If you’re juggling multiple streaming subscriptions, here’s some good news: thousands of movies and TV shows are available completely free. We’re talking legitimate services with massive libraries, all ad-supported so you can keep your money. Ready to discover what you’ve been missing?

Tubi

The FOX-owned service packs over 40,000 movies and TV shows plus 200+ live channels.

• Best for: Reality TV addicts (A&E library!), classic movie fans, binge-watchers who want variety
• Ads: About 4-6 minutes per hour with 2-3 breaks per show. Lighter than most free services, though users report that ads repeat
• Content highlights: Tubi Originals, recent films, vintage TV series includign “The Twilight Zone”, kids programming, live news and sports
• Account required? No, but creating one (free) saves your favorites and lets you resume across devices
• Access: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Samsung/Sony/Vizio smart TVs, PlayStation, Xbox, iOS, Android, tubitv.com

Pluto TV

Paramount’s streaming service delivers 250+ live channels and thousands of on-demand titles.

• Best for: Channel surfers, sports fans wanting highlights, anyone who misses the traditional TV experience
• Ads: Users complain about repetition with the same ads playing multiple times within one episode with 3-4 minute breaks. Users also report that live channels are better than on-demand comment 
• Content highlights: Every “X-Files” episode (218 total!), all 49 “Survivor” seasons, dedicated genre channels, NFL and UFC content
• Account required? No, but creating one (free) lets you customize your channel lineup, save favorites, and track watch history
• Access: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, smart TVs, iOS, Android, pluto.tv

Prime Video Free Tier

Amazon consolidated Freevee into Prime Video in 2025, but the free content still exists!

• Best for: Anyone willing to create a free Amazon account, fans of Emmy-nominated originals
• Ads: Standard commercial breaks throughout
• Content highlights: “Jury Duty,” classic films, live local news channels, Amazon MGM Studios originals
• Account required? Yes, free Amazon account needed (Prime membership NOT required, though Prime members get access to more content)
• Access: Prime Video app on any device, Fire TV, smart TVs, streaming devices, amazon.com (look for “Watch for Free” label)

The Roku Channel

Over 500 live channels and thousands of on-demand titles—no Roku device required!

• Best for: Western fans, sports highlights lovers, fans of sitcoms and dramas
• Ads: Fewer than cable with about 5 breaks per 30-minute show with progress tracker. Users report the ad breaks as tolerable. 
• Content highlights: Classic TV (“The Virginian,” “Home Improvement”), live news, themed marathons
• Account required? No
• Access: Most smart TVs, streaming devices (even Amazon Fire TV!), iOS, Android, apps

Plex

A powerhouse with 600+ live channels and 50,000+ on-demand titles.

• Best for: Mystery lovers, international content fans, people who want live sports channels
• Ads: Frequent breaks (every 5-10 minutes). More than some competitors, according to users.
• Content highlights: “Murdoch Mysteries” 24/7 channel, “Prime Suspect” channel, NFL Channel, CBS Sports HQ
• Account required? No, but having one gives you personalized recommendations and watchlists
• Access: Nearly every device imaginable—smart TVs, streaming devices, gaming consoles, mobile, plex.tv

PBS and PBS Kids

High-quality public broadcasting content for the whole family.

• Best for: Parents seeking educational kids content, documentary fans, quality drama lovers
• Ads: None! PBS is ad-free, funded by viewers and sponsors
• Content highlights: 600+ PBS Kids episodes from 40+ shows, documentaries, “Masterpiece” dramas, live local station feeds
• Account required? No for basic access
• Access: PBS.org, pbskids.org, PBS Video app, PBS Kids Video app (iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, smart TVs), also on Prime Video

Xumo Play

Comcast and Charter’s joint venture offers 350+ channels and 15,000 titles.

• Best for: News junkies, Latino programming fans, anyone wanting genre variety
• Ads: Standard breaks. Half the ads of cable TV according to Xumo
• Content highlights: Local news channels, exclusive Lionsgate films (per 2026 deal), 26 genre categories including crime and westerns
• Account required? No subscriptions or logins needed
• Access: Smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV, iOS, Android, play.xumo.com

YouTube Free Movies

The video giant’s official free movie section gets overlooked but shouldn’t!

• Best for: Family movie nights, classic film fans, anyone wanting big-name titles
• Ads: Varies by movie. Some ads skippable after 5 seconds, others aren’t
• Content highlights: Hollywood hits, classics, family films—hundreds of full-length movies
• Account required? No, though having one helps with recommendations
• Access: Any device with YouTube—smart TVs, streaming devices, gaming consoles, mobile, youtube.com (navigate to Movies & TV > Free with ads)

These services give you access to over 100,000 movies and shows, 2,000+ live channels, and zero monthly fees. Most don’t even require accounts! The only catch? Ads, but there are still fewer than cable TV ever had. 

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