If you’re getting started with entertainment stuff, you might be thinking of having free movie apps on your device (Android or iOS). This article will be a good fit for you.
As you know, it’s not that simple to pick the best out of hundreds of free movie/show apps from the web. Fortunately, We’ve mentioned a useful checklist to assist you in choosing the best free movie app from this current year.
Many things must be considered when using online free apps for movies and TV shows, including legality, compatibility, safety, security, and other essential considerations.
What Should You Be Looking For in Choosing Free Movies Apps
With smart devices, you can get unlimited, free, and absolutely ad-free video streaming for watching HD movies and TV shows. However, using third-party apps or sources might cause some problems you can’t avoid.
The issue with apps from unknown sources has increased over time if ignored, could trouble your device and you too with legality.
You might come across some major complexities that put you at risk of security breaches, collection of personal data, and access to control your device.
Frankly speaking, if you’re looking for the best movie applications (even free apps), you must be sure that you’re downloading them from trustworthy sources like Playstore, App Store, or official websites.
What Makes the Best Free Movie App?
1. Providing regular updates
The free movies app hasn’t become the best entertainment source until it undergoes frequent in-app updates and serious ongoing developments.
According to our consideration, an app that doesn’t provide updates at least once a month is considered outdated. Such apps tend to have a higher quitting ratio.
Therefore, I have prioritized this point as our first concern.
So always choose the app that provides future updates for bug fixes, adding security patches, and extra features, and upgrading user experience over time.
2. High Security (Covers no ads)
Here, you only need to check the security status of the third-party movie apps (other than Playstore or Appstore).
Moreover, you don’t need a cybersecurity qualification to do this job. You just need to use the virus tools from the web to detect malware, viruses, and breaches.
There are a few free movie applications available that can steal your data and damage your device by exerting control through malicious attacks.
These incidents can occur through clicking on ads within such apps. In most cases, apps with unwanted or unauthorized ads may redirect users to sites containing viruses.
3. Apps should have good reviews both from users and social media
This is yet another strong indicator that users can discover positive feedback on social media, forums, and even through word of mouth.
Generally, apps that offer free movies and TV shows tend to have mixed reviews. All this is because of restricted content, limited access, unwanted commercials, pop ads, and more.
The app that has been available for a long time, offering good content with limited ads, may receive positive reviews. Always keep an eye on the download count, recent updates, news, or announcements from official social handles, and participate in active threads.
4. Compatibility with all existing platform devices
Yes! The app that offers free movie content also supports multi-platform functionality. It means these can be downloaded or installed for several devices like mobile (Android and iOS), Smart TV (Android TV, Firestick, MI TV stick, etc), Roku, and Chromecast.
If not, you can choose the app for your device based on its operating system.
5. Movies App With Download Facility
Downloading the latest and popular movies from movie streaming apps is becoming increasingly difficult these days.
Hardly any freemium app offers online streaming without a download feature. So it is difficult to find the download option in free movie apps. But, you can have this feature on 3rd party applications such as Filmplus, Cinema HD, BeeTV, etc.
Sometimes, having offline content can be helpful when you’re traveling, not worrying about buffering, and allowing you to watch anytime.
6. The app should comply with a good user experience design
To stream videos through the mobile application, both UI and UX should play vital roles. But finding these with using is risky.
However, apps with bad user experience design can easily show up in the reviews from official pages, trusted stores, or blogs. So it is better to read them before installing them.
Apart from legal apps, there are some illegal APKs. Before installing them, you should try them on unused devices first to assess their user experience. Do the same for tweaked iOS apps too!
7. Limited and Safe Advertisements
We all know that free movie apps come with ads, so it should be safe if you take some precautions.
Some of the streaming apps include monetization from different services. it is better to verify whether ads are safe or not.
The ads on the app should strictly adhere to legal policies in respective countries. For enhanced security, please avoid apps that feature betting, clickbait, pop-ups, notifications, malware, explicit content, or illegal ads.
A movie app monetized through 100% authorized services, such as Google AdSense, Bing Ads, Media.net, etc., is considered safe. Make sure to double-check the ads first.
8. App Should Have a Support Options
In freemium streaming apps, this typically includes the app’s support page, installation guides, contact us page and community forum on social media.
At least, it should provide a FAQ section for basic issues and general queries.
The Best Free Movie Apps for Movies and TV Shows
If you’ve reached this section means you’re ready to browse the top list of free movie apps for Android, iOS, Firestick, and Smart TV.
We’ve included our best picks in this list by considering all user requirements. These include device compatibility, working status, safety, and trusted authors.
More importantly, the listed apps are immensely popular and currently have millions of active installations.
Unfortunately, not every app added meets every single standard. We will try to put all the details like description, highlights, pros and cons, security level, and official source for each app.
Section #1: Apps to Watch Free Movies
1. Cinema HD
Cinema HD has gained popularity among third-party streaming apps for its extensive library of high-quality movies, TV shows, and seasons with new episodes added every day.
Previously, Cinema HD’s service was exclusive to mobile or tablet users, but now the app is also available for Smart TV with Firestick, Android TV/Box, or Chromecast.
From the latest hits to blockbusters and top-rated content, Cinema HD offers a variety of video streams for both online and offline purposes.
“I loved that this application can extract the 4K quality links for available streams and plays without a buffer,” wrote one user.
Even though it lacks multi-platform support, I still consider it the top choice because it offers a completely free service on at least a few popular devices.
If you’ve supported a device for installing Cinema HD then do not hesitate to try it once.
What We Like:
- Options to choose the streaming link as per quality and subtitle.
- The best medium for Real Debrid users.
- Inbuilt video player which has useful controls and playback options.
- Ad-free.
- Download feature.
What We Don’t Like:
- It won’t be possible to install on iPhones, iPads, or Tizen mobiles.
- Not listed under Roku channels.
- No way to install it from Playstore.
2. Filmplus
After the shutdown of Terrarium TV, all of its users completely moved to Filmplue, which claimed to be the best replacement.
Filmplus is another trend in the streaming era, offering free HD films and shows from various TV channels, complete with respective seasons.
It provides video streaming through Android-based devices without requiring any registration or subscription.
Fortunately, Filmplus allows users to download movies with subtitles in the best quality. You can cross-transfer the downloaded stuff to other devices.
Similar to OTT or official streaming apps, the homepage can provide auto recommendations based on user interests.
What We Like:
- Filmplus works as a free OTT platform where you can also get other OTT originals.
- Keep track of what you have watched, bookmarked, or downloaded.
- Don’t need to be a member to access the app.
- Developers of this app are active and release regular updates.
- Chromecast feature.
What We Don’t Like:
- Filmplus’s iOS version is not available, so you cannot download it for iPhone or iPad.
- Service with ads enabled.
- Unable to download its APK file from Playstore.
DOWNLOAD FOR: Android / iOS (Visit Official Page)
3. BeeTV
You’ll experience the best of both entertainment with this movie app, combining the convenience of streaming movies on both small and larger screens.
BeeTV is capable of retrieving streaming links for every movie or show you’re looking for. You can able to choose the best link from available streams.
Luckily, BeeTV can be easily sideloaded to Firestick or Android TV using the Downloader app. For mobile devices, simply visit the official page to download the updated APK. So BeeTV is strictly available for APK installable devices or emulators.
Just note that although you have an Android version, a few scammers listed fake apps with the same name App Store for iOS.
What We Like:
- Real Debrid, Premiumize, and Debris links are available without the need to subscribe.
- Ad-Free (As of Today)
- One-click download and subtitle buttons are available in the video player.
- Options to add favorite movies into the watch later section.
What We Don’t Like:
- You won’t see the official community for this app.
- Outdated layout, user interface little slow.
- It seems that this is a rebranded and cloned version of the late Showbox.
DOWNLOAD FOR:- Android / iOS
4. MovieBox PRO
Knows for its free movies/TV shows and cross-platform support, this movie app features 20+ types of categories from action, and adventure to talk-show.
MovieBox Pro has an archive library dating back to the year 1960 and earlier. You can also view them every year.
It can deliver the highest quality pictures from TC, HDTV, DVD, WEBDL, Blu-Ray, and 4K.
MovieBox Pro is the only service available in over 150+ countries and supports 200 languages.
One of the best features of MovieBox Pro is Featured Tags; these tags help bring content with top streaming movies, Certified Fresh movies, Popular on Netflix, etc.
What We Like:
- The first third-party streaming app available for all kinds of devices; Android, Apple, iOS, MacOS, and Windows.
- Good News for Roku TV users, it is available.
- Useful TV Guide options.
- Private mode.
- Personalized homepage based on user preference.
- Official support, you can create a ticket for any issue or query.
- Simple search form with pre-loaded trending tags.
What We Don’t Like:
- You must register with a Google account to access the service or app.
- A referral code is also required to complete the registration process.
- Subscription model; you need to make plans for additional features.
5. Movie HD APK
This is quite similar to Cinema HD, which was mentioned above. The user-friendliness, content, and compatibility are the same as Cinema HD. However, Movie HD APK is not as popular as Cinema HD.
Most users use it as a backup when Cinema HD or other streaming apps are unavailable.
The major advantage of this service is that users can experience faster streaming due to fewer users.
What We Like:
- Unlimited video streaming.
- Supports external media players.
- Options to copy source links to use other players.
- Consistent HD quality with no buffering.
- Top OTT platform’s originals, newly released episodes, and latest movie titles.
What We Don’t Like:
- No official website, download source, or Playstore availability.
- You won’t be able to take advantage of the premium links if you don’t have a Real Debrid account.
- Only available on Firestick and Android devices.
DOWNLOAD FOR:- Android / iOS (Visit Official Page)
Section #2: Movie Apps with Account Needed (Free with Ads)
6. JustWatch
JustWatch is an all-in-one movie app designed specifically to simplify the streaming experience. Allowing users to discover, track, and find where their favorite titles are available across various streaming platforms.
JustWatch can be your convenient source for finding the original streaming platform for your desired movie or show.
Once you choose the movie, you will be redirected to the official page in the respective app.
As of today, JustWatch supports Netflix, Aha, Disney+ Hotstar, Amazon Prime, Zee5, SonyLIVE, etc.
The top features include best movie recommendations, maximum support for OTT platforms, and comprehensive movie details.
What We Like:
- Displays trending movies and TV shows separately.
- Recently, they have added the sports.
- Maximum platform support.
- Instant new additions.
- 100% legal movie application with zero allegations.
- Flexible way for movie lookup.
- Trending search tags in the search bar.
What We Don’t Link:
- To watch a specific movie, you must subscribe to the respective platform.
7. YouTube
Whether you’re a dedicated YouTube lover or a movie enthusiast, YouTube’s 100,000+ movies and telecasted TV shows make it an easy and free option for you.
YouTube is well-known for its free service, compatible with all kinds of devices, 100% secure, and easily accessible.
However, YouTube isn’t ad-free, the ads shown while playing are safe.
What We Like:
- Simple and faster movie streaming experience at the highest quality (up to 8K).
- Mostly pre-installed on any device or can be accessed through any browser.
- Options to enable perfect CC.
- It has the best video-playing options of all time.
What We Don’t Like:
- Nothing to hate about YouTube except its limited availability.
8. Tubi TV
Are you a television junkie? If so, add Tubi TV to your list of favorite entertainment sources. With Tubi TV, you can not only watch television shows for free but also access thousands (more than 50K) of free movies.
Yes! Tubi TV offers multi-platform support, including gaming consoles such as PS4, Xbox, and Vizio.
Hosted free movies are presented with no subscription needed, but with fewer ads enabled, mostly fewer than TV ads.
Tubi TV is a legal and free service accessible worldwide.
What We Like:
- Useful sign-up feature: With your account, you can access your lists, downloads, and bookmarks, or continue watching from where you left off on any device.
- You can install it on Roku from the official ROKU TV channels store.
- Install the Tubi TV for PC from the Microsoft store.
What We Don’t Like:
- You can’t access the Tubi TV without an account.
9. Crackle
The Crackle app is easy to use and free for streaming with no subscription. Crackle holds the largest library of movies in HD.
It won’t allow users to access restricted quality (low quality for free). Users can enjoy high-quality films.
Similar to Tubi TV, Crackle also requires a user account to access the house of unlimited streams. You’ll have a great option to manage the features.
Crackle’s cross-platform support helps users to log in from different devices simultaneously.
The majority of the content in this app is handpicked, on-demand originals from various services and popular content.
What We Like:
- Everyone can access 4K content.
- Unlimited access to all the TV shows or series from old to new.
- Advanced video player with cool playback features.
What We Don’t Like:
- All its service is unavailable from outside of the USA.
10. FreeVee
The FreVee app can be a good entertainment partner for your streaming device, whether it’s a TV or a mobile/tablet device. It contains premium content that users can watch for free anytime.
A trustworthy service available since 2000 (known as IMDB TV) and provided by Amazon services. If you have Amazon streaming devices like Firestick, Fire TV, or 4k, FreeVee can be pre-installed.
Not only does the service deliver free movies, but it also provides a streaming video service complete with TV series and shows. It’s an excellent choice for those in search of a trusted free movie app legally.
What We Like:
- I liked their FAST channel streaming approach – all the content was added on time.
- Excellent collection free movie selection.
- Legal and free to stream.
What We Don’t Like:
- Some of the ads were frustrating to watch. Mostly repeated ads.
11. Roku Channels
This section is specifically related to Roku TV users. Do you know why? Roku TV is also one of the most popular streaming devices from the last decade.
Roku has free channels that resonate with the love movie lovers have, making it a priority.
With Roku channels, users can watch Roku originals, free movies, TV shows, and live TV. Additionally, you combine with other premium networks like Starz, AMC+, MGM+, Cinemax, BritBox, BBC Select, and many more.
What We Like:
- The Roku Channel is accessible not only on Roku TV but also on Google TV devices, Amazon Fire TV devices, and Samsung TVs.
- Recently, Roku’s mobile app served both Android and iOS.
- Quick support.
- No cable, Android OS, FireTV OS, or Downloader is required. Roku is one solution and unique.
What We Don’t Like:
- No way to add third-party channels like Showbox, Cinema HD, BeeTV, etc.
12. Peacock TV
Were you watching movies from premium platforms like Netflix and Prime Video, not your thing? Peacock TV is the best movie app made for all who seeking a freemium streaming service.
From Peacock originals like Genie, Love Island Games, and The Continental to MRS Davis, the peacock has solid content.
It has a simplified video player that has amazing features and controls. It plays movies smoothly without buffering and advanced loading for any stream.
Plus, it offers multiple logins on different devices. If you can’t install their app you can visit peacocktv.com.
What We Like:
- Clean user interface, easy searching, and good recommendation by user recent playlist or search history.
- Affordable premium plans for members (Only, if interested).
- Proudly from NBCUniversal.
- Live sports.
What We Don’t Like:
- As of today, it won’t be possible for other than US customers to access.
13. Pluto TV
Do you miss the premieres of the latest movies on weekends? You can now watch as many premieres as you want 24/7 on Pluto TV. With over 2000+ free movies, hundreds of free live channels, binge-worthy shows, timely added episodes, and much more, Pluto TV offers a diverse range of entertainment.
It comes with a compelling slogan: “Stream Now, Pay Never.” So, using Pluto TV for selected content won’t cost you anything.
What We Like:
- Categorized Navigation – Movies, Crime, Comedy, Reality, Game Shows, and Daytime TV.
- The Pluto TV app supports every streaming device.
- An easy and free way to track all your watchings.
What We Don’t Like:
- Signup model.
- Not 100% free.
14. Hulu
Hulu has been embraced as a cord-cutting solution due to its extensive offerings, including a wide selection of TV shows from both past and present, new and classic movies, groundbreaking Hulu original content, and premium add-ons.
It is not free but comes with a free trial period of 30 days, and its initial plan is also affordable. Enjoy a one-month Hulu service without a credit card.
If you like their service or can afford it, then try Hulu Premium.
What We Like:
- Disney+ Hotstar and ESPN live sports were included in this service.
- Fewer commercials will be aired due to their monetization system, rather than relying on third-party advertising agencies.
What We Don’t Like:
- You can’t sign up for Hulu without selecting a plan.
15. Vudu
Vudu is a unique movie app available in three different ways: Buy, Rent, and Free. With no subscription or signed contract required, you can watch free movies on Vudu.
There is a separate section where you can find all the free content. Fortunately, Vudu allows you to watch the latest releases before they are available on OTT platforms, televisions, or DVDs.
It provides original prints for any movie, allowing you to broadcast or stream them on larger screens such as Blu-Ray, projectors, or in theaters.
What We Like:
- Increase video quality up to HDX.
- Dolby audio support.
- It can be installed on major streaming platforms like Firestick, Android Box/TV, or mobiles.
What We Don’t Like:
- Not all the content for FREE.
Section #3: Premium apps That offer limited-time access for free
16 to 22 Movie Apps with Free Trials:
In this section, I’ve prepared a table of apps and specifications for our current premium apps.
Remember, these applications won’t be offered completely free, but you can try their free trials (If available).
| App | Compatibility | Is Free Trail Available? | Key Features (Top 3) | App Rating |
| Netflix | Android, iOS, Tizen, Windows Phone | No, But a refund is available for 30 days If you want to cancel. | 1. Movies & TV Shows. 2. Netflix Originals. 3. Cheap Mobile plans or custom plans. | 5 |
| Prime Video | Android, iOS, Windows Phone | Yes | 1. Hundreds of channels from Discovery + to Docubay. 2. Amazing offers. 3. Prime video originals. | 5 |
| Disney Plus Hotstar | Android, iOS, Windows Phone | Freemium with Ads | 1. Marvel Studios (All Laungaes). 2. Max UHD and 8K quality. 3. Sports | 5 |
| Voot(JioCInema) | Android, iOS, Windows Phone | 2 Week Free Trial. Completely free for Jio users. | 1. Added Peacock and HBO services. 2. Indian Serials 3. IPTV | 4 |
| Aha | Android, iOS, Windows Phone | Yes | 1. Aha shows. 2. Dedicated to Tollywood. 3. Cheap service. | 3 |
| Sling TV | Android, iOS, Windows Phone | Yes | 1. Watch all the live channels from the USA. 2. Sling TV can be replaced with cable. 3. Easy to find channels. | 3 |
| Zee5 | Android, iOS, Windows Phone | Yes | 1. 100% Indian content. 2. Faster streaming with better experience. 3. It consumes less data while streaming. | 3 |
C
If you want to try one of these PRO apps under the entertainment category, download it from respective stores. All are multi-platform supportive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use these free movie apps for my Smart TV?
Almost all the apps can be installed or sideloaded to your Smart TV. But, you must follow the instructions given by the app.
What are the best free movies apps for Roku from this list?
Except for Cinema HD, BeeTV, and Filmplus, all the other apps can be added to Roku TV from Roku Channels.
What device is best for movie streaming?
Any smart device like mobile, tablet, computer, or TV.
What if I can’t find the download apps from Playstore or App Store?
In this case, please download the app from the official website or follow the guides from the official source.
What are the top 3 free movie apps for Firestick without jailbreak?
Cinema HD, Moviebox Pro, and JustWatch are the top picks for Amazon Firestick.
What are the free movie apps that cast to TV?
You can try any application between 1 to 15 provided above. All the apps have an inbuilt CAST feature from its media player, you can simply tap it and select your TV. That’s it.
What features should I look for in the free streaming?
- Entertainment at no cost.
- Fewer commercials.
- Switch to other apps for content availability.
- Custom video players.
- HD quality.
- Subtitles or CC.
- Download the movie, season, or show.
How can I determine if a third-party movie app is secure?
You can verify the security of the APK or IPA files by using security tools for cross-checking.
Does using third-party streaming apps cause legal problems?
Mostly not, because the added third-party apps use scraping technology to fetch streaming links for a movie. However, they don’t host any content themselves.
As reported by Nortan, many people may come across some common and potential risks when using third-party movie apps.
Can I use the MOD version for any movie app to bypass premium?
The modified, cracked, or hacked movie apps aren’t safe to install or download. These modded versions (e.g., Netflix Mod APK) are certainly not from the original authors and have been altered by hackers. Be aware of them.