Everybody loves watching movies, but not everybody can afford the costly subscriptions of premium streaming services. If you’re one of them, don’t worry. There are many legal streaming websites available that let you watch movies for free. Though you will see ads, you can stream a vast collection of content without registering.
In this article, we are going to list the top free but legal streaming sites in 2025 that can grant you easy access to your preferred genres, from thriller and horror to romance and fantasy. You can also watch popular titles like Black Box, The Conjuring, La La Land, Damsel, etc., as well as other trending and newest releases.
Quick List – Best Free Movie Streaming Sites
Here is a run-through of the 21 best free sites to watch movies and shows legally in 2025:
- Bounce TV: A niche-based site that distributes only African-American content like Black Knight.
- CONtv: Best platform for comic lovers to enjoy animated content.
- Crunchyroll: Although it provides media that suits games and news lovers, it specializes mainly in anime shows.
- Fawesome TV: Impressive catalog of various entertaining content arranged according to their genres.
- FilmRise: Popularly known for its extensive collection of classical movies.
- Filmzie: You can trust Filmzie to stream legal content.
- Freevee: Offers many movies and TV shows, including hit titles like Point Break.
- Internet Archive: Gain access to hidden gems from the mid-1900s till date.
- Kanopy: With your library card or school email, you can stream legitimate content for your entertainment.
- MyBundle TV: Provides information on the best site to watch your favorite television shows.
- Plex: Binge-watch the entire season of any show without paying any fee or creating an account.
- Pluto TV: Get legal access to interesting TV shows and movies for free.
- Rakuten Viki: Pass the time with interesting animes, Kdramas, Cdramas, and other Asian content at no cost.
- Stremio: Entertain yourself with top-notch Hollywood movies without spending a dime.
- The Roku Channel: Gain access to Roku originals and movies from other premium sites at no cost.
- Tubi TV: A legal platform that contains media content from most of the major film studios, like Warner Bros.
- Sling Freestream: It has a user-friendly interface that lets you find your desired content without breaking a sweat.
- Fandango at Home: Majorly a paid service, but you can still enjoy premium content without a cost.
- XUMO TV: You don’t need to sign up for an account before you can dive into your movie time.
- Yidio: It’s a one-in-all platform where you are sure to find any movie and series available on other streaming sites.
- YouTube: Not only will you find short videos, but you can also stream hour-long movies and series from different creators on this platform.
How to Stream Safely on Streaming Platforms
Just because you are watching a movie from a legal site, it does not mean you are immune to online threats. That’s why you should take certain security measures before visiting any streaming platform.
Plus, many sites mentioned here, like Tubi and Freevee, are geo-restricted, so you will need a VPN to bypass these sites’ restrictions. Follow the steps listed below to start streaming content safely without restrictions with a VPN:
- Choose a reliable VPN service. ExtremeVPN stands out as the best in ensuring complete online protection. Our VPN safeguards your data with top-notch encryption and helps you break past geo-blocks.
- Download and install the VPN. Get the VPN app on your chosen device. We have apps supported for all Windows, Android, iOS, and Mac devices. Once downloaded, ensure you complete the installation process.
- Launch the app and connect to a server. Open the app and choose a server. For the best streaming experience, select a country like Switzerland, where copyright laws are generally more flexible.
- Start streaming. This post highlighted 21 amazing streaming sites for you. Turn on your VPN connection, visit any of these, and enjoy your favorite movies and series without any worries.
Additional security measures to take:
- Get an Antivirus: Since most movie websites display a lot of ads, they can contain malicious software and broken links. An antivirus proves to be beneficial here since it protects you by scanning and removing malware.
- Use an Ad Blocker: Many of these platforms have high ad annoyance, so it’s better to use an ad blocker like uBlock Origin or script blocker like NoScript when streaming. This will improve the page loading speeds and ensure an uninterrupted streaming experience.
Detailed List – Best Legal Streaming Sites for Free Movies and TV Shows
1. Bounce TV
Free (Premium plan of $3.99/month)
Lack of intrusive ads
Only distributes Afro-American content
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restricted | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99.7K | Low | Yes | No | Yes | 720p | Yes, to the US | Yes |
A legitimate streaming platform that also offers free access to users, you can trust this website to watch shows that won’t pose any legal issues. It doesn’t bombard you with many ads compared to other free sites. The streaming site also offers quality content; you can stream all their shows and movies in HD.
One downside of the site is that it only focuses on one niche, regardless of the genre. It only provides content that suits lovers of Afro-American content. However, this will not be a problem if you enjoy shows in this niche. It also includes a Schedule category that tells users the time and day a show will be uploaded on the website.
2. CONtv
Free (VIP membership for $6.99)
Simple interface
Focuses only on Comic-con
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restriction | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6K | Low | Yes | No | Yes | 720p | Yes, to the US | Yes |
Formerly called Viewster, Contv is not as popular as other sites mentioned in this post despite offering streaming for free. You won’t even be required to sign up for an account before streaming; you only have to visit the site, search for your preferred video, and stream.
Its lack of popularity can be due to its focus on one niche: CONtv majorly uploads content that falls under Comic-Con. Another reason is that the site is only accessible to people staying in the US.
Despite this, if you enjoy Comics, you can get a US IP using a reliable VPN service and stream as much content as you wish on Contv.
3. Crunchyroll
Free (Premium plan for $7.99/month)
Allows offline downloading
Not many subtitle options
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restricted | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24.8M | High | Yes | No | Yes | 1080p | Yes, to Canada, the USA, New Zealand, and the UK | Yes |
This is the perfect streaming site for manga and anime lovers. The streaming platform has a lot of entertaining content that goes beyond films and TV shows, such as news, games, anime, and manga.
The major problem with this website is its annoying ads. However, you can eliminate this problem by using a quality ad blocker that won’t affect your streaming experience with the website. Alternatively, you can subscribe to its premium service to remove the ads permanently.
Also, if you stay outside the US, you may require a VPN as the streaming website is unavailable worldwide.
4. Fawesome TV
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restricted | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25.6K | High | Yes | No | Yes | 720p | No | Yes |
FawesomeTV is another excellent choice for streaming top-notch entertainment content across several genres.
You can find shows about food, lifestyle, comedy, education, games, fitness, horror, and more on the site. It also has a user-friendly interface that lets you easily stream your favorite shows on your PC or other devices, such as Amazon Fire TV.
Fortunately, it organized its content according to its genre and subcategories, such as Trending This Month, British Drama, New Arrivals, Not on Netflix, and many more. You won’t need to register or subscribe to the platform to gain access to shows; new content is regularly uploaded on the site.
5. FilmRise
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restricted | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.9K | Low | No, but you can use it with ExtremeVPN’s split tunneling feature | No | Yes | 720p | No | Not in many regions |
FilmRise is one streaming website that offers hit titles without breaking any copyright rules. With a content library covering over 20,000 titles for your viewing pleasure, FilmRise is certainly not in the streaming business as a joke. However, it’s popularly known for its library of classical films and TV shows.
The streaming website sorts out its films according to genres, although this is only available on specific devices. Under a single category, you will find a lot of titles, from adventure and action to anime and kids’ shows.
You can even surf through the editor’s weekly playlists if you are unsure what to watch or are interested in something new. It also provides a Recently Played section that lets you keep track of every show and movie you watch.
Don’t want to stream through your browser? This amazing streaming platform also offers native apps for many devices, including your iPhone, Android phone, RokuTV, Firestick, and lots more. It has an attractive interface that will keep you glued to your screen for hours.
While it is a legal streaming website that offers shows and movies without infringing on copyright owners, its content library tends to vary according to the location. Even worse, it may not even be accessible in some countries. Fortunately, you can connect to a US VPN and stream FilmRise content from any location worldwide.
6. Filmzie
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restricted | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30.6K | Low | Yes | No | Yes | 1080p | Yes, to Germany, the UK, US, Canada, and Frame | Yes |
A transparent streaming service that offers movies and TV shows in full HD, all for free. Although it is an ad-supported streaming platform, it is still bearable. You may only experience a short ad playing at the beginning of your movie when streaming on Filmzie.
The service claims that the ads help fund their project and creators who upload content on the platform. And yes! You guessed right; its services are completely legal.
Filmzie’s content library is not as extensive as most sites on this list. This is because its library mostly uploads low-budget and unknown action and horror movies to its site. However, you may discover several hidden gems in the entertainment world without signing up for an account.
This streaming platform is available in many locations, including the US, the UK, Germany, and France. If you reside outside these countries, a reliable VPN like ExtremeVPN can help trick the site into thinking you are in any of the above locations.
7. Freevee
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restricted | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 108K | Low | No, but ExtremeVPN’s split tunneling will solve this | Yes | Yes | 1080p | Yes | Yes |
You may know of this streaming site as IMDb TV, as that is what it was formerly called. Freevee allows you to watch your favorite shows for free without breaking any legal law. It hosts content through platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Echo Show, Fire TV, Google TV, and more.
Amazon is the major owner and operator of this website. You will find Freevee’s original shows, documentaries, TV series, and movies from other channels. Although Amazon owns Freevee, you can’t compare Freevee’s content library to Amazon’s. For instance, Freevee has a smaller TV show and movie collection. But that could be the major reason they distribute free content.
This ad-supported platform is only available in the US through the IMDb app, IMDb website, and Amazon. Also, you will need to open an Amazon account before you can use the service.
8. Internet Archive
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restricted | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.9M | Low | Yes | No | No | 720p | No | Yes |
The Internet Archive platform contains more than just your regular TV shows and movies. It offers thousands of digital content in its public domain, including movies, shows, books, images, and more.
As the archive in its name implies, you will find TV shows and films on the platform ranging from the mid-1900s to the latest releases today. However, it offers limited video options when compared to other streaming platforms listed in this post. So, there is a possibility that you may not find the particular movie or TV series you are looking for on this website.
9. Kanopy
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restricted | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172K | Low | No, but you can use ExtremeVPN’s split tunneling feature | Yes | Yes | 1080p | No | Yes |
If you hear of its origin, you will be surprised that this site is part of a streaming platform. Established in 2008 in Scarborough by an Australian entrepreneur, Olivia Humphrey, the site was originally established to provide educational files for universities and colleges. However, that purpose has changed to it being an entertainment hub.
One interesting requirement of this site is that every user needs to have a public library card number to watch shows. Or, since the site was meant for universities and colleges, you can submit your school email address to register before accessing content of the site. Once you successfully create your account, you can watch movies for free in various categories.
Sadly, it does not have much content on the platform. But with the few it has, you can stream them without getting any ad interruption, even during playback. An appealing fact about this website is that its content is legitimate. Furthermore, you can use it from anywhere worldwide and stream on as many devices as you want using just one account.
10. MyBundle TV
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restricted | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22.8K | Low | Yes | Yes | No | 1080p | No | Not in many countries |
MyBundle TV makes your streaming adventure on different platforms easier. It introduces a different method of granting users access to free movies and TV shows. The service doesn’t upload any content on its site. Instead, it provides links directing users to where their desired content is available. So, you can refer to it as a movie directory.
You may wonder why this site is on this list when the service can’t be used to stream shows. However, the website can come in handy whenever you are looking for the best platform that is offering your preferred show. It will guide you on where you can find the show and how you can access it. Due to its detailed directory, you will surely find the media you are searching for, even in 4K video quality.
Note that not all movie links available on the directory are accessible to you for free. For instance, if you search for a movie like May December, it is only available on Netflix, meaning you have to subscribe to the site before watching the movie.
Regardless, this streaming website contains various movie niches and genres, granting you access to the entire movie market. You can use it as a movie hunt tool to help you get streaming services that match your preferences better.
11. Plex
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restricted | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.6M | Low | Yes | Yes | Yes | 720p,1080p | No | Yes |
A new player in the free streaming service, Plex has quickly risen to fame due to its large content variation. The platform lets you stream and enjoy a wide variety of movies, live TV streaming, and shows. All these are accessible for you at no cost and registration requirements. Apart from the service being a streaming site, it also doubles as a digital player on your device.
Using this service, you can easily access all the media content, such as your music, videos, and photos, stored on your computer. You just have to download the Plex Media Server software on your Windows, Mac, or Linux PC and stream your preferred content on the internet-connected device. But the platform displays ads, yet they are not intrusive and won’t divide your attention.
12. Pluto TV
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restricted | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3M | High | Yes | No | Yes | 480p (SD) | Yes | Yes |
Owned by ViacomCBS, Pluto TV is a free movie streaming site that grants you access to thousands of shows that are sure to entertain you. Even though the platform offers ad-supported media for streaming, you don’t have to worry about it as the site regulates them so that they won’t interrupt you.
So, if you are an avid follower of Comedy Central and feel like bingeing Nickelodeon shows, this platform has got you.
Pluto TV works slightly differently from many other streaming channels in that it does not display TV shows or movies for on-demand streaming. Instead, it offers only live channels, just like cable TV. To get started with Pluto TV, you will need to set up the app on your device. You don’t need to sign up before you can launch the app. It’s also possible to use the site on your web browser.
Note that the streaming site is only available to users in the UK, the US, and some European regions. Anyone who wishes to use the platform outside these locations will need to change their IP address to any of the countries mentioned above using a premium VPN like ExtremeVPN.
13. Rakuten Viki
Free + Paid plan of $4.99/month
Large content library
No filter button
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restricted | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2M | Low | Yes | No | Yes | 720p | Yes, to the USA | Yes |
Rakuten Viki is the home ground for any Asian show you want to watch. Despite its premium subscription package, it offers a free plan that houses movies from China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. As a bonus, the site allows you to stream these interesting shows without creating an account.
The streaming site boasts over 30 million visitors monthly. This could be because the site ensures that all its content is properly subtitled in over 150 languages. So, even if you are an English or French speaker, you can still enjoy a Chinese drama by downloading the movie subtitles that coincide with your spoken language.
You also get to interact with other people in the Viki community by commenting and giving feedback on each show you stream. Furthermore, the platform provides a Learn mode feature, which teaches non-native speakers who wish to learn Japanese, Korean, and Chinese.
Although the site looks professional, you won’t find a filter button for its free movies. That means you will have to scan its entire library to search for whatever media you want. Despite the stress you get searching for your preferred movie, you will be compensated with HD streaming quality.
The site won’t work unless you turn off your ad blocker, if you have one turned on. However, you will need a VPN to access this site because it is only available to people residing in the US.
14. Stremio
Free
Hosts a large library of Hollywood content
Limited amount of add-ons
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restricted | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 386.3K | High | Yes | No | Yes | 720p, 1080p | No | Yes |
Stremio is another popular movie streaming site that lets you watch content through addons. It has an extensive content library containing most of the recognized Hollywood titles and TV networks. Millions of users visit the site daily to stream their favorite TV shows and free movies.
This can be because the site made its interface very easy to navigate through by organizing every media into various subcategories. Also, it has a Discover tab that allows you to search for the content you wish to watch.
You can stream Stremio on your web browser, but it also has an app. Apart from films and TV shows, you will find web channels, TV channels, podcasts, and sports for your entertainment. However, don’t forget that Stremio does not own any of the content it displays on its platform.
It is only a space that combines content from different streaming platforms for your streaming pleasure. So, make sure to only download official add-ons and use them rather than any third-party or illegal apps.
15. The Roku Channel
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restricted | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 407.3K | Low | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1080p | Yes, to the US | Yes |
Any fan of Roku will surely benefit from this streaming site, which lets you enjoy Roku originals for free. Apart from its original content, you will also be able to stream short films and TV programs from other platforms without signing up.
The Roku Channel is an ad-supported platform that doesn’t let its ads disrupt your streaming. You can even install its app on your mobile phone if you want to stream movies on the platform without having to visit your browser every time. All the shows distributed on this platform are available for streaming in HD quality, which you will enjoy without experiencing any lags or buffering.
Apart from its films, this channel contains free live TV shows for you to stream. Its limited content library is one factor that places this site ranking behind most of the sites mentioned in this post. So, if you are a picky movie watcher, you may find it hard to select new content whenever you visit the site continuously.
Also, Roku does not work in all locations. So, if you try visiting the website and get the message “The Roku Channel is currently not available in your region,” all you need to do is connect to a premium VPN like ExtremeVPN and change your IP address.
16. Tubi TV
Free
Provides content from the major film production
Displays outdated content
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restriction | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.6M | Low | Yes | No | No | 720p (HD) | Yes, to the US, Canada, New Zealand, Mexico, and Australia | Yes |
Founded in 2014, Tubi TV is one of the best streaming sites that lets you stream free movies without the need for you to create an account. Fox Corporation is the owner of this VOD service. The platform houses thousands of free movies and TV series for you to binge, which makes it a great alternative to traditional cable TV. On it, you will find many blockbuster titles starring popular actors like Jennifer Lopez, Leonardi Di Caprio, Micheal Fox, and more.
Considering the list of actors mentioned, you are sure to find iconic movies like Kill Bill, The Aviator, Maid in Manhattan, and Teen Wolf on the site. You will also be happy to find old movies like Memento, The Passion of Christ, and All Dogs Go to Heaven on it.
Like most free movie sites, you can’t escape seeing ads while using this platform. Luckily, the sites won’t ruin your viewing experience. Besides, you can download the Tubi app on any of your devices as it is available on all of the popular app stores, including Google Play Store, Apple App Store, Amazon App Store, and Roku Channel List.
Tubi TV contains content from some of the popular playmakers like MGM, Paramount, Warner Bros, and more. You will even find movies of different genres on the show. So, you can choose to stream a horror or sci-fi movie today and watch a comedy series the next day. All its content is available in 720p, but you can still adjust the streaming quality between the available options on the browser app.
17. Sling Freestream
Free
User-friendly interface
Doesn’t offer offline downloads
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restricted | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2M | Low | Yes | No | Yes | 1080p | Yes, to the US | Yes |
Sling Freestream is another impressive movie streaming platform that lets you watch all your favorite TV shows and movies all day without requesting a dime. Because the platform is free, you should not be surprised by the amount of ads it displays. Sling TV launched it in 2023, and the platform has more than 500 live TV channels and over 40,000 hours of on-demand content.
Without an account, you can access content immediately. But create one, and you’ll unlock a 10-hour DVR. This feature, rare among free streaming sites, lets you record shows and skip ads. While Sling TV, Freestream’s paid counterpart, always requires registration, Freestream gives you choices. An account lets you create user profiles, get recommendations, and set parental controls.
Although the ads won’t interrupt your streaming, sometimes streamers get annoyed with ads placed inside site boxes. The site compensates for its constant ads with good video quality. We could watch on-demand content with up to 1080p video quality on it. We didn’t like that, although it has some new hits, many movies are older or lesser-known. Its availability is limited to the US only, so you will need to connect to a VPN if you are outside of the United States.
18. Fandango at Home
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restricted | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | Low | Yes | Yes | Yes | 720p | Yes, to USA audience only | Yes |
Fandango at Home, previously known as Vudu, is a Video-on-demand platform that offers paid TV shows and movies without any cost for most titles. Unlike many other websites, even its free plan doesn’t display aggressive ads.
Besides, it offers endless content in different genres, including documentaries, animation, and historical movies.
Many users want to buy or rent movies. The site sometimes asks you to rent or purchase movies to cater to such an audience. You can choose to disregard that and wait for the free version pop-up to appear. Despite your wanting a free movie, the platform has made it easy for movie lovers to rent digital content. So you can also decide to rent the movie for 24 hours or buy it unlimitedly.
Fandango at Home has app versions for iOS and Android phones and Windows PCs. It offers legal content, so you don’t have to worry about your local authorities when using this site. The only problem the website has is its geo-restrictions outside the US. But, just like other restricted sites, you can use a VPN to change your IP location to the US.
19. XUMO TV
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restricted | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75.7K | Low | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1080p | Yes, to the US, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany | Yes |
With XUMO TV, you can enjoy quality movies with no cost attached and registration. The site houses over 190 channels, so you never have a boring moment with its endless entertainment. The best part is that XUMO TV is entirely legal to stream. It offers live and on-demand videos; you can watch them on any device you choose. Although the site distributes legal content, it has a limited content library.
The streaming service can be used either through its web platform or by downloading its app on your device. Even though it is an ad-supported platform, you can still access a movie with just a single click.
However, it’s important to note that Xumo services are only available in Canada, the UK, the US, France, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Mexico, and Italy. If you want to stream on this website outside these regions, you will need to connect to a quality VPN like ExtremeVPN.
20. Yidio
Free
Supports many streaming devices
Requires users to create an account
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restricted | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 286.5K | Low | Yes | Yes | Yes | 720p | No | Yes |
Short for Your Internet Video, Yideo is a streaming aggregator that makes every video you want to watch across all your streaming accounts available in one place. This service lets you access its content through your Android or iPhone, web browser, and Kindle.
It also provides apps that can let you convert your phone, TV, or tablet into a mini home theatre. So, you can stream a movie while relaxing at home using the TV guide or when travelling with your phone.
Aside from the streaming content it gathers from your other accounts, Yideo offers its content for free. Even if you don’t have a streaming account on other platforms, you will still find something to stream on the channel. Some of the titles you may find on the site include Blitz, Hancock, Lionheart, Basic Instinct 2, Stuart Little, and National Security.
Yidio also has a convenient sorting arrangement such that movies are well-categorized according to several criteria, such as MPAA rating, genre, release year, decade, hosting site, and IMDb rating. Under its genre category, apart from seeing typical names like action and horror, it contains other catchy genres like Special Interest, Art House & International, Faith and Spirituality, Neo-noir, Indie, and Disaster.
21. YouTube
| No of monthly visits | Ad annoyance | VPN compatibility | Sign-up | Apps | Streaming quality | Geo-restricted | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4B | High | Yes | No | Yes | 720p, 1080p (HD) | No | Yes |
You must have probably heard of YouTube, one of the most popular sites for streaming free movies. The platform supports 4k streaming, offering a vast selection of movies and TV shows you can stream across various genres.
With YouTube, you can sign in using your Google account. However, no sign-up is required to watch free movies online on the platform. Unlike many other free options, the platform houses legal channels that upload movies and TV shows on their accounts. You can enjoy these free YouTube content on your phone, PC, TV, or tablet.
You can find videos on music, comedy, food recipes, tutorials, life hacks, pranks, game shows, and many more on the channel. Search up YouTube channels that upload movies that you can enjoy. For example, a channel like Movie Central uploads full legal movies across several genres daily.
How to Pick the Perfect Streaming Site
With the number of streaming sites available, you may find it challenging to choose the best one suitable for you. Here are a few tips that can help you select the perfect streaming source:
- Site reviews: Once you read the comments and reviews left by previous users on a streaming site, you can gain insight into their features, which will help you avoid sites tainted with bad reviews.
- Device compatibility: What’s the point of picking a website that won’t work well with your preferred device? The site you choose should be able to work on any of your devices.
- Content library: Before selecting a platform, you should confirm that it contains the content niche or genre you are searching for. For instance, you can consider adding Crunchyroll to your options if you are into Japanese anime and Korean dramas.
- Video quality and pop-ups: For you to have a fun streaming experience, consider a streaming platform that lets you stream shows in HD and won’t inject targeted ads into your browser.
- Legality and security: To avoid any potential issues with your local authorities, it’s best to avoid sites that distribute pirated content. Also, your chosen streaming platform should not store your online data or expose you to cyber threats.
- Simple interface: What’s the point of the site having all the factors mentioned above if you can’t figure out how to navigate it? That’s why you should choose a streaming service with an easy-to-use interface, with its content categorized and organized orderly. The site should also have a search and filtering tool that can easily find the show you are looking for in seconds.
Why You Should Avoid Illegal Movie Streaming Sites?
There are certain dangers associated with using free streaming platforms. Here are some of these:
- Illegal sites contain heavy ads and can infect your devices with malware.
- Most of these websites offer pirated content (content that is copied or distributed without legal permission).
- Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can terminate your Internet connection if they find out you’re engaging in piracy.
- In some cases, if you get caught streaming illegaly, a copyright agency may contact you and ask you to stop your actions. While this doesn’t happen often, if it does and you ignore it, you may face serious fines.
- Many of the free movie sites can track your data and sell it to advertising agencies, thus risking your online privacy.
If your country has laws against illegal streaming and downloading of copyrighted content. You could get caught for it. The feds are pursuing consumers within the US for this. 18 U.S.C. § 2319 sets forth the penalties for criminal copyright breach instances (i.e., violations of 17 U.S.C. § 506(a)).
In recent years, Congress has raised these penalties and broadened their scope. Statutory penalties fall under 18 U.S.C. § 2319. If a defendant commits their first violation of 17 U.S.C. § 506(a) by unauthorized distribution or reproduction, during any 180 days, of a bare least of 10 copies or phono records, or 1 or more copyrighted items, with a retail value of more than $2,500, the court can imprison them for up to 5 years and fine them up to $250,000, or both according to 18 U.S.C. §§ 2319(b), 3571(b)(3).
The legal consequences differ from state to state. Therefore, it’s better to stay familiar with and adhere to your country’s rules and regulations.
Why You Need a VPN While Streaming Online
Streaming sites let you enjoy your desired TV shows and movies from anywhere without looking into your wallet. However, when you stream on these websites, your ISPs and third parties can track your activities, which can compromise your privacy.
Additionally, ISPs often throttle users’ internet speed to reduce bandwidth usage, which may lead to buffering and interruptions. To avoid all this, you will need a VPN.
A VPN hides your IP from third parties so that they can’t trace your online activities. Plus, it helps you avoid ISP throttling so that you can enjoy content without experiencing slower speeds.
But, not all VPN services are reliable. There are many free VPNs in the market that claim to be secure; in reality, they are not. Most of them have weak encryption standards and lack security features like kill switches, DNS, and IPv6 leak protection. They also collect your data and sell it to third parties. Hence, there’s no such thing as ‘free’—you pay with your privacy.
Protect Yourself with a Quality VPN – ExtremeVPN
ExtremeVPN is the best pick among all VPN services that can guarantee the optimum online protection you deserve. Our robust VPN servers protect you while streaming online. Moreover, it helps you to evade geo-restrictions so you can watch content on any streaming website with an ultra-fast speed.
ExtremeVPN also has a strong Kill Switch that ensures your VPN connection drops every time your internet connection is terminated. Plus, with so many servers, switching to another one is easy.
Let’s look into ExtremeVPN’s features and why it is the ideal VPN for streaming on free websites.
Features
- 6500+ servers in over 78 countries
- User-friendly interface
- Robust security protocols, including WireGuard
- 256-bit industry-leading encryption
- No log policy
- DNS leak protection
- Allows 10 simultaneous connections with one subscription
- 24/7 online support
All of these above-mentioned features ensure that your private data won’t be exposed to unauthorized users, even if you are on a public network.
Moreover, ExtremeVPN provides dedicated applications for all devices, including Android, iOS, Windows PC, MacBook, router, and any streaming device like a Fire Stick. So you can choose to stream your shows on your phone or a big screen while staying protected. Also, with one single subscription, you can protect up to 10 of your devices at the same time.
Besides this, if you have any questions concerning the service, we offer reliable 24/7 live chat support to answer any of your inquiries swiftly. You can also take advantage of our 30-day refund policy that allows you to test the service without any risk attached.
What Freemium Streaming Channels Do I Need a VPN to Access?
It’s normal to be wary of free sites, as you are unsure of your data security when browsing them. Fortunately, there are some services that provide free plans to users, so you can use these sites without any cost attached. Here are the top freemium live TV services that you will need a VPN to access.
Australia
- ABC iView: This exclusive channel allows users to live and on-demand shows across several genres. You can find Australian dramas, documentaries, comedies, news, arts, kids’ shows, and many more.
- SBS On Demand: If you seek a channel that can transport you back in time to the good old days of classical movies or make you laugh away the time with top-notch comedy, visit the SBS On Demand streaming site. You will find that and more live shows on the site.
Canada
- CBC Gem: This streaming site contains an extensive library of trending and interesting programs from Canada and internationally. You will gain access to numerous shows, from sports and documentaries to movies and reality shows.
The UK
- All 4: Also referred to as Channel 4, the channel provides insightful content, which includes documentaries, comedy, and dramas. It offers on-demand movies for free, as most of its content is funded through advertisements.
- BBC iPlayer: One of the top channels in the UK that contains a vast collection of movies and TV shows, including every available show in its archive for UK residents to stream. There’s never a dull moment with BBC iPlayer as you will find every genre on the platform.
- ITV Hub: Enjoy award-winning programs across several genres on this premium streaming service. This includes dramas, news, sports, live TV channels, documentaries, and more.
United States of America
- ABC Go: Stream classic movies like The Lion King on the site. You will also gain access to live and on-demand shows trending on the ABC platform.
- Disney Now: Disney now offers full episodes from Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Disney Junior. Watch all your favorite Disney movies, play games, and enjoy short video clips, all at no cost.
- Fox: This online live TV service allows you to stream hundreds of sports, news, reality TV, and commentary without spending anything.
- NBC: NBC is the home of popular TV channels available in the US, like Peacock TV and Bravo. You will get to enjoy late-night shows, classic series, ground-breaking TV series, and more.
FAQs
