There are quite a number of streaming services out there trying to convince us to shell out the money for a subscription, and I tend to cycle through those depending on what sci fi/fantasy shows they currently have available. In this column, I will focus on a different service with each post and let you know what I am finding that might convince sci fi TV fans it is worth the money.
AMC+ is the streaming arm of the AMC networks while Shudder is a subset of that which focuses primarily on horror content. Most (if not all) of what is available on Shudder is also on AMC+, and the latter service also includes content from AMC, BBC America, IFC, Sundance TV, IFC Films Unlimited, and Sundance Now. Shudder got its start back in 2016 and it offers mostly acquired films and television shows, though it does have some originals. AMC+ kicked off in 2020 and offers mostly content from the venues mentioned above as well as a few exclusives.
Shudder’s flagship series is the horror anthology Creepshow which is headed into its fourth season. The streamer has also offered some originals from international sources such as the French-made Missions (though that has since dropped off), but it has not invested heavily in scripted series at this point. The majority of the original content from Shudder includes horror movies or documentaries based on the genre and you can see a list of those at this link. If you are a fan of horror, this is definitely the service for you and the monthly plan starts at $5.99 a month. But for a little bit more, you can get Shudder plus the AMC+ content.
For three bucks more per month, you get coverage across the AMC networks and from what I can tell that covers everything on Shudder. That gets you access to all the originals currently airing on the AMC cable channels plus past seasons of many of those as well (in some cases, it is only the current season if the show has an exclusive streaming deal on another venue). Fans of The Walking Dead will like this service because not only does it cover all of those shows, you can watch episodes a week early from the current season once they have had their premiere.
As far as originals, AMC+ has given us the vampire series Firebite, the sci fi entry Moonhaven, the AI-themed Pantheon, and the upcoming Interview with the Vampire based on the Anne Rice novels. The service also has the Italian post-apocalyptic entry Anna, and has more originals on the way like the upcoming Mayfair Witches (also from Anne Rice) and the sci fi series Beacon 23 which will star Lena Headey (it is unclear if that will be on AMC or an AMC+ exclusive at this point). There may not be quite enough content to justify subscribing twelve months out of the year unless you are a TWD fan, but there is more than enough to keep you busy for two or three months. And Moonhaven is definitely worth a look.
AMC+ is currently priced at $8.99 per month with a free trial week, and you can sign up for a full year for $83.88. Shudder runs $5.99 per month with a free week, and the annual subscription is $56.99. I managed to jump on with a special they were running for AMC+ that was six months for 24 bucks. Keep an eye out for specials like that, because the service is definitely worth that type of money.
SciFiTVSite.com: Follow our Sci Fi TV Schedule for all the currently airing and upcoming sci fi and fantasy television shows, and keep up with what is airing/streaming each week with our Weekly Listings.
CancelledSciFi.com: Keep up with the status updates of all the currently airing sci fi and fantasy shows with our Cancellation Watch posts. And be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for breaking news and updates.
