Over the past couple of years, a paradoxical situation with foreign content has developed in Russia. Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, and other Western streaming services have left. Official licenses for Hollywood films have expired. But the desire to watch good movies hasn’t gone anywhere. I used to watch TV shows and movies on Rutube, but over time I decided to try VK Video — and stayed. Today I’ll tell you where I watch everything — from classics to fresh premieres and even live sports broadcasts.
VK Video is available on all platforms, meaning you can watch anywhere
Where to Watch Movies and TV Shows in Russia Without Netflix and HBO Max
When acquaintances ask where I watch foreign movies, many are surprised by the answer. Not pirate sites loaded with tons of ads, not torrents, and not a VPN with a subscription to a foreign streaming service. I watch everything on VK Video.
Yes, that very video service from VKontakte. Over the past few years, the platform has grown to a completely different level. According to the company itself, by the end of 2025, the monthly audience of VK Video reached 81.6 million viewers, and the number of app installations exceeded 100 million. This is no longer just a video section in a social network — it’s a full-fledged video service with a huge content library.
VK Video App for iPhone and iPad
For Apple device owners, it’s simple. In the App Store, there’s a separate VK Video app — don’t confuse it with the main VKontakte app. This is a dedicated video service with its own interface.
The smartphone app is the most convenient way to watch VK Video
The app requires iOS 17.6 or newer and works on iPhone. And in 2024, a full-fledged version for iPad was released with an adaptive interface for horizontal and vertical modes. Previously, iPad users had been requesting this in reviews, and the developers finally listened.
On iPad, you can create playlists, manage subscriptions, choose video quality, and use the watch-later feature. It’s convenient when you want to watch a movie on the go or before bed on the tablet’s large screen. What’s important — you can watch videos even without logging in. Just open the app and start watching. But with an account, it’s more convenient: recommendations, watch history, and bookmarks all work.
VK Video on Computer: How to Watch Movies via Browser
If you prefer watching movies on a Mac or laptop, go to vkvideo.ru through any browser. The web version interface is convenient: there’s a showcase with movies and TV shows, search, recommendations, and genre categories.
VK Video is also available on computer, but through a browser
Content is divided into several sections. The “For You” section shows recommendations based on your preferences. In “Trends” — the most popular and discussed content on the platform. There’s a separate “Movies and TV Shows” section with a personalized AI-based selection. According to the developers, the algorithm takes into account dozens of user signals — from likes and views to search queries — and selects movies that are highly likely to appeal to you.
What Foreign Movies and TV Shows Are Available on VK Video
Now for the main thing — the content. On VK Video, you can find a huge number of foreign films that have long been unavailable in official Russian online cinemas.
Harry Potter is here. Nothing is more important to me
Want to rewatch the classics? All parts of “Harry Potter” are on the platform. The “Lord of the Rings” trilogy — also. In good quality and with Russian dubbing.
But it’s not limited to classics. Fresh foreign films regularly appear on the platform. Among the popular titles on VK Video are “Stranger Things”, “The Freelance Bodyguard”, and many others. The service claims that movie premieres appear on the platform earlier than anywhere else. Search works smartly: it finds movies by synonyms and corrects typos. Type an approximate title — and the service understands what you mean.
Modern TV shows are also available
TV shows deserve a special mention. The platform has both classics that “revolutionized cinema” and trending new releases across various genres. If you’ve been wanting to rewatch a favorite foreign TV show but didn’t know where — try searching on VK Video. There’s a good chance it’s there.
Sports Broadcasts on VK Video: NHL, Premier League, and Formula 1
A separate topic that few people know about — on VK Video you can watch live broadcasts of foreign sports. And this was a real discovery for me.
Broadcasts of all NHL games are available on VK
I’m a big hockey fan and regularly watch the NHL. On VK Video, there are several channels that broadcast games live with Russian commentary. For example, the 36 Studio channel broadcasts both NHL and other leagues. Right now, the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 2025/2026 season are underway, and all key games can be watched in real time.
My second passion is the English Premier League.
