10 Best FREE Streaming Sites for Movies & TV Shows in 2024 (2024)

Free streaming sites can be risky, so knowing where to look and how to protect yourself is key. After testing over 100 free streaming sites for safety, usability, and speed, my team and I shortlisted the 10 best ones below.

Free video streams and torrents have many dangers. Some contain copyrighted content that’s not licensed for that platform or your location, so you’ll be breaking the law if you watch it. Hence, you need to be careful and check whether the title you want to see is in the public domain.

Plus, these sites are often rife with hackers, trackers, scammers, phishing scams, and “malvertising” (ads containing malware). I recommend using a reliable VPN to protect your data and devices from these attacks, so you can enjoy a selection of great movies and TV shows for free.

I recommend ExpressVPN to keep your connection and data private. It provides military-grade encryption to keep you safe online and fantastic speeds for uninterrupted streaming in HD. Plus, its large server network works reliably with streaming platforms from all over the world. Thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try ExpressVPN without risk. Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

Try ExpressVPN for HD Streaming >>

Editor’s note: The VPNs listed below all have strict no-logs policies, meaning no one will watch or monitor your streaming. So, it’s your responsibility to use your VPN responsibly. Please follow all the necessary rules and guidelines, my team and I don’t condone copyright infringement.

Best Free Streaming Sites for Movies and TV Shows

1. Tubi TV — Instantly Watch Hit Movies and TV Shows Without Registering

Its content library has more than 40,000 classic, quirky movies and shows

Owned by Fox Corporation, Tubi TV is a free and entirely legal platform with no credit cards and no subscription required. It offers a wide range of popular movies and TV series in HD, including classics and new releases.

Its user interface is attractive and well-organized, making it simple to find and stream your favorite content. Search options such as Browse, Tubi Kids, and Live TV are easily accessible at the top.

You can watch Tubi without an account, but if you sign up, you can create a watchlist, get recommendations, and use parental controls. To register, you need to provide your name, date of birth, and email address.

On the downside, you will need to watch some ads in between streaming, which is how the platform makes revenue. You can watch Tubi in the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand, and the titles you can watch vary by region. A reliable VPN with IPs from those countries can also safely access Tubi TV from abroad.

Visit Tubi TV

2. Vudu Movies on Us — A Great Selection of Classics and Blockbusters

Vudu Movies on Us has various search options and an extensive content library

Vudu Movies on Us provides a wide range of classic and new movies and shows, both free and pay-to-view. Its free catalog includes hundreds of titles, from old movies to popular hits like School of Rock or Mad Max, ensuring there’s something for everyone. The video quality allows you to stream in up to 1080p, so there are no concerns regarding the quality.

The website is also well organized — it's immediately clear which titles are free and which are rentals. There's a basic search option if you're looking for something specific.

Vudu is only available in the US. You do need to sign up for the service, but this takes less than a minute, and you only need to provide a name, email address, and password. Some VPNs with servers in the US can access Vudu Movies in HD from anywhere.

Visit Vudu Movies on Us

3. XUMO Play — Stream Live TV and Thousands of TV Shows and Movies

You can also browse the live feed by clicking the Networks button at the top

With XUMO Play (formerly XUMO TV), you can watch 200+ live channels, including those focused on reality TV, vintage TV, and sports. Plus, you can enjoy thousands of free on-demand movies and TV shows of incredible quality. I was impressed with its variety of content, including classic titles from Samuel Goldwyn Films. XUMO Play is available in the US, Canada, France, Germany, Brazil, and Mexico. A reliable VPN can provide IPs from those countries, which means it can safely work with XUMO Play from anywhere.

It’s also compatible with a range of devices, so you can watch on your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Plus, you don’t need to sign up to stream.

I found the website to be a little cumbersome to navigate. For instance, it doesn’t offer a search bar to allow you to search your preferred title easily. However, you can search by genre.

Visit XUMO Play

4. Plex — A Free Legal Streaming App That Includes Live Channels

Plex is available in almost every country in the world

If you're willing to sit through some ads, you can enjoy free Live TV and popular shows on almost any device. Categories range from action, sports, kids' content, cooking shows, news, and more. I streamed the Jerry Springer show without issues while on the road, and I didn't even have to sign up or provide credit card details.

To unlock premium features, you require a paid subscription. You'll get offline access and DVR (which may require additional hardware). However, you can still enjoy plenty of shows and movies with the free version.

Visit Plex

5. Freevee (IMDd TV) — Stream for Free on Your Favorite Devices

The interface is user-friendly, making it easy to find and play your favorite content.

Amazon Freevee lets you stream from your phone, tablet, computer, smart TV, and most other streaming devices. It was launched in 2019 as IMDb TV but rebranded to Freevee in 2022. It provides on-demand movies and TV shows, as well as a collection of original content.

You don’t need to provide any information to watch its content. However, if you sign up, you can customize your experience by tagging favorites, rating shows, as well as tracking your watch progress. It also allows you to receive recommendations for new titles based on your streaming history. Sadly, Freevee doesn’t offer live TV. Instead, the “live” channels are repeats of popular daytime TV shows like Unsolved Mysteries and Leverage.

Visit Freevee

6. Vumoo — Stream or Download a Huge Library of Movies and Television Shows

If you sign up, you can bookmark your movies to continue watching later

Vumoo houses thousands of movies and TV shows that you can stream and/or download, both classics and newly released hits. You just need to go to the site, search for the title you want, and start streaming. It also has a clutter-free homepage with a clear search bar, but you can also browse by scrolling down through covers. I also like that you don’t need to register to start watching.

This is an unofficial video entertainment platform that gained popularity as a replacement for shut-down streaming services. That said, it's important to exercise caution when using Vumoo, as it may contain copyrighted videos. Plus, it’s heavily ad-supported, so some links on the site may contain viruses.

Visit Vumoo

7. Crackle — Enjoy Original Content Exclusive to the Platform

With an account, it saves what you've been watching so that you can easily continue

Crackle is a US-only free streaming platform that’s owned by Sony, so you can only watch it if you’re in the country. There are hundreds of titles, including classics and original shows in every genre. The website is also well organized, making it easy to find content by title, actor, or genre. It isn’t necessary to sign up for the service to watch videos, but doing so allows you to create and organize your watch lists. It’s also possible to get a US IP address via a VPN and access Crackle from anywhere in great quality.

Visit Crackle

8. Popcornflix — Offers a Unique Selection of Movies and TV Shows for Free

Popcornflix has a basic search feature for finding specific shows or movies

Popcornflix, a Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment subsidiary, is a free and legal streaming site. It offers movies and TV shows from a wide range of genres. While you probably won’t find many new releases, the catalog includes classic movies, big TV hits of the past, documentaries, and some B-movie cult favorites. No sign-up is required, but you'll encounter ads on Popcornflix.

Popcornflix is available in the US and some other countries. A VPN makes it possible to safely watch its content from any location.

Visit Popcornflix

Other Popular Free Streaming Sites

Important! The following free streaming platforms are still worth mentioning, but I haven’t included them in my main recommendations because I can’t verify that they offer any non-copyrighted content. We don’t condone streaming unlicensed copyrighted content, as it could have serious legal repercussions. While a VPN can protect you from malicious ads and malware on these unofficial sites, it’s up to you to use these tools responsibly and only watch shows and movies that are licensed in your location or are in the public domain.

9. AZMovies — An Intuitive Interface Makes It Easy to Navigate

You don’t need to sign up to start streaming

AZMovies is a sleek and easy-to-use free streaming platform that offers a wide variety of movies. When you open the site, you'll see a list of featured movies and all the recently added titles. You can also search by genre or year or use the search bar. Just bear in mind that a lot of these titles are likely copyrighted and therefore protected by copyright law, meaning it’s illegal to watch them on this platform.

You can find many binge-worthy titles, including some classics. However, it doesn’t offer TV shows or live channels.

As with most free streaming platforms, AZMovies has a lot of pop-up ads, which can be annoying and potentially harmful, so proceed with caution. As mentioned in the note above, it’s unclear whether this site offers copyright-free content, so unless you find any title from the public domain, we recommend avoiding this one.

Visit AZMovies

10. Flixtor — Watch a Massive Library Without Needing to Register

You don’t have to pay anything to watch movies and TV shows on Flixtor

Flixtor has over 30,000 movies and TV shows that you can stream right away without having to sign up. The platform is optimized for both mobile and desktop streaming, ensuring uninterrupted viewing on all major devices. The site also gives you the option to stream directly or to download movies and TV shows so you can watch them later.

Bear in mind that it's restricted and/or illegal in some countries because it doesn’t have distribution rights for all movies. To stay on the safe side, make sure you only use Flixtor to watch movies that are in the public domain.

Visit Flixtor

Why You Need a VPN When Using Free Streaming Sites

The majority of free streaming services make their revenue through ads. Without proper protection, these sites can expose you to various online threats, such as tracking, information and/or identity theft, malware, etc.

A VPN keeps you safe when using free streaming sites. It sends your traffic through its private server network, encrypting and anonymizing your data, making it almost impossible for anyone to see who you are and what you’re doing online.

A VPN can also provide IPs from different regions, allowing access to platforms that are only licensed in specific locations. That makes it possible to safely stream global content from anywhere.

Are free streaming sites legal?

It depends. A free streaming service can be illegal if it distributes copyrighted material without proper licensing. If the site contains only content with free streaming permission or has permission to share, then it's legal.

Although it’s typically not illegal to browse such sites, it’s against the law to use copyrighted content. Using an online service to stream copyrighted movies and TV shows may expose you to legal risks, including fines or even imprisonment, depending on the laws in your country.

Best VPNs to Use With Free Streaming Sites — Full Analysis (Updated 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — Impressive Speeds for Streaming Global Content Without Buffering

Editors' Note: Expressvpn and this site are in the same ownership group.

ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol offers faster and more reliable connections, making it an excellent choice for streaming. Using efficient encryption methods enhances data transfer rates while providing optimum security. While in the US, I connected to servers in Los Angeles, and my speed was stable at 110 Mbps — this is impressive since you only need 5 Mbps to stream in HD. It's also my go-to for streaming on mobile since the CPU doesn't have to work so hard, conserving battery life.

Its world-class security features protect you from all the dangers of free streaming sites, like hackers and malware. It uses military-grade (AES 256-bit) encryption and DNS/IPv6 leak protection to ensure your online activity stays private. I detected no leaks on ipleak.net while trying a US server from Washington. On top of that, its Network Lock kill switch automatically cuts your internet connection should the VPN stop working, like when your laptop goes into sleep mode.

The only drawback is that it’s more expensive than the other VPNs on this list — prices start at $6.67/month. However, ExpressVPN often offers great deals and discounts. I paid 49% less on my yearly subscription and got 3 months of free service.

Plus, all of its plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try all its features without risk. To check its legitimacy, I contacted the 24/7 live chat support and asked for a refund. I received my money back in my PayPal account within 4 working days.

Useful Features

• Smart DNS. ExpressVPN's MediaStreamer service allows you to stream global movies and shows in HD on devices that don't typically support VPNs, like older smart TVs and gaming consoles.
• Threat Manager. This feature protects you from online threats by identifying and blocking known malicious websites, phishing scams, and other security risks in real time.
• Data privacy. ExpressVPN is outside the intelligence sharing agreement of the 5/9/14-Eyes Alliances in the British Virgin Islands. It also follows a no-logs policy and uses TrustedServer Tech — RAM-only servers to wipe your data with every reboot. So, you don't have to worry about your online activity getting traced back to you.
• Router app. You can configure the VPN on your router and stream movies and TV shows on all your household devices using ExpressVPN's custom router app. However, even without connecting to a router, you can simultaneously use ExpressVPN on up to 8 devices.
• Easy to use. ExpressVPN takes less than 5 minutes to set up, and you can easily find and connect to a server using its search bar.

Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

2. CyberGhost — Intuitive Interface to Immediately Stream Free Movies and Shows From Anywhere

Editors' Note: CyberGhost VPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

CyberGhost is straightforward to set up and works similarly across various operating systems. Once you download and log in, just select a server and hit the big power button. You can choose a server by scrolling through the location list or typing your location into the search bar. During my tests from Washington, it took me less than 5 minutes to set up CyberGhost on my Windows laptop and connect to a server in New York.

You can click the star icon next to a server to add it to your favorites

An audited no-logs policy ensures the privacy of your streaming activity, as it prevents the collection or sharing of your information. Similar to ExpressVPN, CyberGhost employs RAM-only servers for additional security. Furthermore, it features an integrated ad-blocker for Windows and Android, allowing you to stream without any disruptive ads or pop-ups.

On the downside, CyberGhost short-term subscriptions are pricey. However, long-term plans are affordable ($2.03/month) and have an extended money-back guarantee. You can also get up to 83% off your subscription with its current offers.

You can use CyberGhost free for 45 days and get a full refund if you're not 100% happy. I requested a refund through 24/7 live support, which was approved when I provided a reason for canceling. I got money back into my bank account after 5 business days.

Useful Features

• Robust security. AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection keep you anonymous online.
• Router compatibility. You can install CyberGhost on your router and stream on smart TVs and gaming consoles.
• Unlimited bandwidth. You can stream for free as much as you like without cap limits. CyberGhost can also help you avoid the throttling imposed you your ISP provider.
• Split tunneling. This feature lets you choose which apps or websites to exclude from the VPN tunnel. So, you can use your regular internet connection to get local search results on Google while using the VPN to protect your streaming connection.

Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Servers in All 50 States to Watch Free US Streaming Sites in HD

Editors' Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.

PIA has the largest network of US servers, covering all 50 states. This provides safe access to the most popular free US streaming sites, like Tubi TV and Popcornflix, from anywhere. Many server options also ensure you can watch content without dealing with buffering caused by server overcrowding. During my tests from Washington, I was able to watch Willy’s Wonderland on Tubiin the highest available quality with no lag.

Type "streaming" into the search bar to connect to PIA's US-streaming-optimized server

PIA's AES 256-bit encryption, paired with the WireGuard protocol, offers a perfect balance of security and speed. Depending on your needs, you can also choose OpenVPN and switch between 256-bit and 128-bit. Its automatic kill switch also keeps you safe when changing between servers.

I was concerned that PIA is based in the US, within the 5 Eyes Alliance. But its strict no-logs policy ensures that none of your data gets shared with third parties.

You can save money with PIA’s long-term plans at only $2.03/month. Subscriptions are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test PIA risk-free. I asked for a refund via their 24/7 chat support and got my credit card reimbursed that same week.

Useful Features

• IP/DNS leak protection. Your data won't be exposed while using your free streaming accounts, protecting you from hackers and snoops.
• Ad and malware blocker. PIA's built-in MACE feature stops intrusive ads, malware, and trackers often lurking on free streaming sites.
• Unlimited simultaneous connections. You can share your subscription with your whole household and only pay for one account.

Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

Best Free Premium Streaming Sites

If you're concerned about safely streaming movies and TV shows, you'll be happy to know that several of the world's leading TV networks and studios now offer their own excellent free premium streaming channels. These let you watch new episodes of TV shows immediately after they've aired, decades of classic TV series, live streaming, and more.

There's a caveat, however. A lot of these services limit viewership to individuals located within their own nations. If you’re outside of the licensed country where a particular platform is available, then you won’t be able to watch it. However, a VPN can offer IPs from around the world, allowing safe access to platforms from different regions.

US

• NBC. Home to some of the most popular primetime TV in the States, NBC offers new episodes of its late-night chat shows, classic series, and much more on its free streaming channel.
• ABC Go. As well as popular TV shows, ABC also streams classic movies like The Lion King on its channel.
• Disney Now. Watch a variety of Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD TV shows, movies, games, and live TV for kids and families.
• Fox. Watch the biggest channels and shows on the Fox network. You can stream everything from news and commentary to sports and reality TV, all for free.

UK

• BBC iPlayer. The biggest broadcaster in the UK offers almost every show in its archive for free online to UK residents with a TV license.
• ITVX. Some of the best TV the UK has to offer, from reality shows to classic soap operas and everything in between.
• All4. Quirky comedies, insightful documentaries, and groundbreaking dramas from both sides of the Atlantic.

Canada

• CBC Gem. A curated library of the best TV and movies from Canada and across the world. CBC Gem lets you watch the channel's entire library of shows, sports, documentaries, and movies.

Australia

• SBS on demand. Home to some of the greatest prestige TV and sporting events from around the world.
• ABC iView. iView lets you watch every show broadcast across the network's channels, both Australian and international. News, arts, comedy, kids shows, and more ensure the whole family is entertained for free.

FAQs on Using a VPN for Free Streaming Sites

Is 123Movies legal and safe to use?

No. 123movies distributes copyrighted content without proper licensing, making it potentially unsafe and illegal to use. Even when streaming movies and shows on legal platforms, like Popcornflix, a VPN is recommended to keep you safe from hackers and data leaks.

Are there any free VPNs that work with free streaming websites?

Probably yes, but I wouldn’t advise using them as they tend to restrict servers and speeds, which could result in buffering. A premium VPN with a money-back guarantee is a more reliable option since it offers a global network of servers, unlimited bandwidth, and high-level security features.

Free VPNs don’t have the proper security features to protect your online privacy. Some have even been caught harvesting and selling user data to third parties in exchange for a fee.

Is it illegal to use VPNs to watch free streaming platforms?

It’s complicated. Using a VPN to protect your data while you stream from legitimate services in licensed regions is legal. However, using a VPN to watch content from an unlicensed region or service might go against a streaming provider's Terms of Service, and it may even be considered copyright infringement. The team and I don’t condone this.

Also, some countries (like China and Turkey) ban the use of VPNs. Ensure you familiarize yourself with the laws and rules of your region to ensure you don't accidentally break them.

Where can I watch free movies without signing up?

There are a few free streaming sites that don't require signing up. You can watch free movies and TV shows on platforms like Tubi TV, Flixtor, XUMO Play, and Plex. These services have a wide selection of movies and TV shows. However, to turn a profit, they're usually ad-supported.

Which free streaming websites should I avoid?

Some of the most well-known illegal streaming sites to avoid are 123Movies, Putlocker, and Popcorn Time. It's generally more convenient and safer to use legal streaming services with the appropriate licenses, high-quality video, and a wide selection of content.

Get the Best VPN for Free Streaming Sites

There are tons of free streaming sites available, however, not all of them are available to every region. A VPN can provide IP addresses from global locations and access free streaming sites worldwide. Plus, VPNs safeguard your online data providing security while watching your favorite content.

ExpressVPN is my top pick for watching free streaming sites securely and in HD. It has impressive speeds, robust security features, and a vast server network that can safely access these platforms. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN risk-free.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for free streaming sites…