You can watch movies on Roku without adding a premium subscription. Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, YouTube, and Fandango each include free movie libraries. The tradeoff is that most titles play with ads, but the movies themselves do not require a rental or monthly plan.
Add the channels you want to your Roku, then use the sections below to get straight to their free movie catalogs. Several of these apps let you skip account creation, so you can start browsing right away.
Video Tutorial
Use Tubi for a large free movie library
Tubi is a strong first channel to check when you want free movies on Roku. Its movie section puts the full catalog in one place, and you do not need to create an account to begin watching. Ads may appear during a movie, which is how the service provides its content for free.
- Open Tubi on your Roku.
- Go to the menu on the left side of the screen.
- Select Movies.
- Browse the list of available movies and select one to start watching.
If you only want films, entering the Movies section saves you from sorting through the rest of the app. The catalog can change over time, so check back when you want something new to watch.
Browse Pluto TV on demand
Pluto TV is another free option with a large movie catalog. It offers on-demand movies, which means you choose a title and play it when you want rather than waiting for it on a scheduled channel. You may see a sign-up screen when you first open the app, but signing up is optional.
- Open Pluto TV.
- If you are asked to sign up and do not want to, select Not now.
- Move to the menu on the left.
- Select On Demand.
- Scroll through the available free movies and choose a title.
The On Demand area is the important part for movie browsing. Pluto TV also has other content, but this section gives you the list of movies you can select and play from its catalog.
Check the free section in The Roku Channel
The Roku Channel should already be available on your Roku. It includes movies, TV shows, and other content that you can watch free. This makes it one of the easiest free Roku channels to try first because you may not need to add another app before browsing.
- Open The Roku Channel.
- Use the menu across the top of the screen.
- Move right and select Free.
- Browse the free movies, TV shows, and other content.
- Select a movie to view its options and start watching it on The Roku Channel.
Some title pages can show more than one way to watch a movie. Look for the free Roku Channel option if you want to avoid a paid rental or purchase choice.
Find free movies in the YouTube app
YouTube is not just for regular videos. The Roku YouTube app has a Movies & TV area with a collection labeled free or free with ads. This is useful when you want to see a different selection of full-length movies without installing another movie-specific channel.
- Open YouTube on your Roku.
- Open the menu on the left side.
- Go down to More.
- Select Movies & TV.
- Move right and scroll down to the Explore section.
- Select Free or Free with ads.
You will then see the movies YouTube currently makes available at no charge. Check the label before selecting a title, since the app also includes movies that can be rented or purchased.
Use Fandango to stream free titles
Fandango is commonly associated with renting or buying movies, but it also has a sizable collection you can stream for free. The free area is available directly from its home screen, so it is quick to reach.
- Open Fandango on your Roku.
- On the home page, scroll down to Stream Free.
- Select the section to browse the free catalog.
- Choose a movie and start playback.
You can also open the left-side menu and select Free to Watch. Both options lead to the free content area. Fandango organizes this area into groups such as top 100 movies and top 100 TV, which can make it easier to pick something without searching title by title.
Choose the right channel for tonight
Start with Tubi or Pluto TV when you want to browse a dedicated free movie catalog. Use The Roku Channel if you want an option that is likely already on your device. Check YouTube when you want its Free with ads movie section, and use Fandango for another collection organized around Stream Free titles.
All five channels provide movies without a premium plan, though ads can play during viewing. Open the free category in each app rather than a general title page, and you can avoid confusing paid choices with the movies available at no cost.
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