You can watch movies and TV at home, on a plane, in line at the grocery store — virtually anywhere and on any platform you like. But it will cost you.
Big-name video streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime require you to pay monthly subscriptions. Luckily, they aren’t your only options. The following top free movie streaming sites are completely legal and don’t require a paid subscription.
Most of these services are free because they are supported by ads, meaning you can expect to see commercials as you do on YouTube videos.
1. Comet
Comet is a free television channel dedicated to science fiction shows like “Battlestar Galactica” and “The X-Files.” It also offers a selection of free movies, including thrillers, horror films and science fiction classics.
You can stream Comet’s content online free of charge at comettv.com, on cable, on a Roku device or on Apple TV.
2. Court TV
Need real-life trials and dramas? Check out Court TV.
It can be seen on cable, satellite and over-the-air, and it is free 24 hours a day, seven days a week on Court TV online and streaming devices, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, SiriusXM, YouTube TV, Android TV and Apple TV.
3. Crackle
This free streaming service offers TV shows, movies and original content. You’ll even find TV series from days gone by — including “The Beverly Hillbillies,” “Dragnet” and “The Lone Ranger.”
4. Hoopla
Hoopla says its passion is “the public library patron.” It provides libraries across North America with movies, TV shows, music, audiobooks, e-books and comics through its site and mobile app.
With a library card, you can instantly watch free Hoopla content on your computer and mobile device, and with Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV or Roku. The collection includes a great number of movie titles and television shows.
5. IMDb TV
This popular movie website has launched a free streaming service. Find it on Amazon or with Amazon Fire TV devices.
Recently added movies include “Fight Club,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and “Despicable Me.” If you’re missing older TV shows, catch “Bewitched,” “Perry Mason,” “Little House on the Prairie” and other classic hit series.
6. Kanopy
By partnering with public libraries and universities, Kanopy aims to provide thought-provoking entertainment like documentaries, foreign films, classic cinema, independent films and educational videos — without ads. That’s also why you need a library card or university login to view Kanopy’s collection.
You can search for your local library or university on Kanopy’s site to find out if it partners with Kanopy.
7. Documentary+
Whether you like documentaries short, feature-length or as a series, Documentary+ has got you covered with docs in numerous categories.
The service, which launched last year, is available for streaming on Apple and Android devices, Fire TV, Apple TV and Roku.
8. Pluto TV
Stream movies online free of charge with Pluto. You do not need to create a username and password to get free content on Pluto TV. Simply search for Pluto TV on a smart TV or through your streaming device.
Pluto has hundreds of channels and thousands of on-demand free movie options. Get it with Pluto TV’s mobile app, internet browser or Windows desktop app.
On-demand movies include “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and other classics. You can also view episodes of “Cops” and “The Twilight Zone,” to name a couple, in addition to live TV access. View the daily lineup at pluto.tv/live-tv.
9. Popcornflix
Popcornflix gets straight to the action, making movies and series available in just a couple clicks without any sign-up. Says the site: “Popcornflix is 100% legal, no subscription required, and way fewer ads than regular television.”
Its offerings span many genres, including action, sci-fi, comedy, horror, documentary and drama.
10. Redbox Free Live TV
Redbox, the movie-rental kiosk company, has a free streaming TV service with both on-demand viewing and live TV. Redbox Free Live TV is available at Redbox.com or through the Redbox app.
Channels such as Pet Collective, USA Today and Unsolved Mysteries offer movies, TV, news and more.
11. Sling Free
SlingTV, the internet television service owned by Dish Network, has made some of its content free on mobile devices and internet browsers. No subscription is required to watch thousands of TV shows and movies, including full seasons of “Forensic Files” and “Hell’s Kitchen.”
12. Stirr
Residents of select U.S. cities can receive live local news and sports on Stirr, a streaming service from Sinclair Broadcast Group. Movies and on-demand TV shows are available, too. Advertising is also part of the mix.
13. Tubi
This free streaming service boasts more than 20,000 movies and TV shows.
Tubi is available on Android and Apple devices, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, as well as some smart TVs and video game consoles.
14. Vudu
Vudu is a pay-per-use streaming service owned by Fandango. Rentals typically cost between $2.99 and $5.99, but many movies and TV shows are free with ads.
15. Xumo
Free online movie and TV streaming sites like this one offer live and on-demand access to more than 190 TV channels. Visit Xumo’s “by device” page to see lists of available channels.
16. Globi
Globi, which launched late last year, offers hundreds of hours of free titles from more than 20 countries. Not everything is in English, but they will at least have English subtitles.
17. HBO Max
As we noted last year, the popular HBO Max subscription service offers some content for free, including “free episodes from some of our latest and greatest series, including the HBO and HBO Max Originals, including “Lovecraft Country,” “Game of Thrones” and “Euphoria.” No subscription or credit card information is required.
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