Looking for something to watch without paying a subscription? Here are six sites most people don’t know about that offer free TV shows and movies.
Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu get all the attention, but there are plenty of websites offering free, legal TV shows and movies without a subscription. You’ll have to put up with ads, of course, but free is free and you can watch in your browser or on your TV.
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Most of these services are only available to US viewers, although we do note which ones are available outside of that area. Of course, there are ways to access region-restricted websites from anywhere, if you want to go that route.
The Roku Channel: Free TV and movies, no Roku required
Roku is famous for its lines of streaming sticks, boxes and smart TVs. They also offer The Roku Channel, and you don’t even need a Roku device to watch it. A free account gives you ad-supported access to movies like Braveheart and Pleasantville, as well as TV shows like Kitchen Nightmares and 3rd Rock From The Sun.
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The Roku Channel is of course offered on Roku devices, but it is also available on both your desktop and mobile browser. There’s even support for non-Roku streaming boxes, including Amazon’s FireTV and Apple TV with AirPlay. Samsung Smart TVs are also supported. Learn more about compatibility here.
Crackle: Sony’s forgotten streaming service
Crackle has always existed, but it is still relatively obscure. It’s odd because it offers solid TV shows like Seinfeld and Community alongside movies like Gattaca and Stranger Than Fiction.
You can watch using your browser, mobile apps, and on most smart TVs, streaming devices, and even game consoles. Check out the full list here.
PopcornFlix: Tons of Free Movies
You probably haven’t heard of PopcornFlix. Almost no one did. But this ad-supported service offers movies like True Grit (the 2010 remake), Zodiac, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. There’s also a bunch of TV shows, including 90s kids stuff like Inspector Gadget, The Legend of Zelda and The Weird Al Show.
You can watch PopcornFlix in your browser right now. You can also watch on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon FireTV, XBox, iPhone/iPad and Android; find links here.
Pluto.TV: Internet surfing channel
Pluto.TV is a bit different from the other options we discussed. Rather than providing an on-demand list of titles, Pluto.TV offers “channels” that are showing certain things right now. It’s more like a channel change with conventional TV providers.
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There are usually several movies on, and there’s a channel that constantly airs episodes of Mystery Science Theater. Other channels offer old TV shows, nature documentaries, classic cartoons and more. Dive in and see what you can find.
You can watch using your browser, using dedicated mobile apps for Android and iPhone/iPad, and on streaming devices such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon FireTV and Chromecast. See the full list of supported devices here.
Xumo.TV: News, Sports and Entertainment (US and Canada)
Xumo.TV is similar to Pluto.TV, but it seems to focus more on news here. You’ll see news reruns from major sources like CBS and MSNBC. There is also live access to Bloomberg and a bunch of channels that collect stuff from around the web. Like Pluto.TV, the idea is to bring channel browsing to the browser.
Soon: Watch Free TV Online Now with Xumo.TV
This service works in the US and Canada, but where you are will determine which channels you can get. You can watch in your browser, or on Android and iPhone/iPad using dedicated apps. There is also support for smart TVs and Roku. Check this list to learn more.
Tubi: More Movies and TV Shows
tube is another on-demand service that most people haven’t heard of, but there’s some cool stuff here. You will find Saw movies and Bill & Ted movies. You can also watch Peep Show, a British classic and Everbody Hates Chris.
You can watch Tubi in your browser or using apps to iPhone / iPad, android, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV.
Photo credit: Conceptual photo
