Whether you have already seen Disney’s The Lone Ranger, Universal’s Despicable Me 2 or Fox’s The Heat at the box office over this extended Fourth of July weekend, or stuck at home and unable to get out, there are some online streaming alternatives for similar films that can be watched from the comfort of your own home.
I have compiled three alternative online streaming options that you can watch for each of these three big films at the box office. One option is on YouTube and free for everyone, one on Hulu Plus, and the last option is on Netflix. In other words, there is a little something for everyone.
The Lone Ranger
YouTube has the original Enter the Lone Ranger film from 1949 starring Clayton Moore available to stream online. While the set-up for this film shares similarities with the new film starring Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer, it strikes a different tone and doesn’t get caught up in the Hollywood hoopla of “bigger is better” that has become prevalent today. Enter the Lone Ranger runs just under 70 minutes in length.
Hulu Plus subscribers will find many episodes of the original The Lone Ranger television series waiting to be viewed, as well as the 1956 film version of The Lone Ranger.
On Netflix, I recommend the 1969 original True Grit starring John Wayne. It fits the classic “western” genre far better than the new The Lone Ranger does.
The Heat
The Heat is a buddy cop movie, so let’s turn back the clock on YouTube to Season 7 of MadTV and a hilarious buddy cop skit called “MADtv seven buddy cops.” It plays like a spoof of Reservoir Dogs and runs just over five minutes in length.
Technically Rizzoli & Isles is a TNT show and available on TNT’s website, but you can also get to it via Hulu Plus. It’s the closest thing to The Heat on television and definitely worth checking out if The Heat is your cup of tea.
One of the best buddy cop films ever is 48 Hours with Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy, and its now available to stream on Netflix.
Despicable Me 2
After Despicable Me was released in theaters and became a big hit, Universal had a series of shorts created starring the yellow pill-shaped minions. You can find these by searching on YouTube.
Hulu Plus is tougher to find a good Despicable Me 2 alternative, but Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hits that same goofy comedic tone that Gru and his minions do.
Over on Netflix, I am going to make two recommendations. The first is The Lorax, which is a worthy adaptation of the classic Dr. Seuss character. The second is Rango, a far better western from The Lone Ranger director Gore Verbinski and top-notch animation to boot.
