What's the best way to not have to share your popcorn in a movie? Simple: host an Amazon Watch Party where you and 99 other friends and family can join online to watch the same show or movie together.
In this article, you'll find everything you need to know about starting, hosting, and joining an Amazon Watch Party, so you can share memorable experiences with your loved ones no matter where they are in the world.
Requirements to Host an Amazon Watch Party
To host a Watch Party, you'll first need to make sure that everyone has an Amazon Prime subscription. Since the party can host up to 100 people, everyone needs to have their own subscription to join. Hosting an Amazon Watch Party is one of the coolest things you can do with Amazon Prime Video.
You'll want to make sure no one uses Safari or Internet Explorer because neither of those browsers is compatible with Watch Party.
If your party wants to watch a movie or show that costs money, like the latest release, everyone in the group is going to need to purchase the same movie or show for it to work. Otherwise, you will all have to stick with the content that comes included with your Prime memberships.
Traveling while trying to host or attend a watch party will be tricky. You can still host while traveling, but some content might become unavailable due to regional restrictions. It will save the group wasted time trying to figure out what to play if you look ahead of your scheduled party. Attending an international Watch Party is not available at this time.
How to Host an Amazon Watch Party on the Web
As long as you are using a compatible device, hosting your own Watch party only takes a few steps to get started. You will get everyone else involved when you're done setting everything up.
- Go to Amazon.com.
- Click Prime Video.
- Select your movie or show.
- Click the Watch Party icon (it looks like a party popper).
- Enter your chat name.
- Click Create Watch Party.
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At this point, Amazon will give you a link you can share with friends and family for them to join. Once they click on the link, they'll be able to join the chat and start watching whenever you say it's time. You can use the chat tab to speak to each other and the settings tab to send invites, end the watch party and provide feedback to Amazon.
How to Host Amazon Watch Party on Fire TV
To host a Watch Party on Fire TV, you'll need more coordination with your phone and TV to make it all work.
- Open the Prime Video app on Fire TV.
- Select a movie or show.
- Select the Watch Party icon (it looks like a party popper).
- Select Create Watch Party.
- Go to the link provided on a mobile device browser.
- Enter your chat name.
- Select Join Chat.
- Click Start Watching on your Fire TV.
Using your mobile device while watching your entertainment allows you to enter the chat, so you can talk with friends and family. The link you entered to get to the chat is the same one you will send to your network to get started.
How to Join an Amazon Watch Party on Fire TV
If your friends are trying to watch using their Fire TV, they will need to enter that link into their mobile browser first to receive a code. Then, they'll open the Prime Video app on their TV and go to My Stuff > Find a Watch Party. Once they enter the code, they can sync up and will be ready to start watching.
All created links expire after seven days, so there is no possibility of scheduling the Watch Party too far in advance. For now, your best option would be to create a calendar invite and then create the actual Watch Party closer to the event.
How to Host an Amazon Watch Party on Your Smart TV
You can host an Amazon watch party right from your smart TV, meaning you don't even have to switch over to a different device. To host an Amazon watch party on your smart TV, do the following:
- Open the Amazon Prime Video app on your smart TV and ensure you're signed in.
- Select the movie you and your friends/family want to watch and press OK on your remote.
- On the film's page, select Watch Party and press OK on your remote.
- You can either go on the web with your mobile/laptop/PC and type in the web address on your smart TV or scan the QR code with your mobile. This allows you to join the chat and invite others.
- Press OK on your remote to Create Watch Party when you're ready.
You should now be hosting an Amazon Watch Party on your smart TV. The accessibility Amazon offers in hosting watch parties on various devices is one of the best reasons you should subscribe to Amazon Prime Video.
Hosting an Amazon Watch Party Is Easy
With Amazon Watch Party, you can start hosting your own movie or show with up to 100 people through a web browser or Fire TV. You can even chat throughout the entire movie to stay connected without interrupting.
As amazing as it is, Amazon isn't the only streaming service that offers watch parties; services like Hulu and Disney+ do too.