Streaming Without Limits: Best Things to Watch Using a VPN
It’s getting more and more challenging to follow all the upcoming releases on Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and more. Each platform offers tons of new content every month, and this April is no exception. But you may face another problem when seeking a way to stream the latest movies and shows – some of the most anticipated ones may appear to be unavailable in your current location due to geographical limitations. But do not worry, there is a way out. Keep reading this article to learn what’s worth watching on the major streaming platforms this month and how to access those new hits hassle-free.
What are the limitations of media streaming?
Geographical limitations are imposed to prevent viewers in certain territories from accessing specific Internet content. Most often, streaming services apply this technique when other distributors have exclusive rights to some movies or shows in your country. For instance, a Netflix or Prime video series available for US fans may not be included in other countries’ libraries.
Moreover, while Netflix and Amazon Prime Video offer their catalogs in hundreds of countries worldwide, some services don’t have such wide coverage. So, when traveling abroad for a vacation or work trip, you may miss out on a long-awaited release – simply because a particular service doesn’t work there at all.
Luckily, a reliable VPN (virtual private network) can save the day here. It hides your IP address, so the websites and services you’re using can’t detect where you really are. This way, you can securely access the desired streaming platform, even if it’s geo-blocked in your current location.
We will get back to VPNs a bit later. For now, let’s briefly overview the most popular streaming services in terms of their media libraries’ availability worldwide.
Best streaming platforms with geo-blocked content
Here are the most notable streaming service providers offering new releases in April 2023.
1. Netflix
Approximate library size: 7,000+ titles (and 13,000+ titles worldwide)
Availability: 190+ countries
Price: $6.99 – $19.99 per month
Netflix is the very first (and also the largest) streaming platform with over 230 million subscribers. Moreover, it offers one of the most extensive content libraries with both originals and good old classics. But what about the service’s availability? At the moment, Netflix works in over 190 countries around the world. The rare exceptions are China, North Korea, Russia, and Syria.
However, it’s worth noting that Netflix libraries vary from country to country. For example, you can’t watch Friends, Rick and Morty, and The Office on Netflix in the US (as they belong to other media streaming services), while available to Netflix subscribers in the UK and many European countries. For more information, check out our detailed comparison of Netflix US and UK.
2. Amazon Prime Video
Approximate library size: almost 7,500 titles
Availability: 200+ countries
Price: $14.99 per month ($139 per year)
Amazon Prime Video is Netflix’s closest rival, with over 200 million subscribers globally. The service also offers a great variety of quality content and is quite a beneficial option for those already using Amazon products like Kindle and Amazon Music. Prime Video is available in most countries, apart from China, Russia, Syria, Iran, and North Korea. But just like Netflix, the access to some of its content may be geo-blocked. So instead of the desired show, you may bump into the disappointing “Service area restriction” message.
3. BBC iPlayer
Availability: only in the UK
Price: £13.13 ($14.47) per month
BBC iPlayer is another excellent option – but only for those living in the UK, as the service is unavailable elsewhere. Therefore, if you’re a British fan traveling to another country, you may have difficulties accessing a vast amount of content offered by BBC’s streaming platform, from Great Expectations to Line of Duty. Moreover, iPlayer also provides access to live sports events, including Premier League matches, and is free for UK-based viewers.
4. Hulu
Approximate library size: almost 7,000 titles
Availability: only in the US and Japan
Price: $7.99 – $14.99 per month (Hulu + Live TV, Disney Plus, and ESPN – $69.99 – $82.99 per month)
Hulu is a great alternative to cable TV since it features new episodes of many shows right after they air on cable networks. What’s more, Hulu offers impressive customization options, combining various content (including live TV and sports) thanks to multiple add-ons. However, the main problem of Hulu is the lack of availability – it only works in the US and also has a limited version for Japan.
5. Disney Plus
Approximate library size: almost 2,000 titles
Availability: 60+ countries
Price: $6.99 – $9.99
Since Disney launched its streaming platform in November 2019, it successfully competes against industry giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime. However, the service is still unavailable in many parts of the world, along with its most remarkable shows and movies. And unfortunately, Disney is expanding quite slowly compared to Amazon and Netflix. Countries where you can’t access Disney Plus include Armenia, Cuba, Cyprus, Ukraine, Pakistan, China, Azerbaijan, Syria, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Ghana, and more.
6. HBO Max
Approximate library size: 4,000+ titles
Availability: 60+ countries
Price: $9.99 – $15.99
HBO has been known for its innovative approach to content creation long before the age of streaming services. Now, you can find most of the channel’s greatest hits, including The Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, and True Detective, on HBO Max. And as always, there is a fly in the ointment here – the service is only available in selected regions. That’s mainly because Warner Bros has many distribution partners who broadcast their content (including HBO Max movies and shows) worldwide. So in many countries, HBO originals are streamed by local distributors like HBO Canada, Sky, Canal+, and Amazon Prime Video.
7. Apple TV Plus
Approximate library size: 120 titles
Price: $6.99 per month
When Apple launched its own streaming platform, the company announced that the service would provide solely original content. And, well, that is both an advantage and a disadvantage of Apple TV Plus. On the one hand, you can access movies and shows unavailable with other services. But on the other hand, the catalog is quite limited compared to the alternatives listed above. Finally, there is another good thing about Apple TV Plus – it’s available on all Apple devices, regardless of your location (though not everyone owns the required device).
Honorable mentions
Here are several worthy alternatives to the most popular streaming services listed above.
- Peacock is an affordable alternative to Netflix and Prime Video, with quite an extensive catalog of NBC, Universal, and Dreamworks content. However, it’s only available in the US (as well as to Sky and Now subscribers in some European countries).
- Paramount Plus offers most Paramount movies, along with popular CBS series and reality shows. The service is available in the US, Australia, Canada, Latin America, the UK, Ireland, the Nordics, Germany, and Italy.
- Discovery Plus is a perfect option if you’re a fan of high-quality non-fiction programs. This relatively new service works in the US, Canada, and Brazil, as well as most European and selected Asian countries.
- Fubo TV is a solid alternative to cable TV as it includes over 60 popular channels. But its pricing plans are pretty expensive, and it’s only available in the US, Canada, and Spain.
- Sling TV. Sling is quite an affordable option for accessing live TV and sports events with customizable subscription plans. Unluckily, you can access the service only in the US.
For more information, read our detailed article about paid and free Netflix alternatives.
Best new content to watch with a VPN in April 2023
Now that you’re familiar with the limitations of all major platforms, let’s take a look at the best new shows and movies to stream in April 2023.
The best shows to watch with a VPN
First, let’s have a glimpse at the new shows to watch with a VPN on different streaming platforms this month.
Citadel
Release date: April 28
Where to stream: Amazon Prime Video
Genre: Spy action-adventure
The directors of the Avengers movies, the Russo Brothers, are now making their way to the small screen with the Citadel spy series starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Amazon already approved the second season and international spinoffs (which sounds pretty promising). For now, it’s hard to say whether Citadel will become an instant hit – but we certainly can expect impressive action and intense turmoil.
Beef
Release date: April 6
Where to stream: Netflix
Genre: Black comedy
Ali Wong and Steve Yeun star as complete strangers from Los Angeles, both quite unhappy with their careers, experiencing a car incident that changes their lives. Definitely not in a romantic way – they become terrible enemies trying to harm each other at every opportunity.
Sweet Tooth (season 2)
Release date: April 27
Where to stream: Netflix
Genre: Fantasy drama
The second season of this popular fantasy arrives only this month due to the lengthy and complicated production process. The story is about a 9-year-old boy Gus also known as Sweet Tooth (Christian Convery), a hybrid of a human and a deer. Gus and his friends will continue their journey through the post-apocalyptic world, striving to reveal the secret of their origins.
The Last Thing He Told Me
Release date: April 14
Where to stream: Apple TV Plus
Genre: Thriller
This new Apple TV Plus show, based on Laura Dave’s bestseller, will tell us about Hannah Michael (Jennifer Garner), who discovers that her missing husband (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) is suspected of a crime. Now, together with her 16-year-old stepdaughter, she should find him and solve the puzzle.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (season 5)
Release date: April 14
Where to stream: Amazon Prime Video
Genre: Comedy-drama
Just like HBO’s Barry, this stunning headliner of Prime Video is also coming to its end. So for one last time, Rachel Brosnahan returns as Mrs. Miriam “Midge” Maisel – a stand-up comic in New York in the 1960s. After watching an outstanding performance of Lenny Bruce (Luke Kirby), Midge is finally back where she belongs, ready to continue her controversial yet adorable comedian career.
Rennervations
Release date: April 12
Where to stream: Disney Plus
Genre: Documentary
Jeremy Renner returns to Disney Plus – this time not as Hawkeye but as… Jeremy Renner! In the upcoming reality mini-series, the actor will travel around the world with a group of enthusiasts to collect and repurpose old vehicles, helping the communities in need. We are about to encounter a humanistic and wholesome journey – a perfect fit for family viewing.
Tiny Beautiful Things
Release date: April 7
Where to stream: Hulu
Genre: Comedy-drama
Tiny Beautiful Things is one of the most anticipated Hulu premieres of the year. The story is based on a best-selling book by Cheryl Strayed. Clare (Kathryn Hahn) is a writer who goes through tough times in her life. While struggling to save her marriage and improve relationship with a teenage daughter, Clare eventually breathes a sigh of relief when writing for the Dear Sugar advice column.
Dave (season 3)
Release date: April 6
Where to stream: FXX, Hulu
Genre: Comedy
The show continues the adventures of Dave (Dave Burd), who believes he’s about to become the greatest rapper of all time. In this season, Dave’s band kicks off a cross-country tour, meeting a bunch of guest stars, including Megan Fox, Machine Gun Kelly, Rick Ross, and Usher, along the way.
Am I Being Unreasonable?
Release date: April 11 (Hulu)
Where to stream: BBC iPlayer (UK), Hulu (US)
Genre: Comedy thriller
Another hit to welcome in April this year is Am I Being Unreasonable? – a British show released on BBC iPlayer in September last year. This month, it’s becoming available for American fans on Hulu. The dark comedy starring Daisy May Cooper is about a woman dealing with a failed marriage and a secret she can’t share with anyone.
Mrs. Davis
Release date: April 20
Where to stream: Peacock
Genre: Science-fiction drama
Now when ChatGPT and other AI-driven technologies are in the spotlight, it’s time to enjoy a new show about humans fighting against robots. If that is the case for you, the upcoming Sci-Fi drama on Peacock will soon be there for you. Betty Gilpin stars as a nun that suddenly realizes that her destiny is to destroy Mrs. Davis – a powerful Siri-like AI.
Dead Ringers
Release date: April 21
Where to stream: Amazon Prime Video
Genre: Psychological thriller
This new Amazon thriller gives a new life to the classic 1988 movie by David Cronenberg. Rachel Weisz stars as identical twins who are gynecologists striving to revolutionize childbirth (although something should definitely go wrong in that plan).
Florida Man
Release date: April 13
Where to stream: Netflix
Genre: Crime-comedy drama
A popular Internet meme about the phenomenon of the weird and irrational behavior of a “Florida man” turns into a promising comedy series on Netflix. Mike Valentine (Edgar Ramirez) stars as an ex-cop returning to Florida to find a mobster’s girlfriend who suddenly disappeared. But instead of a cakewalk, Valentine faces wild adventures and challenges during his journey.
Love & Death
Release date: April 27
Where to stream: HBO Max
Genre: Crime drama
This new HBO Max original is based on a shocking murder that actually happened in a quiet Texas town in 1980. The friendship of two religious couples leads to an affair that turns into a real nightmare. A housewife Candy Montgomery (Elizabeth Olsen) kills Betty Gore (Lily Rabe) with an axe. By the way, the same true crime was the basis for Candy (starring Jessica Biel) – a mini-series released on Hulu last year.
Quite an impressive selection of new shows for a single month, huh? Well, there’s more – let’s look at the best new movies to stream on Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, Hulu, Disney Plus, and more.
The best new movies to stream with a VPN
In April 2023, many services will also release some classics and recent theater releases. Let’s look at the most notable ones.
Netflix:
- Psycho (1960)
- Matilda (1996)
- The Bourne trilogy (2002-2007)
- Sony’s Spider-Man trilogy (2002-2007)
- Inside Man (2006)
- Inception (2010)
- The Hateful Eight (2015)
Amazon Prime Video:
- Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
- Forrest Gump (1994)
- Pulp Fiction (1994)
- The Big Lebowski (1998)
- Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
- Whiplash (2014)
- Top Gun. Maverick (2022)
HBO Max:
- The Long Riders (1980)
- Mud (2012)
- Gravity (2013)
- Tangerine (2015)
- Mortal Kombat (2021)
Hulu:
- Mission to Mars (2000)
- American Psycho (2000)
- Shrek and Shrek 2 (2001-2004)
- Lincoln (2012)
Disney Plus:
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Now, let’s focus on April’s most remarkable original movies on Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, Hulu, Disney Plus, and other streaming platforms.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always
Release date: April 19
Where to stream: Netflix
Genre: Action-adventure
The new 55-minute episode of a popular Fox Kids series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993-1995) will bring back the Blue Ranger (David Yost) and the Black Ranger (Walter E. Jones) to the screen. In this long-awaited reunion, Power Rangers will face their old rivals in the final epic battle.
A Tourist’s Guide to Love
Release date: April 21
Where to stream: Netflix
Genre: Romantic comedy
Another Netflix rom-com? Maybe, but it may turn out to be an excellent way to spend a Sunday night this streaming season. Amanda Riley (Rachael Leigh Cook) heads to Vietnam to learn more about the local tourist industry. But, instead of a boring work trip, she will explore the country off the beaten path with a local guide Sinh Thach (Scott Ly).
Quasi
Release date: April 20
Where to stream: Hulu
Genre: Comedy
Among April’s new Hulu originals, this comedy-drama looks the most promising. The events occur in Medieval Europe, where Quasi (Steve Lemme) struggles to find his love while a harsh society sees him as an outcast. Moreover, he’s supposed to resolve the conflict between the king of France (Jay Chandrasekhar) and the Pope (Paul Soter).
Peter Pan & Wendy
Release date: April 28
Where to stream: Disney Plus
Genre: Fantasy adventure
Although not all Disney live-action remakes of classic animations were successful, this one seems quite ambitious. Peter Pan & Wendy is a new adaptation of a 1953 film based on J.M. Barrie’s classic story. Now, you can welcome Jude Law as Captain Hook, Jim Gaffigan as Smee, and Yara Shahidi as Tinkerbell in the upcoming Disney Plus premiere.
Judy Blume Forever
Release date: April 21
Where to stream: Amazon Prime Video
Genre: Documentary
The adaptation of Judy Blume’s Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret? arriving at theaters this year is followed by a documentary on Prime Video. The movie about this famous author of adult fiction novels will also include interviews with her fans, revealing how her books influenced different aspects of their growing up.
Jason Isbell: Running with Our Eyes Closed
Release date: April 7
Where to stream: HBO Max
Genre: Documentary
Another noteworthy documentary will be released on HBO Max this month. It tells the story of the four-time Grammy-winning country singer Jason Isbell. The movie will present interviews with Jason, his family, and former bandmates, uncovering the ups and downs of the singer’s life.
Ghosted
Release date: April 21
Where to stream: Apple TV Plus
Genre: Romantic comedy action adventure
Finally, Chris Evans and Ana de Armas reunite their successful tandem from Knives Out in the upcoming Apple TV Plus premiere. In the movie, a regular guy Cole (Evans), desperately falls in love with charming Sadie (de Armas) and then discovers she is an undercover CIA agent.
Now that we looked at the most anticipated new movies to stream, let’s find out how to access them. Remember we mentioned that a virtual private network can help? Well, it’s time to explore how to avoid geoblocking with a VPN and stream whatever you like when traveling abroad.
How to watch new shows with a VPN?
First and foremost, note that not all VPNs are trustworthy. So you should pick a reputable service for your needs. Here are several factors to consider when choosing a VPN to securely stream new movies and shows on any platform.
✅ Credibility. A free VPN might be a tempting option. But the thing is that most of them are quite slow and inefficient (and some may even compromise your Internet privacy). In contrast, reliable services like VeePN stick to a transparent No Logs policy.
✅ The number of server locations. When traveling to another country, you may need to connect to a VPN server to access geo-limited content. That said, the more servers a VPN offers, the better (and again, free VPNs usually provide a very limited choice of locations).
✅ Efficiency. Geoblocking isn’t the most advanced Internet limitation technique (unlike Deep Packet Inspection or Firewalls). Still, avoiding geo-blocks may be a tough nut to crack. A reliable VPN should offer several protocols to securely route your connection and ensure uninterrupted access to the desired content.
✅ Privacy and security features. Apart from accessing limited content, a VPN protects you online, whether you’re streaming media, playing games, or just surfing the web. So a good service should have all the required cybersecurity features in place.
✅ Speed. Let’s be honest here – any VPN service affects your Internet speed due to the end-to-end encryption process. However, with a powerful tool like VeePN, you won’t notice the difference.
Now that you know how to choose an appropriate service, let’s see how to access the desired streaming platform with VeePN. Luckily, it will take you just a few simple steps:
- Sign up for VeePN.
- Download and install a VeePN app on your device. VeePN offers solutions for multiple platforms and operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. You can also set up a VeePN app on your Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Smart TV, or Apple TV device.
- Choose the desired server location, be it the US, Poland, Ireland, Romania, Iceland, Argentina, or else.
- Turn your VPN on.
- Enter the preferred streaming service and enjoy the content of your choice.
Stream your favorite content with VeePN
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FAQ: Best Things to Watch Using a VPN
This month, Netflix released numerous movies and shows, from good old classics (Psycho, The Birds, Matilda) to brand new originals (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once and Always, A Tourist’s Guide to Love, Chupa). Check out this article to learn more.
In April 2023, many movies will become available on HBO Max, including Mortal Kombat, Gravity, Tangerine, The Long Riders, and Mud. Also, this popular streaming platform will release some original content. Read this article for more details.
The new movies appearing on Hulu this month are Lincoln, Mission to Mars, American Psycho, Shrek, and many more. Also, there will be several long-anticipated premiers on the platform, including Quasi and Tiny Beautiful Things. Read this article to learn more.
Amazon Prime Video subscribers will access some new content this month. Some of the most well-known titles are Top Gun. Maverick, Pulp Fiction, Forrest Gump, The Big Lebowski, and Whiplash. Besides, there will be some original content released in April, which includes Citadel and Judy Blume Forever. For more details, check out this article.
To cut a long story short – you can watch pretty much everything with a VPN. In particular, it’s useful when you’re visiting a country where the desired movie, show, or even the entire streaming service (such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, or HBO Max) is unavailable. A VPN alters your virtual location, so the platform you need to access cannot track where you really are. This way, you can watch the content of your choice trouble-free. For more information, read this article.
People mainly use VPNs for three main reasons:
- To access geo-blocked content (media streaming services, blocked websites, online games, and so on) while traveling.
- To protect their private data and digital identities.
- To protect themselves from potential cyber attacks, such as malware, phishing websites, infected pop-ups, and so on.
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