By: Sarah Chaisson-Warner
Watching films is one of the best ways to learn and hone the art of storytelling. Feature films – whether it’s a dramatic period piece, a campy horror, or a side-splitting comedy – can help a discerning viewer learn more about this visual medium.
Finding relevant feature films that are available for free, though, can be a difficult endeavor. And with theatrical windows getting shorter and streaming services more expensive, it can be difficult to watch these films on a budget.
So if you’re looking for a way to stream films for free, look no further. We have you covered with the top five best sites to stream movies for free!
1. YOUTUBE
YouTube is known as its own hub of great creative work. With filmmakers and creatives alike using the space to publish independently made content – like shorts – it’s no surprise that this platform has an incredible collection of films.
YouTube offers a variety of feature-length films for free watching with ads. They showcase titles in every genre, able to be streamed on any device for free! The great part about YouTube’s collection: you don’t even need an account! Simply, access the collection through YouTube’s tabs and start streaming.
2. KANOPY
For students (or avid library enjoyers), Kanopy is a perfect pick! The platform is free to access through your local library or, if you’re a college student, through your university.
Not every title is free, but the platform does allow you to enjoy a variety of movies free of ads and interruptions. The collection is provided by the library or university that you are associated with, meaning that the films available to stream are selected by the institutions. However, this also means that titles may change as new titles are made available. If you’re accessing the site through your library and a film you want isn’t available, you can simply put in a request for the feature through your library just like you would a book!
3. AMAZON FREEVEE
Amazon Freevee is a free streaming service providing on-demand movies and television shows. Amazon Freevee was formerly known as IMDb TV and includes both original programming and licensed content. While this streaming service is available free of charge, viewers do have to watch ads. Originally available as a stand-alone app, it has now been absorbed into Amazon’s Prime Video app, but still offers free feature films for viewing.
4. TUBI
Tubi is accessible on your TV just as easily as it’s accessed through its online site. The platform allows for the free streaming of thousands of films with ads. The site clearly and creatively organizes its huge collection into more than just genres, which allows users to explore their more niche film interests.
5. PLEX
Plex is accessible through most devices – TVs, desktops, and gaming consoles! Plex offers free streaming of a range of films with ads. The site holds over 500,000 films fit for streaming, right at your fingertips! When used in combination with the subscriptions you already pay for, Plex can even showcase the titles made available to you through your other services, making it easier to view all titles in one place.
Plex flexes more unique features like live channels and a ‘friending’ option. Using one of Plex’s many live channels, you can stream free movies that are showing live on the site. You can even connect with your friends to track what they are watching and hop on their stream to enjoy the film together.
Whether it’s for fun or to study great storytelling, these sites make enjoying films so much easier. And so much more affordable! If you’ve got a long list of titles you need to catch up on, do not hesitate to stream – for free – with any of these sites.
And if you’re ready to break into the screenwriting industry, consider submitting your feature script to the Shore Scripts Feature Contest! We are seeking emerging feature screenwriting talent across all genres.
Over the past fifteen years, we’ve built an unparalleled network of industry relationships, resulting in millions of dollars in spec sales, hundreds of writers signed and introduced to representation, and multiple films produced, including The Assessment, starring Alicia Vikander and Elizabeth Olsen, acquired by Amazon for mid-seven figures.
As the only contest with a dedicated Writer Development Manager, we provide ongoing, structured support while connecting our writers to a network of 300+ industry professionals. Submit Your Feature Script Today!
