11 Best Free Movie Streaming Apps in 2022

Last updated May 3, 2022

Written by:

Novak Bozovic
Tech & VPN Content Specialist

Movies are a powerful medium – powerful enough to break boredom and shower us with hours of bliss. A good film can quickly shake off the tiredness of a long and hectic day. And they are particularly refreshing when you can watch them for free via an app. With that said, this is precisely where our list of the best free movie streaming apps comes into play.

We've taken a good look at the most popular free movie apps, and we've selected a nice group of 100% legal options. Even though it might be tempting to go for piracy, we strongly advise you against doing that. As you're about to see, the following apps bring you more than what you'll ever need. They're legal, very simple to install and use, and you won't have to worry about malware either.

And lastly, we want to say that many of our recommendations earn revenue via advertisements. So, seeing those ads is something that you can't avoid, and you might break the playback functionality if you try to use an ad-blocker. We're sure you'll agree that watching a few ads here and there is a low price to pay for entirely free content.

As you're about to see, some of the recommendations found in this article are not available worldwide. However, this is something that can you can fix by using a capable VPN, such as ExpressVPN. This application will help you stream any type of content, and it helps us unblock regional content that might be unavailable in your country.

Best Free Movie Streaming Apps

Finally, we're proud to present the 11 best free movie streaming apps in 2022 that you can try right now!

1. Kodi

Kodi comes free of charge, and it's available worldwide. However, some of its add-ons are restricted to certain regions. To fully unlock this application and enjoy all of the content it brings, we recommend using a VPN.

Our first recommendation is perhaps the most powerful option on this list. Kodi is the world's most popular home theater software, available completely free of charge. However, Kodi doesn't provide any content on its own, but you'll find hundreds, if not thousands, of fully legal add-ons that you can install on Kodi.

We have to say that we're passionate users of Kodi, and we've prepared a series of helpful tutorials on guides on how to use it. We recommend starting with our Beginner's Guide to Kodi and then proceeding to our Ultimate Kodi Guide. Finally, here's a sizeable list of the best Kodi addons that you can install within seconds and access an incredibly diversified range of movies.

Finally, it's worth noting that you can install Kodi on a large range of devices.

Movies & TV Shows Genre: A wide range of movie classics, independent movies, legal TV movies, and more.
Video Quality: Mostly HD; Older titles in SD.
Availability: Worldwide; Some add-ons might be restricted.
Registration: Not required.
Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Fire OS, Roku, Android TV, Apple TV, Razer Forge TV, Xbox, Raspberry Pi, Nvidia Shield, and Smart TV.
Visit: Kodi

2. Sony Crackle

To get the most out of Sony Crackle and use it free of charge, we recommend accessing its US version by using a VPN. For additional information, check how to unblock Sony Crackle from anywhere in the world.

We expect only the best experience out of anything that rolls out of the house of Sony. And Crackle does not disappoint. There are plenty of exclusive gems, movies, and even TV shows that you can watch cost-free. To keep your day beaming with content, there are around 40 full-length TV series and hundreds of full-length movies from the '80s, '90s, 2000s, and even 2010s.

Crackle supports multiple devices, as well. This feature works so flawlessly that you can pause a movie on one device and resume on another. Another excellent feature on Crackle is known as "Always On." It lets you stream the current video while browsing for new content. Crackle also allows you to share videos on social sites, apart from all its features.

As a final note, Crackle is available in the USA and Australia, where this service comes for free and doesn't require you to register. It's also available across the Caribbean - but as a premium-priced subscription.

Movies & TV Shows Genre: Action, anime, comedy, drama, originals, horror, romance, animation, adventure, sci-fi.
Video Quality: Mostly HD; Older movies in SD.
Availability: The USA, Australia, the Caribbean.
Registration: Not required in the USA, Australia.
Supported Platforms: Android, iOS, Amazon Kindle, Amazon Fire, PS4, Roku.
Visit: Sony Crackle

3. Yidio

Yidio serves as a gateway to free content, with many partners being limited to the USA. To fully unlock this application, you need to use a VPN such as ExpressVPN - the only VPN capable of breaking geo-restrictions in a highly secure and safe way.

While the free movie app by Yidio supports only a few devices, it is still a very handy one. That is because it has this fantastic quality to point you in the direction of free movies. And once you start using this app, you'll see how simple and straightforward it is.

There are quite a few ways in which you may filter the movies, including the rating, genre, source, MPAA, and even the premiere date. Please note that some content on Yidio is not totally free. That is because it shares some of it with Netflix, iTunes, and Amazon. But the 'Free' section of the app is truly extensive.

While searching for films on the Yidio app, you can even hide the ones that you have already seen. Now, most movies you find on Yidio are generally not hosted there. It means that you may be told to install apps like Hulu or Crackle, where you can then watch those movies. Nevertheless, Yidio is a useful app to help you locate interesting content that spans across the '50s, '60s, '70s, and '80s - and there's a high emphasis on the 2000s and 2010s.

Movies & TV Shows Genre: Action, adventure, comedy, drama, foreign, animation, western, horror, indie, and more.
Video Quality: Depending on a selected source (SD/HD).
Availability: Only in the USA.
Registration: Required.
Supported Platforms: Android, iOS, Amazon.
Visit: Yidio

4. Pluto TV

To access the original version of Pluto TV, you need to use ExpressVPN. After connecting to a US-based server, you'll be able to fully unblock Pluto TV and stream its content free of charge.

Pluto TV is actually a live TV streaming service that has apps for most of the platforms, including iOS and Android. You can stream on-demand movies using the app and even watch them live. A lot of media is organized into categories like horror, action, and drama. The app also allows you to watch live films on Channel 51.

Pluto TV also allows you to hide specific channels that you would not like to watch. It also displays intuitive descriptions of the movies that follow next. Apart from Android and iOS, Pluto TV also runs smoothly on Amazon Fire and Roku. With 100+ channels streaming free all the time, it is worth connecting to a larger screen. And when it comes to the available content, you can find networks that stream movies from the '20s, '30s, and '40s. Of course, other channels stream newer content, as you can imagine.

And Pluto TV does not stop at movies and shows alone. It also gives you a healthy dose of sports and news through its live streams. The best part of Pluto TV is that it offers all this (and more) without charging you a single dollar.

Movies & TV Shows Genre: Action, anime, comedy, drama, horror, sci-fi, western, sports, romance, family, animated, and more.
Video Quality: Mostly HD.
Availability: Only in the USA.
Registration: Not required.
Supported Platforms: iOS, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Samsung, LG, Vizio, Xfinity, Hisense, Fios TV, Tivo, PlayStation, Xbox, Firestick, and Roku.
Visit: Pluto TV

5. Tubi TV

If you're in the EU or if you want to access the US version of Tubi TV, you need to use a VPN to break geographical barriers. If you want to know more, here's how to watch Tubi TV outside the US.

Among the free apps that stream movies, Tubi TV is perhaps the most punctual. It streams content with the help of over 200 partners, and it updates the app every week. Anyone with Play Store and iOS App Store IDs can lay their hands on this app. The interface of Tubi TV is both easy to use and straightforward, allowing you to browse both TV shows and movies (spanning from the '80s up to 2010s).

As the splash screen of the app fizzes out, you can see a one with featured content. There is a navigation menu that comes with an available search bar. This menu assists you in sorting out the movies that you would like to have displayed.

Along with featured content, there is also a news feed section in the app. The Newsfeed section allows you to see the latest news and announcements as they are made available. However, we sincerely wished more of this, as the Newsfeed isn't updated as often as the app itself.

Movies & TV Shows Genre: Action, comedy, thrillers, drama, documentary, romance, horror, family movies, cult classics & more.
Video Quality: Mostly HD; Older movies in SD.
Availability: Everywhere except in the EU (European Union).
Registration: Not required.
Supported Platforms: Android, iOS, Amazon, Roku, PS4 & 5, Windows, Apple TV, Xbox, Chromecast, Tivo, Android TV, Xfinity, COX, Samsung, Sony, Vizio.
Visit: Tubi TV

6. Vudu

Vudu is restricted to the USA only. If you're not in this country, you can rely on ExpressVPN for creating a free account and using this service. We have a dedicated article on watching Vudu outside the US, so give it a read.

In case you've heard about Vudu before, you might be surprised to find this app on our list. After all, Vudu is a premium-paid subscription service. However, it contains a fantastic library of free movies, many of which are brand new (the oldest picks come from the '80s).

You can stream Vudu online from just about any device. The service also brings a nice range of native apps, covering smart TVs, smartphones (including iOS and Android), streaming devices, game consoles, and even some Blu-ray players. The app provides a streamlined experience, and it's nicely organized.

Before you can watch free content, you need to sign up for a free account. The procedure is effortless and takes under one minute. Then, you can proceed to check everything available for free, and there's an excellent selection of movies. The titles are ad-supported, and they rotate over time - while some disappear, new ones arrive frequently.

Movies & TV Shows Genre: Action, anime, comedy, drama, romance, musicals, westerns, foreign, horror, classics, animation, and more.
Video Quality: The latest movies come in 720p HD; Older titles in SD.
Availability: Only in the USA.
Registration: Required.
Supported Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, PlayStation, Nvidia, Xbox, Roku, Chromecast, Xfinity, Tivo, and Firestick.
Visit: Vudu

7. PopcornFlix

If you live in a country where Popcorn Flix isn't available, you need to use a VPN to unblock this service and see its content. This is the top-rated tool for watching Popcorn Flix outside the USA.

Popcorn Flix is available on a whole range of devices, including Roku, Amazon streaming devices, iOS, Android, Apple TV, and even Xbox. The app is practically the same across all devices, providing different ways to access its library. At the moment, there are over 1,500 movies that can be streamed for free.

Also, this service brings a wide selection of older and newer titles, with a big emphasis on the '90s. Still, we managed to find pretty old films from the '30s, so there's really something for everyone.

It's also worth noting that Popcorn Flix is available without creating an account. Simply press 'Play', and the movie will start playing instantly. There are no ads or other kinds of annoying distractions. All in all, this is definitely one of the best free video streaming apps.

Movies & TV Shows Genre: Action, comedy, drama, horror, thriller, sci-fi, romance, mystery, western, documentaries, foreign films.
Video Quality: Older movies in SD; Newer titles in HD.
Availability: The USA, Canada, Latin America, the Middle East, Russia, and China.
Registration: Not required.
Supported Platforms: Android, iOS, Roku, Amazon, Windows.
Visit: Popcorn Flix

8. BBC iPlayer

Sadly, BBC iPlayer is available in the UK only. Nonetheless, a highly powerful VPN, such as ExpressVPN, will do the job of unlocking the service. For more information, here are the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer.

As you probably know, the BBC is the oldest broadcaster in the world. Today, this media company is producing a range of big-budget movies and TV shows. All of those are available to access via BBC iPlayer, which prominently features the latest released content.

However, you can also dig into BBC's archives, where you'll find content from the '50s and '60s.

Aside from accessing this service online via a Web browser, BBC iPlayer comes as a native app for a range of platforms. No matter what's your preferred device, you'll get to use a highly streamlined and optimized app. It comes with numerous advanced options, like creating personalized lists and tracking your viewing habits. You can also use the app from different devices at the same time.

Movies & TV Shows Genre: Action, crime, drama, comedy, reality, documentary, horror, family, foreign, and more.
Video Quality: Mostly HD (especially new titles).
Availability: The United Kingdom.
Registration: Required.
Supported Platforms: Android, iOS, Amazon, PlayStation, Windows.
Visit: BBC iPlayer

9. Internet Archive

As the name says, the Internet Archive is dedicated to preserving all kinds of digital content. It doesn't only include movies but also audio files, books, images, software, entire websites, and plenty more. It is definitely a noble cause that many of us are happy to support, and we believe that the site has been doing a marvelous job so far.

When it comes to movies, we're talking about public domain titles here. With this said, we recommend trying any of the Internet Archive's apps if you're into old movies and classics. These can be streamed either online or via the platform's Android and iOS apps. And we have to admit, these aren't the most polished apps out there, but considering how much content they offer, they surely deserve to be downloaded.

Movies & TV Shows Genre: Silent movies and classics, sci-Fi, horror, short films, comedies, film noir, trailers, vintage erotica.
Video Quality: Mostly SD, as these are old movies.
Availability: Available globally.
Registration: Not required.
Supported Platforms: iOS, Chrome, Firefox.
Visit: Internet Archive

10. CONtv

CONtv is only available in the USA, which means that you need an American IP to access this media streaming platform. If you're outside of the US, we recommend using ExpressVPN to overcome this digital roadblock.

If you're into anime and cosplay, you've probably heard about Viewster in the past. Well, that streaming platform has been acquired by ConTV - transforming it into the ultimate source of all things fandom. You get plenty of movies and TV shows, in addition to reports on nationwide Comic Cons and plenty more.

You should know that CONtv is a premium-priced platform. However, you can also access its sizable library of free content without having to register for an account.

Many of these come in HD, so you'll have a pleasurable experience watching them on Android and iOS devices. To access CONtv on your computer, you'll need to visit its official website.

Movies & TV Shows Genre: Anime, action, cartoons, fantasy, grindhouse, horror, martial arts, sci-fi, horror, and more.
Video Quality: Mostly HD; Older titles come in SD.
Availability: Available in the USA only.
Registration: Not required (for watching free content).
Supported Platforms: Android, iOS.
Visit: CONtv

11. YouTube

Last but not least, we'd like to recommend using YouTube to watch free movies. The chances are that you already have this app on your smartphone, and maybe you don't know that it also contains a range of films and originals.

Almost any movie that belongs in the public domain is available gratis on YouTube. Still, you don't have to limit yourself to old and classic titles only. Several independent filmmakers are using this platform as a medium for offering their creations. With a bit of research, you can see that YouTube might just be the most potent movie streaming platform that comes free of charge.

Finally, we'd like to recommend you keep the YouTube app updated on your device. Google is pushing regular updates that improve performance and resolve bugs. So, make sure you're always using the latest version.

Movies & TV Shows Genre: Action, horror, comedy, drama, thriller, documentary, foreign, reality, and more.
Video Quality: HD for newer titles; SD for older.
Availability: Worldwide.
Registration: Not required.
Supported Platforms: Android, iOS, PlayStation, Roku, Nintendo.
Visit: YouTube

Now that we have dished out some of our favorite free movie streaming apps in 2it's it’s your turn to tell us - which among these is your favorite free movie streaming app? Did we miss out on any? Reach out to us in the comments section below.