With the rise of streaming services and their domination of the media market, many people are stuck deciding which ones to invest in when they can’t afford every single one. So, what can be done?
Some people may ask a friend or family member to lend them their account details, so they can share the fun. Others may go the contrarian way and stick with cable. However, if these options aren’t available or satisfactory, you may be able to find solace somewhere on the web.
There are plenty of options online to watch movies for free, though most people won’t know where to find them. If you don’t know where to watch free online movies, this article should be able to help you.
How to Watch Free Online Movies
When looking for sites where you can watch movies without having to pay out of pocket, it can be easy to get caught up in scams or to suffer a notable dip in quality. Remember, your goal is to watch for free, not have your identity stolen.
Despite there being so many options, most people have never even heard of how to watch free online movies. However, with the proper resources, it’s easy.
Luckily, you only need two things: an internet connection, and a decent ad blocker. The ad blocker is the most important resource you can have, even if you aren’t perusing these sites. However, if you’re delving into the internet to find sites to watch movies for free, it’s inevitable that you might bump into potentially nasty viruses or scams.
Once you have an ad blocker, you’ll immediately be considerably safer than you are without one, as you no longer have to worry about random popups that may hide malicious intent. However, there may be times when some sites that rely specifically on ad revenue ask or even require you to turn off your ad blocker. In these cases, it’s usually safe to turn it off and test the waters, but if you see something fishy, it’s best to abandon the site.
Another thing to watch out for are sites that ask you to download their content. Never do this. More often than not, even a seemingly-innocent download could result in your device being invaded by outside entities, risking your privacy and even identity.
Finally, it’s important to never give your credit card information to websites. Even if they offer a free trial, if you aren’t familiar with the website and are certain it’s safe, giving them your credit card information could be disastrous.
Where to Watch Free Online Movies Now
This article aims to share all the wonderful free–and most importantly, legal–resources for watching movies and TV shows online with minimal risk. Most other sites you hear of may require you to dip into more dangerous corners of the internet, and some are even illegal. Luckily, we’ve got you covered.
It’s also important to remember that many of these sites run ads before, during or after each movie in order to fund themselves. Even with an ad blocker, you may experience some ads–or the site may even require you to turn your ad blocker off. In these cases, it’s usually safe to do so, though still be cautious and mindful of suspicious links or advertisements.
- Crackle
- Amazon Freevee
- YouTube
- Popcornflix
- TubiTV
- Pluto TV
- Vudu
- Free Movies Cinema
- My Bundle
- The Roku Channel
- Top Documentary Films
- Classic Cinema Online
- Fawesome
- Plex TV
- Hoopla
- The CW
- SBS On Demand
- Filmzie
- Bounce TV
- Sling TV
- Open Culture
- Xumo TV
- Yidio
- Crunchyroll
- Redbox
1. Crackle
If you’ve ever looked into popular free movie sites in the past, it’s possible that you’ve heard of the site formerly known as Sony Crackle, now simply called Crackle. Watching movies on Crackle is about as simple as it comes: you load up the site and start watching!
Like most other sites on this list, you’ll be hard-pressed to find popular new movies on Crackle. However, it has a wide variety of classics and lesser-known titles; and if that isn’t enough to keep you engaged, there are plenty of TV shows that may catch your eye as well.
Is there a catch? Not at all! With Crackle, it’s as simple as picking a title and watching to your heart’s content.
Are there ads? Unfortunately, having to watch ads is nearly inescapable when you’re searching for free entertainment, so yes, there are ads.
What can I watch it on? Crackle provides plenty of options to watch. You can download the app from the play store or gaming console such as the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, access their website on your favorite web browser, and find it on many smart TVs.
2. Amazon Freevee
Though not nearly as old as Crackle, some people may remember a service known as IMDb TV. However, in 2022, the service was rebranded to Amazon Freevee; however, its functionality as a wonderful platform to watch free shows and movies on hasn’t changed a bit.
While Freevee isn’t available on your browser, just about anyone can join in on the fun by downloading the Freevee app on their phone, PlayStation, Xbox, or smart TV. Freevee offers plenty of both movies and TV shows to keep you entertained, all for free.
Catch? No catch, if you can get past not being able to watch in a browser.
Ads? Yes.
Where to watch? You can get the Freevee app on your phone, PlayStation 4 or 5, Xbox, or smart TV.
3. YouTube
Everybody knows YouTube by now. It’s been around for more than a decade, and has been delivering extraordinary content from its wide plethora of individual creators for longer than some of its users have been alive. However, what some may not know is that you can watch movies for completely free.
Like the other sites on this list, and the wide selection of videos YouTube provides normally, watchers will need to sit through ads while they enjoy YouTube’s movie and show content. However, that’s a small price to pay to access their assortment of entertaining shows and movies, from fan-favorite classics to lesser-known modern films.
Catch? None!
Ads? Yes.
Where to watch? Anywhere you can access YouTube.
4. Popcornflix
Founded in 2010 and opened to the public the next year, Popcornflix has been providing free movie and show entertainment for over a decade now. Fans of horror and comedy classics will find a welcome home here, though some may not be impressed by Popcornflix’s otherwise limited selection.
Catch? None!
Ads? Yes.
Where to watch? You can watch Popcornflix from your browser, download the app on your phone’s app store, or tune in from your PlayStation 3, 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X, or your smart TV.
5. TubiTV
Owned by Fox Corporation, this over-the-top content platform provides excellent content at no price other than the ads it sprinkles throughout its shows and movies. With over 50 million active users a month, it’s no wonder that Tubi would make this list, and is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in watching free online content.
Catch? None!
Ads? Yes.
Where to watch? Watch from your browser, download the Tubi app on your phone’s app store, find it on your PlayStation or Xbox, or your smart TV.
6. Pluto TV
Pluto TV is owned and operated by Paramount Global and serves as a way to enjoy that cozy cable feeling without paying for cable. It offers hundreds of thousands of hours of content to explore, all sourced from channels you might otherwise find in a cable package.
You can choose to search for live screenings of movies and shows, or you can use Pluto’s on-demand page to search for content freely without having to wait for them to air. Pluto is funded by the ads it has its users watch, meaning it is completely free.
Catch? Besides having to wait for certain programs to air on specific channels, none.
Ads? Yes.
Where to watch? On your phone, from your browser, gaming systems, or smart TV.
7. Vudu
If you’re familiar with Fandango Media, then you may have heard of Vudu before. Vudu offers a massive selection of movies, many of which you have to pay for a premium service to access, though it also offers plenty of free movies, so long as you’re willing to sit through some ads.
Catch? None.
Ads? Yes.
Where to watch? On your phone, from your browser, gaming systems, or smart TV.
8. Free Movies Cinema
This site is a little stranger than most others on this list. While it does have some more known media options, a large portion of its content all comes from individual creators or smaller production teams in the form of short movies and fan productions.
If that’s not your cup of tea, it may be best to steer clear of this site. However, if you’re into that sort of thing, this may be just what you’re looking for.
Catch? If you don’t mind that a large portion of this site’s content are fan made productions, then none.
Ads? No.
Where to watch? Browser.
9. My Bundle
Unlike the other sites on this list, My Bundle serves two purposes: to provide live TV and movie entertainment along a wide assortment of channels, and to also suggest the perfect streaming service for you.
By choosing your preferences and shows or movies you’d like to watch, My Bundle can suggest the streaming service that’s right for you. While you may be on this list to watch free movies, this feature could be helpful if you’re willing to explore some paid options as well.
Catch? Other than having to catch movies and shows live, none.
Ads? Yes.
Where to watch? Browser.
10. The Roku Channel
The Roku Channel, owned by Roku, Inc., was launched in 2017 and has been providing all manner of free content since. It has movies, shows, and even some content from creators you might otherwise find on YouTube.
Catch? None.
Ads? Yes.
Where to watch? On your browser, or anywhere you can get the Roku app.
11. Top Documentary Films
While the other sites on this list offer some options for watching documentaries, Top Documentary Films’ selection is exclusively documentaries. You can find content for science, history, and everything in between.
Catch? Only offers documentaries.
Ads? No.
Where to watch? Browser.
12. Classic Cinema Online
If you’re more interested in movies from the distant past than modern hits, this site is for you. Classic Cinema Online shows your favorite classics and is easy to use. Just click on a movie and watch!
Catch? The only content you’ll find here are very old classics.
Ads? No.
Where to watch? Browser.
13. Fawesome
While you shouldn’t be downloading things from most sites that offer free movie and TV content, Fawesome is one of the exceptions: in order to access Fawesome’s extensive library of free movies and shows, you’ll have to download their app.
Catch? You have to download the Fawesome app.
Ads? Yes.
Where to watch? On a desktop through their app, or on your phone through your app store, and on your smart TV.
14. Plex TV
Plex offers a plethora of TV and movie channels for your viewing. This does mean that you may tune in to a program that’s already begun, but it otherwise includes a generous selection for your viewing pleasure.
Catch? Shows and movies are live, meaning you may miss the beginning of some.
Ads? Yes.
Where to watch? Browser, app store, consoles, and smart TVs.
15. Hoopla
Hoopla is unique, as it offers movies, shows, comics and books from your local library so long as you have a library card. Your selection is unique depending on what your local library offers, meaning you may not have the exact same options as others on the same site.
Catch? The content you can consume depends on your local library and if they support Hoopla.
Ads? No.
Where to watch? Browser, app store, consoles, and smart TVs.
16. The CW
The CW is a free streaming service where you can watch shows and movies that appear on the CW network a day after they air live.
Catch? None.
Ads? Yes.
Where to watch? Browser, app store, and smart TVs.
17. SBS on Demand
SBS on Demand is another excellent service for watching movies for free online. They offer not only a decent movie selection, but also a good selection of shows as well.
Catch? None.
Ads? Yes.
Where to watch? Browser, and on the Amazon Fire TV stick.
18. Filmzie
Filmzie offers plenty of free movies and TV shows for you to indulge in for hours of entertainment.
Catch? None!
Ads? Yes.
Where to watch? Browser, smart TVs, and your app store.
19. Bounce TV
While you can’t watch Bounce from your browser, you can download their app for free to watch movies and shows on their network.
Catch? You have to download their app on your phone.
Ads? Yes.
Where to watch? Find Bounce on your app store.
20. Sling TV
Sling TV is normally a paid service, though it has a free, ad-supported section of their channel where you can watch some of their content for no cost at all.
Catch? None, except most of their content must be viewed live.
Ads? Yes.
Where to watch? Browser, app store, and smart TVs.
21. Open Culture
Open Culture is the perfect site for delving into foreign films and thought-provoking media that urges you to expand your horizons.
Catch? None.
Ads? Yes.
Where to watch? Browser.
22. Xumo Plays
Xumo plays, like several other sites on this list, allows you to choose from a variety of channels to stream live shows and movies. You can also watch movies for free on-demand.
Catch? You have to watch programs live in most cases, except for their selection of free movies on-demand.
Ads? Yes.
Where to watch? Browser, app store, and smart TVs.
23. Yidio
While Yidio doesn’t actually show movies on their site, you can find where to watch movies for totally free through their search service.
Catch? You don’t actually watch movies here, but rather search for them on other platforms.
Ads? Not applicable.
Where to watch? Not applicable.
24. Crunchyroll
While anime isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, if you’re looking for a place to watch anime movies and even some shows for free, Crunchyroll is the place to look. While the vast majority of its content requires a premium subscription, there is some free content.
Catch? Limited free content.
Ads? Yes.
Where to watch? Browser, app store, game consoles and some smart TVs.
25. Redbox
Most people who’ve heard the name Redbox would think of the handy machines out of WalMarts and other grocery stores or even gas stations that offer all your favorite movies or even games for rent. However, Redbox also offers free show and movie content, both on-demand and live.
Catch? Some of their free content is only broadcasted live.
Ads? Yes.
Where to watch? On your browser, app store, and some smart TVs.
Watch Free Online Movies Now!
With this list of free resources for you to comb through, there should be no end to the content you can enjoy. From action, to horror, to romance or even documentaries, it’ll be easy to find something that’s just right for you.
Hopefully this list has helped you. It’s important when surfing the web for free content that you’re safe and smart. It may be tempting to pirate that specific show or movie you’ve been looking forward to seeing for weeks or months, but there are plenty of safe, and legal, alternatives.