8 iPhone and iPad Apps to Watch Movies for Free (Legally)
Credit: Shutterstock / Pixinoo
It seems every big company has its own streaming service these days. Whether it's Disney, Amazon, or even Apple, every company wants you to subscribe to their service and watch their movies or TV shows.
That's not necessarily bad. After all, having the chance to watch thousands of hours of content from your couch is amazing, but it can also get expensive.
Luckily, there is a way to watch movies or shows without spending a dime. Granted, these movies might not be recent blockbusters or the most popular shows, but you can still find hidden gems and cult classics.
The best part is that you can watch all of it from your iPhone or iPad. Whether you want to watch thrillers, comedies, or anime, read on for eight apps that let you watch movies or TV shows for free.
Tubi: Movies & Live TV
Tubi is one of the most popular streaming services, and for good reason. Not only does it let you watch all its content for free, but you'll also find original shows you won't find anywhere else.
For starters, Tubi has Live TV. With just a few taps on your iPhone or iPad, you can catch up on your favorite sports or recent news about your region. These channels are always on, so you'll find something to watch no matter when you tune in.
Moreover, there are also movies and shows available. You'll find some popular shows from recent years and some other more niche movies you didn't know you were going to love.
And if you want something to binge-watch, Tubi also comes packed with many different TV shows for every mood. You can watch dramas and sitcoms or learn to prepare a new dish with all the cooking shows available.
Another thing that makes Tubi stand out is its Tubi Comic section. As you can guess by the name, this section features a wide assortment of comic books you can start reading for free. You'll find old, classic comics and new titles you've probably never heard of.
Amazon Freevee: Movies/Live TV
As you can guess by name, you probably already know that Freevee belongs to Amazon. That already tells you how good of a platform this app is.
You probably knew Freevee by its original name, IMDb TV. Despite the name change, the app is still responsive and packed with many shows and movies.
OF course, you won't find titles like The Boys — that's exclusive to Amazon's other streaming service. However, you will still find original shows and movies from Amazon Studios. These shows are free to stream, and you won't find them elsewhere.
But if you don't want an original show, you'll still find many shows and movies you already know and love.
If you don't know what to watch, Freevee also offers live entertainment channels featuring different shows or movies. These programs broadcast shows based on genre and fanbases so that you can focus on your mood that day.
Crackle - Movies & TV
Crackle was one of the first free and legal streaming services out there, and it's still going strong today.
Because it's one of the most popular platforms, Crackle is filled with many different shows and movies. You can find thousands of options you can watch at your heart's content.
Like other platforms on the list, Crackle also features original exclusive content you won't find anywhere else. However, there are plenty of other popular shows and movies here that you may not see on other streaming services.
What makes Crackle stand out is that it also features a Spotlight Channel. This channel is curated by Crackle's team, and it features the best recommendations you can find on the platform. It's constantly updated as new shows and movies come along every month.
Pluto TV: Watch & Stream Live
Another solid choice for people who want to watch free streaming services is Pluto TV. This app stands out because of the number of shows, movies, and live TV channels available, all without spending a dime.
For instance, Pluto TV has over one thousand movies and TV shows for you to choose from, all of them for free. It's not just old movies or shows; you can find more recent films like John Wick.
You'll find everything from action to comedy. There's even a Spanish TV channel with many shows and telenovelas for those Spanish-speaking family members.
If you like watching something different, Pluto TV also features anime for free. You can watch shows like Naruto or One Piece whenever you want.
Pluto TV also comes with over 100 Live TV channels available 24/7. You can watch movies, shows, news, or even sports events without spending extra money.
Another thing that makes Pluto TV stand out is its Kids Mode, which, as you can guess, is a specific children's profile that only shows appropriately rated movies and shows for kids.
Plex: Watch Live TV and Movies
You've probably heard of Plex before and for a good reason. The platform has one of the biggest libraries of free content for you to try.
For starters, Plex boasts over 20,000 titles at no extra cost. You can find movies from the most popular genres to indie titles.
If that's not enough for you, the app also has news channels you can watch to your heart's content. Plex has news from over 190 global publishing partners, which means you can stay updated no matter where you live.
If you don't know what you watch, Plex has over 600 live channels, and you can tune in whenever you want. There are many different genres to choose from, but if you don't feel like watching something, you can still listen to it, as there are also music channels you can stream in a flash.
YouTube: Watch, Listen, Stream
When you hear YouTube, the first thing that comes to mind is probably cute animal videos or challenges from famous creators, but did you know YouTube also lets you watch movies and TV shows?
YouTube has a movie section that features many different movies at no cost. All of these movies are uploaded by YouTube, meaning they're legal to watch and you don't have to spend any money to watch them.
Of course, there are also paid titles for renting or buying. But if you don't want to spend any money, there are plenty of movies that you can binge-watch without spending any money. You might have to sit through a few ads, but it's worth it.
Crunchyroll
Granted, Crunchyroll isn't what it used to be when it comes to free content. Before, you could watch almost any anime on the platform's library without spending money.
Now, however, there are only a handful of free titles you can watch without actually paying for a subscription. Still, if you're new to the world of anime, Crunchyroll is a great place to get started.
While the free titles might not be the most popular anime shows available, there are plenty of great shows you can watch right away. There are also different genres to choose from, so you'll probably find something you will enjoy.
Of course, if you want to get the full benefits of Crunchyroll, you'll need to opt for a subscription plan, but until then, you can enjoy anime without worrying about spending a dime.
The Roku App
You've probably heard of Roku before, as it's one of the biggest companies in the world of streaming devices. But did you know it also has a digital app that lets you watch movies and TV shows for free?
As you can expect, the app is called Roku. It's primarily used to connect to Roku devices and use your iPhone as a remote, but there's also a section for The Roku Channel, a free streaming service you can access even if you don't have a Roku device.
Inside The Roku Channel, you'll find tons of movies and TV shows you can watch. Moreover, you also get access to many different live channels. These channels range from movies, shows, sports, and news. It doesn't matter what you're in the mood for; there's a channel for you.