If you’re looking for the best website for downloading movies, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve spent over a decade sorting the good from the bad in online streaming, and I can tell you this: the promise of “free movies” is a minefield of security risks and legal headaches. So many sites that offer the latest hits for free are completely illegal, leaving you exposed to malware and creators unpaid.
This guide is different. We’re skipping the junk and focusing only on the safe, legal, and legitimate ways to get your movie fix. We’ll cover ad-supported services, public library partnerships, and archives of classic, copyright-free films.
I’ve written about free movie download sites for mobile and PC before, but this guide is my updated list of the most reliable and safest options you can use today.
Legal & Safe Options: Where to Actually Find Free Movies
These platforms are 100% legitimate. You’ll have to watch some ads on most of them, but it’s a small price to pay for a high-quality, safe streaming experience.
1. Tubi
When it comes to sheer library size, Tubi is the one to beat. Now owned by Fox Corporation, its collection of movies and TV shows is massive and always changing. You’ll find everything from recent blockbusters to obscure cult classics. It even has a solid anime selection, though serious fans might prefer dedicated anime streaming apps.
- Standout Features: Huge, diverse library; solid 1080p streaming quality; great device support; a dedicated “Tubi Kids” section.
- The Cost: Free with ads.
- Watch or Download: Streaming only.
2. Crackle
Sony’s free streaming offering, Crackle, focuses on quality over quantity. The library isn’t as large as Tubi’s, but the content is well-curated, pulling from Sony’s impressive catalog of films and TV shows. It’s a great movie download site if you’re looking for recognizable Hollywood movies without a subscription fee.
- Standout Features: A quality library from a major studio; great selection of classic TV; exclusive original content.
- The Cost: Free with ads.
- Watch or Download: Streaming only.
3. Pluto TV
Miss the feeling of flipping through channels? Pluto TV is for you. Backed by Paramount, it brilliantly mimics old-school cable with hundreds of live, genre-specific channels. You can drop into a 24/7 movie marathon, catch up on news, or just see what’s on, all without a single bill. Of course, it has a big on-demand library too.
- Standout Features: Hundreds of live channels; strong on-demand section; content from CBS, Comedy Central, and MTV.
- The Cost: Free with ads.
- Watch or Download: Streaming only.
4. The Roku Channel
Here’s a surprise: you don’t actually need a Roku device to watch The Roku Channel. It works on the web and other smart TVs, offering a deep and often overlooked catalog of free movies, shows, and even live TV. Keep an eye out for “Roku Originals” for some exclusive content.
- Standout Features: No Roku device needed; licensed and original shows; live news and sports.
- The Cost: Free with ads.
- Watch or Download: Streaming only.
5. Peacock
Peacock is NBCUniversal’s streaming service, and its free tier is surprisingly generous. You won’t get everything, but you get more than enough to watch, including blockbuster films from Universal and DreamWorks Animation, next-day episodes of current NBC shows, and sports.
- Standout Features: Access to a major media catalog; current TV episodes; sports and news content.
- The Cost: Free with ads (premium upgrades available).
- Watch or Download: Streaming only on the free plan.
6. Freevee
This is Amazon’s answer to free streaming, and you don’t need a Prime account to use it. Freevee (which used to be IMDb TV) has a strong, rotating lineup of popular movies and its own original series, all integrated with handy IMDb ratings.
- Standout Features: High-quality library backed by Amazon; exclusive Freevee Originals; works within the Prime Video app.
- The Cost: Free with ads.
- Watch or Download: Streaming only.
7. Kanopy & 8. Hoopla
Here’s a pro tip: your local library card is a key to unlocking incredible, ad-free movie streaming. Check if your library partners with Kanopy for arthouse, classic, and Criterion Collection films or Hoopla for a mix of new movies, music, and ebooks. What I love about Hoopla is the “instant borrow” system—no waiting lists. On Hoopla, you can even download titles for offline viewing on your phone or tablet.
Public Domain: The Best Sites to Download Classic Movies
These sites feature films whose copyrights have expired, meaning they’re completely legal to download, share, and watch for free.
9. YouTube
It might seem obvious, but many forget that YouTube has an official “Movies & TV” section with hundreds of free, ad-supported, full-length films. The selection is better than you might think. While these are stream-only, anyone looking to save other types of clips from the platform can check out these best YouTube video downloaders for PC.
10. Internet Archive
A true internet treasure, the Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library. Its movie section is a goldmine of public domain features, shorts, and documentaries that you can both stream and download. If you need to download other kinds of online videos, you might need to find some great alternatives to SaveFromNet to help.
11. Public Domain Torrents
Don’t let the name scare you. This site is a safe, legal way to use torrents, as it only lists movies that are confirmed to be in the public domain. It’s perfect for discovering old-school horror, sci-fi, and film noir.
12. MoviesFoundOnline
This site is less of a library and more of a curator. It scours the web for free-to-watch indie films, classic movies, and stand-up comedy specials and embeds them in one easy-to-browse place.
A Word of Caution: The Sites to Avoid
Now, let’s talk about the sites you need to be careful with. In your search, you’ve probably seen names like YIFY, RARBG, or 123Movies. Here’s the deal.
- RARBG & TorrentDownloads: These were huge torrent indexes for mostly pirated content. As many tech sites reported, RARBG shut down for good in May 2023, and most clones are fakes loaded with malware.
- YIFY (YTS): Famous for small file sizes, YTS is a go-to for pirated films. The appeal of small files is understandable; if you have legally obtained movies, a Panda video compressor can shrink them for you safely.
- 123Movies, Vegamovies, Medebereiya: These streaming sites are illegal. If you’re used to platforms like these, consider switching to the legal Top OnionPlay Alternatives for HD Movie Streaming discussed in our list above. It’s a much safer approach than dealing with the pop-ups and fake links these sites are known for.
Using pirate sites can get you warning letters from your internet provider or expose you to nasty online scams. It’s just not worth the risk.
Conclusion: Making the Smart Choice
You don’t have to risk your computer’s health to watch movies online. By sticking to the legitimate services on this list, you get access to thousands of great films without the headache. The best website for downloading movies isn’t the one with the newest blockbusters for free—it’s the one that’s legal, safe, and respects the people who make the films we love.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are these sites really legal? A: Yes. Every site in our main list is a legitimate company that licenses the content they show. The public domain sites host films that are no longer under copyright. We strongly advise you to avoid the unofficial sites mentioned in the caution section.
Q: Will I have to pay for anything? A: Not usually. On most of these platforms, the “cost” is your time watching a few commercials. For services like Kanopy and Hoopla, your library card is your free pass.
Q: Is it safe to use these movie download sites? A: The 12 legal platforms and archives listed are safe. That said, using antivirus software and a VPN is always a smart move online. Stay away from the unofficial sites to protect yourself from malware.
Q: How can I transfer a downloaded movie to my phone? A: For a legally downloaded film, a simple USB cable transfer from your PC works great. You can also use cloud services like Google Drive. For a slick wireless method, tools like AirDroid can move files between your devices on the same network.
