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It only takes a quick search for the best movie apps out there to figure out that most movie apps on the market require you to cough up cash. While it’s understandable for streaming apps to charge a subscription fee to keep the lights on, it doesn’t feel great to pay for multiple subscriptions because companies paywall their movies separately. Plus, if you don’t have a lot of free time, you just end up wasting money on underutilized subscriptions.
That’s why we set out to look for the best free movie apps online that are actually legal. Unlike torrent sites, these ones actually work and the best part is that they won’t introduce viruses to your phone.
1. Amazon Freevee
Amazon is known in entertainment for its streaming app, Prime Video, but did you know the company also has an app called Freevee that lets you stream their shows and movies for free? The app is easily the best one on this list as it gets robust support from Amazon and has a seamless interface that lets you browse through its catalog with ease.
The app is available on multiple platforms. Mobile users can get Freevee via the Apple App Store and Google Play. Freevee can also be used on streaming media players such as Android TV, Apple TV, Google TV, and Roku. Alternatively, you can download the app directly to your LG or Samsung smart TV.
2. YouTube
Here’s a free movie app you likely already have on your phone. YouTube might not seem like the place to get free movies, but there are tons of films uploaded to the app each day. Aside from classic films that are now in the public domain, the app also has newer Hollywood movies.
The only drawback is that you’re not likely to get access to the biggest blockbuster films out there since they are typically licensed to streaming services. You will also have a harder time browsing for films since the app doesn’t let you sort by genre. You’ll have to be patient in looking up movie titles with keywords like “full movie” or “free full movie” added to the end. However, YouTube movies tend to load faster and have more consistent quality compared to many of the apps on this list.
3. The Roku Channel
The Roku Channel is a free streaming service that gives you access to live news, popular series, and movies. The features of this app are similar to Amazon Freeve. It lets you download the app to a Roku TV, Samsung TV, or Amazon Fire TV. You can watch movies on the go with the Roku Mobile App which is available on Android via Google Play or the Apple App Store.
The only drawback to Roku? It may not be available in your region. While it’s available in countries like the U.S., U.K., and Australia, access is spotty for other areas of the world.
4. Kanopy
Kanopy lets you watch movies and documentaries for free as long as your library is working in collaboration with them. The app was discontinued back in 2021 due to the costs of maintaining access to all of the films and shows in its catalog. However, the app was restored this 2023 after Kanopy figured out how to make the numbers work, changing cost from per stream to a flat fee.
Wait, does that mean you have to pay? Not at all. You’ll just need a library card within the U.S. public library system. This rules out Kanopy as an option for users outside the U.S.
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5. Tubi
You’ll have to sit through ads to get access to Tubi’s free movies, but it’s more than worth it given that Tubi is a completely free and legal service. This pretty much guarantees that the free movie app will stay in operation so you don’t have to worry about looking for a new free streaming app in a year’s time.
Tubi is available on Android and iOS as well as Roku and Amazon Fire. if you’ve got the app on any of those, you can get access to the Lionsgate, MGM, and Paramount films that are in Tubi’s catalog.
6. Popcornflix
Still think ads are a dealbreaker for you? Popcornflix is an ad-free and legal streaming service brought to you by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because it’s the same company behind the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. The app is both on iOS and Android, but if you don’t want to download another app or just don’t have the space on your phone for it, you can check out their official YouTube channel and watch your movies there instead.
7. Vudu
Vudu is a great streaming service with one serious barrier to use: It’s only available for people in the U.S. and Mexico. That said, it’s a completely legal app with access to blockbuster films and hit shows so if you aren’t in the regions it’s available in, you’ll want a VPN for this app.
Vudu offers borrowing and purchasing options so if you want to watch a film early, you can rent a copy before their Blu-Ray discs hit the shelves.
8. Internet Archive
Another unlikely contender, Internet Archive is home to many movies that are now in the public domain. This means that most of the movies you’ll get to watch on the site are going to be older films. And yes, it’s a site and not an app, but since Internet Archive has an easy-to-use mobile website, it’s definitely worth your time if you love old-school movies.
9. Plex
Plex is a free streaming service with a library of more than 50,000 titles. Like Tubi, though, you’ll have to be patient when using it since the app runs on money made from ads. Plex has a serious leg up on the other apps on this list: Its free TV channels. If you’ve cut the cord already but miss certain TV shows or the ability to watch the news live on TV, Plex gives you all that access back for free.
10. Crackle
Crackle is a free video streaming service with a library of movies and TV shows in every genre – even anime! While it doesn’t have the most robust catalog, the streaming itself is smooth and the layout is similar to Netflix, making it easy to navigate.
The app will show you ads, but they’re not so intrusive as to destroy your viewing experience completely. If you’ve watched movies on TV before, it’s a little like that.
Crackle can be downloaded on Android and iOs via Google Play and the Apple App Store, respectively.
Wow, thanks a lot for this list! I’ve been looking for services like this, and now I need to decide which one to try first!
Kanopy is a great site, and I’ve been using it for some time. And almost all the other ones are new to me, and it’s good that we have such a variety of choices to choose from.
This is a very good list; thank you so much for sharing. I’d never heard about most of the sites before, but they seem to be pretty cool ones, actually. I don’t watch movies that often, mostly series, and have only Netflix.
This is a very good list; thank you so much for sharing. I’d never heard about most of the sites before, but they seem to be pretty cool ones, actually. I don’t watch movies that often, mostly series, and have only Netflix.
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