Free Streaming Sites: Watch Movies and TV Shows Without Spending a Dime

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Streaming used to be the budget-friendly alternative to cable, but these days? Not so much.

With prices creeping up year after year and every platform demanding its own subscription, watching your favorite shows and movies can feel like a pricey luxury.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to pay a fortune.

In fact, you don’t have to pay anything at all to enjoy quality entertainment.

There are plenty of free streaming services out there offering great movies, binge-worthy TV, and even live channels without a single dollar coming out of your pocket.

Here is our list of the best ways to stream content completely for free!

13 Best Free Streaming Sites to Check Out

#1. Tubi

Tubi is probably one of the better-known and more beloved free streaming sites out there, making it an excellent app to get started with if you’re looking to watch free TV and movies online.

Tubi offers a massive library of titles, both featuring their original content as well as content you’re already familiar with.

The fear with so much content is that it can be hard to find what you are looking for.

Luckily, Tubi makes it easy to find what you’re searching for whether you’re interested in streaming movies or streaming TV shows without the need for cable.

Plus, you can watch across a wide range of devices.

Better yet, they offer live Tubi TV options, Spanish streaming options, and even kid-friendly titles for your siblings or children.

The part I enjoy the most is the ability to watch sitcoms from the 1980s and 1990s that I grew up watching.

Put simply, if you’re interested in free streaming sites, Tubi is the way to go.

Pros:

• Vast selection of titles to choose from
• Ability to choose between live TV or movies and TV shows
• No sign-up required to start watching
• Easily add favorites to your profile to watch later
• Features some newer titles compared to other streaming services
• Compatible with a wide range of electronics

Cons:

• Browsing for movies and TV shows takes some getting used to
• Free titles may only be available for a month before they leave
• TV shows may not feature all episodes or seasons

#2. Pluto TV

Many people enjoy the traditional cable TV experience but don’t want the $100+ bill that comes with accessing traditional cable TV channels.

The solution? You could always try a streaming service like Pluto TV.

Pluto TV’s biggest selling point is that it provides you with the ability to scroll through various channels via a TV guide and choose what you want if it appeals to you.

Want to watch something from the beginning? This is easy to do with their on-demand movies and TV shows.

If you like cable TV and are more interested in browsing than watching something specific, Pluto TV is for you.

The thing I like most about Pluto is that many of the “channels” are specific to the show.

For example, they have a Three’s Company channel which only airs this show.

Of course, they have others, like Classic TV Dramas, where they air various TV dramas from the past.

Pros:

• An abundance of movies and TV shows
• Stellar options in comparison to other free streaming sites
• Familiar interface for those cutting cable
• No sign-up required

Cons:

• Sifting through the categories (live and on-demand) can be difficult
• You can’t pause something while it’s playing, unlike modern TV

#3. Plex

I discovered Plex a few years ago as a way to stream my movies and music that I owned.

The app allowed me to access my content on any device, even if I am away from home.

Over the years, Plex has built up its library of free content to watch. This is in addition to my personal content, making it a perfect option for me.

But even if you don’t use the service to add your content, Plex is still a viable option.

Plex looks extremely similar to Tubi, but it’s not owned or operated by the same companies.

Still, you’ll find that it offers many of the same features (live TV and on-demand choices), similar titles, and similar capabilities, albeit with a few variations along the way.

If you’re looking for something to download alongside Tubi so that you can find a few more obscure titles and expand your library, Plex isn’t a bad choice.

I personally think Plex is one of the most underrated free movie streaming sites out there.

Pros:

• Access to newer and more popular content
• Live TV for a regular viewing experience
• No sign-up required

Cons:

• Trying to sort through all the content can be a challenge
• Not all of the available titles are winners

#4. Fandango At Home (Previously VUDU)

If you’ve been looking into free streaming websites, you might have overlooked this gem.

Have you ever purchased a movie with a small paper inside that allowed you to claim a digital version of your movie too?

If so, you’ve likely used Fandango At Home in the past.

Fandango At Home (a recent rebrand) is essentially a service that allows you to buy or rent movies as well as TV shows to create your own digital collection for a more seamless watching experience.

But while this is what it’s most known for, Fandango At Home has a good collection of movies and TV shows you can watch for free with ads.

If you’re ever looking around for something to watch, it’s worth popping on here once in a while to see what has been added.

Pros:

• Plenty of TV shows and movies to watch
• Easy to create a watchlist of movies or shows you might want to buy later

Cons:

• You have to create an account to get started
• Titles are popular but tend to be a little older

#5. Prime Video (Freevee)

Amazon Prime Video (previously known as IMDb TV) is a subscription streaming service that accompanies your Amazon Prime subscription, which means you might already have access to free movies and TV shows without knowing it.

However, if you don’t have an Amazon Prime membership, don’t worry.

You can always watch Amazon’s free collection of movies and TV shows known as Freevee.

Freevee is actually of better quality than most free streaming services, and they even offer Freevee originals if you’re looking for something new.

It’s also one of the few free movie sites that allows you to download movies to watch later.

Just keep in mind that downloads often take up gigabytes of space.

Pros:

• Solid selection of more popular movies and TV shows
• Great original content
• Offers some more modern watches

Cons:

• No dedicated Freevee page (You have to navigate using the home screen)
• Some TV shows only have certain seasons and episodes rather than the full series
• Must create an account to get started
• Easy for some less savvy users to accidentally subscribe to different services

#6. YouTube

Do you already spend a lot of your time watching videos on YouTube?

Those who do only need to click a couple of times to see YouTube’s library of free movies and TV shows that are offered to all of its users.

It’s very easy to find and YouTube promotes all of its free TV shows and movies in one place, with many being a bit more well-known and watchable.

They offer quite a lot, so if you can’t subscribe to their TV service or don’t want to buy or rent movies from them, you can always stream these movies and TV shows for free online.

Pros:

• Easy to find on the YouTube app or home page
• Good movie and TV show selection
• Easy to add to playlists and save watch history

Cons:

• Limited search features make it harder to browse and find new movies and TV shows
• Streaming quality is limited by YouTube

#7. Popcornflix

Popcornflix isn’t the most popular streaming app out there, but it’s actually one of the first ones to emerge.

The issue with Popcornflix is that the quality of the titles often left a lot to be desired.

That said, this might be an app to have on hand if you’re the adventurous type who likes to try new things or enjoys some of the stranger movies and TV shows out there that aren’t as well-known among the masses.

Pros:

• Large selection of movies and TV shows to try out
• No account required to start streaming

Cons:

• Movies and TV shows are older or not as popular
• Limited search tools can make media harder to find

#8. The Roku Channel

Those who have a Roku TV or a Roku Stick/Box automatically have free content built into their streaming experience.

The Roku Channel is a channel similar to Amazon Prime, aggregating a wide range of content that you could watch with a niche dedicated to free movies and TV as well as live TV that Roku itself has specifically made available to you.

Roku has a decent amount of movies and TV shows to stream, and it boasts over 350+ live channels.

Looking for something new? Roku original content is free to watch too!

It’s a stellar free streaming site for those who already have a Roku device, and anyone who doesn’t have one can still use it.

Pros:

• No sign-up required
• Hundreds of free channels to watch
• Solid selection of movies and TV shows
• New titles are added weekly

Cons:

• Trying to sort through its catalog of content seems nearly impossible
• Many TV series feature incomplete or missing seasons

#9. Sling Freestream

Sling TV is a popular cable TV alternative that allows you to watch movies and TV shows without the same cable costs.

But if you’re just looking for something fast and interesting, you can use their Sling Freestream option instead.

Sling Freestream gives you a taste of the Sling experience and helps you access a wide range of free TV shows and movies that are, at times, quite impressive.

If you want more live TV options, Sling Freestream is an excellent choice.

Pros:

• Don’t have to create an account
• Live TV and on-demand options
• Easy to search for what you want

Cons:

• Still lists paid content among the free content
• All of the good features require a subscription

#10. Crunchyroll

This is just a quick addition that may not appeal to everyone but is still worth mentioning.

Crunchyroll is a free anime streaming service that has become quite popular in recent years for its extensive library of only anime titles and the ability to watch high-quality dubs and subs.

If you’re an anime lover, this one’s for you!

Pros:

• No sign-up required
• Lots of choices for anime

Cons:

• New releases and other features require a subscription

#11. Kanopy

Kanopy is a free streaming service that allows library card owners and university-goers to leverage their resources to enjoy free content.

While there is the added step of having to ensure that you’re able to sign up for the service, it certainly beats having to invest in a DVD player or VCR and physically visit your library every time you want to watch something for free.

If you have a library card and you can use the service, it’s worth looking into.

Pros:

• Free service designed for those who already use free physical services like libraries
• Seamless sign-up process
• No ads
• Good selection of videos

Cons:

• You have to be a library patron or attend a university that Kanopy recognizes

#12. Xumo TV

Xumo Play is a completely free, ad-supported streaming service that offers a vast selection of live and on-demand content.

Owned by Comcast, Xumo Play provides access to over 300 live channels, including news, sports, movies, TV shows, and niche content across various genres.

Unlike traditional cable or paid streaming services, Xumo Play requires no subscription, login, or fees – just open the app or website and start watching.

The platform is available on smart TVs, streaming devices, and mobile apps, making it an easy and accessible way to enjoy entertainment without breaking the bank.

Pros:

• Completely free with no sign-up required
• Hundreds of live channels & on-demand content

Cons:

• Ad-supported viewing
• Limited new & premium content

#13. Samsung TV Plus

Samsung TV Plus is a free streaming service available on Samsung smart TVs, Galaxy devices, and select web browsers, offering a lineup of over 300 live channels and thousands of on-demand movies and shows.

Since it’s built into Samsung devices, there’s no need to download an app or create an account – just turn on your TV and start watching.

The platform provides a mix of news, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle channels, making it a convenient option for cord-cutters looking for free content.

While it doesn’t offer the latest premium releases, its ad-supported model ensures that users can access a variety of programming without a subscription.

Pros:

• Built-in & instant access on Samsung devices
• Wide selection of live & on-demand content

Cons:

• Limited to Samsung & select web users
• Ad-supported viewing

Honorable Mention: VSeeBox

We wanted to include one other option for those looking for free streaming sites.

It’s called the V See Box (or Superbox).

The catch with this is you have to buy the box, which is over $300 on Amazon as of this writing. (Note: It has gone on sale from time to time.)

Why would you pay over $300? The simple reason is because it allows you to watch movies and TV shows 100% for free.

The box offers features such as 4K Ultra HD output, extensive internal storage, and compatibility with a wide range of apps from the Google Play Store.

Users can access live TV channels, on-demand content, and various streaming services without the need for traditional cable subscriptions.

The devices are equipped with user-friendly interfaces and support for voice control, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

What’s more, many users claim that you can access content on paid apps like Hulu, Netflix, Disney Plus, and more.

Pros:

• Extensive content access
• High-definition streaming

Cons:

• Adherence to legal streaming
• Potential setup complexity

Now Defunct Streaming Sites

Things are constantly changing in the media world and new free services are coming online all the time.

With that said, many free services are also leaving or are now no longer an option.

Three of the most popular options, Crackle, Redbox, and Peacock Free Tier are no longer options for cord cutters.

We do our best to ensure that all the options we list in this article are active, and continuously update this article with new options and to remove any that cease operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are a lot of questions people have when it comes to watching content for free.

Here are some of the commonly asked ones. By knowing the answers to these questions, you can ensure a better entertainment experience.

Can you really watch free movies online?

Yes, there are lots of sites out there offering streaming content.

Most offer a vast library of classic movies and shows, since they have a large catalogue of content.

By offering it for free, companies can generate some revenue by including ads.

Where can I find free movies?

All of these sites allow you to watch movies online.

The content they offer varies based on their licensing rights, so you are sure to find movies and shows to watch.

Is it legal to stream movies and TV channels for free?

Yes, it is legal to watch content for free on these sites.

They own the license that allows them to offer the shows and movies to you.

Of course, there are some illegal sites out there too.

They are usually a torrent website that has access to the latest movies, sometimes, even ones still in theaters.

You want to avoid these sites.

Not only is it illegal, but there is a chance that you are going to download a virus and cause yourself all sorts of headaches.

Are there ads with free streaming sites?

You will have to deal with ad interruptions when you access content on free sites.

It is the only way they can make money, since you are not paying to access the content.

If you want an ad free experience, you will most likely have to pay.

The good news is the ads aren’t usually intrusive (like pop up ads) and only last 30 seconds to one minute.

In some cases, you might even be able to fast forward through them.

How do I watch free movies online?

There are a handful of ways to watch on these sites.

If you have a smart TV, like Google TV, you can easily access them by downloading the app.

If you don’t have a smart TV, you can use streaming devices like Apple TV, Roku device, or Amazon Fire to download the app and watch.

Of course, you can also watch on mobile devices too.

The only other thing you will need is an internet connection.

The good news is you won’t need a high priced plan, as even lower priced connections will offer good streaming video quality.

Final Thoughts

There is a run down of the best free streaming sites out there.

I will admit, that none of them are perfect.

You won’t find the latest shows or movies, and for what you do find, many times episodes or seasons of shows may be missing.

But even though it isn’t a perfect replacement for cable TV, it is good enough for most people.

And if you add in a single paid streaming service, like Netflix or Hulu, this should cover 90% of your needs for a fraction of the cost your were paying.