Films & TV
DiscontinuedOverview
Microsoft Movies & TV, also branded Films & TV, was a digital video storefront service developed by Microsoft for Windows and Xbox platforms. The app allowed users to purchase and rent movies and TV shows in HD from the Microsoft Store, with personal digital collections accessible across enabled devices. The service originated from the Zune Marketplace and Xbox Live Video Marketplace in 2006, evolved through Xbox Video, and was rebranded as Movies & TV in 2015. Microsoft discontinued new content purchases and rentals on July 18, 2025, though users can continue to access previously purchased content through the app.
Key Features
- HD Video Playback - Support for full HD movies and TV shows with efficient video playback
- Personal Digital Collections - Manage and organize purchased or rented movies and TV shows across devices
- Cross-Platform Access - Watch content on Windows PCs and Xbox consoles with synchronized libraries
- Content Search and Discovery - Browse and search for movies and TV shows with trailers and previews
- Closed Captioning - Support for closed captions to enhance accessibility
- Video Downloads - Download content for offline viewing on Windows devices in HD resolution
- Customizable Playback Settings - Adjust playback options and video player preferences
- Cast to Xbox - Stream videos from Windows PC to Xbox devices
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free Access to Purchased Content | Free | Access to previously purchased movies and TV shows; HD playback; downloads on Windows |
Platforms & Requirements
The app runs on Windows 10 (version 18362.0 or higher), Windows 11, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and HoloLens. On Windows, the Movies & TV video player app was superseded by Media Player in 2022 and 2023 respectively. The app supports all video formats that Windows supports, though users reported limited codec support and may need to purchase additional codecs for certain formats like HEVC.
Integrations & Ecosystem
- Microsoft Store (content storefront)
- Xbox Live (cross-device synchronization)
- Windows Media Player (video format support)
- HEVC Video Extensions (optional codec support)
Alternatives
| App | Difference |
|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | Active streaming service with ongoing content purchases and rentals |
| Apple TV | Cross-platform digital storefront with active movie and TV show sales |
| Fandango at Home | Dedicated digital video rental and purchase service |
| VLC Media Player | Open-source video player with broader codec support and no content restrictions |
Reputation
Microsoft Movies & TV was perceived as a convenient integrated solution for Windows and Xbox users to purchase and manage digital video content. However, the service faced criticism for limited codec support, occasional playback issues, and inconsistent performance across devices. The abrupt discontinuation of new content purchases in July 2025 and the transition to Media Player on Windows reflected Microsoft's broader retreat from consumer entertainment services. Users generally appreciated the cross-device synchronization but noted that competing services like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV offered more robust ongoing support and content availability.
Sources (9)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Movies_&_TV
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-the-movies-tv-app-with-narrator-a1bfca58-adab-969e-2693-f772e91187ae
- https://www.winxdvd.com/play-video/movies-and-tv-app-in-windows.htm
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/watch-movies-and-tv-shows-on-the-microsoft-movies-tv-app-59328422-053f-30b3-843a-f8774567a85e
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4277149/films-and-tv-app
- https://microsoft.fandom.com/wiki/Microsoft_Movies_&_TV
- https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9wzdncrfj3p2?hl=en-GB
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4246833/films-tv-apps
- https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/where-is-the-movies-tv-app-located.3196342/