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Good free, legal websites for movies and TV shows include Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Plex. They are ad-supported, so you do not need a paid subscription but you will see commercial breaks. If you have access through a participating library or university, Kanopy and Hoopla add more options. PBS.org is especially useful for many public-TV programs, documentaries, news, science, and nature shows.
The right choice depends on what you want to watch: Tubi is a strong starting point for on-demand browsing, Pluto TV is best for channel surfing, Kanopy is the standout for ad-free library-funded viewing, and PBS is a good destination for public-TV programming.
Best free movie and TV websites at a glance
| Service | Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Tubi | Broad on-demand browsing | Free with ads; no subscription or credit card required |
| Pluto TV | Live channels and on-demand viewing | Free with ads; channel-style browsing plus an on-demand library |
| The Roku Channel | A mix of live TV, movies, and series | Free with ads; available on the web even if you do not own Roku hardware |
| Plex | Free live TV and on-demand titles | Free with ads; an account is optional for free content but adds features |
| Kanopy | Films, documentaries, classics, and educational viewing | Ad-free for eligible users through a participating library or university; access limits vary |
| Hoopla | Library-card access to movies and TV | No subscription for eligible cardholders; availability depends on the library |
| PBS.org | Public-TV shows, news, documentaries, and science | Many videos are free, but availability and viewing windows vary |
1. Tubi: a straightforward free on-demand option
Tubi is a good first stop if you want to browse movies and TV shows in a familiar on-demand format rather than choose from a live channel schedule. Tubi says its catalog includes thousands of movies and TV shows from studios including Paramount, Lionsgate, and MGM.
You do not need a subscription or credit card to use its free service. The trade-off is advertising: Tubi is free because commercials appear during playback. Catalog availability can change, so treat its current selection as a browsing opportunity rather than a permanent promise that a particular movie or season will remain available.
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Choose Tubi if: you want a large, simple, free catalog and do not mind ads.
2. Pluto TV: best for channel surfing
Pluto TV combines hundreds of free live channels with thousands of on-demand movies and TV shows. Its channel guide makes it useful for people who like turning on the TV and finding something already playing, while its on-demand section is better when you have a specific type of program in mind.
Pluto TV is ad-supported, so “free” does not mean uninterrupted viewing. Channel lineups and on-demand rights can vary by location and change over time.
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3. The Roku Channel: free viewing with or without Roku hardware
The Roku Channel offers free TV series, movies, and live streaming channels. Despite its name, you do not necessarily need a Roku streaming player or Roku television to use its web-based service. That makes it worth checking even if you watch on a computer.
Its free catalog is ad-supported. The service may also display content or features that belong to other offerings, so check that a title is labeled free before starting it. As with every ad-supported service, the available titles and live channels are subject to change.
Choose The Roku Channel if: you want one place to browse both live channels and on-demand entertainment, whether or not you own Roku equipment.
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4. Plex: free live TV and on-demand entertainment
Plex provides free, ad-supported on-demand movies and TV shows as well as free live TV. An account is not required for its free content, although creating one can provide features such as a watchlist and a more personalized experience.
Plex also offers other media-server products and optional features, so do not confuse its free streaming catalog with paid Plex offerings. You can start with the free section without subscribing. The title selection, live channels, and regional availability may change.
Choose Plex if: you want both free live channels and on-demand titles, with the option to use account features.
5. Kanopy: the best ad-free option for eligible library users
Kanopy is different from the services above because access is typically funded by a participating public library or university. For eligible users, it is a particularly good source of films, documentaries, independent cinema, classics, and educational programming—and Kanopy describes its viewing experience as ad-free.
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You generally need to find a participating library or sign in through an eligible university. A library card by itself does not guarantee access: participation, available titles, and viewing allowances are determined by the institution. Some libraries use monthly viewing tickets or other limits, and collections can differ substantially from one library to another.
To check, visit Kanopy and look for the option to find your library. If your local library is not listed, ask the library whether it provides Kanopy or another streaming service.
Choose Kanopy if: you value ad-free viewing and are interested in serious films, documentaries, classics, or educational content.
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6. Hoopla: another library-card route to movies and TV
Hoopla lets eligible library cardholders borrow or stream digital media, including movies and TV programs, without a separate subscription. It can be a useful complement to Kanopy because the two services have different participating institutions and collections.
Hoopla is not available through every library. Your library determines whether it offers the service, which titles are licensed, and whether borrowing limits apply. Check your library’s website or Hoopla’s eligibility process before relying on it for a specific movie or series.
Choose Hoopla if: your library offers it and you want another legal source of movie and TV borrowing without paying for a streaming subscription.
7. PBS.org: a strong source for public-TV programming
PBS.org and the free PBS app are especially useful for many current PBS episodes, including news, documentaries, science, nature, public affairs, and educational programming. Many videos can be watched without paying or creating an account. Programs such as PBS NewsHour and Frontline are examples of the type of public-TV content commonly available through PBS’s digital platforms.
There are important limits. Some content is reserved for PBS Passport, the member benefit associated with participating PBS stations. Many new episodes are also available free only for a limited time. Local livestream and on-demand availability can depend on your PBS station and location.
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How to choose the right free service
- Want a specific movie? Search Tubi, The Roku Channel, Plex, and Pluto TV’s on-demand sections first. If you have a library card, check Kanopy and Hoopla as well.
- Want something live? Try Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, or Plex. Their live-channel features are closer to traditional television than a standard on-demand library.
- Want fewer interruptions? Check Kanopy if your public library or university participates. Its eligible-user experience is ad-free, though viewing allowances may apply.
- Want documentaries, news, or science? Start with PBS.org, then check Kanopy for additional documentary and educational choices.
- Do not want to create an account? Tubi does not require a subscription or credit card, and Plex says an account is not required for its free content. Other services may offer more features after sign-in.
What “free” means on these websites
There are three different access models in this list:
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- Ad-supported free streaming: Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Plex show advertising in exchange for free access.
- Library- or university-funded access: Kanopy and Hoopla are free to eligible users, but participation and usage limits depend on the institution.
- Public-media access: PBS makes many programs available at no charge, while some content requires PBS Passport or is available only during a limited window.
None of these models guarantees that a particular title will always be available. Streaming rights expire, services rotate catalogs, libraries change their collections, and local PBS access can differ by station.
How to watch on a computer or TV
A web browser is enough for viewing on a laptop or desktop. Most of these services also provide apps for compatible smart TVs, streaming devices, phones, tablets, and game consoles, but the exact device list varies by service and region.
If you want to watch on a television without built-in support, a compatible streaming device can make the setup easier. An Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is one optional TV-viewing accessory to consider. It is not necessary for computer viewing, does not make a paid service free, and does not unlock titles that are unavailable in your region or through your account. Check each service’s current app support before buying hardware.
Basic setup checklist
- Open the service’s official website or install its official app.
- Confirm that the title or channel is labeled free rather than part of a paid add-on.
- Check whether sign-in, a library card, a university login, or PBS Passport is required.
- On a TV, search the device’s official app store for the service and install the verified app.
- If a title is missing, search another service instead of assuming the website is broken; rights and regional catalogs differ.
Staying on the legal side
Use the official websites and apps for the services above. Be cautious with websites that promise every new theatrical release or premium series free of charge, especially when they provide no clear licensing information, trigger repeated pop-ups, or ask you to install unknown software. A legitimate free service may show ads or require library eligibility, but it should not require suspicious downloads to play a movie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these websites really free?
Yes, but the access model differs. Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Plex are free with ads. Kanopy and Hoopla are free for eligible users through participating libraries or universities, while PBS offers many programs free but reserves some content for PBS Passport or limited viewing windows.
Do I need a library card for Kanopy?
Usually, you need access through a participating public library or a university login. Not every library participates, and the library may impose monthly tickets or other limits.
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Can I watch The Roku Channel without a Roku device?
Yes. The Roku Channel offers web access, so a Roku device is not required for computer viewing. Device and content availability can vary by location.
Are free streaming services ad-free?
The general-purpose services in this list—Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Plex—are ad-supported. Kanopy is the notable ad-free option for eligible library or university users.
The Bottom Line
Start with Tubi for broad on-demand browsing, Pluto TV for live channels, The Roku Channel or Plex for a mix of live and on-demand viewing, and PBS.org for public-TV programming. Then check Kanopy and Hoopla if your library or university provides access. Expect ads on the general free services, and verify availability before planning around a particular title.
