How to Watch Movies Online for Free
| Movie Score | Tv Score | |
| Xumo Play | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Pluto TV | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| YouTube Movies | ★★ | ★ |
| Popcornflix | ★★ | ★★ |
| The Roku Channel | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Crackle (verify availability) | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Amazon Freevee (formerly IMDb Freedive) | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Vudu | ★★★★ | ★★ |
| Kanopy | ★★★★ | ★★ |
| Tubi | ★★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Hoopla | ★★★★★ | ★★★ |
The average cable bill in the U.S. can still climb once fees/equipment are included. As a 2025 snapshot, base TV packages from major providers start around $70–$80/month and often land near $100–$150 all-in with surcharges and boxes based on current pricing from DIRECTV, DISH, and Spectrum. If you’d rather minimize paid TV, “free” in this guide means licensed, ad-supported streaming — AVOD on-demand libraries and FAST live channels — from legitimate services like Tubi, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel. Using unauthorized sites that stream copyrighted works is not legal (see U.S. law at 18 U.S.C. §2319C and the EU’s Filmspeler ruling summarized by the CJEU at C-527/15).
Free streaming has matured: today’s apps blend thousands of on-demand titles (AVOD), 24/7 live channels (FAST), and even originals — with wide device support. Examples include Tubi TV (deep licensed catalog and Tubi Originals; company overview), Pluto TV (hundreds of live channels plus on-demand), The Roku Channel (free movies/TV, Live TV Guide, and Roku Originals), and Amazon Freevee (the rebrand of IMDb TV, with Freevee Originals and free channels). Content availability rotates and keeps shifting as studios license more titles across platforms — for instance, Warner Bros. Discovery licensed HBO series like True Blood to rival services in 2024 (report).
The best of the best
The best free streaming sites combine large, legal catalogs and easy apps across devices. Many mix AVOD libraries with FAST channels so you can browse on-demand or “channel surf” without paying a subscription.
1. Hoopla
Hoopla partners with public libraries in North America, giving cardholders ad-free access to licensed movies and TV shows through their library’s account. Because institutions license the content, you’ll often find stronger documentary, classic, and educational selections than typical “free with ads” apps. Availability and borrowing limits vary by library.
What it’s best for: Library-quality films, documentaries, and learning content; strong classics and drama. Library-licensed models like Hoopla/Kanopy emphasize curation over ads.
What it’s missing: Tentpole new releases rotate in slowly; selection depends on your local library.
Available on: Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast
2. Tubi TV
Tubi is a free, ad-supported service with a very large on-demand library and growing live channels, plus exclusive Tubi Originals (overview; how Tubi works). Accounts are optional but help with features like Continue Watching and watchlists.
What it’s best for: Range and volume — family, documentaries, cult favorites, and Tubi Originals without a paywall.
What it’s missing: The newest theatrical releases appear on a delay; exact catalogs vary by region.
Available on: Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV/Google TV, Xbox One/Series X|S, PlayStation 4/5
Still great
3. Kanopy
Kanopy requires a participating library card or university login and focuses on arthouse, international, classic films, plus extensive educational programming (how Kanopy works). It’s a top free option for cinephiles and students.
What it’s best for: Arthouse, foreign, classic cinema, and lectures; strong for new-to-free festival darlings and award-winners when licensed.
What it’s missing: Broad comedy/kids TV and large TV series libraries.
Available on: Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast
4. Vudu
Best known for rentals/purchases, Vudu also rotates a free, ad-supported section of recognizable studio films and some TV. The free catalog changes frequently; think catalog favorites rather than brand-new releases.
What it’s best for: Nostalgia browsing across action, horror, and family movies in a familiar store-like interface.
What it’s missing: Prestige/arthouse depth; newest theatrical titles appear primarily in rental windows.
Available on: Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast/Google TV, Xbox One/Series X|S, PlayStation 4/5
Hit or miss
IMDb’s free service rebranded to Amazon Freevee. It remains free with ads, blends licensed movies/TV with Freevee Originals, and surfaces within the Prime Video app in select regions (official). Availability is region-limited (e.g., US/UK/DE per Amazon’s pages).
What it’s best for: Dramas, comedies, and series with fewer “filler” titles than some free apps; growing Freevee Originals and free channels.
What it’s missing: Deep classics/foreign/indie libraries compared with library-licensed services; availability varies by country.
Available on: Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV/Google TV, Xbox One/Series X|S, PlayStation 4/5
6. Sony Crackle
Crackle helped establish free, ad-supported streaming with studio catalog fare and some originals. Note that the parent company behind Crackle/Redbox experienced a bankruptcy filing in 2024, which has created service instability — verify current app availability in your region before relying on it (report).
What it’s best for: Recognizable comedies and TV from studio back catalogs.
What it’s missing: Awards-heavy dramas and documentaries; catalog stability can fluctuate given corporate changes.
Available on: Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
7. Roku Channel
The Roku Channel offers free movies/TV plus a large Live TV Guide with many FAST channels and Roku Originals (official overview). Roku also streamed a package of MLB Sunday Leadoff games free in 2024, showing how marquee live sports can appear in free apps (announcement).
What it’s best for: Broad mix of movies/series, past award winners, a robust Live TV Guide, and Roku Originals.
What it’s missing: Very recent theatrical releases rotate in slowly; kids/family hits depend on current licenses.
Available on: Roku (also via web/mobile and select Fire TV/smart TVs per Roku)
Last resorts
8. Popcornflix
Popcornflix skews toward lesser-known catalog and deep-cut genre rows. Because its ownership is tied to the same group impacted by a 2024 bankruptcy, availability can change — treat it as a “check what’s working today” option (coverage).
What it’s best for: Deep horror/genre dives and a sizable (if uneven) family section.
What it’s missing: Newer releases and prestige films; many titles are lower-profile or direct-to-video.
Available on: Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Xbox One
YouTube periodically surfaces “Free with ads” movies and some free channels in select regions. The free catalog rotates often, so consider it a supplementary source alongside dedicated free apps.
What it’s best for: Documentaries and rotating studio titles; occasional live channels depending on region.
What it’s missing: Depth and consistency — availability shifts frequently.
Available on: Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast/Google TV, Xbox One/Series X|S, PlayStation 4/5
The best sites for free TV shows
10. Pluto TV
Pluto TV is a leading FAST app with hundreds of genre and single-series channels plus a growing on-demand library. It’s free to start watching without an account on most devices (details), making it ideal for quick, lean-back viewing.
What it’s best for: Live “channel surfing” across news, sports, crime, reality, and classic TV.
What it’s missing: Deep, current-season scripted TV on-demand compared with AVOD-focused apps.
Available on: Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast
11. Yahoo! View
Yahoo! View has been discontinued. For current free TV, try modern FAST/AVOD options such as Xumo Play, The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, or Plex — all of which offer themed live channels and free on-demand libraries.
What it’s best for: N/A (discontinued). Consider the alternatives above for legal, free TV streaming using AVOD/FAST models.
What it’s missing: Since it’s no longer operating, use other free services for TV and movies.
Available on: N/A
The Bottom Line
Free, ad-supported streaming can meaningfully supplement — and sometimes replace — paid TV. Install several of the major free apps so their catalogs show up when you search for a title. Because libraries rotate and cross-licensing has accelerated (example), use live provider pages (e.g., Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+) to confirm where something is streaming today.
Guide to Free Streaming
| Good For | Not For | Library Card Required | Ads | Fire Tv | Roku | Apple Tv | Chromecast | Xbox One | Playstation 4 | |
What’s Next
- Free streaming services are just the tip of the iceberg. If you want to see what else is available, you can check out our review of on-demand streaming services — these services offer you access to a mix of new shows, older shows, and movies. Typical monthly prices as of 2025: Netflix $6.99 with ads/$15.49 Standard/$22.99 Premium (Netflix), Hulu on-demand $7.99 with ads/$17.99 no ads (Hulu), Max $9.99 with ads/$15.99 ad‑free/$19.99 Ultimate (Max), Apple TV+ $12.99 (Apple).
- If you’re looking for a little more access, there are also live streaming services, which allow you to watch and record live TV through your internet connection. Most live streaming bundles cost about $70–$90 per month (for example, YouTube TV lists $72.99; see YouTube TV). Note: many premium SVODs now offer ad tiers, and Amazon added ads by default to Prime Video in 2024 with an optional ad‑free add‑on (Amazon).
- And for the sports fans out there, we’ve looked at how the major streaming services stack up when it comes to streaming sports. Free apps occasionally feature special live windows — e.g., MLB Sunday Leadoff streamed free on The Roku Channel in 2024 (Roku/MLB) — but most marquee rights live on paid bundles or league services.
