Have you ever switched from one streaming app to another and thought, “Wait… where did my favorite show go?” You’re not alone. Each streaming platform has its own quirks, rules, and—most frustrating of all—gaps in available content. Sometimes it feels like you need five different subscriptions just to watch everything you want. Let’s take a fun look at which big shows and features are missing from each major streamer!
Netflix: Still the King… With Some Missing Titles
Netflix is huge. It probably was your first streaming app. Over the years, it’s built a strong original library. But that also means a lot of classic content has vanished.
What’s missing?
- Marvel and Star Wars content – Gone to Disney+ faster than you could say “Avengers Assemble.”
- Recent HBO shows – Don’t count on Netflix for House of the Dragon or The Last of Us.
- Live Sports – Netflix hasn’t jumped into the live-action (yet).
Feature gap: No live TV or major movie premieres. Some folks want their news, sports, or even award shows. You won’t find them here.
Disney+: Magical, But Not Fully Loaded
Disney+ is bursting with family-friendly joy. Think Frozen, The Mandalorian, and every Marvel film. But even Mickey Mouse can’t offer it all.
What’s missing?
- Non-Disney adult content – No Stranger Things or Breaking Bad here.
- Major comedy series – Friends, Seinfeld, and The Office live elsewhere.
- Classic anime – Sorry fans, there’s no Naruto or One Piece party.
Feature gap: Limited international content. Disney+ is slowly expanding beyond Hollywood, but it still lags behind others like Netflix or Hulu.
HBO Max (Now Max): Upper-Class Content With a Few Holes
HBO Max—rebranded as Max—has been growing fast. It mixes high-quality prestige television with DC Comics and Discovery Channel documentaries. Pretty great. But it’s not perfect.
What’s missing?
- Popular sitcoms – Sure, it has Friends and Big Bang Theory, but other major comedy series like How I Met Your Mother are missing.
- Anime variety – While it has some Crunchyroll selections, anime fans may find the buffet half-stocked.
- Live sports and news – Even with Discovery merger, Max hasn’t cracked this nut wide open.
Feature gap: It’s not very user-friendly. The app experience has had its share of bugs and confusing menu layouts.
Amazon Prime Video: Loads of Stuff, But Hard to Find
Amazon has a ton of movies and shows. Maybe too many. And that’s part of the problem.
What’s missing?
- Clear separation between free and paid content – Prime Originals are easy to find, but other shows randomly ask you to rent or buy. Confusing? Yes.
- Big network sitcoms and dramas – Limited catalog from ABC, CBS, and NBC. Many of these live on other platforms.
- A consistent style – The design feels like a digital garage sale.
Feature gap: Personalization is weak. You might finish a season and get recommended shows that feel completely random.
Hulu: Great for TV… Usually
If you love staying up to date with the latest episodes, Hulu is your buddy. But it doesn’t do everything right.
What’s missing?
- High-budget blockbuster movies – It has some, but not consistently. You’ll mainly find mid-sized films here.
- International content – Compared to Netflix or even Max, Hulu’s foreign show catalog is thinner.
- Original movie hits – While its TV originals are strong, its films haven’t become cultural events—yet.
Feature gap: The ad-free option still shows ads for some content. You pay for quiet, but sometimes get noise. Boo.
Apple TV+: Polished but Limited
Apple TV+ is like a hip boutique. Everything’s shiny, new, and original. But you might walk in and realize there’s not much on the shelves.
What’s missing?
- Classic shows and films – No back catalog. Don’t expect reruns here. It’s new or nothing.
- Licensed content – You won’t find content from Disney, HBO, or NBC.
- A huge library – Compared to Netflix, Apple TV+ is small—on purpose.
Feature gap: There’s no live TV or high-volume updates. You wait for new drops, just like waiting for a new iPhone.
Peacock: NBC’s Playground
Peacock gives you access to NBC classics, live events, and even Premier League games. But not everything shines.
What’s missing?
- Strong original content – There are some, like Poker Face, but nothing too buzzy (yet).
- Non-NBC drama – HBO, Disney, Amazon? Not here, and that’s a big hole in variety.
- Customization – Organization and recommendations are still a bit meh.
Feature gap: It’s geo-blocked in many regions, so your favorite show may vanish when you travel.
Paramount+: Full of Nostalgia, Low Discovery
This one’s great if you’re into Star Trek, Nickelodeon, or CBS dramas. It brings the throwback energy, but it has weak spots.
What’s missing?
- HBO and Showtime content – Outside of Showtime add-ons, you’re out of luck on edgy adult dramas.
- Popular anime or international shows – Again, lacking global flavor.
- Buzz-worthy originals – Halo had hype… but fizzled fast.
Feature gap: App experience is dated and inconsistent across devices. Think ‘2005 web design meets 2024 content.’
The Ultimate Streamer Combo (If You’re Rich)
Honestly? There’s no perfect streamer. That’s why many viewers subscribe to two, three, or even five different platforms. It’s like assembling the Avengers just to watch TV.
What’s the dream combo?
- Netflix for variety and bingeable originals
- Disney+ for family, Marvel, Star Wars
- Max for crown-jewel TV dramas
- Prime Video for movies (if you can find them)
- Hulu for next-day TV episodes
Of course, subscribing to every platform isn’t cheap. So pick the ones with the content you love the most. And don’t be afraid to rotate monthly. That’s the real streamer hack.
Final Thoughts
Streaming services today are like different food courts—each with awesome dishes, but none has it all. The smartest approach is knowing what each offers… and what’s missing. Whether you’re a Marvel superfan, anime fanatic, or sitcom lover, there’s a streamer for you—even if your wallet weeps a little.
Now grab the remote, flip a few apps, and happy watching!