Never Pay for a Movie Again with These 15 Best Movie Apps

Here is the list of the 15 best free movie apps to watch and download movies for free, and legally.

Looking to watch movies for free?  Why not! Everybody likes free stuff.

There are plenty of movie streaming apps that you can use without breaking the law or your budget. With the shift of movies from cinema and cable TV to the internet, there have been developed hundreds of movies apps including free and paid and number is just increasing. Netflix and Hulu are the most popular paid ones.

You can watch free movies on your iPhone, or iPad with no jailbreak or even on Android smart devices online and offline. These apps offer a wide variety of video content, movies, TV shows, dramas, news and sports completely for free. Although there are periodic ads throughout the movie or episode in some apps, but they’re no different than what you’d see watching TV or YouTube.

So how can you access this amazing content? Simply download any of the following app for movies for free on your iOS or iPadOS device and start browsing through the countless options available for instant viewing enjoyment!

Here is a list of the 15 best free movie apps available, including Netflix and Hulu. Whether you’re looking for classic favorites or newly released films, these services will give you access to hundreds and thousands of titles – all for free! a few of them have a dark mode on iPhone and Android.

You can download and install app for free movies on iOS (iPhone, iPad, Apple Tv) and Android devices (smartphones, tablets, android TVs), so you should never pay for a movie again in your entire life.

Bonus: Watch movies with Apple Music Sleep Timer. Within the Apple Clock App, there is an “Apple Music Sleep Timer for iPhone, iPad, HomePod and Mac”. Where you can set Apple music sleep time for a certain number of seconds, minutes and hours. When the set timer ends, iPhone, iPad and other devices automatically stop playing music and saves battery on iPhone and other iOS devices

The titles you can access from these applications include comedy movies, action movies, thrillers movies, horror movies, suspense movies, dramas, documentaries, and family films. There really is something for everyone.

So, without wasting time, let’s start with the very first app for watching movies for free:

1. Tubi

What We Love

  • Separate Movies list
  • Separate shows List
  • HD quality Films
  • Have a Kid’s category

Why We Avoid

  • Absence of sorting functionality for genre lists

Tubi is an app that offers tens of thousands of films and shows with easy mobile optimization. The app has almost all the similar features as the desktop website counterpart, including genre options, a search tool, and large movie covers for easy browsing. Once you’ve picked a movie, its description page will show important details such as release date, genre, duration, and similar titles. You can even give the app feedback by liking or disliking movies to improve future recommendations. Download Tubi on your phone, tablet, streaming devices, or smart TV to enjoy free movies anywhere!

DOWNLOAD FOR

iOS & ANDROID

2. Vudu

Vudu - app for watching movies for free

What We Love

  • Plenty of high-quality movies
  • Easy to find your favorite movie
  • Continuous addition of the latest/new movies

Why We Avoid

  • Free movies are removed most of the time
  • Signup required to watch movies

If you are looking for an app to watch movies for free then Vudu can be your second choice. The app is primarily known for its movie rental and purchase options, it also offers thousands of movies that you can watch for free with the occasional ad. Finding these movies is simple: just open up the Free Page from the menu or search for films labeled “FREE WITH ADS”. From there, you can browse by genre or see which movies are new this week, popular, or even all-time favorites.

Facing problems finding a popular movie within the app? No problem! You can also visit Vudu’s official website and search for a specific film to watch on your mobile device.

And whether you’re using an Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Chromecast, Roku, or Apple TV – Vudu has got you covered.

DOWNLOAD FOR

iOS & Android

3. Prime Video (Freevee)

Prime Video (Freevee) - apps for free movies android

What We Love

  • Includes trailers
  • Managed separate categories for movies and TV shows.
  • Categories are filterable for popular, recently added, and genre-specific movies.

Why We Avoid

  • An Amazon account is compulsory

Amazon Prime Video offers more than just its paid content. The app has a section called Freevee (formerly known as IMDb TV) that provides access to thousands of new movies and TV shows that can be watched for free. Freevee has an impressive selection of movies and TV series that are sorted into categories like popular, recently added comedy, drama, and other genres. You can even filter the results further by subtitle language or genre. Additionally, Freevee also features unique collections such as “Movies of the month,” “Culture Rated Black Voices,” and “Hispanic Heritage.”

DOWNLOAD FOR:

iOS & Android

4. YouTube

YouTube - Movie app download

What We Love

  • YouTube provides a list of countless free movies.
  • YouTube sends alerts when new movies are added to a subscribed Channel.

Why We Avoid

  • Sorting of movies or browsing by genre is not available

If you are looking for another amazing app for free movies on iPhone and Android devices then YouTube is a great source for finding free stuff like movies, dramas, talk shows, and other videos, although you may need to sit through some ads. You can search for individual movies or check out channels like:

  • Maverick Movies
  • Movie Central
  • Horror Central
  • Watch Movies Now!
  • Barbarella X: Science Fiction Movies
  • Sci-Fi Central
  • Movie Express
  • Timeless Classic Movies

These are the YouTube Channels that offer full-length films. To stream these movies on your iPhone, simply download the YouTube app from the App Store or Google Play Store and start watching. Additionally, devices like Apple TV, Chromecast, and Roku all support YouTube streaming if you want to watch on a bigger screen.

Bonus: Here is How to Download YouTube Videos on iPhone and Save to Camera Roll

DOWNLOAD FOR:

iOS & Android

5. Plex

Plex - movies app on iphone and Android

What We Love

  • Simple steps to create a playlist
  • Functionality to record movies and TV shows for later viewing
  • Users can set a maximum upload bandwidth cap.
  • Hardware transcoding added

Why We Avoid

  • Advanced features require paid/premium subscription

Get access to hundreds of free, full-length movies from every genre, as well as your favorite TV shows with the Plex app. No subscription is required for streaming your favorite movies and TV shows from anywhere and on any device.

With Plex, you can watch 300+ channels of free live programming instantly. From food to news, sports to kids’ content, there’s something for everyone in the family.

Stay up-to-date with news from over 190 global publishing partners, top local news sources, and trusted outlets like CBS and the Financial Times.

DOWNLOAD FOR:

iOS & Android

6. Pluto TV

What We Love

  • Movies are watchable on live TV.
  • Facilitates on-demand movies feature.
  • Compatible with almost all devices.

Why We Avoid

  • Re-watching a movie requires an on-demand feature.
  • Non-movie channel app that’s frustrating.
  • Only a handful of movie channels.

Pluto TV is a fantastic service that offers a range of free movies that you can watch on your iPhone or any other smart device. You can browse through their vast selection and choose from the latest releases, all-time favorites and popular genres. This platform presents an array of live channels dedicated solely to movies, so you can easily choose whichever channel you want to watch.

Pluto TV’s has a user-friendly easy to navigate interface, and the home screen displays a grid of channels featuring different genres such as comedy, drama, and action. There is also a search option that allows users to find their favorite shows or movies.

Despite movies and TV shows, Pluto TV also offers a selection of live channels, including news, sports, and entertainment channels. Users just need to create a free signup account to avail of such amazing services.

DOWNLOAD FOR

iOS & Android

7. Yidio

Yidio - apps to stream free movies

What We Love

  • Easily navigate to find free movies database.
  • Contains multiple filters to search your favorite movies or TV shows.

Why We Avoid

  • Require other movies apps to be installed on your device.
  • Most of the new movies are paid.

Yidio is another free movie app that can be downloaded on the following devices:

  • iOS
  • Android
  • Amazon Kindle

With this app, you can filter movies by various categories such as premiere date, MPAA rating, IMDb rating, genre, and even the apps you already have installed. You can also hide movies that you have already seen to avoid watching them again. However, it’s important to note that while Yidio doesn’t host the movies themselves, they will guide you to other apps like Crackle or Vudu where you can watch the films for free.

Yidio is a Streaming Movie & TV Guide app that offers, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, Showtime and over 100 plus services at one place.

DOWNLOAD FOR:

iOS Android & Amazon Fire

8. Filmrise

Filmzie - how to download free movies on iphone to watch offline

What We Love

  • No Signup is needed.
  • Wide variety of movies and TV shows.
  • User-friendly design.

Why We Avoid

  • No sorting option is available in each genre.
  • No control over the watchlist screen to remove titles.

With Filmrise app you can watch movies and shows for free. With new content added daily, genres ranging from horror to drama to documentaries, and categories like Book Adaptations, Political Thrillers, Shorts, Future and Musicals, you’re sure to find something that catches your eye. Even better: there’s no need to create a user account to start streaming titles, but if you want to keep track of what you want to watch later, simply add them to your watchlist.

You can install Filmrise on the following device:

  • Android
  • iOS (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV)
  • Amazon Fire TV
  • Xbox
  • Roku

You don’t require any credit card to sign up for Filmrise, just you have to bear a few advertisements less than cable TV. So, you can enjoy a seamless viewing experience on the go.

DOWNLOAD FOR:

iOS & Android

9. Kanopy

Kanopy - Best movie streaming apps  on android and iOS

What We Love

  • Ad-free movies app.
  • Includes a kid’s movies section.
  • Parental control.
  • Turn ON/OFF caption feature available.

Why We Avoid

  • You need a library card.
  • Limited movies genre.

Kanopy is an app that offers tens of thousands of free movies, but it requires a library card from a supported library in order to watch movies on iPhone and other smart devices for free. Once you have access, you can browse movie options by genre or search for specific titles. Each movie has its own rating, synopsis, and cast information listed along with it. The app also suggests related videos to help users find similar films they might enjoy.

Additionally, there is a special section called “Kanopy Kids” that only displays kid-friendly movies and offers parental control settings.

Kanopy works on various devices including

  • iOS Devices (iPhone, iPad)
  • Android smartphones and tablets
  • Amazon Fire tablets.

DOWNLOAD FOR:

iOSAndroid & Amazon Fire

10. Filmzie

Filmzie - how to Stream Films free movies on iphone

What We Love

  • Regularly updates new movies.
  • Multiple genres are available.
  • No sign up require.
  • Includes movie trailers.

Why We Avoid

  • Lack of genre sorting.

Filmzie is a highly popular and completely free movie streaming platform that was specifically created with independent filmmakers and small studios in mind. The mobile app is quite simple to use, with a smooth user interface that allows you to start streaming your favorite films instantly without the need for creating a user account.

While the usual genre categories are available on this app, Filmzie takes it one step further by offering unique ways of organizing its extensive collection of films. Whether you’re looking for top-rated movies on IMDb, indie cinema, short movies, or undiscovered gems, Filmzie has got you covered. Plus, their selection also includes movies directed exclusively by women.

While creating an account certainly has its perks – such as being able to add movies to your watchlist – it’s entirely optional.

This fantastic app is compatible both with iOS and Android devices making it easily accessible whenever and wherever you may be!

DOWNLOAD FOR:

iOS & Android

11. The Roku Channel

The Roku App - apps to watch free movies without paying

What We Love

  • Free movies are separated from paid ones.
  • Recommendations of similar movies you might like.
  • Offers live TV and on-demand TV shows.

Why We Avoid

  • Not an easy interface.
  • Lack of sorting feature within a category.
  • TV shows and movies are mixed.

You might want to check out The Roku Channel, a source to stream free movies. Though the app may not be visually impressive and resembles their website, it offers a variety of genres and does not require its users to create an account before watching.

On the app’s Roku Channel tab, you’ll find featured films and recently added titles as well as categories such as comedies, action movies, history flicks, and even titles that are not available on Netflix. Plus, their live TV area features channels with different movie options.

In addition to streaming free movies, the app also functions as a remote control for your Roku device and is compatible with iPhones and Androids.

DOWNLOAD FOR:

iOS & Android

12. Sling: Live TV, Sports & News

how to watch free movies online iphone with Sling Live TV Sports & News

What We Love

  • Watch 80000 plus on-demand TV shows and movies.
  • Includes 22 most popular US network channels.
  • Continue from where you stopped watching.

Why We Avoid

  • The app is not optimized and stopped working often.

Sling is a streaming service that provides access to live sports, news, popular shows, movies, and more at an affordable price. The service offers customizable channel packages, allowing users to select the channels that best suit their viewing preferences. In addition, Sling provides over 120K+ movies and TV shows On Demand, enabling viewers to watch their favorite shows and movies whenever they want.

One of the unique features of Sling is its DVR storage, which is included in every subscription. Subscribers receive 50 hours of DVR storage, which allows them to record their favorite shows and movies for future viewing. Sling also offers an upgrade option, DVR Plus, which allows up to 200 hours of recorded content.

For those who are interested in trying Sling, the service provides Free offerings that allow access to thousands of hours of live and on-demand TV shows without requiring a credit card number. For paid subscribers, Sling offers a range of trending programs and classic shows, such as Forensic Files, to keep viewers entertained.

DOWNLOAD FOR:

iOS & Android

13. Movie Anywhere

how to watch free movies on the iphone with Movies Anywhere

What We Love

  • 8000+ on-demand movies database.
  • It Supports 4K, UHD Streaming.
  • Add your favorite movies to the “My Lists” feature.
  • Watch later and share the movie list with other users through the Screen Pass option.

Why We Avoid

  • Disturbing ultra-wide display.

Movie Anywhere is a digital marketplace where customers can purchase digital copies of their favorite movies and television shows from various online vendors. The platform does not require registration, and users only need to pay for the movies they choose to buy.

Movies Anywhere include detailed movie information, such as a summary, IMDB rating, and cast. This helps users pick out what to watch. Users can also create personalized lists of their favorite films or share their selections with friends through screen pass links. With support for 4K, UHD streaming, as well as Dolby Atmos audio technology, users have access to high-quality movie experiences.

DOWNLOAD FOR:

iOS & Android

14. Crackle

What We Love

  • Huge collection of movies with captions.
  • Works on almost all devices.
  • No sign-up is needed.

Why We Avoid

  • Lack of advanced search tool.
  • Sort by popularity features not available.
  • Only fewer categories to pick from.

When it comes to free movie applications, Crackle stands out with its user-friendly interface that is both intuitive and visually pleasing. The search function allows users to quickly find the movie they are looking for, while the distinguished catalog presents movies of various genres including horror, comedy, romance, and drama.

The player itself is impressive with HD video quality and detailed movie info available at your fingertips. Simply hover over a movie title to see all relevant details. Plus, if you sign in you can quickly add movies to your watchlist with just one click.

Overall, Crackle is a top contender when it comes to legal free movie applications due to its exceptional UI, expansive catalog, and effortless playlist-building feature.

DOWNLOAD FOR:

iOS & Android

15. PopcornFlix

Popcornflix - top movie apps for android and iOS

What We Love

  • Shows short ads.
  • Popular movies database.
  • TV shows and movies are separated into categories.
  • Subtitle and language feature.

Why We Avoid

  • Unable to sort popular movies by genre.
  • Can’t sort trending movies.

If you’re a fan of action films from around the world, PopcornFlix is definitely worth checking out. The platform boasts an extensive library of great action movies, as well as exclusive content you won’t find anywhere else. One neat feature is the option to choose your preferred genres upfront when browsing. While it’s a free service, the video quality cannot be adjusted – although embedded subtitles are included for added convenience. Overall, PopcornFlix is a solid choice for those looking for action-packed entertainment without breaking the bank.

DOWNLOAD FOR:

iOS & Android

Final Thoughts

To conclude, we can say that the internet and technology have revolutionized the way we enjoy entertainment and developed countless apps for movies for free. With these, it’s easy to stream movies and TV shows from anywhere and at any time. With countless movie apps available on Android and iOS devices, anyone can access quality content with just a few clicks.

Among the many options available for free movie streaming, Tubi and Crackle stand out due to their vast collection of old and new movies as well as TV shows. If Spanish entertainment is more your style, Pluto TV could be a great choice. So go ahead, explore these free movie platforms, and discover your next favorite flick!