Apple TV+ launched as an all-originals video streaming service in November 2019. In spite of facing production delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the streamer has been updating its library of exclusive content regularly.
For the time, Apple TV+ is also offering a back catalog of third-party content to give subscribers only in the United States a little more.
Apple TV+ features 20 licensed movies like Hunger Games, Anchorman, and others
TechRadar found that the streamer now has 20 licensed movies from third-party studios for a limited time. The old movies are added as bonus content featuring stars of its newly released movies and series: Causeway starring Jennifer Lawrence, Echo 3, Spirited featuring Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds, and others.
The new movies appear as suggested bonus content when searching for Causeway, Echo 3, Spirited, and Mythic Quest. Apple TV+ subscribers can enjoy the back catalog till November 30 for free.
When users land on the page for the new Christmas comedy musical Spirited, they’re also presented with options for also watching a handful of other films that also star either Will Ferrell or Ryan Reynolds including Semi-Pro, Old School and Van Wilder.
Browsing the action flick Echo 3 meanwhile provides options to also watch a selection of international thrillers including Argo, Syriana and Man on Fire.
A total of 20 films have landed on the service, with the Jennifer Lawrence hit Silver Linings Playbook, Kevin Smith’s Clerks and the Coen Brothers’ classic The Hudsucker Proxy.
It is specualted that the streamer is experimenting with the back catalog to counter the criticism on its award-winning but limited content library and to offer subscribers a “revolving library of extra movies” to compete with rivals like Disney+ and Netflix.
Maybe the back catalog is also featured to justify the price hike in the service’s subscription fee from $4.99 per month to $6.99. The popularity of the back catalog will determine its future, here to stay or to be scrapped.
