The Best Free TV and Movie Streaming Services

Tired of spending so much money on streaming services? Discover the best free TV and movie services to save money while enjoying great content. From Pluto TV to Kanopy and even HD antennas, our guide will help you find the best option for streaming movies and TV shows without breaking the bank.

Update, 4/12/23: This article has been updated and expanded for 2023

Warning: All the titles mentioned below are current as of this writing. Be aware that shows and movies leave streaming services often.

Best for Live TV Streaming: Pluto TV

Pluto TV is a popular free TV streaming service that offers a wide variety of live TV channels, making it an excellent option for cord-cutters looking for a cable TV alternative. Pluto TV’s standout feature is its live TV streaming offerings, which include news, sports, entertainment, and more.

With more than 250 live channels, including CBS News, Bloomberg, NBC News, Comedy Central, MTV, and more. Pluto TV rivals a cable subscription in what you can watch. It also offers channels dedicated to specific genres, such as horror, classic TV shows, and even a channel that streams content from NASA.

In addition to its live TV offerings, Pluto TV has a library of on-demand movies and TV shows. While the selection of on-demand titles may not be as extensive as other streaming services, it still offers a good variety of options. At the time of this writing, some of the films available to stream on the service include Top Gun, Forrest Gump, Scream, Pulp Fiction, and more. TV shows available on demand include The Andy Griffith Show, Gunsmoke, Matlock, Cops, Criminal Minds, and Stargate SG-1.

Best for Classic Movies and TV Shows: Tubi

Tubi is another free TV and movie streaming service that boasts a vast library of classic movies and TV shows, making it a great option for those who love to indulge in nostalgia. With over 20,000 titles available, Tubi offers one of the largest collections of free streaming content.

One of the standout features of Tubi is its classic movie collection. Some of Tubi’s most popular classic films include The Magnificent Seven, Exodus, Zulu, and Moby Dick. Tubi also offers a great selection of classic TV shows, such as Gilligan’s Island, Dennis the Menace, and Leave it to Beaver. Plus, Tubi has a selection of original films that you can’t watch anywhere else such as Hellblazers starring Bruce Dern and Billy Zane, Frankie Meets Jack, starring Joey Lawrence and Anne Heche, and The Animal 2 starring Rob Schneider is set to premier on the service sometime in 2023.

Tubi also offers a selection of more recent movies and TV shows, although it may not be as extensive as other streaming services. However, the service regularly updates its library with new titles, so there is always something new to watch. Plus, Tubi has gotten into making original TV content in recent years with its Kitchen Commando cooking show, the Meet, Marry, Murder true crime series, and the upcoming Breaking Bear adult animated comedy.

Best for 80s and 90s Nostalgia: Crackle

Sony-owned Crackle, is a free TV and movie streaming service known for its large selection of original content and selection of Sony movies. These include movies from its subsidiary studios such as Columbia Pictures, Tristar Pictures, and Screen Gems. While the choice of titles on Crackle may not be as wide-ranging as paid streaming services, it still has a good variety of shows to watch.

Crackle’s outstanding feature is its deep library of original content, which includes TV shows such as StartUp and The Oath, as well as movies such as In the Cloud and Funny Girls. In addition to its original content and Sony movies, Crackle offers TV shows and movies from competing studio. For example, one of the biggest shows on Crackle right now is Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch. However, the non-Sony-produced selection isn’t as deep as some of the other providers in this article.

Best for Independent and Foreign Films: Popcornflix

If you prefer to shy away from Hollywood-owned and produced TV shows and films. Popcornflix is a great choice. This free TV and movie streaming service is known for its selection of independent films and documentaries. The service has over 2,000 titles available, focusing on lesser-known and indie titles. The service also offers many documentaries covering topics such as nature, history, and current events.

In addition to its independent films and documentaries, Popcornflix offers a selection of more mainstream movies and TV shows. However, their library is quite limited compared to other free TV and movie streamers.

Best for Roku Device Owners: The Roku Channel

If you have a Roku device, like a streaming stick or TV, you already have The Roku Channel. If you’ve never checked it out before, it’s worth taking a look. It offers quite a variety of popular TV shows and movies. The service also provides a selection of live TV channels like NBC News NOW, LIVE NOW from Fox, Gameshow Central, Real Oldies, and more. There are even some live local news stations for markets including Boston, San Francisco, Philadelphia, New York City, and more.

Plus, The Roku Channel has a great selection of live music stations you can stream. iHeart 80s, iHeart Country Rock, Vevo Country, Real Oldies, WMX Hiphop, are just a few of the music stations available on The Roku Channel. Their live streaming offerings also include channels for crime, reality TV, classics, sitcoms and documentaries.

Another great thing anout The Roku Channel is that you can link it up (or sign up for) with premium services such as Paramount+, Starz, Showtime, AMC+, BET, The Great Courses, A&E Crime Central, and more. Those who own a Roku device should definitely log in to see what they’re already entitled to get for free.

Best for Documentaries and Indie Films: Kanopy

Library card holders need to check out Kanopy. This free movie streaming service works with your local library system to offer a unique selection of educational and independent films. All you need to do is input your library card number, and you’ll have access to thousands of movies across a variety of genres.

The most notable thing about Kanopy is its collection of educational films, which includes documentaries, instructional videos, and more. The service also offers a selection of independent films from around the world, including award-winning titles from film festivals such as Sundance and Cannes.

In addition to its educational and independent film offerings, Kanopy also offers a selection of classic and popular movies, as well as a selection of foreign language films and kids’ movies. Kanopy even offers unlimited streaming from their kids-exclusive service.

Best for Free Streaming with Constant Updates: Freevee

Freevee is an Amazon-owned free TV streaming service that offers a variety of live channels and on-demand content. What sets Freevee apart from other services on our list is its commitment to providing constant updates with new and fresh content. The service is available on a variety of devices, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV.

Like Pluto TV and The Roku Channel, Freevee offers an extensive selection of live streaming channels, which includes news, sports, entertainment, and more. The service also offers a great selection of on-demand films and TV shows which are constantly updated with new titles.

One More Thing: Get an HD Antenna for Free Local Channels

While we have covered a lot of streaming services in this article, there is another option for those who want access to local TV stations: an HD antenna. These affordable plastic antennas can access all your local stations and even a few others in some areas. The channel selection varies depending on where you live, with better options available in urban areas.

Investing in an HD antenna is a one-time cost that allows you to access local news, weather, and sports without monthly fees. It’s an excellent option for those who want to supplement their streaming services or for those who want to cut the cord completely.

Check out our comprehensive guide for more information on using an HD antenna and our recommendations on the best ones to purchase.