible and use those seven days to decide whether MGM+ deserves a permanent spot in your streaming lineup.
The best streaming service is not necessarily the one with the biggest library. It is the one that gives you the programming you actually watch at a price you are comfortable paying.
Thanks for visiting,
Mark
