Here you will find the review and comparison of top Free Movie Apps. Select the best movie app for watching movies online:
There was a time not long ago when we waited with bated breath to catch our favorite movies being aired on cable television on a fixed schedule.
If for some reason you couldn’t make it to your television in time, chances are you missed parts of or the entire movie altogether. Suffice to say, the days of traditional TV broadcasting weren’t kind to us movie fans.
Table of Contents:
Review of Top Free Movie Apps
Fortunately, we now live in a world with an evolved entertainment industry dominated by the likes of OTT and streaming sites. Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and more recently Disney Plus, have made access to all kinds of movies, both old and new, extremely convenient.
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If you wish to watch a movie, you simply open one of these platforms on your desktop or mobile and enjoy an uninterrupted HQ movie-watching experience anytime and anywhere you like. There is no shortage of content to glue your eyes to today with movie apps such as the ones mentioned above. However, even they have their limitations.
Despite having huge libraries, it is impossible for OTT platforms to possess a limitless catalog of movies. Chances are you might not find the movie you are looking for when browsing through their catalog. As such, it is important to diversify your options and instantly switch to a different movie app to find your favorite movies to stream.
In this article, we will acquaint you with a pretty long list of free movie apps that will satisfy the cinephile in you.
Pro-Tips:
- A user-friendly UI that is easy to navigate is a must-have for movie apps.
- The app should harbor movies in neatly organized categories based on their genres.
- Advanced filter options that make finding movies simple on the basis of their genre, release date, cast, etc. is a must
- The app should facilitate viewing movies in both HD and SD quality as well for users with a subpar internet connection
- An app that allows offline viewing is a huge bonus.
- The app should allow users to continue watching their videos from the moment they previously paused.
List of the Best Free Movie Apps
Enlisted below are some popular apps to watch movies for free:
- 123movies
- Tubi TV
- Crackle
- Popcornflix
- Vudu
- Pluto TV
- Filmrise
- Plex
- Viki
- Sling TV
- Movies Anywhere
Comparing Some of the Top Movie Apps
| Name | Best For | Best Features | Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 123movies | Movies from many regions and genres. | • Easy search • 100% free • Trending movies |  |
| Tubi TV | Organized Movie Library | • Clean Design • No registration or sign-up required • Good catalog of old and new content • Kids dedicated section • Network news programming | |
| Crackle | Modern, Sleek UI | • The sleek, minimalistic design • The built-in video player • Option to create a playlist with ‘watch later’ feature • Comprehensive search mechanism | |
| PopcornFlix | International Action Movie Library | • Intuitive Interface with Convenient Content Filtering • A good library of international action films • Embedded subtitles. • Exclusive content | |
| Vudu | Rent and Buy Digital Content | • The Advanced Filtering • 3D and 4K Streaming • Early Access to New Releases |  |
| Pluto TV | Spanish Language Content | • The Simple UI • Stand-Up Specials • Full-Season of TV Shows • News and Live Sports Broadcast |  |
Detailed review:
#1) 123movies
Best for movies from many regions and genres.
123movies is a free, very popular, and demanded movie streaming application. The best part about it is that it is very simple and offers quick search options. You can look for a movie from a particular region or in a specific genre.
They are offering free content in HD quality, but you will have to bear the troublesome ads. You will also get suggestions for movies that are currently Top Favourites, have Top Ratings, and more. The original 123movies site does not work anymore; they are the clones that are working with its name.
What we like:
- HD quality movie/TV shows streaming
- Advanced search options like searching for a specific genre or region
- Easy-to-use interface
- No registration required
What we don’t like:
- Intrusive ads
Verdict: 123movies offers a good deal of movies at absolutely no cost. It is probably one of the most popular free movie streaming sites out there. The ads and pop-ups you see on the site can be malicious so be very careful. It would be good if you use a trustable anti-virus in your device, for accessing such sites.
Price: Free
Check our 123movies Alternatives
#2) Tubi
Best for organized movie library.
Tubi is yet another movie app that brings the movie-watching experience straight to your Android and iOS devices. The best part, of course, is you don’t pay a dime. The app offers a massive library of movies and TV shows, organized according to their genres. Aside from general entertainment, Tubi also has a dedicated section for kid’s content.
You will also find straight streams coming from popular mainstream news networks like ABC News, Fox News, NBC News, etc. Aside from genre categorization, we also like how the library organizes itself based on recently added titles, new releases, Leaving Soon, etc.
What We Like:
- Clean design.
- No registration or sign-up is required.
- Good catalog of old and new content.
- Kids dedicated section.
- Network news programming.
What we don’t Like:
- Video can buffer occasionally.
Verdict: Tubi is considered to be a pinnacle of free online content distribution. The site with its professional, clean design is extremely simple to use. You will have absolutely no problem finding the titles you seek to watch, thanks to Tubi’s well-organized movie library. It is undoubtedly one of the best apps to watch movies for free.
Further Reading => Most Popular Alluc Movie Alternatives
Price: Free
Download:
#3) Crackle
Best for sleek, modern UI.
Crackle greets you with arguably the best UI we’ve seen of any legal free movie application. You’ll instantly find what you are looking for because of the intuitive master search text box and a home page of a well-curated movie catalog.
All movies here are categorized based on their genre. The app is home to all kinds of movies. From horror to comedy and romance to drama, you’ll find it all here.
The player itself is quite spectacular, allowing users to watch videos of HD quality. You also don’t need to open a video to know about the movie’s info. The info appears if you simply hover over a movie title with your cursor on the interface. If you are signed in, the site will allow you to add movies to your watch list with just one click, thus helping build your playlist automatically.
What We Like:
- The sleek, minimalistic design.
- The built-in video player.
- Option to create a playlist with the ‘watch later’ feature.
- Comprehensive search mechanism.
What we Don’t Like:
- Lack of original movie content.
Verdict: Crackle has a massive library of movie titles, both old and new, which you can enjoy instantly by simply opening the app and playing the movie you like. As far as a free movie app goes, Crackle is definitely top-tier and one of the best free streaming apps.
Price: Free
Download:
Check our Crackle Review with Alternatives
#4) PopcornFlix
Best for action movies.
PopcornFlix has arguably one of the best libraries for action films on this list. You’ll find a ton of great action flicks from all around the world here. Aside from that, the platform is home to some exclusive movie, TV series content as well. We like the platform give you an option up front to choose the genres you would like to browse in.
The videos work just fine for a free service, although we wish the platform would give you an option to adjust video quality. The videos do come with embedded subtitles, however, so that’s a major plus in our opinion.
What we like:
- Intuitive Interface with Convenient Content Filtering.
- A good library of international action films.
- Embedded subtitles.
- Exclusive content.
What we Don’t like:
- Can’t adjust video quality.
Verdict: We would like to recommend PopcornFlix for hardcore action lovers. The platform is brimming with movies, action films in particular, from all over the world. There are ads, but they are bearable and do not ruin your viewing experience.
Price: Free
Download:
#5) Vudu
Best for renting or buying new releases.
Vudu is usually a place movie fans go to when they want to rent movies or TV shows to watch online. However, the platform also harbors an impressive list of movies, which you can watch for free, with the added caveat of advertisements, of course.
The platform is extremely easy to navigate, allowing you to instantly switch between genres, new releases, and exclusive content with just a click.
The best part about Vudu, of course, is its rental library, which gives you access to newly released content. You can currently apply for early access to critically acclaimed 2021 films like Candyman and The Suicide Squad via Vudu. The platform also has content in 3D and 4K. It is also a rare platform that allows viewers to filter content according to the Rotten Tomatoes score.
What we Like:
- Advanced filtering.
- 3D and 4K Streaming.
- Early access to new releases.
- Great deals on digital purchase of movie or TV show titles.
What we don’t like:
- Limited free movie library.
Verdict: Vudu has been a favorite of movie fans for a long time. It allows you to rent or buy movies online with just a click. It is also one of those platforms that allows you to filter content according to their rotten tomatoes score and it has a limited free movie library, however; we do like what free movies we get to watch on the platform.
Price: Free subscription. Pay for each individual movie.
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#6) Pluto TV
Best for Spanish language content.
Pluto TV is a must-have for people who want to experience live broadcast TV on their mobile devices. The platform harbors a colossal gallery of old and new content. It allows users to stream movies from 27 unique movie channels. You also get to enjoy over 1000 on-demand movie titles in a variety of genres.
However, Pluto TV’s best feature is its gallery of Spanish language content. The platform allows users to stream original as well as dubbed Spanish content from over 45 Spanish channels. Pluto TV is also home to some cult classics like the Child’s Play franchise, Predator, and more.
What We Like:
- The simple UI.
- Stand-Up specials.
- Full-season of TV shows.
- News and Live Sports broadcast.
What we Don’t Like:
- Ads every 10 minutes.
Verdict: We highly recommend Pluto TV for Spanish audiences or people who like watching Spanish movies and TV shows. The platform is also brimming with old cult classics that one can enjoy without paying a dime. Pluto TV is undoubtedly one of the best free streaming apps.
Price: Free
Download:
#7) Filmrise
Best for movie and TV shows from popular global networks.
Filmrise is arguably one of the largest independent distributors of movie and TV content across the globe. Their partnership with network giants like HBO, Prime Video, Showtime, and Starz, allows them to provide users with a plethora of quality content. The app is home to popular independent movies, cable TV shows, and documentaries.
You can easily filter content based on what you are looking for. Their film library is categorized into 4 main sections that entail new releases, featured content, documentaries, and a dedicated library section of content recommended by the people behind Filmrise. Its TV library is categorized into 3 sections that entail featured, classic, and reality shows.
What we like:
- Lots of popular and classic TV shows and movies to stream.
- High Definition videos.
- Good customer support.
- Good documentary collection.
What we don’t like:
- The home page UI can be confusing for some.
Verdict: If you enjoy content from all around the world and would like legal but free access to it, then this platform is for you. You’ll find original shows straight from the likes of HBO, Showtime, Starz, and more here in the best quality. This is a great free movie app for Android.
Price: Free
Download:
#8) Plex
Best for Live TV shows and DVR.
Plex allows you to enjoy over 20000 on-demand movies for free. Its content library harbors movies from some of the biggest production houses in Hollywood. From Warner Bros. to MGM, you’ll get to enjoy their movies without paying a dime.
The platform also allows you to stream over 130 channels, giving you a full traditional TV viewing experience with live streaming of news, sports, and other popular programming. The platform also gives you the freedom to create your playlists with all of your favorite movies and TV shows curated together so you can go back to them whenever you like.
What we like:
- Easy playlist creation.
- Record movies and TV shows for later viewing.
- Set max upload bandwidth cap.
- Hardware transcoding.
What we don’t like:
- Advanced featured hidden behind a paywall.
Verdict: We like Plex because of how easy it is to sign-up and use it. You get access to over 130 channels and 20000 on-demand movies, which you can watch for free. There are some great advanced features that can enhance your watching experience. You will, however, have to pay a reasonable subscription fee to unlock them.
Price: Free, $4.99/Month – Premium Upgrade
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#9) Viki
Best for access to Asian Films.
With the internet closing the distance between nations, people now have access to quality entertainment from around the world. Viki brings a ton of critically acclaimed Korean, Chinese, and other Asian dramas to your smartphone screens.
All available content can be streamed in high definition with embedded subtitles so you can enjoy these shows, regardless of your familiarity with the language. We also like its filtering feature. You can filter content according to genre, country, subtitle languages, and release schedule.
What we like:
- Access to old and new Asian entertainment.
- Advanced filter option.
- Diverse subtitle language option.
- Allows users to rate and review show.
Further Reading => Most Popular FlixTor Alternatives to Look for
What we don’t like:
- Slightly Clumsy UI.
Verdict: If you are a fan of Asian cinema or TV shows, you’ll love Viki. You can legally stream your favorite Korean, Japanese or other Asian movies for free on the platform and even leave your opinion about the same on the platform.
Price: Free
Download:
#10) Sling TV
Best for Live TV Streaming
Sling TV allows you to stream content from over 200 channels in the US. The platform is also home to over 80000 on-demand movies and TV shows. Popular News channels like Fox News and NBC, as well as renowned Lifestyle networks, can all be streamed live for free with Sling TV.
Sling TV is also great as an international streaming service. As it allows you to stream some of the most popular American content dubbed in over 22 languages, which include Spanish, Arabic, and Hindi. The app also features Nielsen’s Proprietary Measurement, allowing you to contribute to a particular show’s Nielsen TV Rating.
What we like:
- 80000 on-demand TV shows and movies.
- Stream shows from 22 popular US network channels.
- Nielsen Proprietary Measurement support.
- Continue from where you stopped.
What we don’t like:
- Users have noticed frequent apps freezes recently. This is expected to be fixed with the next app update.
Verdict: Sling TV has long been an ideal platform for movie lovers who want to enjoy good content on the go. Its ever-increasing library has almost all popular movie and TV titles you need, which you can enjoy for free.
Price: Free, Sling Orang – $30/month, Sling Blue – $30/month, Combined Plan – $45/month
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#11) Movies Anywhere
Best for buying or renting digital movies.
Similar to Vudu, Movie Anywhere is like an online marketplace where you can buy digital copies of your favorite movies and TV shows from vendors online. You don’t need to register on the platform, you only pay the price of the movie bought.
The platform grants you all the information you need like the movie’s synopsis, IMDB rating, cast info, etc. to help you pick your movie.
You can create a list of your movies and share them with other users online via the screen pass link. You can stream movies directly on the Movies Anywhere platform with 4K, UHD, and Dolby Atmos support.
What We Like:
- Over 8000 on-demand movies to choose from.
- Supports 4K, UHD Streaming.
- Personalize your movie collection with the My Lists feature.
- Share movies with other users via the Screen Pass feature.
What we don’t like:
- Stretched video with the ultra-wide display.
Verdict: Movies Anywhere is considered by some as the best movie app, which just like Vudu, allows you to buy and create a collection of digital movies and TV shows. The platform supports 4K, UHD viewing, and particularly shines because of its ‘Screen Pass’ feature.
Price: Free, Pay for each movie individually.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on overall customer reception and each application’s popularity, we believe the following are some of the best apps to watch free movies:
Crackle
Tubi
Popcornflix
Vudu
Yidio
Tubi is a great platform that provides its users with a massive gallery of movies to watch for free. The app works just fine on both Android and iOS devices and possesses a ton of great features.
Unfortunately, offline viewing isn’t one of them. As of this moment, Tubi does not allow its users to download content from their site. This may change as the app evolves further as time flies by.
It is easier today to stream movies directly on your phone, thanks to the availability of movie streaming applications, some of which we’ve mentioned in the list below.
The apps mentioned in this article are some of the best free movie apps for Android and iPhone. You can avail of their services by going to your device’s app store, finding the app you feel is best for you, and installing it on your phone.
Tubi is a legal platform that holds legitimate licenses for all the movies and TV shows it harbors. In fact, it is considered one of the best platforms available today to watch movies online for free. You can rest assured that you will not receive security alerts while streaming movies on this platform.
Vudu is absolutely free to use, which is why it makes it to our list. However, tolerate plenty of ads if you wish to enjoy movies on Vudu for free. You need to buy or rent a movie on the platform if you want to enjoy an ad-free movie-watching experience.
You also get to enjoy 4K video streaming on Vudu if you choose to pay for the digital version of the movie you wish to watch.
Conclusion
Thanks to the advent of the internet and technology, entertainment has never been as ubiquitous as it is today. Movies that would have otherwise been hard to find can be easily enjoyed over the Internet via a good movie platform. Such platforms now have their own apps that work seamlessly on Android and iOS devices.
The movie apps mentioned above are some of the most widely used free apps to watch movies from the comfort of your home or anywhere you like. No need to stick to a strict schedule either. Simply switch on the movie apps for free streaming of your favorite movie or TV shows.
As for our recommendation, if you want free access to a massive library of old and new movies as well as TV content, then look no further than Tubi or Crackle. If you are a fan of Spanish entertainment, then we suggest you give Pluto TV a try.
Research Process:
- We spent 13 hours researching and writing this article so you can have summarized and insightful information on which movie app will best suit you.
- Total apps researched – 25
- Total apps shortlisted – 10