MUBI

What MUBI does

MUBI is a London-headquartered hybrid streaming platform and film distribution company founded in 2007 by Efe Cakarel, operating in 190+ countries with a record 1.7 million subscribers and 20 million registered users as of Q1 2026. The company runs a curated auteur cinema streaming service accessible via web, iOS, Android, smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony Android TV), streaming devices (Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire, Roku, PS5, Nvidia Shield), and Apple Vision Pro — with cloud-based VOD encoding delivered via Bitmovin. MUBI's core product is a hand-curated rotating film library combined with a broader catalog, supplemented by MUBI GO (a $19.99/month subscription bundling streaming with a weekly hand-picked cinema ticket at partner theaters in the US, UK, Ireland, Germany, and Mexico), gift subscriptions, Notebook editorial publication, and a print Notebook Magazine.

MUBI's business model centers on subscription recurring revenue ($14.99/month standard, $119.88/year annual at 33% savings, $9.99/month student), augmented by transaction-based theatrical distribution revenue across UK, Ireland, US, Germany, Italy, Spain, Benelux, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, and India, and licensing/royalty returns from production financing deals. The company deploys capital to acquire prestige films at Cannes, Venice, and Berlin — including a record $24M acquisition of Lynne Ramsay's 'Die My Love' outbidding Apple and Netflix — and co-finances auteur productions through deals with IPR.VC, Plan B Entertainment, and Goodfellas. Distribution also flows through third-party channels including Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, and Titan OS-powered smart TVs.

MUBI achieved unicorn status in May 2025 after a Sequoia Capital-led $100 million investment valuing the company at $1 billion, up from approximately $150 million in 2018. The company has executed strategic acquisitions including a majority stake in Benelux distributor Cinéart (February 2024) and The Match Factory international sales agent (December 2025). MUBI employs 251–500 people distributed across 30+ global cities, with established offices in London (HQ), New York, Berlin, and Istanbul. The business is organized under MUBI UK Limited as the primary UK private limited entity, and the company maintains a Contributor Hub enabling community-driven film metadata enrichment alongside its formal Ethical Funding and Investment Policy published in October 2025.

Name

MUBI

Legal name

MUBI UK Limited

Website

https://mubi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

MUBI is a London-based hybrid streaming platform and film distributor offering curated auteur cinema to 1.7M subscribers across 190+ countries, combining subscription streaming with theatrical distribution, festival film acquisitions, production financing, and editorial publishing via Notebook magazine.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arthouse Streaming and Film Distribution

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (512120)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

Premium Video Add-Ons & Channel Bundles (OTT Aggregators) (MPACAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Non-Theatrical Distribution (Educational, Airlines, Cruise, Community) (MPADAJAJ)

Keywords

• Arthouse film streaming
• Curated cinema subscription
• Auteur film distribution
• Festival film financing
• Independent cinema platform

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Streaming Subscription: MUBI's primary revenue stream is monthly and annual subscription plans. Users pay recurring fees to access the full film library and stream content on multiple devices. The subscription model is the dominant revenue source, with MUBI reporting record 1.7 million subscribers in Q1 2026.
2. Theatrical Distribution: MUBI acquires and distributes films theatrically across multiple territories (UK, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Latin America, Benelux, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, India, North America). Films are released in theaters before or alongside their streaming availability, generating box office revenue and expanding the subscriber base.
3. MUBI GO (Theater Ticket Program): MUBI GO subscribers pay $19.99/month and receive one hand-picked movie ticket per week redeemable at partner cinemas in the US, UK, Ireland, Germany, and Mexico. This hybrid offering bridges streaming with physical cinema attendance.
4. Production Financing: MUBI provides equity financing to films and co-production deals, including full financing for Nicolas Winding Refn's Maniac Cop ($40M), and co-financing agreements with funds like IPR.VC for European auteur films. Returns are realized through theatrical distribution, streaming licensing, and international sales.
5. Gift Subscriptions: MUBI sells gift subscriptions at $39.99 for 3 months and $109.99 for 1 year, allowing customers to purchase streaming access as gifts for others.
6. Notebook Magazine Subscription: MUBI publishes and sells subscriptions to Notebook, a print magazine focused on film criticism and culture. Two issues per year are available for $40 including shipping.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MUBI is a subscription streaming service that curates and distributes a hand-picked library of auteur, arthouse, and classic films on demand across web, mobile, smart TVs, and streaming devices in 190+ countries. The company complements its streaming platform with theatrical film distribution across multiple territories and an editorial publication (Notebook), operating a hybrid streaming-and-cinema model that finances, acquires, and releases prestige films acquired at festivals such as Cannes, Venice, and Berlin.

Product overview

MUBI is a London-based arthouse streaming platform and film distribution company operating a hybrid model that combines on-demand streaming with theatrical releases and editorial publishing. The core product is the MUBI streaming platform (mubi.com), a curated subscription service offering auteur and arthouse cinema accessible on any screen or device, featuring a rotating hand-picked selection alongside a broader catalog. Complementing the streaming platform, MUBI offers MUBI GO — a weekly movie ticket subscription that provides one hand-picked cinema ticket per week at partner theaters in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Germany, and Mexico. MUBI also publishes Notebook, a daily international film publication, and Notebook Magazine, a print edition. The company distributes films theatrically across multiple territories, having acquired titles like 'Die My Love' at Cannes for $24 million and 'Coward' for multiple territories, and has invested in European auteur films through co-financing agreements. Subscription tiers include standard monthly ($14.99) and annual plans ($119.88), a student plan ($9.99/month with 30-day free trial), and gift subscription options. MUBI also maintains a Contributor Hub for community-driven film database enrichment and publishes an Ethical Funding and Investment Policy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MUBI GO: A weekly movie ticket subscription service that provides one hand-picked movie ticket per week plus unlimited streaming
• Notebook
• MUBI Editions

Products and services

• MUBI Streaming Platform A curated subscription-based streaming service offering auteur and arthouse cinema on demand. Users can stream any film from the library anytime, on any screen or device (iOS, Android, smart TVs, streaming devices, web). The platform features a hand-picked rotating selection alongside a broader catalog, combined with editorial content and community discussion tools.
• MUBI GO A subscription add-on offering one hand-picked movie ticket per week for use at partner cinemas. Subscribers receive a ticket through the MUBI GO app and choose their theater and showtime. Priced at $19.99/month with a 7-day free trial, includes unlimited streaming access.
• Notebook A daily international film publication operated by MUBI featuring reviews, interviews, essays, and critical writing about contemporary and classic cinema, with an associated weekly newsletter and community discussion tools.
• Notebook Magazine A print edition of Notebook offering in-depth film criticism and features, shipped internationally. Priced at $40 for two issues annually, renews automatically.
• MUBI Editions MUBI Editions is a merchandise and collectibles line featuring film-related products tied to MUBI's curated cinema brand, distributed through a separate MUBI Editions storefront.

Quantifiable outcome

• Record 1.7 million subscribers in Q1 2026, recovering from a subscriber loss of 200,000+ following a PR crisis.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Goodfellas (Production Company)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Goodfellas is co-producing Nicolas Winding Refn's 'Maniac Cop' alongside MUBI's full financing commitment. MUBI will distribute the film across multiple territories including North America, Latin America, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Benelux, Turkey, Australia, and New Zealand.
• WscriptedminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2026Wscripted unveiled its sixth Cannes Screenplay List featuring 30 screenplays by female and non-binary filmmakers, presented in partnership with MUBI. The list was introduced via the new digital platform Wscripted+ to streamline screenplay discovery and shorten development lead times.
• NeoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2026Neon pre-bought North American rights to Nicolas Winding Refn's 'Her Private Hell' ahead of its Cannes premiere. Neon is a key distribution partner for North American releases of films MUBI also distributes internationally.
• Titan OS S.L.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2026MUBI partnered with Titan OS, a Barcelona-based technology company, to bring its streaming service to Titan OS-powered smart TVs including Philips, AOC, Vestel, and JVC. The deal includes an exclusive 30-day free trial for users and expands MUBI's distribution across Europe and Latin America.
• Plan B EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Plan B Entertainment (Brad Pitt's production company) co-produced 'Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma' with MUBI. The film premiered at Cannes' Un Certain Regard and received a 9-minute standing ovation.
• The Match FactorycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025MUBI acquired The Match Factory, a leading international sales agent. Following the acquisition, MUBI integrated content leadership and has been using Match Factory as its international sales agent for films including 'Agon' by Giulio Bertelli. This integration strengthens MUBI's theatrical and sales distribution capabilities.
• VJ Carbone (Publicity Veteran)minorOthers · 1 November 2025MUBI hired publicity veteran VJ Carbone to oversee the company's U.S. film campaigns and expand its presence in the American market.
• CinéartcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 February 2024MUBI acquired a majority stake in Benelux film distributor Cinéart (founded in 1975) in February 2024. The acquisition extends MUBI's theatrical distribution reach in Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Cinéart continues its current operations without changes after the acquisition.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Criterion Channel: Subscription streaming service operated by the Criterion Collection offering curated classic and contemporary art cinema. Directly comparable to MUBI as a niche SVOD serving cinephiles with hand-picked, festival-adjacent content and editorial programming.
• Shudder: AMC Networks-owned specialty SVOD focused on horror, thriller, and genre cinema. Comparable as a curated niche streaming service for film enthusiasts; together with MUBI and Criterion Channel it accounted for 49% of specialty SVOD new releases in 2025.
• Neon: U.S. independent film distribution and production company specializing in festival titles and auteur cinema. Functions as both a MUBI distribution partner (pre-buys MUBI titles for North America) and a competitor in theatrical acquisition markets.
• Sundance Now: AMC Networks-owned streaming service for independent film, documentaries, and original series. Comparable as a curated SVOD targeting the same indie/festival film audience as MUBI in the U.S. market.
• Film Movement: U.S. film distributor and streaming platform offering arthouse, indie, and world cinema via Film Movement Plus. Comparable as a small-scale distributor/streamer competing for the same auteur/indie audience as MUBI.

Broad incumbents

• A24: Independent film studio and distributor that produces, finances, and theatrically releases prestige auteur cinema. Comparable to MUBI as both a competitor at Cannes (outbid by MUBI on 'Die My Love') and a strategic model for vertical integration of production and theatrical distribution.
• Apple TV+: Apple's premium SVOD that has become a major acquirer of festival and prestige film content (e.g., was outbid by MUBI for 'Die My Love' at Cannes). Comparable as a deep-pocketed competitor bidding on the same auteur content MUBI targets.
• Netflix: Global streaming incumbent that has aggressively moved into prestige film acquisitions and festival titles. Comparable as a major competitor bidding for the same Cannes/Venice/Berlin competition films that drive MUBI's subscriber growth.

Emerging players

• OVID.tv: Independent streaming service curating documentary, indie, and art-house cinema. Comparable as a niche SVOD with editorial curation and festival-adjacent programming, though at a smaller scale than MUBI.

Others

• The Match Factory: International sales agent for arthouse and auteur cinema, acquired by MUBI in 2025. Included here as a now-affiliated entity that operates as a peer in international sales/distribution and previously competed with MUBI for sales representation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mubi
• Facebookfacebook.com/mubi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mubi
• Instagraminstagram.com/mubi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds8 records

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MUBI