In the increasingly crowded and noisy arena of streaming platforms, MGM+ operates in relative silence. That discretion may be intentional, or simply the result of modest means. Owned by Amazon, MGM+ nonetheless stands out as one of the least expensive subscriptions on the market and, paradoxically, one of the more intellectually coherent. For roughly sixty dollars a year, subscribers gain access to a substantial portion of the MGM film and television catalog, on-demand viewing, and offline downloads, features that have become standard elsewhere but remain welcome at this price point.
Functionally, MGM+ does not attempt reinvention. Anyone familiar with Amazon Prime Video will immediately recognize the interface, for better or worse. Navigation is efficient, if uninspired. What MGM+ does emphasize, however, is atmosphere. The website leans heavily into a cinematic aesthetic: dark backgrounds, gold lettering, and a visual language borrowed from movie theaters rather than Silicon Valley dashboards. It is a reminder that MGM+ is selling films first, and algorithms second.
The service also avoids one of the more unpopular trends in streaming: device micromanagement. Subscribers can connect up to six devices without being nudged toward costly “premium” tiers, a refreshing contrast to competitors who now treat household sharing as a revenue leak rather than a feature.
A Library That Values Legacy Over Volume
MGM+’s greatest strength, and its most obvious limitation, is its catalog. This is not a platform chasing trends or flooding users with disposable originals. Instead, it leans heavily on MGM’s back catalog and proven franchises. Box-office staples such as Mission: Impossible, Gladiator, Star Trek, The Aviator, and both versions of The Running Man form the backbone of the offering.
Comedy selections favor established classics over novelty: the original Ghostbusters (1984), G.I. Blues, Manhattan. It is a lineup that assumes viewers may actually enjoy watching films made before the age of smartphones.
Drama offerings are similarly traditional, ranging from The Count of Monte Cristo to The Magnificent Seven, Jack Reacher, Code 46, and Shutter Island. The emphasis is clearly on recognizable titles rather than experimentation.
Documentaries, often an afterthought on many platforms, are treated with more respect here. Social themes sit alongside artist-focused films on figures such as James Dean, Paul Simon, and The Rolling Stones, reinforcing MGM+’s identity as a curator rather than a content factory.
Horror fans will find a respectable collection of classics (Carrie, Rosemary’s Baby, Night of the Living Dead, Dressed to Kill), complemented by more recent genre entries. Indie films, children’s programming, science fiction, fantasy, romance, and thrillers (The Usual Suspects, Sin City, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, 10 Cloverfield Lane) round out a catalog that is uneven in breadth but generally solid in quality.
Where the Cracks Begin to Show
That said, MGM+ is far from flawless. Discoverability requires effort, and the absence of many older films is noticeable for a studio with MGM’s historical depth. More frustrating is the platform’s inconsistent app experience. In our case, activating the TV application proved impossible due to unexplained regional restrictions. Despite following official instructions, the service repeatedly misidentified the user’s location, a technical failure that feels especially outdated in an era of routine IP-based verification.
The platform’s limited slate of original series also sets it apart from competitors, but not always in a negative way. While there are fewer series overall, those that do exist are released in full seasons, sparing viewers the now-common practice of weekly episode rationing. End credits are left intact. The works are presented as works, not endlessly interruptible content streams.
A Quietly Sensible Choice
At $7.99 per month or $61.99 per year, effectively $5.17 a month, MGM+ is not trying to dominate the streaming landscape. Instead, it positions itself as a thoughtful supplement rather than a primary destination. Paired with another service such as Cinemax (currently $6.99 via Amazon), it makes practical and economic sense.
MGM+ may lack the aggressive originality of its rivals, but it compensates with restraint, respect for cinema, and a catalog that favors durability over hype. If Amazon ultimately opens the full MGM vault, the platform could evolve from a quiet outsider into a serious contender. Until then, MGM+ remains what it already is: a small service with unusually good taste, and just enough ambition to be worth watching.
By Thierry De Clemensat
Member, Jazz Journalists Associa5on
Editor-in-Chief, Bayou Blue Radio
U.S. Correspondent – Paris-Move / ABS Magazine