For those who want to binge-watch a bunch of TV series or watch endless movies, Netflix has long been the go-to destination. So much, in fact, that almost everyone has a subscription these days. For years, it was great, but I don’t think that’s true anymore.
Netflix has enjoyed a pretty historic run for the last 25 or so years. It launched as a DVD-by-mail service in 1998, began offering a monthly subscription a year later, and, in a bold move, shifted its focus to streaming in 2007. Since then, it’s been a staple in homes everywhere. I miss checking my mailbox for those red envelopes with a DVD inside.
The competition is really good
Disney+ arrived in 2019, and it’s arguably way better
Netflix debuted its first original series, House of Cards, in 2013 and expanded to over 130 countries worldwide by 2016. Things were great. But if the last 5–6 years haven’t felt the same, like it’s losing its allure, you’re not wrong.
For a long time, Netflix held the top spot and faced little competition. Well, at least in the streaming landscape. Netflix offers a mind-boggling amount of content, making it incredibly valuable and versatile for subscribers.
HBO was a staple on cable TV the entire time, and has actually offered original series and programming since the 1980s, with The Sopranos making it a household name in 1999. It wasn’t until 2015 that HBO Now arrived as a potential challenger.
Hulu quickly followed in Netflix’s footsteps, launching to the public in 2008, but was often seen as an inferior option. And that’s the way things stayed for years on end. However, that’s no longer the case. It wasn’t until 2014-2015 that things really started to change, with Amazon Prime Video and others stealing the show. These days, we have more options than ever before, with every major platform that’s debuted over the last decade fighting for our viewership.
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Each streaming platform has original content, excellent movies and TV shows, and a growing selection of new and old content for everyone to enjoy. Furthermore, most of those other platforms have better content, too.
Two prime examples are Disney+ and HBO Max, which are both better options and value than Netflix, at least in my opinion. I’m a huge fan of HBO (or whatever we’re calling it these days). I’ve watched more HBO Max than Netflix for years on end, and I doubt I’m the only one. HBO offers significantly better content, high-quality shows, and exclusive originals instead of old reruns like Netflix. Plus, it’s loaded with excellent movies from a bunch of big-name providers.
Even all the older content on HBO Max is great. I’m not just talking about The Sopranos, but others like True Detective, Entourage, Game of Thrones, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. And newer series like Succession are fantastic.
My other go-to option ahead of Netflix is Disney+, which you can even bundle with Hulu and ESPN for a discount. Disney+ was late to the game, arriving in 2019, but if you’re looking for quality movies that are actually worth watching, you can’t go wrong with Disney for a variety of reasons.
Netflix was the only reliable option for a while, and it had good content, but times have changed.
Netflix has fallen from grace
It’s all about quantity over quality
While Netflix managed to stay ahead of the competition for years thanks to an exhaustive lineup of movies, TV shows, documentaries, miniseries, and more, that’s also part of the problem.
Netflix focuses too much on the wrong type of content. It doesn’t help that the service continuously raises prices and eventually started including ads.
My biggest gripe with Netflix for what feels like the last 5–7 years is that it’s all about quantity over quality. Netflix wants to offer anything and everything. Sure, that appeals to more customers, but the content is severely lacking in quality.
You know exactly what I’m talking about. How many times have you fired up Netflix, scrolled for 25 minutes trying to find something interesting, and wasted all that time wading through average films or “Only on Netflix” content, to hit the home button on your remote and go to HBO Max or Prime Video instead?
Watch anything on Disney+ or HBO Max, and you’ll quickly notice the increase in quality, storytelling, and character development. Not just a cinematic production that checks all the boxes like the flood of average Netflix movies I’ve had to sit through over the last few years.
Don’t get me wrong, Netflix isn’t bad, it’s just not all that great. Most of the movies are a solid C+ or B- in my book, and good enough to be mildly entertaining. Quantity and quality are both part of the problem. I want more, and that’s why I subscribe to HBO Max instead.
Choose a better option
Simply put, Netflix isn’t the best streaming service anymore, and it hasn’t been for a while. I want better value than what I get from Netflix and its content, and that’s why I’ve since switched to HBO Max.
However, that does mean I’m also paying a bit more, since my household has a Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN bundle. The higher price tag is worth it, though, as I get to enjoy excellent, high-quality movies, TV series, sports, and more.
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- Subscription with ads
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Yes, the Disney Basic plan
- Simultaneous streams
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Up to 4
Family favorites, old classics, and exciting new TV all in one place.
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- Subscription with ads
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Yes, $10.99/month
- Simultaneous streams
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2 or 4
HBO Max is a subscription-based streaming service offering content from HBO, Warner Bros., DC, and more. In 2025, the service re-branded itself as HBO Max after having previously cut “HBO” from its name.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
