movies websites for download

18 Best Free Movie Download Sites Of 2024 | Fully Legal

In today’s digital era, hardly anything comes for free, especially entertainment. Even if something claims to be free, it’s often considered pirated or illegal.

Over the past decade, numerous media streaming sites have emerged, offering streaming and downloading services for movies and TV shows, but usually at a cost.

For those looking to avoid payment, illegal platforms can be tempting. However, these platforms distribute movies unlawfully. Using such non-genuine platforms, like many torrent sites, not only exposes you to legal consequences but also poses a serious risk of malware attacks on your devices.

So, where can we turn for movie downloads?

Fortunately, there are a few legitimate websites that allow you to legally watch and download movies and TV series for free. It’s crucial to prioritize legal alternatives, not only to support artists and the industry but also to protect against the legal consequences and potential security risks linked with pirated content.

Given these challenges, this article aims to guide you toward a responsible and legal approach to movie downloads. Our mission is clear: to create a comprehensive list of free movie download sites that respect intellectual property rights and offer a diverse and rich library of films.

Indulge in a guilt-free and enriching movie-watching experience.

Table of Contents

18. Filmzie

Filmzie is a free streaming service with a diverse range of movies and TV shows. Its content library includes movies spanning various genres, including drama, comedy, action, and more.

The platform has gained recognition for featuring independent films and classics that are not as widely available on mainstream streaming services. This focus provides you with a unique selection beyond popular Hollywood releases. It often includes a mix of international films, so you can explore cinema from different cultures and regions.

Filmzie occasionally features documentaries that explore business themes. These independent documentaries cover stories about entrepreneurs, startups, or even the broader economic landscape, shedding light on unique business journeys or industry transformations.

The best thing is that Filmzie breaks away from the subscription model. There are no fees and no subscriptions—just a seamless and completely free movie streaming experience for users.

17. Plex TV

Come on over. Bring a friend or two. pic.twitter.com/KEtIKoQHgk — Plex (@plex) November 1, 2023

Plex TV is the culmination of movies, music, shows, and various entertainment seamlessly integrated into one user-friendly app. This centralized hub is designed to be both beautiful and easy to use.

It goes beyond streaming services by allowing you to organize and enjoy your personal media libraries. You can find new content based on your preferences and save your favorite shows for easy access.

It features business documentaries such as Something Ventured and The Startup Kids , as well as TV shows with business themes like Shark Tank and Undercover Boss . Plus, Channels like Bloomberg and Cheddar often stream content related to stock markets, business news, and economic updates, giving viewers real-time insights into the business world.

With over 600 streaming channels, 50,000 titles on demand, and 25 million users globally, Plex TV has established itself as a popular choice among entertainment enthusiasts.

16. BFI Player

Created by the British Film Institute (BFI), BFI Player is a digital gateway to a rich tapestry of cinematic wonders. The platform seamlessly blends classic and contemporary movies, providing a curated selection that highlights the depth and diversity of British cinema.

More specifically, it features films that span different eras, genres, and styles. From timeless classics to cutting-edge contemporary works, BFI Player offers a well-rounded representation of British filmmaking.

As for the pricing model, many movies on the platform are available for free. However, for certain premium or newer releases, it may provide rental options, giving you the flexibility to choose between free and paid content based on your preferences.

Tubi , a San Francisco-based video-on-demand platform, offers free access to an extensive library of TV shows and movies. Its content library includes drama, comedy, action, sci-fi, horror, and documentaries. Everything is licensed from studios and distributors.

With over 200 content providers, including major players like Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and Lionsgate, Tubi provides a diverse range of entertainment. The platform brings new movies and shows every week. Besides a browser, you can access Tubi from Chromecast and other over-the-top services like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.

Unlike many other streaming services that operate on a subscription-based model, Tubi does not require users to pay a subscription fee. It is an ad-supported platform, which means you will encounter advertisements during your streaming experience. The ads help support the service and keep it free for users.

14. Classic Cinema Online

If you’re a fan of old classic movies like me, you probably understand the challenge of finding them easily. Although platforms like YouTube and Dailymotion offer these movies, it may take hours to discover something you truly want to watch.

Classic Cinema Online solves this problem. Instead of spending long hours, you can simply watch hand-picked movies across different genres. It lets you explore decades-old movies by categories, making it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for without the lengthy search process.

What are you watching this weekend? https://t.co/ddD1kKTko8 pic.twitter.com/R3avzkZDgR — VuduFans (@VuduFans) November 11, 2023

Vudu is a US-based video-on-demand service that allows customers to buy or rent television shows, documentaries, and movies in standard, high, and ultra-high-definition formats.

In fact, it was the first on-demand service to provide high-definition content for downloading. Vudu also has a large collection of free, ad-supported content, including classics, as well as most recent movies and TV series.

In June 2020, Vudu was acquired by Fandango Media (a subsidiary of NBCUniversal) from Walmart. A year later, in August 2021, Fandango merged Vudu with its existing video streaming platform FandangoNOW, while keeping the name ‘Vudu.’ The combined service features thousands of free-to-stream movies and television series and about 200,000 titles for rent and buy.

Vudu offers a wide selection of business-themed movies and TV shows, including popular titles like The Wolf of Wall Street , Steve Jobs , Shark Tank , Billions , and Succession . Plus, it features insightful business documentaries such as Inside Job and The Social Dilemma .

According to an analysis performed by market research firm NDP Group, Vudu can reach more than 75 million TV-connected device households in the United States due to its extensive platform support, which includes Vizio smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV, and Xfinity devices.

12. Dailymotion

Dailymotion’s new Player Embed helped @konbini take its #video content strategy to the next level by creating an immersive and tailored experience that engaged their audiences. ➡️ https://t.co/QjDS4JP4P5 pic.twitter.com/fEX9TKesE6 — Dailymotion (@Dailymotion) July 12, 2022

Dailymotion is one the biggest video hosting services that allows you to browse, upload, and download video content from all over the world. The platform features a diverse range of material, including but not limited to music videos, gaming videos, news clips, educational content, and more.

It also hosts several small business channels that post videos covering stock market analysis, corporate earnings reports, industry trends and innovations, and business strategies and case studies. Many independent creators upload videos on corporate histories, finance and accounting, and entrepreneurial success stories.

It is not limited to a specific niche, allowing for a broad spectrum of videos. However, Dailymotion has faced legal setbacks over the years. Back in 2014, the platform was fined $1.5 million for copyright infringement. In Russia, Dailymotion has been blocked nationwide since early 2017 due to a court ruling. The platform was accused of persistently violating the country’s copyright laws.

11. PopcornFlix

PopcornFlix is a popular streaming website where you can watch hundreds of free, legal movies and web series. Although the platform primarily emphasizes feature-length movies, it also provides a variety of thought-provoking documentaries and captivating international films.

In the drama or biographical categories, PopcornFlix feature films that cover entrepreneurial journeys, the challenges of starting a business, and how entrepreneurs navigate their way through financial and personal obstacles. Popular entrepreneurial-themed movies include The Founder, Joy, The Pursuit of Happyness , and many more.

What sets PopcornFlix apart from its competitors is its versatility in accessibility. You can enjoy its content not only on traditional devices but also on gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox, as well as streaming devices such as Roku.

If you enjoy watching classical movies and anime without spending a dime, CONtv might be the ideal platform for you. This popular video-on-demand service offers free access to over 13,000 licensed pieces of content, ranging from documentaries to anime.

It also boasts a diverse collection of region-specific television shows, including popular titles like The Inbetweeners, Shameless, and Peep Show. What’s even more convenient is that you don’t need to register or download a local client; you can start watching directly on the website.

Furthermore, the platform often features coverage of various comic book conventions and fan events. This can include interviews with celebrities, panel discussions, and exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses into these exciting events.

CONtv also offers valuable content that explores the business side of pop culture, with documentaries on gaming, filmmaking, and the rise of Comic-Con as a global business phenomenon. You can also find insights into creative entrepreneurship, licensing, and merchandising through a variety of panels, interviews, and documentaries available on the platform.

Originally launched as PrendeTV, ViX is an over-the-top streaming service owned and managed by TelevisaUnivision USA, the world’s largest Spanish-language multimedia company (after the merger between Televisa and Univision ).

It allows you to stream television series, movies, and sports content from the TelevisaUnivision network and other third-party providers without any fee.

The service was launched in March 2021 and is now available on desktop, Amazon Fire TV, Apple, and Android devices. It currently streams over a hundred channels with over 40,000 hours of content spanning from sports programs to popular documentaries, series, and movies.

The platform has a remarkable reach and impact. Their content resonates with an extensive audience of over 325 million people, garnering an impressive 1 billion views each month.

Kanopy is a unique video streaming service that provides free access to a diverse array of movies for students from different universities and other educational institutions. To gain access, you need to provide your university library credentials.

This service is available in many countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, and Hong Kong, as well as to participating libraries.

Kanopy features an extensive collection of documentaries, with many focusing on business trends, entrepreneurship, economic challenges, and industry-specific case studies. The platform also showcases films and series that provide valuable insights into innovation, startup culture, and the entrepreneurial journey. Notable examples include Generation Startup, She Started It , and The Startup Kids .

Notably, Kanopy is entirely ad-free, as partner institutions cover the cost of the films viewed by their faculties and students. While Kanopy predominantly emphasizes documentaries, it also features films from every genre.

7. Pluto TV

Pluto TV is a free internet-based TV platform that gives access to over 250 channels, including new movies and sports channels. Its interface is designed to resemble traditional TV platforms, and it brings content from over 175 media partners.

In 2017, Pluto TV expanded its offerings to include a vast collection of on-demand movies and TV shows after securing a deal with MGM and Warner Bros. In 2023, the platform reached a milestone of 80 million monthly active users .

The platform provides access to several news and financial channels, including Bloomberg TV and CBS News, offering live updates and in-depth analysis of current business events, market movements, and economic trends. While it doesn’t have a dedicated channel for real estate or financial education, you can occasionally find programs related to real estate investments and personal finance on its lifestyle channels.

Crackle stands out as one of the most popular free video streaming platforms, providing licensed content from major media providers like Universal Studios, Warner Bros, and Fox Digital.

Though Crackle primarily focuses on entertainment, it also offers films that dramatize real-life business stories, documentaries on corporate giants, and biopics about influential business moguls. The platform often highlights shows centered around financial scandals and white-collar crime investigations, with titles like Margin Call and Wall Street among its notable offerings.

The Remind Classic TV collection is live! Checkout the top 10 and take advantage of a special magazine offer, exclusively on Crackle! https://t.co/DZLU9A4FX5 pic.twitter.com/XYsnHj6b9V — Crackle (@Crackle_TV) October 27, 2023

It is available in over 20 different nations across North and South America, boasting a user base of over 40 million monthly active users.

In my personal experience with the site, I found it to be moderately satisfactory. The interface is straightforward, making navigation easy. However, an excess of ads could potentially affect the overall viewing experience.

Vimeo may not be as big as YouTube, but it is definitely popular and has a huge fan base. It offers a platform where you can indulge in movies and numerous entertaining short films.

Vimeo’s interface is user-friendly, with no ads, and it supports high-definition playback. It offers a video-on-demand service for users interested in purchasing full-length movies and TV shows. While many of these are independent films, there’s also a collection of movies from prominent production houses.

Vimeo is widely used by creators and educators to share tutorials and how-to videos on a range of topics. These tutorials cover everything from fundamental business skills like marketing and finance to more specialized areas such as digital entrepreneurship, branding, and content creation strategies. Plus, Vimeo offers industry-specific documentaries that delve into the evolution of sectors like fashion, technology, and sustainable businesses.

In short, Vimeo serves as an ideal platform for those seeking both free and creative films, as well as paid content, all conveniently in one place.

4. Roku Channel

Our newest update makes streaming more seamless than ever. pic.twitter.com/xUTWn3uTdW — Roku (@Roku) October 4, 2023

Roku specializes in crafting digital media players for video streaming. They introduced their first major product, the Roku Streaming Player, in 2008. This device functions as a set-top box, enabling users to access various digital content offered by Roku’s partners.

Roku supports both free and paid channels, and users can also create custom channels for a fee.

In October 2017, Roku launched its own free streaming channel, featuring licensed TV shows and movies from major entertainment studios like Sony Pictures, MGM, Lionsgate, Warner Bros, and Disney, along with content partners like FilmRise and YuYu.

Since August 2018, the Roku Channel has been accessible on the web through non-Roku devices. The service introduced a “Featured Free” option, allowing users to stream free movies and shows directly from Roku Partners.

In 2021, Roku acquired the content library of the discontinued streaming platform Quibi for a reported $100 million, rebranding it as Roku Originals. In 2023, Roku claimed to have more than 70 million customer accounts worldwide, and data suggested that over a third of US smart TVs were using the Roku OS.

YouTube can be a great go-to when you’re looking for something to watch. As the world’s largest video-sharing website, it offers a vast array of visual content from around the globe.

While discovering full-length movies on YouTube has become challenging, the platform still hosts a considerable collection of free movies that you can easily enjoy. It also streams recordings from business conferences, keynotes, and seminars. Companies and business schools sometimes upload content from events like TED Talks and TechCrunch Disrupt .

Additionally, there are many movies on YouTube that may not appear unless you actively search for them. Often, these movies are uploaded in parts and not by their rightful owners. If you’re looking for authorized channels, Maverick Entertainment and The Paramount Vault are worth checking out.

2. Public Domain Torrents

One thing that I have learned after years of research is that copyright laws are extremely complex and could cost you millions. While torrents are commonly known for violating international copyright laws, it’s worth noting that there are legal alternatives where you can download torrents without legal repercussions.

One noteworthy site in this category is Public Domain Torrents , which exclusively offers movies that have entered the public domain. This happens when the original copyright holder does not renew their claim after a certain period.

Public Domain Torrents offers a collection of classic movies across various genres. The site is easy to navigate—just select a category and scroll through until you find a title that interests you. Most films are available in multiple formats and quality options.

1. The Internet Archive

The Internet Archive is an excellent platform for accessing legal movies and television shows completely for free. In case you’re unfamiliar, it’s a not-for-profit digital library that houses a vast collection, including books, images, audio files, old games, and, of course, movies.

You would be surprised to know how much data is stored in their data center. It has over 60 petabytes of digitized materials. The archive includes more than 15 million audio files, 11.6 million pieces of audiovisual content, 4.7 million images, and 251,000 concerts .

The extensive range of content, from books and images to audio files and software programs, makes it a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and the general public. From a business perspective, the Internet Archive can be a tool for research, marketing, education, and content creation.

More to Know

Factors we considered while making this list .

We use a stringent set of criteria to make this list, emphasizing key factors such as

1. Legality and Copyright Compliance : Each featured platform adheres to copyright laws and intellectual property rights, which means you can stream and download movies and TV shows without infringing on legal boundaries.
2. Content Library and Variety : From timeless classics to contemporary hits, we have included platforms that cater to a broad range of tastes and preferences. We’ve prioritized platforms that regularly update their movie catalog.
3. User Interface and Experience : We selected sites that offer a smooth and intuitive experience, making the movie discovery and download process seamless.
4. Download Speed and Quality : Recognizing the value of time, we considered the download speed offered by every site. All these listed sites provide high-quality downloads so you can enjoy a sharp and immersive visual experience.
5. Additional Features : Platforms with additional features like subtitles in multiple languages enhance the inclusivity of the movie-watching experience.

Advantages of Using Legal Sites

Using legal sites to download content is always a better choice for several reasons:

From HD resolutions to pristine audio quality, these sites have everything to enhance your viewing experience
You get access to a fresh and varied selection
There is no risk of sudden takedowns or interruptions
You are less likely to encounter malware, viruses, or other security threats

Moreover, downloading content legally signifies your support for creators through legitimate channels, ensuring that their work is acknowledged and valued.

Alternatives to Movie Downloading

Although free movie download sites offer a convenient way to enjoy films at your own pace, you can also try popular streaming services with free plans or trials.

Platforms Crackle , IMDb TV , and Tubi TV provide free streaming of movies with ad support. Their content is not available for download, but they offer a legal and cost-free way to enjoy movies.

You can also delve into the massive collection of public domain movies on the Internet Archive . This non-profit digital library has thousands of classic movies, documentaries, and ephemeral films that are free to download and share.

Which streaming services offer free trials?

As a user, with so many choices for your daily dose of entertainment, deciding where to spend your money can be tough. One great way to figure out which streaming service suits you best is by taking advantage of free trials. Here are some popular paid streaming sites that offer free trials, usually for a 7-day period.

Amazon Prime Video
Youtube Premium
Discovery + (7 days trial period)
Fubo TV (7 days trial period)

Are torrents safe?

No, torrents are not safe at all. While they are part of the “grey web” and not inherently dangerous, they are often associated with illegal activities.

Downloading torrent files without proper consent or permission from the owners is usually illegal. Distributing copyrighted content that doesn’t belong to you can lead to legal consequences under copyright laws. Additionally, there’s a high risk of malware infection when downloading files through torrents.

How do torrent sites operate?

Torrents operate on a peer-to-peer basis, allowing users to download the same file from multiple computers simultaneously. Before torrents, introduced by Bram Cohen in 2001, the only way to download files was through a centralized or single server.

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I am a content writer and researcher with over seven years of experience covering all gaming and anime topics. I also have a keen interest in the retail sector and often write about the business models/strategies of popular brands.

I started content writing after completing my graduation. After writing tech-related things and other long-form content for 2-3 years, I found my calling with games and anime. Now, I get to find new games and write features and previews.

When not writing for RankRed, I usually prefer reading investing books or immersing myself in Europa Universalis 4. But I am currently interested in some new JRPGs as well.