Although free movie streaming might sound synonymous with piracy, there are loads of legal free movie websites on the internet. These are packed full of movies you can stream for free without breaking the law.
Whether you're looking for movies or TV shows, finding free videos to stream is totally feasible; it just requires that you know where to look. With that in mind, here are the best free online movie streaming sites to check out.
What to Expect From Free Movie Streaming Sites
There are a ton of free, legal videos online, so you'll find a great mix of options on the below services. A healthy amount of the movies available to stream for free are in the public domain. Because these films have lapsed in ownership and fallen into common property, many sites host such video treasures.
But it isn't just B-movies available to stream online; you'll also find many big-budget releases. Usually, these are ad-supported, so like watching a movie on TV, you'll have to sit through limited commercials. Nevertheless, the movies are usually presented uncut.
You shouldn't expect to see the latest releases. Instead, you'll mostly see movies dating back anywhere from a few months to many years. Additionally, some sites include original productions and amateur films.
To watch on the go, don't forget to also install some of the best free movie apps on your phone.
1. YouTube
It's no surprise that YouTube ranks among the best free movie streaming sites you can find. It offers a ton of free films to pick from, including many public domain films from channels such as the aptly titled Public Domain Films.
Furthermore, channels like Popcornflix host full movies via YouTube, and you'll find an official Free to Watch section in YouTube's Movies & Shows hub. There's a fantastic mix, with everything from classic comedies to sports and much more. It's a far cry from channels that only offer movies from the 1950s you've never heard of.
You may have to dig a bit for what you want to watch. But for those with patience, YouTube is a treasure trove of free, legal movies to stream.
2. Crackle
Boasting a solid array of syndicated content and its own productions, Crackle is a must for any film buff. Its rotating selection varies, but you'll find quality movies across genres here.
Aside from films, Crackle features television shows, including original programming. And by making a free account, you can enjoy Crackle on your TV too.
3. Midnight Pulp
Midnight Pulp is the new home of the defunct CONtv It features live TV, shows, and movies. The selection is a bit wild, consisting largely of horror, offbeat comedies, cheesy action, and Asian films. Some content requires a subscription, but a lot of what's here is available to watch for free.
4. Vudu
While Vudu is known for its digital video rentals and sales, it has a sizable selection of free movies to stream too. With a comprehensive array of movies and TV shows, plus fresh additions arriving regularly, it's a fantastic service.
Vudu's free section operates similarly to Crackle by providing full movies with limited commercials. Through hosting films with ads, Vudu is able to offer free movies and TV shows legally.
You need to register for a free Vudu account to use this service, but it's worth doing so. Once you do, you can use your account to activate digital copies of movies and shows, as well as buy and rent movies from Vudu.
5. Popcornflix
Like Crackle, Popcornflix presents full movies with limited ads. Here, you'll find a range of movies in a rotating selection, and there's no account required to start watching. The service even offers some original content, to boot.
Flicks are segmented into genres that are more unique than the standard ones, such as Out for Revenge and Medieval Action. With a beefy lineup and easy navigation, Popcornflix is an awesome choice for free, legal movie streaming.
6. Tubi
Providing free movies and shows, Tubi is another fantastic service for legal movie streams. Here, you'll be able to view newer movies from as recent as 2022, as well as older favorites.
Helpfully, Tubi offers a Leaving Soon category. This lets you prioritize your streaming queue so you can catch movies and shows before they disappear. Be sure to check out the First Time on Tubi collection, too.
7. Pluto TV
Pluto TV has a lot to offer. You'll find a Live TV section where you can switch between channels, much like traditional cable. Switch to the Live TV section on the left side to jump to channels that only play films, though they may be in the middle of something depending on when you start watching.
If you can't find something that you like on the live stations, switch to the On Demand section at the top. Here you'll find tons of free movies you can start streaming right away.
8. Classic Cinema Online
As the name suggests, Classic Cinema Online focuses on older content. Even its website aesthetic captures a decidedly retro vibe, using a backdrop of red theater curtains. You can walk through the decades here with films from the 1930s to the 1960s. There are even some silent films on offer, if you're interested in those.
Some of the inclusions may have you calling the definition of "classic cinema" into question. Nevertheless, Classic Cinema Online is pure gold for old-school movies and one of the best sites for public domain films.
9. Hoopla
Hoopla has one barrier to entry, but is still an easy way to legally watch movies online for free. To use Hoopla, you'll need to create an account and link your supported public library card.
Once you do, you can use Hoopla to borrow movies and TV shows, plus audiobooks and ebooks, from your library's collection. The service is available on the web as well as apps for all your devices and TV streaming boxes.
If you don't have a library card or your library doesn't support Hoopla, you won't be able to use it. But if you can, it's a service worth checking out.
10. Yidio
Although Yidio isn't a video host, it does act as an excellent aggregator of free streaming movies and TV shows. The way Yidio works is by redirecting you to third-party services such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, and others. As such, certain films and shows here do require a subscription.
Using the Free filter on the left side will help you find movies and TV that come at no cost. Unfortunately, not everything in the free categories is actually free. Clicking on some titles prompts you to sign up for a free trial.
Still, Yidio makes finding free movie streams far easier than checking individual sites manually. You can filter by rating, genre, and more to find something to watch.
11. The Roku Channel
Don't be fooled by The Roku Channel's name. While it's available for Roku streaming devices via an app, you can watch on the web too. With a few clicks, you can stream Roku Originals, popular TV shows, and new-arrival movies.
The selection rotates, and there are categories on the main page to help you find something you'll enjoy. As expected, you'll have to sit through ads, but ad-supported means free, right?
12. Kanopy
Libraries are most often associated with books, but that's not all they provide. Kanopy, like Hoopla mentioned above, lets you stream tons of "thoughtful entertainment" movies for free, making it another great way to get free content with a participating library card (or university login).
With either of those, you can watch hundreds of free movies. These include a lot of documentaries and international films, so this is a great fit for those who want something a little different.
13. Amazon Freevee
Amazon Freevee (formerly IMDb TV) lets you enjoy free movies on Amazon Video. The service launched in 2019 and while its name has changed, the experience has remained the same. It allows anyone with a free account to watch a selection of free movies and TV shows. In addition to watching online, you can enjoy this content on your Fire TV, Xbox, PlayStation, and other streaming devices.
Alongside the movies, you'll also find some TV series (including live channels) and originals to enjoy.
14. Free Movies Cinema
As the name suggests, Free Movies Cinema features legal free movie streaming. Unlike many sites, the selection touts not only general categories like action and comedy, but also short films and features.
There's also a collection of fan-made movies, such as Portal and Watch Dogs, based on video games of the same names.
15. Top Documentary Films
If you're looking for free documentaries, you'll find plenty at Top Documentary Films. It packs a varied selection, including amateur documentaries you might not have heard about before.
Browse the Top 100 documentaries to find something that's popular, or take a look at recently added movies or the various genres to drill down a bit.
The Best Free Movie Sites for Everyone
With these free online movie streaming sites, you now know where to look for hundreds of free movies. Enjoy these legal films anytime, anywhere so you never go without something to watch.
Meanwhile, you should also know how to legally download movies for offline use, so you can enjoy them on your next flight or long trip.
