The big hitters in the game like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and Disney+ require either a premium subscription or charge a monthly fee for the app. Paying to access a lot of the younger, shinier movie content may definitely be worth it for most. But many of the middle-aged to oldie-but-goodie film gems can be found in the free streaming catalogues. And, you’ll find that much of the content on the paid services and the free services often overlap.
If you’re in a season of evaluating your choices, or you simply want to add to your watch library without adding dollars; here are five free movie streaming services that are worth a look:
Tubi TV
Launched in 2014 and owned by the Fox Corporation, Tubi TV is home to more than 20,000 movie and TV titles. It’s growing rapidly, with content from studios like MGM, Paramount, Lionsgate and Warner Bros. In 2019, Tubi signed a distribution deal with NBCUniversal, adding 400 TV and movie titles to it’s catalogue.
- Registration required: No
- Ads while streaming: Yes
- Exclusive content: No
- Compatible with: Android, iOS, Roku, Xbox One, Xfinity X1, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Playstation 4, TiVo
Crackle
Sony Pictures bought the independent company in 2006 before selling the majority of it to Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment in 2019. Today, Crackle is free to U.S. and Australia streamers, but does offer subscriptions to viewers in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its catalogue consists of popular movie and TV titles on-demand, in addition to some original content.
- Registration required: No
- Ads while streaming: Yes
- Exclusive content: Yes
- Compatible with: Android, iOS, Roku, Xbox One, Xfinity X1, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Playstation 4, Smart TV (Samsung, Vizio, LG)
Pluto TV
Founded in 2013 and owned by Viacom, Pluto TV can be described as a mix between Sling TV and Hulu. Primarily known for its 250-plus channel live internet TV streaming, it does carry a substantial live and on-demand movie catalogue as well. It categorizes its list much like Netflix with “Most Popular Movies”, “New Movies This Month”, “Comfort Movies #AloneTogether” and others.
- Registration required: No, but registering will unlock additional streaming content
- Ads while streaming: Yes
- Exclusive content: Yes
- Compatible with: Android, iOS, Roku, Xbox One, Xfinity X1, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Playstation 4, Smart TV (Samsung, Vizio, LG), Microsoft Windows
IMDb TV
As a fairly new kid on the block, IMDb TV serves as Amazon’s vehicle for free movie and TV streaming content. Their catalogue may not be as extensive as others’, but they do have some well-known on-demand titles to choose from.
- Registration required: Yes. You must have an account with IMDb, Amazon, Google or Facebook
- Ads while streaming: Yes
- Exclusive content: No
- Compatible with: IMDb and Amazon Fire devices
Popcornflix
While Popcornflix houses some well-known titles, independent films are more in this on-demand movie streaming service’s wheelhouse. Breaking their content out by genre, popularity and new arrivals, there’s a good chance some gems will be uncovered here. It was founded in 2010 by Screen Media Ventures LLC. and is currently available only in the U.S. and Canada.
- Registration required: No
- Ads while streaming: Yes
- Exclusive content: Yes
- Compatible with: iOS, Roku, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Amazon Fire TV, Playstation 3
Check out more free streaming services here.
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