Facebook and entertainment company Miramax Films have partnered to bring a new batch of movies to watch instantly on the social network.
The deal is the largest Facebook streaming movie venture yet, according to paidContent.org, which reported the Miramax-Facebook deal. Called Miramax eXperience, the program is opening with 20 titles for rent in the U.S., and 10 each in the U.K. and Turkey. France and Germany are next in line.
One surprising feature of Miramax eXperience is that users can watch not only on their computers, but also on their iPads (using a browser-based player) and Google TVs.
The movies cost 30 Facebook credits, or $3. While the rental is active for 30 days, you only have 48 hours to complete a movie once you start it.
The films chosen for the launch of Miramax eXperience on Facebook will be available through September, although titles will cycle on and off the list depending on rights.
Miramax CEO Mike Lang, in explaining why Facebook was the chosen platform and not a Miramax streaming website, said, "We wanted to fish where the fish are. We could have created the most robust Miramax.com in the world and other than my family members, who would be there?" He also added that Miramax has a long way to go to make its streaming technology and service interoperable on other platforms. "Part of it for me," he said, "is that the current model of content for digital doesn't work. It's a bad consumer proposition. Consumers aren't sure how to use it and own it. It's a very kludgy experience for them."
Lang added that he wanted a social element in the Miramax rental experience. The Facebook setup includes a game in which users can cast their friends in various roles.
What Movies are Available?
Of the 20 titles available at launch in the U.S., only seven of them are currently available on Netflix streaming. Curious to see how 30 Facebook credits stack up? The chart below also lists the purchase price (or rental price, when available) in iTunes.
| Miramax Facebook | On Netflix Streaming? | iTunes Purchase Price |
| Adventureland | No, DVD only | $4.99 |
| Chicago | Yes | $4.99 |
| Clerks | Yes | $4.99 |
| Cold Mountain | No, DVD only | $4.99 |
| Extract | No, DVD only | $3.99 (rent) |
| From Dusk Till Dawn | Yes | not available |
| Gangs of New York | Yes | $4.99 |
| Gone Baby Gone | No, DVD only | $9.99 |
| Good Will Hunting | No, DVD only | $4.99 |
| Jackie Brown | No, DVD only | $2.99 (rent) |
| Kill Bill: Vol. 1 | No, DVD only | $4.99 |
| Kill Bill: Vol. 2 | No, DVD only | $4.99 |
| No Country for Old Men | No, DVD only | $4.99 |
| Pulp Fiction | Yes | not available |
| Shall We Dance (2004) | No, DVD only | $4.99 |
| Sin City | No, DVD only | $4.99 |
| Spy Kids | Yes | $2.99 (rent); $4.99 |
| Swingers | No, DVD only | $4.99 |
| The Switch | No, DVD only | $14.99 |
| Trainspotting | Yes | not available |