Watching free movies online has been one of our favorite ways to stream entertainment since cutting cable a few years ago.
Cable, paid movies, and physical DVDs can eat up a big part of your budget, so if you’re trying to live frugally or just save a few extra bucks, you may be looking into the best free moving streaming sites.
Luckily, there are tons of free movies online that you can stream that will keep you entertained, within budget, won’t hurt your computer, and are completely legal to watch!
Quick note: If you love watching movies and want actually get paid to do so, you need to check out our article on how to get paid to watch videos and movies. This is an excellent side hustle to get paid for something you are already doing!
Where Can You Watch Free Movies Online?
In this article, we have compiled a list of the best 15 free online movie streaming sites. These sites are completely safe and legal to use, and allow you to stream high-quality, popular content for absolutely free!
One thing to be aware of is that you will be limited in selection, and some of these sites will play ads during their movies. However, these ads keep the content free for you to enjoy.
What better way to watch free movies online than with free internet? Check out this post on how to get free internet in a safe and legal way. Watching movies online has never been easier or cheaper!
1. YouTube
This platform comes as no surprise since it is the largest video hosting service out there. You may already be using the platform to watch our videos, watch funny clips, or keep up with your other favorite content creators, but did you know there are also free movies on YouTube?
It’s important to note a few things about free movies on YouTube. While there may be some hidden gems (if you’re willing to take the time and search for them), most of the movies are low-rated and may be of bad quality. Not only that, but they are probably broken up into playlists and littered with ads.
If you want better and higher-quality entertainment, you may want to look into upgrading to YouTube Red or YouTube TV. However, if you aren’t picky, the free movies on YouTube should work just fine!
Looking for more free entertainment? Be sure to check out our birthday freebies post! This ultimate guide will help you find fun and free birthday entertainment at some of our favorite places to visit!
2. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is a great option for watching free movies online. You’ll get access to movies and TV for free, but know that there aren’t as many options as the paid service.
If you already have an Amazon Prime membership, these movies and television shows are already included in your membership! Simply play your favorite movie and enjoy!
The premium Prime Video service is $8.99, but for only $4 more you get all the benefits of being an Amazon Prime member.
If you are an Amazon Prime member, be sure to check out our post on how to get free gift cards! Some of these methods will get you an Amazon gift card to use on future purchases for absolutely free!
3. Netflix (Free Month)
Netflix is arguably one of the best and most popular TV streaming services around and is one of the most affordable services to stream your favorite content, especially compared to cable.
Netflix is actually a paid service at $8.99 per month but offers a free 30-day trial so that you can binge-watch free movies online without any obligation.
That being said, Netflix is completely worth the $8.99 per month and way cheaper than cable. It has amazing original TV shows and often releases new movies shortly after being in theatres. If you find that you don’t like Netflix, you are able to cancel at any time.
4. Hulu
Hulu is another paid subscription service that offers a free seven-day trial. We like that you can watch your favorite movies and TV shows for free and cancel at any time with no obligation.
However, Hulu does have affordable plans if you choose to pay for the service. You can watch tv shows, movies, and Hulu originals with limited ads for only $5.99 a month! For only $11.99 per month, you can enjoy Hulu with NO ads!
5. Crackle
Sony Crackle is one of our favorite free online movie streaming sites. Because it’s backed by Sony, you can watch tons of free movies without sacrificing quality. Due to the amount of free content, it is one of the best free alternatives to Netflix.
The only drawback is that you will have to sit through short ads that happen to play more than other movie streaming sites.
In early 2019, Sony announced there was a deal being worked out with Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (CSS), so Crackle may be rebranding to Crackle Plus in the near future. However, there are some legal battles the companies are trying to work through, so right now you are still able to enjoy Sony Crackle for free online movies!
6. Hoopla
Did you know that your library card could be your ticket to watch free movies online?
Hoopla is a digital streaming service that partners with local libraries to bring users free movies, TV shows, audiobooks, music, comics, and more. All you need to do is visit your local library and sign up for a library card.
Not all libraries partner with Hoopla, so be sure to ask a librarian for more information.
7. Yidio
Yidio is one of the most unique free online movie streaming sites because of how it works. It aggregates all of the movies online by category, including free online movies. You are also able to narrow down your search to rating and genre.
There are many movies you can watch for free, but since it compiles movies from places like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon, some of the movies require a subscription service to those platforms.
8. Vimeo
Most people know that you can watch free movies on YouTube, but forget that they can watch free movies online with Vimeo.
If you’re looking for more obscure or indie films, Vimeo is a great option to stream free movies. It also offers a paid version if you are looking to support user-submitted movies and content.
9. Kanopy
Just like Hoopla, Kanopy partners with public and university libraries to bring you free movies online after signing up for a library card. Not only is Kanopy free, but there are no ads in the movies, either!
Check out the Kanopy sign-up page to see if your library is partnered with Kanopy. After you are approved for your library card, you’ll get access to tons of top-notch content.
10. Snagfilms
Snagfilms is a great option to watch free movies online that you can’t find anywhere else. They offer a catalog of over 10,000 indie and independent films that display minimal ads.
It is one of the most convenient free online movie streaming sites due to its website, which is easy to navigate. Snagfilms also has an app for iOS and Android and works on Roku devices and Kindles as well.
11. Tubi
Tubi has high-quality, popular movies that you can stream for free. There are some movies that are only available for rent, but there are tons of movies you can watch free of charge.
Tubi offers many genres to choose from, but be aware that you will have to watch some ads. Don’t forget, ads keep the movies free! Tubi is also convenient to stream on your phone or other streaming devices.
12. Popcornflix
Popcornflix is one of the best free movie websites because new movies are constantly being added by their parent company, Screen Media Ventures. There are over 1,500 movie titles with genres such as horror, drama, comedy, sci-fi, and more.
One of the best things about Popcornflix is you don’t need to sign-up to start watching. Simply click on the title and starting watching high-quality, free movies online with no obligation.
13. Vudu
You can find thousands of free movies online at Vudu.
You’ll have to create a free account and sit through some ads, but you can find popular titles to watch for free. Vudu does have the option to buy or rent movies as well and is supported on multiple gaming devices and mobile phones.
14. The Roku Channel
Did you know that you don’t need a Roku device to start watching free movies online with The Roku Channel?
The Roku Channel now offers ad-supported movies and TV on the web and on their mobile-friendly website. You’ll need an account to start watching, but once you do you will have access to high-quality, popular movies. If you ever want to upgrade, The Roku Channel has premium subscription services such as Showtime & Starz.
15. Top Documentary Films
If you love watching documentaries, you need to check out Top Documentary Films, where you can stream tons of documentaries for free.
Top Documentary Films curates documentaries from other sites such as YouTube, Vimeo, Daily Motion, etc. and allows you to browse by subject matter, such as Science, Politics, Nature, Mystery, Conspiracy, and more.
The best news is that most documentaries don’t feature ads and are in high-quality!
Free Movie Websites Q&A
Are you ready to stream movies online for free but hesitant because of questions or concerns? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions people ask when trying to watch free movies online.
Is streaming free movies illegal?
The short answer is no, it is typically not illegal to stream free movies online. All of the sites listed in this article operate within legal means.
However, it is illegal to start pirating or downloading content. If you are ever in doubt, be sure to Google different reviews of a site you are curious about. Most sites will let you know if the content is illegal or not.
What free online movie sites are safe?
All of the sites listed in this article are safe and legal to use.
Be sure to avoid sites that ask you to download anything or ask for personal information. You could be putting your computer, or even worse, your safety, at risk.
Where can I watch TV shows for free?
Most of these free movies online sites also allow you to stream television shows as well. Just be aware that you are limited to what you can access for free.
As long as you have an antenna, you are always able to stream cable for free.
Are these free online movie streaming sites actually free?
All of these sites are either free to use or come with a free trial. Many of them offer the chance to upgrade where you can buy higher-quality, more popular content.
Since many of these sites are free, you will have to watch ads since ads help keep the content free. If you don’t mind ads or lower-quality videos, then these sites are great options to watch movies without putting a dent in your wallet.
Watching Movies Online Final Thoughts
It seems like you can find almost anything online for free, including movies, gift cards, makeup, clothes, and more!
If you’re looking to cut the cord on cable or save a few bucks, then watching free movies online is a frugal and convenient way to get entertainment. Not only that, but it is completely safe and legal to do, too! There is no need for pricey cable services if you are willing to sit through some ads and enjoy awesome free content.
Pluto is a really good free TV and movie option, too.