My friend, movie and TV show rental options have changed drastically in just the last few years. What was once dominated by trips to the local Blockbuster has rapidly shifted to on-demand streaming platforms. And YouTube has quickly become a top destination for accessing the latest film releases.
But you may still have some questions on exactly how YouTube‘s rental service works and how you can start streaming your favorite new flicks in just a few clicks. Well, you‘ve come to the right place!
In this detailed guide, I‘ll provide everything you need to know to master movie rentals on YouTube. We‘ll cover:
- The history and growth of YouTube rentals
- A cost and feature comparison with other rental platforms
- Step-by-step instructions for renting on mobile apps, websites, and smart TVs
- Tips on streaming, downloads, and simultaneous viewing
- Frequently asked questions
Let‘s get started!
The Rise of YouTube Rentals
YouTube has offered movie and TV show purchases since as early as 2008. But more recently, especially after the launch of YouTube TV in 2017, the company has expanded into offering a robust rental platform as well.
With over 2.5 billion monthly users as of 2022, YouTube already had an enormous built-in audience. It was perfectly positioned to become a major player in on-demand streaming rentals.
As of the end of 2022, there are now over 8,500 movies and shows available for rental on YouTube. And that catalog continues to grow every month.
YouTube Rental Benefits
So what sets YouTube apart from the competition when it comes to rentals? A few major advantages:
- Huge and expanding catalog of new movie releases
- Generally lower rental rates than competitors
- Integrates recommendations based on your YouTube history
- Support for offline downloads to watch when internet is unavailable
- Accessibility from anywhere – mobile apps, computers, TV platforms
For example, here is a comparison of a new movie rental cost across some popular platforms:
| Platform | HD Rental Price |
|---|---|
| YouTube | $5.99 |
| Apple TV | $6.99 |
| Vudu | $6.99 |
| Amazon Video | $6.99 |
As you can see, YouTube manages to undercut most competitor rental rates. So two thumbs up there!
Now let me guide you through exactly how to leverage YouTube for all your movie and TV rental needs.
Renting Movies on Mobile with the YouTube App
Let‘s kick things off by going through how to rent movies directly on your iPhone, Android device or tablet via the YouTube app.
Step 1: Download the YouTube App
If you don‘t already have the app, you‘ll first need to download YouTube from your device‘s app store:
- iPhone/iPad: Apple App Store
- Android Phones/Tablets: Google Play Store
Search for "YouTube" and tap install.
Step 2: Login to YouTube App
Once YouTube finishes installing, open it up. You should be prompted to log into your Google account. This is the account that will be used for rentals and payment processing.
If you aren‘t automatically prompted to sign-in, tap on your profile icon in the upper right. Select "Switch account" and then choose "Add account".
Enter your Google email and password and tap "Sign In" to login.
Step 3: Search for a Movie
With your account logged in, tap on the search bar at the top of the app. Type in the name of the movie you wish to rent and tap "Search". For even more expansive search results, you can alternatively tap the magnifying icon to initiate a voice search.
Your search results should load below. Scroll through until you see the movie you want, then tap on it to open its details page.
Step 4: Tap "Rent"
On the movie or show page, you‘ll see key details like the release year, cast members and director. Right below that is the "Rent" button as well as the price. Go ahead and tap rent!
Step 5: Confirm the Rental
A quick confirmation page should appear detailing the video title, rental price and payment method. Verify your payment details, then tap the blue "Rent" button once again to complete the transaction.
You did it! The movie you rented now be available for playback instantly from any of your logged in devices.
Renting Movies via YouTube Website
Prefer to watch your movie rentals on a bigger screen like your laptop or desktop computer? No worries! You can absolutely utilize YouTube‘s robust website to pick and rent films from virtually any web browser.
Here‘s how to get started:
Step 1: Log Into YouTube
Navigate over to YouTube.com in your favorite web browser, then click on ‘Sign In‘ in the top right. Enter your Google account info and you‘ll then be logged into YouTube.
Step 2: Go to Movies & Shows Section
Now click on the hamburger menu (the three horizontal lines) in the top left corner. Next select the "Explore" tab followed by "Movies & Shows".
This will surface a discovery focused browse page full of movie and TV tiles.
Step 3: Find a Movie to Rent
Browse through the categories and horizontally scrolling rows and click on a movie tile that piques your interest. Alternatively, you can use the prominent search bar to look up a specific movie.
Step 4: Select Rent
When you open up a eligible movie‘s page, simply click the blue "Rent" button right underneath the trailer. This will pop up a confirmation window. Confirm the details look accurate and complete the purchase.
You‘ve now successfully rented your movie through the YouTube website! Streaming will work across all your logged in devices.
Pretty straightforward right? As you can see, leveraging the YouTube website unlocks some great content discovery that allows finding your perfect next movie.
Next up – renting right from your television with smart TV integration.
Watch YouTube Rentals on Smart TVs
Modern internet connected TVs with built in YouTube apps offer another excellent route for accessing movie rentals right from your couch.
Here‘s how to get it setup:
Step 1: Add YouTube App to Your TV
If your smart TV didn‘t come pre-loaded with the YouTube app, you‘ll first need to download it from your television‘s app store.
For example, on Roku TVs you would scroll down to Streaming Channels, then select "Search Channels". Type in "YouTube", select the YouTube app and tap "Add Channel".
YouTube comes pre-installed on many popular smart TV operating systems like Android TV, LG WebOS, Samsung Tizen and others. But double check it is installed.
Step 2: Sign Into YouTube
Launch the YouTube app on your television, then select "Sign In" from the left side menu. This will prompt you to validate and login with your Google account. Enter email and password.
Step 3: Search for a Movie
Now browse through YouTube‘s movie rentals by using voice search from your remote or by typing in title names with the on-screen keyboard.
For easy navigation, you can add titles to your YouTube watchlist from a computer initially. Then view everything centralized through Library > Watchlists when on TV.
Step 4: Rent Your Movie
When you locate your chosen movie, tap the "Rent" button on its details page. Confirm your rental and payment method to complete the process.
Now just sit back and enjoy your rented movie up on the big screen!
Tips & Tricks for Streaming Movies
I‘ve thrown a lot of information your way on how to rent movies step-by-step. Now let‘s cover some useful tips to take your YouTube movie rental experience to the next level:
Enabling Offline Viewing
One great YouTube feature is letting you download rented movies for offline viewing. Perfect for flights or other scenarios with no internet!
To enable this, tap the download button on the movie page. Just remember to open the YouTube app within the 48 hour rental period for playback. Downloads expire 30 days after completion.
Extending Viewing to Mobile Devices
Rented YouTube movies can be streamed simultaneously to unlimited devices on the same account. Open the YouTube app on phones or tablets for mobile viewing!
Using Watchlists
If you want a handy place to track movies to rent in the future, utilize YouTube‘s watchlist functionality. Click the "+" icon to add a video to new or existing watchlists.
So in summary – I hope this guide has equipped you to comfortably rent the latest movie releases through YouTube across all your devices! Let me know if any questions pop up. Enjoy the streams!
