FAQS
What is Music Box Direct?
Music Box Direct is the digital platform of Music Box Films and the Music Box Theatre, streaming a diverse repertoire of films and television series from around the world into the homes of audiences seeking alternatives to mainstream commercial entertainment.
Music Box Direct offers two different streaming options:
- Transactional-on-Demand (TVOD) - all films on the platform can be rented for 48 hours. No subscription is necessary. Some of the films available for TVOD viewing are referred to “Virtual Cinema.” For more information about Virtual Cinema, click HERE
- Subscription-on-Demand (SVOD): In addition to renting TVOD films, users who become subscribers get instant and unlimited access to a collection of films from the Music Box Films library. For more information on Subscribing to Music Box Direct, click HERE
Which payment methods are accepted?
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.
How can I watch films offered on Music Box Direct?
In addition to streaming on a computer, mobile device, or tablet, Music Box Direct is available on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, and smart TVs using the Music Box Direct App. You can also cast Music Box Direct to your TV via Chromecast or AirPlay. For detailed help on watching films on your TV, please click HERE
Can I download films to watch offline?
At this time, Music Box Direct is only available while connected to the internet.
In what countries is Music Box Direct available?
Music Box Direct is currently only available in the United States.
How do I reach customer support?
You can contact Music Box Direct customer service by emailing info@musicboxdirect.com, and someone will respond as soon as possible. Our customer service hours are 9am-5pm CT, Monday-Friday.
Do you share or sell my information to third parties?
No, we will not share or sell your information to any third parties. Please read more about our Privacy Policy here.
Virtual Cinema
What is Virtual Cinema? Why do Virtual Cinema rentals cost more than other films on Music Box Direct?
Virtual Cinema is a form of Transactional Video-On-Demand (TVOD) for streaming newly released films for a 48-hour rental period while supporting your local art house cinema. Most of the films presented as Virtual Cinema are only available in theaters or through Virtual Cinemas associated with a brick-and-mortar art house theater.
In response to the Covid-19 crisis, independent theaters like the Music Box created virtual “screens” so their customers could continue to enjoy the same new film releases they would have normally seen in the theater from the comfort and safety of their own homes.
Music Box Direct splits the rental fees between Music Box Theatre in Chicago and the independent distributor of the film, so by streaming films on virtual cinema you’re not only directly supporting the Music Box Theatre during this difficult time, but the independent distribution company that similarly values art house cinemas.
Renting from Music Box Direct (TVOD)
Do I need to subscribe to Music Box Direct to watch films?
No, you do not have to subscribe to watch any film on Music Box Direct. You only pay for the films you want to rent for a 48-hour rental period. Virtual Cinema and some TVOD films are NOT included with a subscription to Music Box Direct. To learn more about subscribing to Music Box Direct, please see below.
How long is the rental period?
48 hours from the time of purchase.
I rented a film from Music Box Direct online. How do I watch it on my television?
Films purchased or rented through the Music Box Direct website can be watched on your television through a Roku, Fire TV, or Apple TV Device using the Music Box Direct App.
Streaming Music Box Direct to your TV using Roku, Fire TV and Apple TV:
- Make your purchase on the Music Box Direct website from a computer or mobile device
- Download the Music Box Direct app onto your streaming device and launch the app
- Press the options key (*) on your remote and select “Sign-in”
- Sign in with your username and password. OR, to avoid the sign-in form, click “Link Device” from your account on the Music Box Direct website and enter your device pin code
- Once signed in to the App, press the options key (*) on your remote
- Select “My Library”
- You will now see the film you rented or purchased from the Music Box Direct website.
Your rental will be available for 48 hours after your purchase
Using Chromecast or Apple AirPlay
- Make your purchase on the Music Box Direct website from a computer or mobile device
- A guide to Google Chromecast can be found HERE
- A guide for AppleTV’s Airplay can be found HERE
Some titles that are listed on the website are not listed on the App. Why is that?
The films on the Music Box Direct App are just the films that are included with a subscription to Music Box Direct (SVOD). To watch any of the films listed in the App, you will need to rent them from the website before watching on your computer, mobile device, tablet or television (see instructions above), or become a subscriber.
Subscription Video-on-Demand (SVOD)
What is included with a Music Box Direct subscription?
In addition to continuing to be able to rent all films (TVOD), subscribers to Music Box Direct get instant access to select titles from Music Box Films, the distribution arm of Music Box Theatre.
For $4.99/month or 49.99/yr, subscribers get unlimited access to many of the award-winning and critically acclaimed films and television series the Music Box Films has distributed since its creation in 2007.
Titles include the Oscar-winner IDA, the mad-cap American indie GIVE ME LIBERTY, and the thrilling alpine adventure MERU. For a complete list of all films currently available to subscribers, please click HERE
How much does a Music Box Direct subscription cost?
We offer two subscription plans: A monthly plan for $4.99 per month and an annual plan for $49.99 per year. With any subscription plan, the first 7 days are free.
Why aren’t all the films on Music Box Direct included with a subscription?
The films offered on the Music Box Direct website are supplied by a variety of distributors, not just Music Box Films. As a result, some of the films available on the website, including Virtual Cinema releases, are ONLY available for rental or purchase, and are NOT included with a subscription.
How often will new films be added to the Music Box Direct subscription service?
New films will be added every month, so please check back often.
How do I cancel or change my subscription plan?
You can change your subscription plan or cancel your account at any time through the “My Account” page on musicboxdirect.com
May I cancel at any time?
Yes. You can sign up for a month-to-month or an annual subscription. You will be billed for the full period of your subscription (either one month or one year), but you can cancel anytime before you are billed again for the next period.
I am a subscriber. How do I link my account to my Roku, Amazon Fire TV or Apple TV device?
- Search for the Music Box Direct app on your preferred streaming player
- Download the app and open it
- Select the content you’d like to view.
- You will then be prompted to subscribe
- Click on Subscribe, and select “Sign in” under the “Already have an account?” heading
- Sign in by entering your username and password OR, to avoid the sign-in form, click “Link Device” from your account on the Music Box Direct website and enter your device pin code
For additional questions or assistance, please contact info@musicboxdirect.com