The 13 Best Popcornflix Alternatives in 2024

While there are many free streaming services available today, most of them operate without hosting rights. Yet, Popcornflix was a free & licensed website that stood out because it had a vast library of content, including a nice mix of indie films and classic titles.

However, people started looking for alternatives since the site shut down due to its parent company, Chicken Soup Entertainment, facing financial troubles. Read on to learn more about this and explore the 13 best legal and free Popcornflix alternatives that you can try out.

The Best Popcornflix Alternatives (Free & Legal): Quick List

Short on time? Here are the 13 best sites like Popcornflix to watch movies online in 2024:

How to Set up a VPN on Sites Like Popcornflix

Here’s how to stream Popcornflix or its alternatives from any country using a VPN:

ExtremeVPN is a reliable VPN for streaming. It goes to extreme lengths to ensure you get the optimum security and privacy you need while watching movies and TV shows.

What is Popcornflix?

Popcornflix was a website owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment that offered ad-supported streaming videos, movies, and webisodes. It was launched in July 2010 and went into live beta in March 2011. The platform was popular for offering independent feature films, many of which came from Screen Media’s library – all for free.

In exchange for the free content, Popcornflix used to show advertisements. The sign-up process was straightforward. Since you don’t have to pay to watch their content, you can avoid sharing personal information like your home address or credit card number.

The service was also available on various platforms, so users didn’t have to worry about finding a way to consume it. However, the site was only available to stream in the US. To access the site from anywhere else, users had to connect to a US server.

13 Best Alternatives to Popcornflix: Detailed List

1. Tubi

Tubi is an ad-free video streaming platform owned by Fox Corporation since 2020. Its library collection includes about 47,000+ movies and shows and 200+ live channels. Every streamer prefers an easy-to-use platform, and that’s exactly what Tubi brings to the table. The platform offers content from many major studios, such as Max, Lionsgate, MGM Paramount, WB, and many more.

With its organized 77 genres, collections, and networks, you’ll always find something interesting to watch. Tubi has a lot of adult content that is not right for kids to watch. Hence, it made it controllable so that parents can activate parental control to monitor the channels their kids watch.

The maximum resolution on the platform is 720p, which is okay if you just want to stream on your mobile phone. Also, it doesn’t support offline viewing.

2. Vudu

Vudu is a video-on-demand streaming site that provides TV series and movies that can be rented and streamed. One of the standout features of Vudu is its high-definition (HD) video quality, unlike some other streaming platforms that offer only standard-definition (SD) content. There is no monthly subscription fee required. However, you have to pay for each movie or show you want to buy or rent.

You can watch these movies immediately or at any other time of the day. However, you have to view the rented ones within 30 days. And you have the chance to watch them countless times within this period. Another great thing about the platform is that you can use 8 different devices simultaneously for an account. This is specifically great for group or family viewing.

3. Pluto TV

Pluto is one of the leading TV streaming services that deliver hundreds of live channels and thousands of titles on-demand. The site is owned by Paramount Global and boasts over 68 million subscribers and counting. It partners with many nationwide content creators to distribute content on specialized channels. You can stream Pluto TV’s content on smart devices, mobile apps, and the web.

You don’t need to create an account to stream, but signing up does come with additional perks. When you sign up, you can add some channels to your favorites for easy access, pause an on-demand movie or TV show, and continue watching from another device.

You can watch a channel up to four hours ahead of its scheduled time from an iOS, Roku, or Amazon Fire device.

4. Crackle

Crackle is a free-to-use video entertainment network featuring full-length movies, TV shows, and original programming. From the library of legendary hits, you can watch free TV series, Hollywood movies, and originals on this platform, all without any subscription.

You can also sign up to set up an account that will allow you to stream with minimal ads and continue from where you stopped your previous streaming.

With its filter option, you can search different genres of movies, including all-time classics and fresh hits. The site has a vast collection of movies and TV content to choose from. You can also add your favorite titles to your Watch Later list. Your data on the site is encrypted, and you can request that the information be deleted if you want to quit.

5. Plex

Plex is a way to manage your media, and it has two main parts – the Plex Media Server and the new Plex app. The app replaces the old Plex Media Player. An interesting thing about this setup is that you only need to keep your media files on the server. Once you have the Plex app, you can access your media library on any device. To start using the service, you need to install the Plex Media Server app on your device.

Then, you can add your movies, shows, and music to it. Plex is a great option if you have a lot of media files but limited space on your device. It’s also a choice if you don’t like mainstream streaming services. Some people might even use it to share pirated content, but that’s not encouraged.

No matter the type of media file you use, Plex plays all. For audio, it supports FLAC, M4A, WMA, and MP3. For videos, it works with MOV, DIVX, HEVC, AVI, MP4, and MKV. It can also show images in formats like JPG, PNG, RAW, and TBN.

6. Kanopy

Searching for entertainment that suits a family – Kanopy has the right offerings for you. It features big content partners for documentaries and singles that are interesting and exciting.

The service was launched in 2008 to make content especifically for institutions, but it now has become a great free streaming site having several series and films you can watch on various platforms.

To use Kanopy, you need a public library card or a university email. Signing up is quite easy; you just need to enter your details to get instant access. The website is user-friendly, and the homepage shows featured content, newly added movies, and documentaries in different genres. Each movie or show has a page where you can add it to your playlist, share it, or even create short clips to share online.

7. YouTube

YouTube is the most popular video-sharing platform to stream almost anything. It’s easy to use and allows you to share content with your friends and family. It’s free, though, you’ll see ads. If you want an ad-free experience, upgrade to YouTube Premium for $11.99 for individuals or $17.99 for a family plan.

The premium plan also gives you access to original content, download videos to watch offline, and includes YouTube Music and Google Play Music. YouTube allows anyone to see your work in a cross-platform solution that works on desktops, phones, and tablets. If you have enough relevant and regularly available content to post, you can grow your channel to the point of monetization.

With the free version, you can watch movies, funny short videos, paranormal content, and so much more. Just type in what you want to learn about and select a video to watch. YouTube is a great social platform where you can find answers to questions you might be too shy to ask.

8. Yidio

Yidio is an excellent Popcornflix alternative to find free movies and TV shows online. It helps you discover where to stream them from different websites. Although the platform collects movies from places like Netflix, Crackle, and Fandango, not everything is free. Some movies need a one-time payment or a subscription to services like Hulu, Apple TV, or Amazon Prime.

But there is a free section that shows only movies you can watch for free. You can explore different genres like Romance, Horror, Comedy, and more. To make sure a movie is free, check its description for Totally Free. If you don’t see that, then it’s not free to watch. Instead of just showing content from one source, it links to multiple websites and saves you time when looking for free films and shows.

9. The Roku Channel

The Roku Channel is Roku’s streaming app, where you can watch unique content made just for Roku. It works like other apps, such as Hulu or Netflix, but focuses on what the app offers. It was launched in 2017 and has gotten better over time. The Roku Channel has 400+ free live TV channels, 80,000+ free movies and shows, and access to paid content.

Apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV have lots of great movies and shows, but they can be expensive. That’s where Roku shines because it offers free streaming with ads, so you don’t have to pay a monthly fee.

However, you might not find the newest shows as they are released. When you set up your Roku for the first time, you’ll see that The Roku Channel is already available. Just go ahead and explore.

10. Xumo TV

Xumo is a streaming service that organizes its content into about 180 different channels. These channels aren’t like the ones you get with cable. Each channel has some shows that are streaming currently and other content you can watch anytime, like clips, movies, or short shows.

You can find channels in categories like Comedy, Food, News, Sports, and TV & Movies. The biggest categories on Xumo are TV & Movies and Sports, each with 29 channels. The TV & Movies section has content from places like FilmRise and American Classics, but don’t expect to find the latest popular movies or shows there.

Also, on the Discover page, you can see all the channels and what’s currently streaming or coming up next. It would be nice to see more details about upcoming shows and how long they are. You can also filter channels by genre or sort them alphabetically and by popularity. When you find something you want to watch, just click on the channel.

11. Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is a site with the biggest collections of anime shows and movies that you can stream online. Users can choose from three Premium plans or watch a limited selection for free. Their Premium plans have more anime than any other streaming service. The only major series you won’t find are original shows exclusive to other platforms, like Netflix’s The Seven Deadly Sins or Hulu’s Tokyo Revengers.

Crunchyroll’s premium plans start at $8 a month for ad-free access to everything. You can watch Crunchyroll on many devices like iPhones, Android phones, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Samsung smart TVs, and media players. 

The site merged with Funimation recently, further increasing its anime library. If you already have a Funimation account, you can log in to Crunchyroll and access your membership there.

12. Fawesome

Fawesome is a great movie website where you can enjoy 100,000+ movies and TV shows, all for free. It allows you to stream your favorite titles easily without signing up or subscribing.

The platform was proven to be 100% legal and contains ads while ensuring that your viewing experience is not compromised. Their collection is large and includes action, dramas, comedy, horrors, and many others, all at no cost.

Interestingly, you can enjoy content with iconic sets of people like Angelina Jolie, Stallone Sylvester, Nicolas Cage, John Wayne, Ryan Gosling, and some other stars. New movies are added often, so you can never be bored. Fawesome boasts uninterrupted entertainment with high-quality videos.

13. FilmRise

FilmRise is another alternative to Popcornflix that lets you watch movies without signing up. Since it’s free, don’t expect to see the latest big movies. Studios spend a lot of money to make movies, so they usually don’t give them away for free. However, over 50,000 films and shows are available on this site, including popular titles such as Hell’s Kitchen, Midsomer Murders, 21 Jump Street, and My Friend Dahmer.

The site sorts content by titles or categories like reality, classics, and documentaries, but it doesn’t suggest new shows based on what you’ve watched before. You can make a list of titles you want to see by adding them to your queue list, and you don’t even need an account to do this.

However, you can’t download movies for offline viewing, which some might find disappointing. You can watch FilmRise on most devices like Android, iOS, Android TV, Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, and Windows.

Is Popcornflix Legal & Safe?

Popcornflix was different from other streaming services because it was completely legal. While some sites might not follow copyright laws, the platform had proper licenses for all the movies and TV shows it offered.

However, despite being a legitimate service, Popcornflix wasn’t entirely safe. Like many other free sites, it had its risks. Because the site generated revenue through ads, users were bombarded with frequent ad pop-ups, leading to unintentional clicks.

The ads or links displayed on the site contained malware or led to phishing sites. Users could also expose themselves to potential data privacy issues caused by tracking cookies. Although the site tried to mitigate this, many users still landed on a malware-ridden page.

There are many websites out there that mimic the look and feel of legitimate platforms like Popcornflix. You could be exposed to malware or phishing attempts if you mistakenly access one of these fake sites. Hence, you must use a VPN and an antivirus to protect yourself on such sites.

What Happened to Popcornflix?

On April 23, 2024, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment announced a huge loss of $636.6 million for 2023. They warned they might have to shut down or file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy if they couldn’t find more money.

Then, on June 29, 2024, the company filed for Chapter 11 after missing a week of paying its employees and couldn’t get any funding. On July 11, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court changed its bankruptcy status to Chapter 7. Unfortunately, this meant it would have to sell off its assets and close down its businesses, including Popcornflix.

ExtremeVPN – The Best VPN to Stream on Sites Like Popcornflix

Streaming on free sites like Popcornflix without using a VPN can be dangerous because they show many ads. If you accidentally click on one, it might take you to harmful websites or spyware.

Even if you’re not worried about malware, it’s still important to keep your information safe from people trying to steal it. Also, say goodbye to slow internet from your ISP, as you can enjoy super-fast upload and download speeds without losing any of your data speed.

ExtremeVPN is the most reliable VPN out there. It’s secure and keeps your online activities private. With 6,500+ streaming-optimized servers in over 78 countries, you can stream videos without any lag. Its fast servers allow you to watch content worldwide while keeping your identity and info private.

You can also enjoy top-level privacy and security on all your favorite devices, such as Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, MacOS, gaming consoles, and Smart TVs.

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