If you’re limiting your streaming subscriptions or simply can’t afford all of the pay services, sites like Crackle, IMDB, Tubi, Vudu, and YouTube all have free movies available. The only catch: You have to watch ads.
On the plus side, while there are commercial interruptions, the movies are not edited for content like they are on broadcast channels. You can still watch uncut movies and with fewer total interruptions than television airings.
A number of the movies available for free are already TV movies or made-for-video fare, but there are plenty of well-known titles if you go deep enough. Rotten Tomatoes did some digging and sorted through the free catalogs of Vudu, Tubi, IMDB, YouTube, and Crackle to find the 100 best movies available to watch for free right now. These films, all Fresh on the Tomatometer, include Oscar winners, blockbusters, comedy classics, informative documentaries, and family favorites — all available to watch for free.
Check out our list to find something new to watch without paying rental or subscription fees.
January 2020 update: The Terminator, Chinatown, The Shaun the Sheep Movie, Dr. Strangelove, It Happened One Night, Lawrence of Arabia, On the Waterfront, Roman Holiday, Taxi Driver, ’71, One False Move, Dave, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Nightcrawler, The Remains of the Day, Funny Girl, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Election, Grizzly Man, The Dead Zone, The Fighter, Up in the Air, Zero Dark Thirty, The Man in the Moon, Safety Not Guaranteed, Serpico, Bye Bye Birdie, Kramer Vs. Kramer, Frozen River, The Karate Kid, To Die For, Get Shorty, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Much Ado About Nothing, Joe, Still Alice, The Exorcist, Gandhi, The Muppets Take Manhattan, A Few Good Men
Critics Consensus: With its impressive action sequences, taut economic direction, and relentlessly fast pace, it’s clear why The Terminator continues to be an influence on sci-fi and action flicks.
Where to Stream: YouTube
Critics Consensus: As bruised and cynical as the decade that produced it, this noir classic benefits from Robert Towne’s brilliant screenplay, director Roman Polanski’s steady hand, and wonderful performances from Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway.
Where to Stream: Tubi
Critics Consensus: Warm, funny, and brilliantly animated, Shaun the Sheep is yet another stop-motion jewel in Aardman’s family-friendly crown.
Where to Stream: Tubi
Critics Consensus: Francis Ford Coppola’s haunting, hallucinatory Vietnam War epic is cinema at its most audacious and visionary.
Where to Stream: IMDB
Critics Consensus: This tense, paranoid thriller presents Francis Ford Coppola at his finest — and makes some remarkably advanced arguments about technology’s role in society that still resonate today.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: Stanley Kubrick’s brilliant Cold War satire remains as funny and razor-sharp today as it was in 1964.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: Capturing its stars and director at their finest, It Happened One Night remains unsurpassed by the countless romantic comedies it has inspired.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: The epic of all epics, Lawrence of Arabia cements director David Lean’s status in the filmmaking pantheon with nearly four hours of grand scope, brilliant performances, and beautiful cinematography.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: With his electrifying performance in Elia Kazan’s thought-provoking, expertly constructed melodrama, Marlon Brando redefined the possibilities of acting for film and helped permanently alter the cinematic landscape.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: With Audrey Hepburn luminous in her American debut, Roman Holiday is as funny as it is beautiful, and sets the standard for the modern romantic comedy.
Where to Stream: Tubi
Critics Consensus: Spotlight gracefully handles the lurid details of its fact-based story while resisting the temptation to lionize its heroes, resulting in a drama that honors the audience as well as its real-life subjects.
Where to Stream: Tubi
Critics Consensus: A must-see film for movie lovers, this Martin Scorsese masterpiece is as hard-hitting as it is compelling, with Robert De Niro at his best.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: Powerfully directed and acted, ’71 stays true to its fact-based origins while remaining as gripping as any solidly crafted action thriller.
Where to Stream: Tubi
Critics Consensus: A feel good movie without an abundance of mush.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: A straightforward thriller of the highest order, In the Line of Fire benefits from Wolfgang Peterson’s taut direction and charismatic performances from Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: Smart, sweet, and inventive, Groundhog Day highlights Murray’s dramatic gifts while still leaving plenty of room for laughs.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: One False Move makes nary a misstep as it unfurls a seedy caper with hard-hitting action and sly humor, marking an arresting debut for director Carl Franklin.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: The Secret of NIMH is a dark, well-told tale that respects its young audience enough to not tone down its subject matter.
Where to Stream: Tubi
Critics Consensus: Ivan Reitman’s refreshingly earnest political comedy benefits from an understated, charming script and a breezy performance by Kevin Kline.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Conensus: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington — and returns with an uplifting ode to idealism that distills the strengths of its director and leading man.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: Restless, visually sleek, and powered by a lithe star performance from Jake Gyllenhaal, Nightcrawler offers dark, thought-provoking thrills.
Where to Stream: Tubi
Critics Consensus: Smart, elegant, and blessed with impeccable performances from Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson, The Remains of the Day is a Merchant-Ivory classic.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: Smart and absorbing, Lone Star represents a career high point for writer-director John Sayles — and ’90s independent cinema in general.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: Bolstered by exceptional cinematography, powerful storytelling, and an Oscar-winning performance by Denzel Washington, Glory remains one of the finest Civil War movies ever made.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: Thanks largely to stellar all-around performances from a talented cast, The Madness of King George is a funny, entertaining, and immensely likable adaptation of the eponymous stage production.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: While fans of the series will surely appreciate it, First Contact is exciting, engaging, and visually appealing enough to entertain Star Trek novices.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: Election successfully combines dark humor and intelligent writing in this very witty and enjoyable film.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: Whatever opinion you come to have of the obsessive Treadwell, Herzog has once again found a fascinating subject.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: Mystery Road evokes classic Westerns while using its Australian outback setting to delve into a surprisingly layered — and powerfully impactful — array of social issues.
Where to Stream: YouTube
Critics Consensus: Entertaining doc about the adverse effects of eating fast food.
Where to Stream: YouTube
Critics Consensus: Fueled by Quentin Tarantino’s savvy screenplay and a gallery of oddball performances, Tony Scott’s True Romance is a funny and violent action jaunt in the best sense.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: Dizzyingly original, the loopy, multi-layered Adaptation is both funny and thought-provoking.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: The Dead Zone combines taut direction from David Cronenberg and and a rich performance from Christopher Walken to create one of the strongest Stephen King adaptations.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: Led by a trio of captivating performances from Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, and Amy Adams, The Fighter is a solidly entertaining, albeit predictable, entry in the boxing drama genre.
Where to Stream: Tubi starting 1/13
Critics Consensus: La La Land breathes new life into a bygone genre with thrillingly assured direction, powerful performances, and an irresistible excess of heart.
Where to Stream: IMDB
Critics Consensus: A punk take on the zombie genre, Return of the Living Dead injects a healthy dose of ’80s silliness to the flesh consuming.
Where to Stream: Tubi
Critics Consensus: This riotously deadpan mockumentary about aspiring community theater performers never stoops to ridicule oft-ridiculous characters.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: An empowering and uplifting movie, with a wonderful performance by Castle-Hughes.
Where to Stream: Tubi
Critics Consensus: Gripping, suspenseful, and brilliantly crafted, Zero Dark Thirty dramatizes the hunt for Osama bin Laden with intelligence and an eye for detail.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: It’s sentimental, and some viewers may feel manipulated by the melodramatic final act, but The Man in the Moon offers a finely drawn coming-of-age story with an excellent cast — including Reese Witherspoon in her film debut.
Where to Stream: YouTube
Critics Consensus: Safety Not Guaranteed‘s ostensibly modest ambitions are outmatched by the movie’s strong performances, beguiling charm, and heartfelt story.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: An engrossing, immediate depiction of early ’70s New York, Serpico is elevated by Al Pacino’s ferocious performance.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: It’s sentimental and somewhat predictable, but those are small complaints, given the tender atmosphere and moving performances at the heart of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.
Where to Stream: IMDB
Critics Consensus: A poppy satire on pop music, Bye Bye Birdie is silly, light, and very, very pink.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: The divorce subject isn’t as shocking, but the film is still a thoughtful, well-acted drama that resists the urge to take sides or give easy answers.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: A quiet, dialogue-driven thriller that delivers with scene after scene of gut-wrenching anxiety. David Fincher also spends more time illustrating nuances of his characters and recreating the mood of the 70s than he does on gory details of murder.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: A case study in less-is-more filmmaking, Coherence serves as a compelling low-budget calling card for debuting writer-director James Ward Byrkit.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: Veteran character actress Melissa Leo delivers a stunning performance in this powerful — if grim — indie film.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: Smart, twisty, and perfectly cast, the effects-assisted neo-noir F/X reminds viewers that a well-told story is the most special effect of all.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: The music, the performances, the precision in capturing the post-college malaise — The Graduate‘s coming-of-age story is indeed one for the ages.
Where to Stream: YouTube
Critics Consensus: A deft hybrid of laughs, espionage, and music, The Mighty Quinn is a smart, pleasant entertainment that offers an early example of Denzel Washington’s onscreen magnetism.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: Smart, funny, and thoroughly well-cast, To Die For takes a sharp – and sadly prescient – stab at dissecting America’s obsession with celebrity.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: Inscrutably strange, yet undeniably compelling, Arizona Dream is anchored by magnetic performances from Johnny Depp and Faye Dunaway.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: This underrated gem from director Peter Weir features an outstanding performance from Jeff Bridges as a man dealing with profound grief.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: With a perfect cast and a sly twist on the usual Hollywood gangster dynamic, Get Shorty delivers a sharp satire that doubles as an entertaining comedy-thriller in its own right.
Where to Stream: YouTube
Critics Consensus: Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure brings Paul Reubens’ famous character to the big screen intact, along with enough inspired silliness to dazzle children of all ages.
Where to Stream: IMDB
Critics Consensus: Moving at a contemplative speed unseen in most westerns, Meek’s Cutoff is an effective, intense journey of terror and survival in the untamed frontier.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: Lighthearted to a fault, Much Ado About Nothing‘s giddy energy and intimate charm make for an entertaining romantic comedy — and a Shakespearean adaptation that’s hard to resist.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: Led by a brilliant performance from star Frank Langella, Robot & Frank works as both a quirky indie drama and as a smart, thoughtful meditation on aging.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: Slacker rests its shiftless thumb on the pulse of a generation with fresh filmmaking that captures the tenor of its time while establishing a benchmark for 1990s indie cinema.
Where to Stream: YouTube
Critics Consensus: Rich in atmosphere and anchored by a powerful performance from Nicolas Cage, Joe is a satisfying return to form for its star — as well as director David Gordon Green.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: A moving film with moments of humor, Liberty Heights succeeds in capturing the feel of the ’50s with great performances and sensitive direction.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: Peggy Sue Got Married may seem just another in a line of ’80s boomer nostalgia films, but none of the others have Kathleen Turner keen lead performance.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is perhaps the lightest and most purely enjoyable entry of the long-running series, emphasizing the eccentricities of the Enterprise’s crew.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: Elevated by a gripping performance from Julianne Moore, Still Alice is a heartfelt drama that honors its delicate themes with bravery and sensitivity.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: Though it may not be as comprehensive as some would like, Francis Ford Coppola’s cheerful biopic of the failed automotive designer features sparkling direction and a strong central performance from Jeff Bridges.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: Extraordinarily daring for a Hollywood film, Altered States attacks the viewer with its inventive, aggressive mix of muddled sound effects and visual pyrotechnics.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: The Exorcist rides its supernatural theme to magical effect, with remarkable special effects and an eerie atmosphere, resulting in one of the scariest films of all time.
Where to Stream: IMDB
Critics Consensus: Director Richard Attenborough is typically sympathetic and sure-handed, but it’s Ben Kingsley’s magnetic performance that acts as the linchpin for this sprawling, lengthy biopic.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Consensus: Hello, My Name Is Doris is immeasurably elevated by Sally Field’s remarkable performance in the title role, which overpowers a surfeit of stereotypical indie quirk.
Where to Stream: IMDB
Critics Consensus: As history, Oliver Stone’s JFK is dubious, but as filmmaking it’s electric, cramming a ton of information and excitement into its three-hour runtime and making great use of its outstanding cast.
Where to Stream: Vudu
Critics Consensus: Uniting a pair of powerhouse talents with a smart, sharply written script, Postcards from the Edge makes compelling drama out of reality-inspired trauma.
Where to Stream: Crackle
Critics Conensus: An old-fashioned courtroom drama with a contemporary edge, A Few Good Men succeeds on the strength of its stars, with Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, and especially Jack Nicholson delivering powerful performances that more than compensate for the predictable plot.
Where to Stream: Crackle
