There are loads of paid streaming services that you can, and should, subscribe to such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. However, free, legal streaming services are plentiful. Thanks to streaming movies and TV shows, cutting the cord and getting rid of cable has never been easier. Get started streaming movies and TV with these best free streaming sites for movies and TV!
Best Free Streaming Sites for Movies and TV Shows – What to Expect
While you’ll find a bevy of free, legal streaming apps for watching movies and TV shows, the vast majority of these services feature ad-supported content. Instead of a paid subscription, free streaming sites opt for ad-based revenue models. However, most sites offer uncut movies and television shows. So if you’re ok sitting through regular commercial breaks, you’ve got a lot of freely available videos to watch at your fingertips. It’s basically the same as watching a traditional cable or satellite TV feed, but sans the subscription. Content really varies. You’ll find everything from C- and D-list movies to cult gems, classic cinema, and new releases. The lineup varies, with movies and TV shows frequently cycling through. As such, it’s worth popping in regularly to see what’s been added.
Tubi TV
When I first cut the cord, Tubi TV was among the first free apps for movies and TV shows that I downloaded. And it’s still one of my most used streaming services. Tubi boasts thousands of films and television series from over 200 different partners such as MGM, Paramount, Lionsgate, and STARZ. Navigation is a breeze, with categories such as Recently Added, Leaving Soon, and New Releases. Plus, you can sort by genre like thriller, horror, drama, and action. Collections aggregate content into lists such as Movie Night, Not on Netflix, or Only Free on Tubi. And you can browse by channels too, like Shout! Factory TV, Full Moon Features, or Complex Networks.
Although you don’t have to create an account, signing in allows you to add titles to watch lists. There are tons of different Tubi apps. Aside from being able to stream straight from your web browser, you can download apps for Android and Android TV, iOS, Roku, PlayStation 4, and Amazon Kindle Fire. With an excellent library of content and support for virtually any streaming device on the planet, Tubi TV is a must-download.
Available for: Android, iOS, Web browsers, Roku, PlayStation 4, Amazon Kindle Fire
Crackle
Free streaming movies and TV shows site Crackle is a spectacular source of video. You can browse movies and TV by a variety of categories including action, anime, comedy, drama, and thriller. Plus, there’s alphabetical sorting and searching. Notably, Crackle features original content like “Angel of Death,” “Throwaways,” and “Extraction,” the latter of which stars Danny Glover. Crackle Originals are an excellent incentive to check out this superb free streaming website. Aside from being able to watch from within your web browser, Crackle apps for Android, iOS, Roku, PS4, Xbox One, and Kindle Fire let you stream to plenty of gadgets.
Available for: Android, iOS, Browser, Roku, Windows, PS4, Xbox One,
VUDU
Although VUDU does offer digital video rentals and purchases, VUDU Free houses thousands of free movies and shows you can stream. The free, legal streaming lineup on VUDU ranges from family-friendly flicks to horror flicks, and everything in-between. Unlike Crackle or Tubi TV, VUDI free movies and television does require an account. But, once you’re logged ink you can watch a smorgasbord of movies and shows completely free, with occasional ad-breaks. You can stream straight from a web browser, or run VUDU on Android, iOS, Roku, PS4, and smart TVs.
Available for: Browser, Android, iOS, Roku, PS4, Smart TVs
Popcornflix
The aptly-titled Popcornflix, because it’s not a movie night without popcorn, is a veritable treasure trove of free movies and shows. Watching movies and shows doesn’t require a log-in, and the Popcornflix library is top-notch. You can sort by movies, TV shows, and viral vids. Helpful categories range from new arrivals and most popular to genres like action, horror, and thriller. Popcornflix boasts a pleasant mix of retro titles and newer TV and films for a catalog bound to please everyone. In addition to its browser-based streaming, Popcornflix apps are available on Android, iOS, Roku, PS4, Xbox One, Amazon Kindle Fire, and smart TVs.
Available on: Browser, Android, iOS, Roku, PS4, Xbox One, Amazon Kindle Fire
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is easily the best free streaming site for anime. You’ll find tons of shows, from cult hits to mega-popular franchises such as “My Hero Academia,” “Berserk,” “One Piece,” and “Attack on Titan.” Navigating the Crunchyroll library is simple yet effective. You can peruse by popularity, alphabetical order, genre, season release, and more. While Crunchyroll is best-known for its solid anime contingent, there’s a fantastic lineup of live-action drama as well. You can stream without logging in, but creating a free account allows you to save content to your queue. Although the free tier works just fine, upgrading to a Crunchyroll premium subscription provides additional functionality such as ad-free high definition streaming, access to the entire Crunchyroll library of manga and anime, and simulcasts straight from Japan an hour after broadcast.
Available on: Browser, Android, iOS, PS4, Xbox One, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast,
FilmRise
If you’re looking for a vast library of free, legal movies, TV shows, and documentaries to stream, FilmRise is a spectacular option. Although it’s called FilmRise, you’ll find much more than just movies. The digital distribution service acquires the rights to screen many titles, from flicks such as “An American Werewolf in London,” and “Forensic Files,” to documentaries, TV series, and everything in-between. FilmRise boasts content partnerships with the likes of ITV, Warner Bros., and MGM. Whereas many of the top free streaming sites for movies and TV shows host content, FilmRise lets you stream full-length videos from its YouTube channel. With tons of compatible apps including Roku, Android, iOS, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, and even Facebook Watch, FilmRise is a phenomenal source of videos to keep you entertained.
Available on: YouTube, Facebook Watch, Xbox One, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, Roku,
Redbox On Demand Live TV
You can watch free on-demand live TV and movies using Redbox On Demand. This completely free ad-supported SVoD streaming service lets you stream movies and television shows whenever you want to. You’ll find content from several providers including TMZ, USA Today, ConTV, and a whole host of others. In addition to its live television component, Redbox offers on-demand movies and shows streaming for free as well. Redbox’s ad-supported free live TV streaming is available on macOS, Windows, and Chrome OS PCs, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android, iOS, and smart TVs from the likes of Vizio, LG, and Samsung.
Available on: Desktop, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Roku, Smart TVs
Plex
When it comes to media server software, Plex is perhaps the most popular option, and for good reason. It’s user-friendly and loaded with cord-cutting features such as Tidal integration, podcast aggregation, web shows, and more. The Movies & TV section of Plex offers ad-supported free streaming television and films that you can watch. While you do need a Plex account to take advantage of free video content on Plex, it’s completely free to create an account, and absolutely worth it. Partnering with the likes of Lionsgate, Legendary, MGM, Warner Bros., and Magnolia Pictures, Plex offers a bevy of classics and cult classics. To make full use of Plex, you can spin up a Plex server, a feat even possible on a Raspberry Pi for a cost-effective Plex media server build. But if you simply want to watch its lineup of movies and shows, just make a free Plex account and start streaming. Plex free Movies & TV works in a web browser, or via one of the many Plex client apps available.
Available on: Browser, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Windows 10, Chromecast, Smart TVs, TiVo
Pluto TV
Whereas most of the best free streaming apps you can find emulate the look and feel of a service like Netflix with streaming video on demand (SVOD) content, Pluto TV ushers in a more traditional live TV aesthetic. There’s a channel guide as you’d find on a cable or satellite provider, or service such as Hulu Live TV and YouTube TV. Channels feature names such as British TV, Lively Place, Movies, and Pluto TV Spotlights. Pluto TV 007 streams James Bond flicks, while Totally Turtles lets you fulfill your Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles binge-watching fantasy. Content partners include Nickelodeon, Fox Sports, MTV, Shout! Factory, and a slew of others. At first glance, you’d assume Pluto TV to be a paid over-the-top (OTT) streaming service, but it’s absolutely free. Outside of its live TV component, Pluto TV does include SVOD movies and TV that you can sort by genre and sub-genre. A premium service at no-cost, Pluto TV is a top cord-cutting service with a boatload of free TV and movies to watch.
Available on: Browser, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV,
IMDb TV
What better source for free streaming movies and shows than IMDb? The IMDb TV service hosts a slew of premium films and television series available to watch at no cost. From retro cinema to new releases, there’s a strong contingent available to stream. What’s more, IMDb TV touts IMDb originals including “Special Skills with Jay Pharoah,” and the animated series “You’re Not a Monster.” You will need to register for a free IMDb account, registering has a ton of benefits including full IMDb functionality, and the ability to add IMDb TV titles to your watchlist.
Available on: Browser, Android, iOS, Amazon Kindle Fire,
Roku Channel
While it’s called the Roku Channel, you don’t actually need a Roku streaming device to access this free streaming source of movies and TV shows. In fact, you don’t even need an account to begin enjoying over 10,000 videos from all genres and decades. Browsing is simple, with straightforward categories like news, family fun, and essential movies & TV. Most obviously, the Roku Channel is available on, well, Roku set-top boxes, but it’s also free to stream in a web browser. Plus, you’ll find apps for Android and iOS.
Available on: Browser, Roku, Android, iOS,
Peacock TV
From NBC Universal comes Peacock TV. It’s completely free to use, no credit card required. And Peacock is packed with movies and shows ranging from “30 Rock,” “Downton Abbey,” and “Everybody Hates Chris,” to “The Bourne Identity.” You will need to register with an email and password, but that’s all you need to start streaming the hundreds of movies and thousands of television show episodes on Peacock. You can upgrade to Peacock Premium for a mere $5 a month. Peacock Premium adds more movies and TV as well as some sports such as Premier League football matches. While Peacock Premium does unlock the entire treasure trove of movies, TV, and live sports, there are still ads. Peacock Premium Plus for $10 a month comes sans ads, although select titles still include ads because of streaming rights. With top-notch content and an affordable pricing structure, Peacock TV is a must-use for any serious cord cutter.
Available on: Browser, Roku, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, LG and Vizio smart TVs, Xbox One, Select Cox and Xfinity cable set-top boxes
Netflix Free
Although “free” and “Netflix” aren’t typically associated with one another, you can stream select movies and shows completely free with no sign-up. While Netflix might not be the only streaming service on the market, it’s certainly become one of the most popular, in large part due to its good mix of original and syndicated content. Fittingly, the Netflix watch free videos are preceded by trailers for Netflix itself. You can watch on desktops, laptops, or Android mobile devices. There are several full-length feature films available to stream, as well as a few television show episodes. Netflix is totally worth paying for, both its streaming video-on-demand service and DVD Netflix, its DVD by mail component. But if you just want a bit of free entertainment, Netflix watch free lets you stream with no obligations. Chances are, after the first episode of “Stranger Things” you’ll be reaching for your credit card, however.
Available on: Browser, Android
Classic Cinema Online
Searching for golden age goodies? Check out Classic Cinema Online. Replete with a red velvet curtain movie theatre backdrop, this unique website fulfills its niche at hosting old school cinema to watch at no cost. Much of its library hails from the 20s through the 70s. The site search works well, plus you can check out the now showing section, sort by genre and subgenre, serials, or silent films. However, Classic Cinema Online is a bit different than many other top streaming video websites in that it doesn’t actually host any of its content. Rather, Classic Cinema Online embeds videos from other sites. As such, you’ll occasionally find videos that aren’t available anymore. But it saves you from scouring sites like YouTube for retro flicks, and it’s a great aggregate of old school films.
Available on: Browser
Free Movies Cinema
For a varied lineup of free movies to watch, check out Free Movies Cinema. Aside from a bunch of free streaming movies and shows including public domain entries, you’ll find a juicy contingent of fan-made movies and short films. Plus, the popcorn section boasts delicious popcorn recipes. A unique site, Free Movies Cinema is a spectacular source of no-cost videos.
Available on: Browser
Retrovision TV
Like Classic Cinema Online, Retrovision TV collects classic movies and television shows from around the web. You can sort by genre like adventure movies, classic TV, comedy, drama, horror, and sci-fi, or browse the entire library. Videos are embedded from sites such as YouTube. In a couple of clicks, you’ll happily be streaming public domain movies such as 1938 gem “The Terror.” For old school-minded cinephiles, Retrovision TV is a must-bookmark.
Available on: Browser
CONtv
If, like me, you’re into Syfy channel original movies and shows, CONtv is made for you. Branded the digital destination for Comic Con fans, most of its fare consists of B-movies and cult hits like “2010: Moby Dick,” and “30,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” From anime and martial arts to classic cinema and recent releases, CONtv touts a varied lineup of under-the-radar flicks. Seriously, where else are you going to watch “Snow Shark” or “Puppet Monster Massacre?” You will need an account to stream, but it’s totally worth signing up.
Available on: Browser, Android, iOS,
Best Free Streaming Apps for Movies and TV Shows – Final Thoughts
Armed with an arsenal of completely free streaming sites for movies and TV shows, you can easily cut the cord, relying on a mix of libre and paid services. Just as with their paid OTT counterparts, free streaming movies and television will vary from month to month, and often you’ll find categories such as “Leaving Soon” to give you a heads up. On my Nvidia Shield TV, I regularly stream from Tubi TV, Plex, Crackle, Crunchyroll, Popcornflix, and VUDU. Whether you’re into blockbuster movies or cult classics, new fare or retro cinema, there’s a free streaming service for you.
Your turn: Which free streaming websites for movies and shows do YOU recommend?
