Top 7 Trusted Sites for Free Movie Downloads in 2024
We all love movies, and these days it seems like there are more ways to watch than ever. Guess what? There are plenty of free options to watch some of your favorite movies too. We’re not talking about illegally downloading them, either. Still, you have to be careful. You’re asking for all kinds of trouble if you go to suspect sites claiming to have free films. Hint—there are a lot of them. Luckily, we’ve picked out some safe options for you, so you can enjoy free movies, minus the worry that you’ve just infected your computer with something rather nasty.
YouTube: Best Site for Popularity
Everyone’s heard of YouTube. Most of us already know how to access, navigate, and make an account for it if need be. In fact, you probably have one already. YouTube has a few different options in terms of watching movies. You can pay to watch and download a movie through their site, but If you don’t mind a few ads, there are tons of free titles from all genres, ready to watch when you are. That said, if you want to actually download them, you’ll need to have rented or purchased them first.
Crackle: Best Site for Original Content
Crackle certainly has plenty of movies and TV series you already know and love, but it also has some original programming as well. One particularly nice aspect of the site is that it’s available on several platforms so you can access it easily through devices like your PlayStation, Roku, Google TV, and more. Signing up is free and it has a good variety. That said, you will need to sit through a few ads first, and downloading the actual movie isn’t really an option. You’ll need to stream it, instead.
Library of Congress: Best for a Blast from the Past
Did you know you can download films from the Library of Congress? These won’t be your typical popcorn movies where you can tune in and watch the special effects fly, but they are culturally and historically significant. Enough so that they’ve been added to the National Film Registry as being important enough to preserve. A lot of the films are short, but there are plenty of unexpected treasures, most of which are available to download as 5mb MP4s and 422 MOV.
Roku: Best for Convenience
In case you didn’t already know, a Roku is a device or Smart TV that enables you to access all your streaming apps in one place. Crackle, Tubi, YouTube, and so many more. The best part is it has its own streaming channel, Roku Channel, with tons of free content. Not only can you stream movies through the apps we’ve already covered, but you get original content through Roku itself. Not too shabby. Want tips about your Roku device? Here’s how to fix your Roku remote.
Tubi TV: Best for Variety and Selection
Tubi is owned by Fox, so it’s definitely legit. In exchange for watching ads, you get access to a huge database of free movies, with new titles being exchanged every month, keeping your selection fresh. They have international and original content too, plus channels with news, sports, and topic-specific channels with popular TV shows. The cons are that the video resolution isn’t quite as high as other streaming services and the catalogue can be a bit dated.
Amazon Prime Video: Best Perk for a Service You Probably Have Already
Ok, this one isn’t technically free but it’s definitely a perk of a service that many consider well worth the money. If you use Amazon a lot, paying their annual membership fee will quickly recoup the costs thanks to free shipping, Prime Member Deals (such as at Whole Foods), and access to streaming services like Amazon Music and Prime Video. So no, the streaming service isn’t technically free, but it’s a major bonus to a multifaceted service that a lot of people desire. Now, on to the movies part. Prime has tons of movies. Tons! And they’re always coming out with new offerings and original content. The nice thing? You can absolutely download these to watch offline.
Amazon Freevee: Best Completely Free Amazon Product
Unlike Prime, which requires a membership, Freevee is completely free, just like the name says. In fact, you don’t even have to create an account to watch it, though it does help improve your user experience if you do through things like suggestions and saving your place if you’re in the middle of watching something. Freevee is currently working on expanding their original content, but there are plenty of older favorites to enjoy. No, the catalogue isn’t as extensive as some paid-for streaming services, but there is still plenty to keep you entertained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I actually download free movies?
The answer to this is…sometimes. Public domain movies, like those from the Library of Congress, are free to download. That’s because they’re outside the realm of copyright laws. Most movies, however, are still protected and so are only available to download after paying a fee of some kind. Streaming services that require memberships are one way to download such media, because you’re financially compensating the creators of the work through authorized sites. Note, there will be lots of articles out there about how to use movie downloader apps, but these are very rarely legal.
How do I know a streaming site is legit?
There are plenty of skeevy sites out there claiming to have free movies only to either be illegal, full of malware, or both! So do thorough research before you go clicking on things that will make you regret it. In this case, we’ve done the homework for you, sticking with mainstream options that are tried, true, and safe.
Are there other ways to get access to free movies?
Ok, this is gonna blow your mind. Ready? Libraries. That’s right. There’s a good chance your local library has movies to check out, just as you would with a book. No, these aren’t all educational videos either, we’re talking actual Hollywood productions. Popular ones! In many cases, these will be in DVD and Blue-ray format but libraries that are more with the times might actually have streaming services you can access with your library account! Why pay for streaming when the library can do it for you?
Now you know all the best ways to watch movies for zip, nada, zilch. That said, there’s plenty of streaming platforms you can try before you buy. Here are some tips on which streaming services come with free trials.