Movie buffs now have an alternative way of legally downloading movies, with Virgin Media’s new online movie streaming site.

The Virgin Media Online Movies service provides a choice of both new release and older movies to download straight to your PC or laptop.

Already available on the service are District 9, Fantastic Mr Fox and Twilight: New Moon.

A downloaded film will be visible in your account for up to 30 days, for unlimited viewing within 48 hours once you start watching it. You can also rewind and fast forward to your heart’s content.

Users can watch downloaded movies from any computer that you log onto, so you take your movie (virtually) over to your mate’s house along with the crisps and dip.

New releases typically cost between £3.50 and £4, though there are some movies available for as little as £1.50.

Alex Green, executive director, commercial, TV and online at Virgin Media said that the service would grow in the future.

“Virgin Media Online Movies will help visitors discover and enjoy a whole world of film and we’ll continue to develop the service by adding downloading functionality, even more titles and a great choice of HD films to the line up,” he said.

The movie streaming service looks set to boost Virgin Media’s on-demand foothold, with 11 million viewers already signed up to its on-demand TV service.

Virgin has said that it also plans to launch an online TV player this year.

Would you pay to stream a new release? Leave us a comment and let us know.