The history of watching movies at home is a long one, evolving from 8mm film to broadcast to VHS to DVD to Blu-ray to digital downloads and, most recently, to streaming video. Streaming video services have taken over physical discs, broadcast and cable TV.
Of course, there’s still broadcast TV, which has one advantage over online streaming when it comes to watching movies: It’s free. Tap or click here to learn the best way to get free HD broadcasts in your home.
As for online streaming, the only way to watch movies for free is to pirate them, right? Not exactly. It is possible to watch free streaming movies legally. Not sure where to find them? We’ll help you out, starting with a fan favorite: Crackle.
Crackle
If you like comedy, melodrama, or 1980s action movies, Crackle is the free streaming service for you. Crackle boasts every episode of “Seinfeld” ever made, along with a series where Jerry Seinfeld interviews popular comedians of today.
Crackle is ad-supported and feels the most to me like a channel that plays TV movies all day. Not made-for-TV movies, though, these are the attention-grabbing movies that work well with Crackle’s ad-supported business model.
It’s supported on almost every device and can run all of its videos in full HD.
Popcornflix
The Popcornflix app lets you stream movies for free, from any of your gadgets. There are hundreds of free feature length movies to choose from.
The only catch is they are ad-supported, meaning you will have to sit through a few ads during a movie. But it’s well worth it if you’re searching for a free service.
The app is free to download and is available for both iOS and Android. Click here to get the Popcornflix app for Apple gadgets. Click here to get the Popcornflix app for Android gadgets.
YouTube
YouTube is a popular video-sharing website that has been around for over a decade. You can create your own channel and upload your very own videos and possibly become a YouTube star.
But did you know that YouTube also offers full-length movies? Even though you need to pay to rent the newer Hollywood blockbusters, there are some free movie options available on the site.
Just go to the YouTube movie channel to find those available for free.
IMDb
IMDb is the world’s most popular source for movie, TV and celebrity content. You can watch movie trailers, find out who starred in and directed your favorite films, and read critic and user reviews.
It’s also a great resource to help you decide what to watch and where to watch it. You’re able to check show times and even buy tickets to movies to the local theater.
If you’re not in the mood to battle the movie theater crowd, just stream a movie from the comfort of home. IMDb shows you all of the available movies to watch on Amazon Video. If you have a Prime membership, just click the link through IMDb and watch the movie for free.
Vimeo
If summer blockbusters are not your thing, check out Vimeo. You can discover amazing videos from the world’s best creators. You can even upload your own, all on your gadget.
Watch and share videos in HD, minus the ads. You can follow categories, channels and collections to have your feed filled with new content every day. You’re even able to save videos for offline viewing at a later time.
There’s also a free Vimeo app that’s available for both iOS and Android. Click here to download the Vimeo app for Apple gadgets. Click here to download the Vimeo app for Android gadgets.
Bonus: internet archive
When a film enters the public domain, it means that you and I own it! So where’s your copy of the classic “His Girl Friday,” with Cary Grant? It’s online at the internet Archive.
This site collects public-domain works, so it’s mostly classic films. Features, shorts, silent films, talkies, early cartoons and even vintage newsreels and advertisements are available.