Best Free Movie Apps for Android and iOS (Legal and Safe)

Most of the “free movie apps” you’ll find shared around the web are unofficial apps that stream pirated copies. They aren’t in the Google Play Store or App Store for a reason. They get pulled down, they’re full of aggressive pop-up ads, and many APK copies carry malware. The good news is you don’t need them anymore. There are plenty of legal free movie apps that run on ads or your library card, with thousands of films in genres like comedy, horror, history, action, drama, family and much more.

List of the Best Free Movie Apps for Android and iOS

Every app in this list is available in the official Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Some of them are completely free with ads, and some are free with a library card. Movie catalogs change every month and some apps are limited to certain countries, so if a title isn’t there today, check again later.

Note: Availability depends on your region. Most of these apps work in the United States, and several are available in other countries as well.

1. Tubi

Tubi is a completely free movie app supported by ads, and it’s the one we’d install first. It has one of the biggest free libraries of movies and TV shows, covering everything from old classics to recent releases and its own originals. From our testing, the ad breaks are short, and you don’t even need an account to start watching. Tubi is available on Android, iOS, smart TVs and the web.

Download Tubi for Android

2. Pluto TV

Pluto TV works a little differently from the other movie apps. Besides an on-demand section of free movies, it has hundreds of live channels that feel just like regular cable TV, including channels running movies non-stop by genre. If you like flipping through channels instead of picking a film, Pluto TV is a great choice. It’s free with ads and needs no sign-up.

3. The Roku Channel

Don’t let the name fool you, you don’t need a Roku device to use The Roku Channel. The app is available on Android and iOS and offers a large selection of free movies and shows with ads, plus live TV channels. The catalog is updated regularly and includes some well-known Hollywood titles.

4. Plex

Plex started as an app to stream your own media collection, but today it also includes a large library of free ad-supported movies and live TV channels. You just need a free account. If you also keep your own movie files on a computer, Plex can stream them to your phone too, which makes it a great all-in-one movie app.

5. Kanopy

Kanopy is one of the best-kept secrets for movie lovers. If you have a library card from a participating public library or university, you get a monthly number of free streams with no ads at all. The collection focuses on classic cinema, award-winning indie films, documentaries and world cinema, so it’s perfect if you want something different from the usual blockbusters.

6. Hoopla

Similar to Kanopy, Hoopla lets you borrow movies, TV shows, audiobooks and comics using your public library card. Each library sets a monthly borrowing limit, and everything you borrow is completely free and ad-free. It’s worth checking if your local library supports it.

7. YouTube

YouTube is one of the biggest video storehouses online, and many people don’t know it has a section of free movies with ads, uploaded officially by the studios. You can find it by searching for “free movies” in the YouTube app or browsing the Movies & TV section. Newly released movies can also be rented or bought in the same app.

YouTube for Android

YouTube for iOS

8. Xumo Play

Xumo Play is another free streaming app with on-demand movies and live channels. The movie selection is smaller than Tubi or Pluto TV, but it’s well organized and good for discovering older films and family movies. It’s free with ads.

9. Prime Video (Free with Ads Section)

Prime Video is mostly known as a paid service, but it also offers a selection of movies and shows that you can watch free with ads. This section replaced the old Freevee service. You need an Amazon account, but not a Prime membership, for these titles in supported countries.

10. IMDb

IMDb isn’t a streaming service itself, but it’s one of the most useful movie apps you can install. Every movie page shows where you can watch it, including which free services carry it. IMDb ratings are also one of the most trusted ways to check the quality of films before you spend two hours on them.

IMDb for Android

IMDb for iOS

11. JustWatch

If you’re looking for a specific movie, JustWatch saves a lot of time. Type the name of a film, and the app shows every legal service that has it in your country, and it can filter to show only the free ones. It’s the easiest way to find out if a movie is on Tubi, Pluto TV, Plex or any other free app.

Why You Should Skip Unofficial Movie Apps

Unofficial movie apps that promise every new release for free usually have to be installed as APK files from outside the Play Store, or sideloaded on iPhone. Here’s why we don’t recommend them anymore:

• Security risks: APK copies from random websites are a common way to spread malware, adware and data-stealing apps.
• They stop working: These apps get shut down or broken all the time, so you lose your watchlist and have to hunt for another one.
• Legal problems: They stream copies of movies without permission from the copyright owners, which is illegal in many countries.
• Bad experience: Expect pop-ups, fake download buttons and poor video quality.

The legal free apps above give you a better experience with zero risk, and together they cover thousands of movies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best free movie app?

For most people, Tubi is the best free movie app because of its huge library and no sign-up requirement. Pluto TV is the best if you prefer live channels, and Kanopy is the best ad-free option if you have a library card.

Are free movie apps legal?

Yes, the apps in this list are legal. They license the movies from studios and pay for them through ads or library subscriptions. An app is likely illegal if it offers movies that are still in theaters for free, or if it isn’t available in the official app stores.

Can I download movies to watch offline for free?

Some apps, like Kanopy and Hoopla, allow offline viewing for certain titles. Most free ad-supported apps only allow streaming.

Movies are beyond just Actors and Directors. It’s a whole virtual world where millions find shelter to throw away their problems and tensions. So, this list of the best free movie apps is a good reference to pick the right one for you. We hope this list helped you.