kooku.app
Have you ever felt the need to binge watch a series, but don't have enough time? Binging TV shows - although very enjoyable, addictive, and satisfying - can easily eat up hours of your time. Sometimes (yes, I am speaking from experience here), a quick streaming session can easily turn into a whole day affair, especially if the show is particularly captivating.
I am sure many others feel this way when they have to tell Netflix that they are still there. This may be convenient for some, but it can also feel judgmental when you are wide awake and starting your 12th episode of The Office.
I don't always have several hours in the day to spend engrossed in a Netflix show that I simply can't turn off. Sometimes I only have a half hour or so on my lunch break and all I want to do is turn off my brain and turn on a good show! But a half-hour, of course, is just enough time to watch a single episode of many shows, and not even long enough to finish a full episode of a more irreverent drama, which usually run for about an hour.
What, then, am I to do if I want the thrill of a binge, but I don't have the time? Well, one possible solution could be to turn to web series. Short format streaming sites have become increasingly popular over the last couple years, ideal for the streamer on the go. While Quibi underwhelmed in many ways and ultimately failed, that doesn't mean that short format streaming sites that specialize in web series and short films should be counted out altogether!
There are some great movie streaming sites out there that allow users to watch a variety of content, including original web series, short films, music, and syndicated content. One such site is Kooku, which has earned its spot on my list of the best movie streaming sites of all time for its impressive blend of original content, as well as content from other popular streaming services.
I have been writing movie streaming site reviews for a long time now. In general, I find that the sites that I evaluate are, essentially, the same. Sure, each one offers slightly different content--perhaps you'll find a cool and unique feature on a site here or there? But, by and large, there are so many movie streaming sites on the web that are just copying each other or copying Netflix. It is rare that I come across a site that is truly doing something new, something exciting.
focus on providing a unique cinema experience.
This is why I am excited to take a closer look at Kooku. There are few movie streaming sites out there doing what Kooku does. Perhaps that is where it gets its name from - the site's focus on providing a unique cinema experience?
Although Kooku's unorthodox approach to what a movie streaming site can be is a bit ?cuckoo,? it seems to be working in my opinion. If Kooku is crazy, I don't think that I want to be sane!
Can Kooku be the best streaming site for you? If so, only by examining its features can you be certain. Shall we get started?
Design
Kooku's website design is commonplace among movie streaming websites. The best way to describe the interface might be to say that it is average. It presents itself in the same way as every other premium movie streaming website: an imitation of Netflix. Even though almost every streaming site takes on the Netflix layout, some websites do a much better job at it than others. And Kooku, I must say, does not do a particularly good job at it.
Don't misunderstand, it's not like the site is overwhelmingly difficult to navigate or unnecessarily cumbersome. It's just missing some of the more basic features that would make streaming movies an enjoyable experience. In other words, Kooku has copied Netflix's classic layout, but failed to include some of the more dynamic features.
On landing on Kooku's homepage, the main feature that will be noticed is an oversized banner at the top of the page promoting various featured titles. Beneath this is a series of horizontally situated menus organized by category. Browse Kooku's offerings by Recently Watched, Popular, Originals, Web Series, or Songs.
This is where the magic touch seems to be lacking. Streaming sites commonly provide this layout, but usually they go one step further and provide an intuitive side-scroll function, allowing you to smoothly and seamlessly browse a long list of titles without leaving your page.
This usually takes the form of an arrow to the right and left of the thumbnails, which are integrated into the list. Maybe I'm being picky, but Kooku's placement of the arrows above each list makes for a clunkier user experience, I think (if ever so slightly). The other concern of mine is the sizing of these thumbnails - they are a little too big, I think, which results in a somewhat cluttered appearance.
However, I must be very careful when selecting streaming sites for movies because this is something that can really bother some people. After all, it is my job to make sure the site is enjoyable for everyone. I doubt this will have a major impact on your enjoyment of the streaming site.
Content and Features
As I said earlier, Kooku specializes in short form content. However, as of right now all that can be viewed on Kooku are short films, web series, and music videos. This can definitely be a positive when it comes to streaming on the go or when you have a time crunch. However, some streamers might not enjoy this kind of content because it is not for everyone. So this fact could be a dealbreaker for them.
The only downside to Kooku's content is the fact that unless you are already familiar with Kooku, none of it is likely to be readily recognizable. This is because Kooku is primarily concerned with putting out new, original content, and web series and short films simply don't tend to be as popular or well-known as full-length films or TV series.
That being said, as far as web series are concerned, Kooku provides only high-quality content. So, if you are a fan of shorter, quick bingeworthy material, then Kooku may very well be the best movie streaming site you could find.
The website lacks many features, but its price point is likely to be reasonable.
Mobile and Desktop Experience
Personally, I believe that Kooku is the best movie streaming app. The short, concise shows and movies available here make it perfect for streaming on the go, while waiting in line, during your commute to work or school, etc. Nobody wants to stream a three-hour long movie on their phone, right? But an eight-minute webisode? That is much more realistic.
Unfortunately, at the time of this review, Kooku is only available on Android devices. The average user rating for Kooku on the Google Play store is 3.6, and I would say that the app is about just as mediocre (decent) as the desktop site. It's nothing revolutionary, but it gets the job done.
Pricings and Plans
Kooku is a premium movie streaming site that I have found to be affordable. The monthly subscription price for Kooku is only $1.99, and if you grow to love Kooku, you can subscribe annually for only $16 a year. For one of the best movie streaming sites and apps on the market today, this truly is a steal!