With the rising costs of subscription-based streaming platforms, many viewers are turning to free, legal alternatives to enjoy movies and TV shows. Fortunately, several ad-supported streaming services offer high-quality content without requiring a paid subscription.
Below, we’ve compiled the top 10 free and legal sites where you can watch films and TV series in 2024.
1. Tubi
✅ Why It’s Great:
- Over 50,000 movies and TV shows
- No subscription needed
- Works on smart TVs, mobile, and gaming consoles
- Decent selection of classics and newer films
❌ Downsides:
- Ad-supported (but fewer ads than cable TV)
2. Pluto TV
✅ Why It’s Great:
- Live TV channels + on-demand movies
- Owned by Paramount (so it has CBS, MTV, and Comedy Central content)
- Great for reality TV, news, and classic films
❌ Downsides:
- Limited control over what’s playing (like traditional TV)
3. Crackle
✅ Why It’s Great:
- Owned by Sony Pictures, so it has Sony films and exclusives
- Decent mix of action, comedy, and drama
- No registration required
❌ Downsides:
- Smaller library compared to Tubi
4. Peacock (Free Tier)
✅ Why It’s Great:
- Offers NBC, Universal, and DreamWorks content
- Includes hit shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation
- Some movies rotate in and out
❌ Downsides:
- Limited free content (premium unlocks more)
5. YouTube (Free Movies Section)
🔗 https://www.youtube.com (Search “Free with ads”)
✅ Why It’s Great:
- Thousands of free movies (search “Free with ads”)
- No sign-up needed
- Works on all devices
❌ Downsides:
- Some films are low-budget or older
6. The Roku Channel
🔗 https://therokuchannel.roku.com/
✅ Why It’s Great:
- No Roku device needed (works on web and mobile)
- Mix of movies, TV shows, and live news
- Includes some hidden gems
❌ Downsides:
- Smaller selection than Tubi
7. Freevee (Formerly IMDb TV)
🔗 https://www.amazon.com/freevee
✅ Why It’s Great:
- Owned by Amazon, so it has quality films and shows
- Includes originals like Bosch: Legacy
- No Amazon Prime needed
❌ Downsides:
- Ads can be frequent
8. Kanopy
✅ Why It’s Great:
- Free with a library card (high-quality indie films & classics)
- No ads
- Great for film students and cinephiles
❌ Downsides:
- Requires a participating library/university
9. Plex (Free Movies & TV)
✅ Why It’s Great:
- Legally licensed movies & shows
- Also works as a media server for personal files
- Minimal ads
❌ Downsides:
- Not as extensive as Tubi or Pluto
10. Hoopla
🔗 https://www.hoopladigital.com/
✅ Why It’s Great:
- Free with a library card
- Offers movies, TV, ebooks, and audiobooks
- No late fees (automatic returns)
❌ Downsides:
- Limited to library partnerships
Final Thoughts: Which Free Streaming Site is Best?
| Site | Best For | Ads? | Library Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tubi | Huge movie selection | Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pluto TV | Live TV & movies | Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Crackle | Sony films & exclusives | Yes | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Peacock | NBC shows & movies | Yes (limited) | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| YouTube | Random free films | Yes | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Roku Channel | Hidden gems | Yes | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Freevee | Amazon-backed content | Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Kanopy | Indie & classic films | No | ⭐⭐⭐ (requires library) |
| Plex | Personal + free movies | Minimal | ⭐⭐ |
| Hoopla | Library-based films | No | ⭐⭐ (requires library) |
Best Overall: Tubi (largest library)
Best for Live TV: Pluto TV
Best for No Ads: Kanopy & Hoopla (with library card)
⚠️ Warning: Avoid Illegal Streaming Sites
While free movie sites are tempting, illegal platforms (like 123Movies, Fmovies, Putlocker) can infect your device with malware and violate copyright laws. Stick to legal, ad-supported services to stay safe.
Conclusion
You don’t need a paid subscription to enjoy great movies and TV shows. The top 10 free legal streaming sites listed above offer thousands of hours of entertainment without costing a dime.
Which one will you try first? 🎬🍿
(Note: Availability may vary by region. Some services may require a VPN if geo-blocked.)