One industry growing at an exponential rate is the streaming services industry. Major companies like Netflix and Hulu are among the most popular streaming services, but some of the best free movie apps come from other places.
Streaming has undergone a massive evolution in the past decade. More and more services have emerged in the last few years than ever before. In the first half of 2021, consumers spent over $6 billion on streaming services alone. New platforms such as Disney+, HBO Max and Paramount+ emerged and created even more competition in the streaming services market.
It’s clear there’s been significant growth in this sector, and that growth doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Revenue in streaming is expected to grow with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.25%. The projected market volume is estimated to be over $108 million by 2025.
These streaming services bring in revenue from their monthly user subscriptions. For example, these are monthly subscription prices for some of the most well-known streaming services:
- Netflix: $8.99 and up
- Hulu: $5.99 and up
- Disney+: $7.99 and up
- HBO Max: $9.99 and up
- Paramount+: $4.99 and up
Most of these services offer multiple price plan options for their customers. Generally speaking, the more you pay for a platform, the more content you can access – also, the number of ads you see decreases, too. While there are plenty of paid options available to stream your favorite content, paying for each streaming service can be costly.
To avoid these bills from piling up and becoming overwhelming, you should consider using free movie apps or websites. Some illegal websites offer bootleg versions of movies and TV shows, but it’s wise to avoid them. The last thing you want is to subject yourself to potential fines when downloading pirated content.
Below, we’ll outline some of the best free movie apps that you can use to stream movies and TV shows so you can save some money each month.
1. YouTube
YouTube was created back in 2005 and has taken off ever since. Whether you’re looking to subscribe to your favorite content creators, watch music videos or stream free movies and TV shows, there’s so much content on YouTube it’s almost hard to comprehend!
YouTube hasn’t always offered free movies or TV shows, but you can find them right on the YouTube homepage. There’s also an option to rent or buy these titles, but many come free with ads. There are all types of genres available on YouTube, so you shouldn’t have any issues finding a title you like.
Like many of these free movie apps, they can be accessed on any device, including your TV, tablet, phone or laptop.
2. VUDU
VUDU is a free streaming service that requires you to create an account to access content on your devices. It has a lot of high-quality movies, and the best part? The video quality remains the same regardless of if you pay extra for a paid subscription.
Keep in mind that these titles are free, but you’ll have to watch with ads. They have subcategories for its content, including New Releases, Hidden Gems and All-Time Movie Favorites. There’s something for everyone on VUDU.
3. Tubi
Tubi is an ad-supported streaming service similar to VUDU. It offers high-quality movies, shows and even docuseries. Accessing Tubi is simple – as long as you have an internet connection.
The service doesn’t ask you to sign in, so you can get to streaming your favorite content without any interruptions.
You can access Tubi on various devices, such as Xbox, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire and Playstation. You can also visit Tubi on their website on a desktop or laptop.
4. Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is a perfect free movie streaming service for lovers of drama, anime and manga. It offers a variety of selections of classic shows and new releases. Additionally, Crunchyroll has a library full of original content that’s been widely acclaimed.
Crunchyroll also offers a paid option that includes:
- Access to shows one hour after they air in Japan
- Watching simultaneously on six screens
- Ad-free streaming experiences
- Downloadable movies for offline viewing
5. FilmRise
FilmRise is a free streaming service that allows you to watch quality content with only limited ad interruptions. The service is available on these apps:
- Roku
- iOS
- Vizio
- YouTube
- Xbox
- Amazon FireTV
Additionally, FilmRise does produce original content for you to enjoy.
6. Redbox
What used to be a kiosk for DVD retrieval, Redbox transformed its business model. It now offers free live TV and on-demand movies. Kiosks are still available, but you’ll have to pay for those titles.
Redbox does not require any log-in information from you, so no time is wasted entering a username or password. One downside of using Redbox is that you can’t search for a specific movie or TV show. You’ll have to rely on just browsing through the various titles available on the streaming service.
7. Popcornflix
On its website, Popcornflix says that you can watch free movies and television shows without any subscription and much less advertising than traditional cable TV.
There are plenty of genres to choose from, whether you’re looking for a scary movie with the lights off or something more lighthearted and funny. Consider using Popcornflix for your next movie night, as it won’t cost you more than a couple of hours!
8. Pluto TV
To stream movies and TV shows on Pluto TV, you’ll need to download the free app and install it on your device. There are some big Hollywood names on Pluto TV, including titles from Paramount and Warner Bros.
Pluto also has 250 unique live channels with commercial breaks. There’s bound to be content on Pluto TV that you can access rather than pay for traditional cable channels.
9. Sony Crackle
On Sony Crackle, you can access a plethora of Hollywood movies and TV shows. Sony, as you’re probably familiar with, is a big name in the entertainment production industry. Crackle has a perfect mix of old and new movies that you can stream anywhere.
While the service is ad-supported, the interruptions aren’t too frequent and based on the quality content you get in return, it’s well worth it.
10. ShareTV
With over 500,000 users and counting, ShareTV offers free TV without any signup required. However, one catch with ShareTV is that it does not provide any movie titles – it only allows access to TV shows.
Additionally, if ShareTV does not offer an episode of a TV show, they’ll provide you with a link to another site that does. This comes in handy when you’re looking to stream a specific episode from one of your favorite TV shows.
11. Movies Anywhere
Movies Anywhere is yet another free streaming service at your fingertips. It’s free to sign up, and you’ll likely want to register because you can personalize your streaming experience by setting up multiple profiles, building a customized wishlist and saving a watchlist for later.
Movies Anywhere also allows you to purchase any titles you wish to spend money on. Sometimes the service has daily deals that can make purchasing movies cheaper. Additionally, you can add digital codes from DVDs and Blu-rays and save movies to your device for offline viewing.
12. IMDb Originals
IMDb is typically known for providing detailed information about movies, TV shows and documentaries. However, the site also has a line of original content that you can stream. IMDb Originals also offers award shows, events and holiday specials. You can catch interviews with some of Hollywood’s most well-known celebrities, too.
IMDb allows you to sign up for a free account so you can also save some of your favorite titles to a Watchlist, and you’ll have access to personalized recommendations. Lastly, you can rate the titles you do watch on this platform.
13. Yidio
One of the great things about Yidio is that it aggregates all types of movies from the more popular streaming platforms, like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. Once you find a movie you’d like to watch, you can see exactly what services offer that movie, and Yidio will redirect you to the appropriate site.
While Yidio in and of itself does not offer movies on its own platform, this is essentially a guide to help you find where to watch titles. This is a great solution for when you want to watch a specific movie instead of just browsing through and selecting films.
14. Cinema HD
To stream content from Cinema HD, you’ll need first to download the free application. You can sign up for a free account and watch movies free of charge.
For the best streaming experience, be sure you’re connected to the internet and have a stable connection. Playback will be smoother, and you’ll deal with less network interference.
15. Roku Channel
If you have a Roku TV, you’re in luck. Roku is a leading streaming device manufacturer that offers several apps on its TVs. These apps allow you to sign up for free and stream content directly to your devices, but the best part is that you can tune in even if you don’t have a Roku-powered device.
This year, Roku announced that it would be adding to its channel lineup to provide more value to its customers. Some of the new channels are:
- AccuWeather Now
- CBS News
- IGN
- El Rey
- Real Madrid TV
You may be surprised to learn that there are even more free movie apps available that you can either sign up for or pay a small subscription fee to access.
As mentioned above, it can cost you more money to sign up for all of the popular streaming services based on the monthly fees those platforms charge. However, you can use some of these platforms to save money without losing access to any entertainment.
Best Free Movie Apps Based on Categories
Because you may want to use these movie apps for a specific purpose, we’ll tell you which ones are best suited for each category. Remember that these movie apps may not be free, but the platforms may offer free trials, which are usually good for one month.
Let’s review which apps are best suited for the situations listed below. Apps with:
No Ads
If you’re looking for an ad-free streaming experience, these are the best options for you:
- Netflix: Netflix never has any ads, and, as mentioned above, you can pay $8.99 for the monthly subscription fee for a standard plan.
- Hulu: With no ads, you can pay $12.99 per month for a Hulu subscription plan.
- Disney+ Bundle: Many consumers are purchasing the Disney+ Bundle, which has ad-free streaming on Disney+, Hulu and ESPN so that you can access everything from movies, TV shows to sports and sports documentaries.
Free Trials
Below are the streaming services that offer free trials you can sign up for:
- Hulu – one month
- Paramount+ – one week
- YouTube TV – two weeks
- Starz – one week
- Amazon Prime Video – one month
- Apple TV+ – one week
- Showtime – one month
- Fubo TV – one month
We’ve yet to mention Peacock, a streaming service owned and operated by NBCUniversal. You can stream for free with a limited catalog, but there is no free trial – you must sign up for an account. Premium Peacock plans start at $4.99 per month.
Don’t Need Wifi
Here are the streaming services you can use to download movies and watch offline:
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Amazon Prime Video
- Disney+
- VUDU
New Releases
Because movies are constantly being released, it’s no wonder you may want to stream the latest blockbuster with friends or family. These streaming services tend to offer newly released movies in their catalog:
- HBO Max
- Disney+
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Amazon Prime Video
With Subtitles
Many streaming services offer a subtitle feature so you can read along while streaming. Not every user wants to use subtitles, but it’s nice to have the option. Here are the platforms that offer a subtitle feature:
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Amazon Prime Video
- Disney+
- Apple TV+
- HBO Max
- Peacock
- YouTube Premium
- CBS All Access
Watch With Friends
There’s nothing like enjoying a movie or TV show with friends. You can gossip about the characters and plot gaps, as well as binge together. What more do you need?
Here are some streaming services where you can watch with others virtually:
- Amazon Prime Video
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Disney+
- SlingTV
- Teleparty
- Scener
Consider referring to this guide anytime you’re looking to access free content. Whether you want to watch the latest anime episode or a classic movie, one of these options will suit your needs.
Use Free Movie Apps to Stream Content
Many consumers are deciding to cut the cable cord and rely on streaming services. However, those recurring monthly bills can pile up quickly, and it may not be your most affordable streaming option. Consider using some of the best free movie apps listed above to get the most bang for your buck.
Interested in checking out more movie apps for your devices? Check out our other guides below:
Top Movie Apps for iPhones and iPad
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