Just Watch is a free search engine that searches across multiple streaming platforms to find movies & TV shows that are legally available to rent and/or purchase. This is particularly useful when searching for mainstream "Hollywood" feature films, as you are less likely to find these on academic or free sites.
Youtube (a subsidiary of Google, Inc.) is perhaps the best known of all streaming video sites. The site displays a wide variety of user-uploaded video content, including movie clips, TV clips, and music videos, as well as amateur content such as video blogging and short original videos. Most of the content on YouTube has been uploaded by individuals, but increasingly media corporations like CBS, the BBC, and others offer material as part of the YouTube partnership program. Sometimes you'll even find full feature-films and documentaries available for free (or for a small rental fee)
Amazon’s Prime Video Service provides access to more than 45,000 titles, on a pay-per-view basis. Most of the titles offered are feature films or TV shows, but documentaries and other forms are also available. Student membership discounts are available (see above).
Rental prices differ per title, but generally fall in the $3-$4 range.
Once payment is completed streaming can begin immediately. Streaming can also be delayed for later viewing. License terms for each video specify the time-frame for viewing (for example: a viewing window of 48 hours, within an overall span of 30 days).
Using Amazon’s Video On Demand requires setting up a user account with Amazon, including credit card information for making payments.