Mubi: Reviews, Pricing, and Catalog of the Art-House Film Platform

In May 2026, Mubi costs €11.99/month in France, approximately €71.88/year for the annual plan (equivalent to ~€5.99/month), €6.99/month for students, and €18.99/month for the Mubi GO plan, which includes one movie ticket per week. The platform offers a 7-day free trial and a Pass Culture plan for €11.99 for 3 months. Its catalog, focused on arthouse cinema and festival films (Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Sundance), features Wong Kar-wai, Céline Sciamma, David Lynch, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, and Pedro Almodóvar.

Key points to remember

• Standard subscription: €11.99/month, annual ~€71.88/year (approximately €5.99/month)
• Student plan for €6.99/month with a 30-day free trial
• Mubi GO for €18.99/month: streaming + 1 movie ticket per week (major cities)
• Culture Pass Offer: 3 months for a total of €11.99 for eligible young people
• Mubi is also a distributor: films are released in theaters before becoming available on the platform
• Direct competitors: LaCinetek, UniversCiné, and Filmo, each with a distinct positioning

What is Mubi, and who is it for?

Mubi is a platform specializing in arthouse films, festival films, and restored classics. Originally launched under the name "The Auteurs," it has also become a theatrical distributor over the years. In 2026, Mubi operates as both a streaming platform and a film label.

The service targets a specific audience: film buffs looking for carefully curated content rather than a vast catalog. Mubi selects, highlights, and provides context—it’s the opposite of Netflix, where you browse at random. To compare Mubi with other SVOD options, see the guide to affordable legal streaming services.

Editorial positioning

• Art-house cinema — European, Asian, Latin American, and U.S. indie
• Film Festivals — Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Sundance, Locarno, Toronto
• Leading Filmmakers — Wong Kar-wai, Céline Sciamma, David Lynch, Almodóvar
• Restored films — heritage in high quality
• Short films and art documentaries — formats overlooked by mainstream SVOD services
• Theatrical distribution — Mubi releases films in theaters and then on its streaming platform

How much will Mubi cost in France in 2026?

Mubi offers several subscription plans tailored to different user profiles, with a pricing structure that favors long-term commitments or student/youth eligibility. The no-commitment monthly plan remains the most expensive, while the annual plan cuts the cost nearly in half.

• Plan|Price|Commitment|Included
• Mubi Monthly | €11.99/month | No commitment | Unlimited streaming
• Mubi Annual | ~€71.88/year | 12 months | Unlimited streaming, equivalent to ~€5.99/month
• Mubi Student | €6.99/month | No commitment | Streaming + 30-day free trial
• Mubi GO|$18.99/month|Variable|Streaming + 1 movie ticket/week
• Pass Culture | €11.99 for 3 months | 3 months | Unlimited streaming (youth plan)

• 7-day trial for standard plans, 30-day trial for Student plans
• The annual plan is the most cost-effective option (~40% savings)
• Unbeatable Culture Pass: €11.99 for 3 months

Mubi GO: How does it work in France?

Mubi GO combines streaming with movie theater tickets. For €18.99 per month, subscribers receive one ticket per week to see a film selected by Mubi in theaters, in addition to full access to the platform. Compare this to combined SVOD and pay-per-view movie theater options (see Apple TV+ or Paramount+ pricing ).

What's included in Mubi GO

• The standard Mubi subscription (unlimited streaming)
• 1 movie ticket per week at participating theaters
• Film of the Week, selected by Mubi from recent releases

Geographic availability in France

Mubi GO remains focused on major cities. Partner theaters are primarily located in:

• Paris and the Île-de-France region — extensive network
• Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux — networks provided
• Lille, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Nantes — participating partners
• Small towns and rural areas — often unserved

Before signing up, check the list of partner theaters in your city. At €18.99/month, the plan is a good deal if you go 2–3 times a month (average ticket price in a major city: €11–13).

Save up to 70% on your subscriptions with subscription sharing. spliiit verified users so they can legally share their subscriptions. See how it works.

What will Mubi's catalog look like in 2026?

The Mubi catalog has evolved from a "one new film added per day, one removed" model to a more flexible approach that combines a permanent catalog with a rotating "Now Playing" selection. This allows subscribers to access key titles while maintaining a focus on editorial curation.

Key editorial priorities

• Recent Film Festivals — Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Sundance, Locarno
• Director Retrospectives — Wong Kar-wai, Almodóvar, and Lynch Weeks
• Asian Cinema — Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Hong Sang-soo, Kore-eda
• French Art House Cinema — Céline Sciamma, Mia Hansen-Løve, Justine Triet
• Films Restored in 4K — European and International Heritage
• Mubi Distribution — films released in theaters by Mubi, later available for streaming

Mubi isn't playing the same game as Netflix. While major SVOD platforms focus on the breadth of their catalogs, Mubi emphasizes editorial curation: each film is highlighted, contextualized, and accompanied by articles and podcasts. It's a complementary subscription service, rarely a replacement.

Pros and Cons of Mubi

Mubi isn't for everyone, and that's precisely what makes it so appealing. Here's what you need to consider before signing up.

Benefits

• Strong editorial curation, without an overload of options
• A selection not found anywhere else (festivals, restorations, short films)
• Annual subscription at approximately €5.99/month, very competitive in this segment
• Mubi GO Single: Streaming + a weekly movie ticket
• Includes editorial articles and podcasts (Mubi Notebook)
• Culture Pass offer for €11.99 for 3 months for eligible young people

Disadvantages

• Niche catalog vs. general-interest SVOD
• Not suitable for family viewing with children
• Monthly subscription for €11.99—which is expensive unless you switch to the annual plan
• Mubi GO is not very profitable outside major cities
• No family plan with multiple profiles

Mubi vs. its competitors: LaCinetek, UniversCiné, Filmo

The "film buff" streaming market in France includes several providers with distinct offerings. The choice depends on the type of films you're looking for and your budget.

• Platform|Specialty|Price|Who is it for?
• Mubi|International editorial selection, festivals|€11.99/month|Film buffs with an international outlook
• LaCinetek | Filmmakers' Film Archive | ~€9.99/month | For fans of classic films and filmmaker-curated programming
• UniversCiné|French and European indie films (most comprehensive catalog)|~€5.99/month or pay-per-view|Contemporary French cinema
• Filmo|Art-house and mainstream films|~€6.99/month|A mix of art-house and more accessible films

• Mubi is the only platform to offer an integrated theater component (Mubi GO)
• LaCinetek excels in preserving film heritage and curating programs by director
• UniversCiné offers the most comprehensive selection of French and European independent films
• Filmo is an affordable but less feature-rich option

The guide on how to share your UniversCiné subscription explains how it works. For the general public, see the Canal+ movie catalog.

How can I save money on Mubi in 2026?

Mubi is already available on an annual subscription basis, but there are a few ways to further reduce the cost. The best approach: don’t stick with the monthly plan at €11.99 if you plan to keep the service for more than 6 months.

• Switch to an annual plan: ~€5.99/month (equivalent), saving 50% compared to the monthly plan
• Student plan for €6.99/month with a 30-day free trial
• Pass Culture: €11.99 for 3 months for eligible young people
• 7-day free trial
• Verified group subscription via spliiit, to split the cost with other movie lovers
• Mubi + a general-interest streaming service: as a complement to Canal+ or Netflix, rather than a replacement

Want to enjoy Mubi without paying the full price? With a co-subscription, you can split the cost by legally sharing your subscription with other verified users. Find out how it works on spliiit

Which option is right for you?

Mubi isn't for everyone. Whether it's a good fit depends on your attitude toward curated content, your SVOD budget, and your access to movie theaters.

• Movie lovers in big cities: Mubi GO for €18.99/month if you go to the movies every week
• Curious festival-goers: Mubi Annual, as a complement to Canal+ or Netflix
• Film students: Mubi Student for €6.99/month
• Youth Culture Pass: 3-month offer for €11.99 to explore
• French indie cinema: UniversCiné might be a better fit
• Mainstream movies: Netflix, Prime Video, and Canal+ (see " Best SVOD Platform") remain the top choices

For more recommendations on movies to watch, the article " Best Movies to Watch on Netflix " also offers additional suggestions.

Frequently asked questions

Does Mubi offer a free trial?

Yes, Mubi offers a 7-day free trial for its standard plans. The trial period is extended to 30 days for the Student plan, making it one of the most generous trial periods available. The trial is non-binding and can be canceled at any time before it ends to avoid being charged.

How does the Pass Culture benefit work on Mubi?

The Pass Culture offer provides 3 months of Mubi for a total of €11.99, which works out to about €4 per month for eligible young people. It can be activated through the Pass Culture app using your credit.

Is Mubi GO available throughout France?

No, Mubi GO is mainly available in major cities: Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lille, Toulouse, Strasbourg, and Nantes. The list of partner theaters changes regularly, so be sure to check the Mubi website before subscribing. At €18.99 per month, the plan is only worthwhile if there’s a partner theater near you.

Can multiple people share a Mubi subscription?

Mubi does not offer a family plan with multiple separate profiles. The subscription is intended for personal use. To split the cost with other movie lovers while staying within the terms of service, sharing a subscription through a platform like spliiit the most regulated option.

What is the difference between Mubi, LaCinetek, and UniversCiné?

Three distinct approaches. Mubi focuses on international editorial curation and film festivals. LaCinetek is the filmmakers’ film archive, with a focus on heritage. UniversCiné offers the most comprehensive selection of French and European indie films. For the serious film buff, these services complement one another rather than serving as substitutes.

Does Mubi really distribute films in theaters?

Yes, Mubi also distributes films to theaters. Many Mubi releases—including award-winning festival films and international arthouse productions—first screen in theaters and then become available on the platform after the media release window has passed. Mubi GO subscribers are also entitled to one ticket per week to see the Film of the Week at a partner theater.