25 Best Free, Legal and Safe Streaming Services to Watch Movies and TV Shows Online (2023)

In the age of digital entertainment, discovering the best free streaming services in 2023 to stream movies and watch TV shows online and free has become a popular pursuit. Our comprehensive list of platforms caters to a wide range of genres, featuring comedies, dramas, horror, sci-fi, and action films. You'll find content from both renowned studios and independent filmmakers, providing an extensive library of older and independent movies. Keep in mind that all 'free' sites on our list are ad-supported, which means you may encounter varying degrees of advertising interruptions during your viewing experience.

To ensure a secure online streaming experience, we have carefully curated and verified the top free streaming sites listed below. However, we cannot guarantee their safety at the time you access them. As a precaution, we highly recommend using a reliable VPN (Virtual Private Network) before visiting these sites. A VPN not only conceals your streaming activities but also safeguards you against potential threats from website operators, hackers, and your ISP.

Looking for the best free movie streaming websites and apps in 2023? We've compiled this list of 25 free, legal and safe services for watching movies and TV shows online. From Tubi and Crackle to YouTube and IMDb TV, these free streaming sites allow you to watch full-length films and series without paying a subscription fee.

Our comprehensive guide features the top free online streaming services to legally watch free movies and TV shows. The platforms offer extensive libraries of new releases, older films, cult classics, independent movies, and popular series across all genres - action, comedy, drama, horror, documentary and more.

Please note: Streaming copyrighted content on free movie websites is illegal, and you may face legal consequences if caught. Although we advise using a VPN when streaming movies online, it's essential to restrict your viewing to content within the public domain. We do not support or promote the use of pirated material.

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So, without further ado, explore our expertly curated selection of the top 25 free streaming services to watch movies and TV series online in 2023 (detailed descriptions are below the table; sorted alphabetically):

Amazon Prime is a rival of the streaming giant Netflix, and it offers thousands of shows, movies, and cartoon/anime options that you can stream anywhere at any time.

Amazon Prime Video comes included with an Amazon Prime membership for $14.99 per month or $139 annually. It offers instant access to an extensive library of movies, TV shows, and original content. Even if you decide that's not for you, you can enjoy your 30-day free trial.

Content Library: Prime Video boasts over 20,000 movies and TV episodes across a wide selection of genres. TV highlights include exclusive streaming of shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Boys, The Expanse, and Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan. Movie standouts range from classics to recent blockbusters like The Big Sick and major franchise installments. The library rotates regularly with new additions.

Original Programming: A major Prime Video perk is its expanding slate of acclaimed original series and films. Critical darlings include Transparent, Fleabag, The Underground Railroad, and Sound of Metal. Amazon invests heavily in ambitious, high-budget projects from major talent.

Features and Experience: Prime Video offers strong search and personalization features including X-Ray trivia and cast information. The interface is polished across devices. Streaming quality is excellent with support for up to 4K HDR. Offline downloads allow viewing on-the-go. Two streams can run simultaneously.

Supported Devices: Prime Video can be streamed through any modern web browser, iOS and Android mobile devices, smart TVs, and popular platforms like Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and game consoles. This broad device support makes watching on any screen a breeze.

Verdict: With its first-rate originals, extensive on-demand catalog, feature set, and device support, Prime Video excels as a streaming package for Amazon Prime members. The value is unmatched for $139 per year when also factoring in Prime shipping and other benefits.

Crackle is an ad-supported streaming service offering an eclectic mix of movies, TV shows, and some original programming. It's owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment and has been operating for over a decade.

Content Library: Crackle's library consists of a couple hundred movies and around 300 TV series. The content catalog rotates regularly. In terms of movies, you'll find a mix of older classics, niche titles, and some more recent films. However, don't expect the latest blockbusters. The TV lineup is centered around older series, though some more contemporary picks are mixed in. Original content is still Crackle's weak spot - only a handful of unscripted shows and c-list movies at this time.

User Experience: The Crackle user interface is straightforward with categories like Featured, Movies, TV Shows, Sports, Spotlight, and Expiring Soon. No account is needed to start streaming. Video playback quality is decent at 720p HD on most titles. You'll encounter ads before films or episodes, and periodically during viewing. The frequency of ads is noticeable but comparable to other free, ad-supported platforms. Playback controls and navigation work as expected.

Supported Devices: Crackle can be accessed via web browser or through apps on mobile devices, smart TVs, game consoles, and streaming platforms like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, etc. This wide device support makes it easily accessible.

Verdict: The ad-supported model and lack of premium originals limit Crackle's appeal compared to competitors. However, the service offers a nice supplement of movies and shows to browse through, especially older or hard-to-find titles. Overall Crackle is worth exploring for some free viewing options but doesn't stand out as much as other ad-supported platforms.

A video search engine that lists the best quality free streaming videos it finds.

Great selection of free TV shows and movies.

User-friendly interface, good search functionality and smooth playback.

Hulu is a subscription streaming service that offers instant access to thousands of TV shows, movies, Hulu Originals, and more. It's a joint venture owned by Disney and Comcast. Hulu has over 75 million subscribers as of 2022.

Plans and Pricing: Hulu offers an ad-supported plan for $7.99/month and an ad-free plan for $14.99/month. You can add Live TV for access to over 75 channels along with the on-demand library starting at $69.99/month. There are also bundle discounts for Disney+ and ESPN+. Hulu has a 30-day free trial period, after which you need to pay.

Content Library: Hulu's on-demand library includes over 80,000 episodes of TV and 2,500+ movies alongside a growing slate of Hulu Originals like The Handmaid's Tale, Ramy, and Only Murders in the Building. The TV lineup includes next-day access to current shows from NBC, ABC, FX, and more, making Hulu a cord-cutter's dream. Movie highlights range from classics to recent hits.

Features and Experience: The Hulu interface allows browsing by personalized recommendations, genres, networks, and more. Profiles can be created for personalized watchlists and watch history. Subtitles, multiple streams, and downloads for offline viewing are supported. Video quality is excellent at up to 4K HDR where available. Ads on the base plan are reasonably unobtrusive.

Supported Devices: Hulu can be streamed via any modern web browser, iOS and Android devices, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming players like Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV. The wide device support makes on-the-go or big screen viewing easy.

Verdict: With its huge on-demand catalog, next-day network shows, compelling originals, and robust features, Hulu is easily one of the best streaming services available today. The ad-supported plan offers incredible value while the ad-free option provides a premium viewing experience.

Freevee is Amazon's ad-supported streaming service, offering TV shows and movies at no cost. It's available as an app and through Amazon Prime Video. The service was formerly known as IMDb TV but was rebranded as Freevee in April 2022.

Content Library: Freevee grants free access to around 20,000 movies and TV episodes. The library includes popular films like Scooby-Doo, La La Land, and Drive, along with classic shows like Mad Men, Desperate Housewives, and Friday Night Lights. There is also some original programming like the Bosch spinoff series. Content refreshes regularly.

User Experience: The Freevee interface is simple and user-friendly. Profiles can be created but aren't required to start streaming. Video quality tops out at 1080p HD. Ads play before and during shows and movies, although less frequently than some competitors. Overall usability is smooth.

Supported Devices: Freevee is available through Fire TV, Roku, smart TVs, iOS/Android devices, and web browsers. This wide access and Amazon integration makes Freevee easily discoverable for potential viewers.

Verdict: Freevee offers an impressively robust content library completely free, albeit with ads. The quality and scope outpaces many ad-supported competitors. For viewers seeking free TV and movies without subscription fees, Freevee is a top contender thanks to Amazon's expanding catalog.

Kanopy is an on-demand streaming platform providing access to indie movies, documentaries, and films from around the world. Viewing requires a public library card or university login credentials.

Content Library: With over 30,000 films, Kanopy offers an exceptionally diverse catalog focused on festival favorites, acclaimed directors, independent storytellers, and foreign films difficult to find elsewhere. The thoughtful curation and academic lean make Kanopy a cinephile's paradise.

User Experience: Browsing Kanopy's collection by category or keyword is smooth and intuitive. Video playback is excellent. Users have a playback allowance each month, with libraries setting their own limits. Turning on subtitles or downloading for offline access is easy.

Highlights: Kanopy shines with its robust documentary selection, covering topics from history to current affairs to the arts. The Criterion Collection provides a range of cinema classics. Kanopy Kids offers educational children's programming.

Supported Devices: Kanopy can be streamed online, via iOS and Android apps, on smart TVs including Apple TV and Roku, and more. This broad device access makes it easy for libraries to deliver Kanopy's catalog.

Verdict: Offering acclaimed films rarely found on other free services, Kanopy is a must-have for avid movie fans with a public library or university membership. The thoughtful curation opens the door to transformative cinema.

Midnight Pulp has become one of the country's largest distributors of American horror, cult and thriller films and TV shows. It also features a massive collection of rare and hard to find anime in HD quality.

You can watch your favorite gory slasher films and horror movies of yesteryear online for free, but a premium subscription at $4.99 per month lets you get rid of those pesky ads.

Only very basic filtering by show/movie and country – you can sort by newest, most popular and alphabetically.

Moviestar is a more recent indexing site, featuring an excellent library of free movies and TV shows.

Anoying pop-up ads.

Limited filtering options by genre, country, years.

No list on online movies would be complete without Netflix of course. Netflix is the world's leading subscription streaming service with over 220 million subscribers globally. It offers instant streaming of TV shows, movies, documentaries, and original programming.

Plans and Pricing: Netflix offers 3 main plans: Basic ($9.99/month), Standard ($15.49/month), and Premium ($19.99/month). The higher tiers allow more simultaneous streams and better video quality up to 4K HDR. Members can change plans or cancel anytime.

Content Library: Netflix has an extensive on-demand library with thousands of titles across every conceivable genre. TV highlights include Stranger Things, The Crown, and Breaking Bad. Movie standouts range from Oscar winners to blockbusters to obscures indies. Netflix invests heavily in original content like The Queen's Gambit.

Features and Experience: Netflix is renowned for its sophisticated personalization algorithms that learn your tastes and serve up recommendations. Profiles allow each member customized suggestions. Downloads allow offline viewing. Streams are adaptable to your connection speed. The clean interface is consistent across devices.

Supported Devices: Netflix can be streamed on practically any internet-connected device including smart TVs, smartphones/tablets, media players, set-top boxes, game consoles, and web browsers. This ubiquity is a major factor in its success.

Verdict: With its high-quality original programming, enormous catalog, intuitive interface, and universal device support, Netflix remains an industry leader in the streaming space. While competition has heated up, Netflix still excels in offering an exceptional overall viewing experience.

Paramount+ is a subscription streaming service from Paramount Global that offers live sports, news, movies, TV shows, and originals. Plans start at $4.99/month for limited commercials or $9.99/month for the ad-free premium plan.