Well, 182 million people can’t be wrong. That’s how many people subscribe to streaming video service Netflix each month.
If you are one of them, you’re using a streaming media player, smart TV, phone, or computer to watch a lot of good content. Stuff like “Stranger Things” and “Ozark” are super popular. Tap or click here for ways to make binge-watching Netflix even easier.
But, if you have Netflix or are considering getting it, you know it isn’t free. The basic subscription starts at a reasonable $8.99 a month. However, it’s $13.99 to watch in high-definition or $17.99 for ultra HD. Is there a way to enjoy streaming that doesn’t cost as much? Yes, let’s look at some free alternatives.
How to stream movies and shows for free
Netflix isn’t the only subscription-based service; there are several others that you can pay for, including Hulu, HBO Now, CBS All Access, Disney+, Apple TV+ and more. However, those subscriptions also cost money. It adds up to a big chunk of change, especially if you’re also paying for cable TV or satellite TV.
Fortunately, there are plenty of free options. There’s one tiny catch with most of these, however: You’ll have to sit through some commercials. Keep reading to find out where you can stream shows and movies for free.
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Crackle
Gone are the days where free movies meant looking through a strange service only to find films you’d never heard of starring actors you’ve never seen. While a service like Crackle might have a less robust selection than a service like Netflix, it has many popular movies to choose from. You’ll find titles like “Captain Phillips,” “The Cable Guy,” “10 Cloverfield Lane” and many more.
The selection isn’t just limited to movies, either. Crackle has many different television shows to stream as well. Shows include “3rd Rock From The Sun.” “Charlie’s Angels.” “The Dana Carvey Show.” “Hell’s Kitchen” and more.
When you’re looking for something new, Crackle even has a slew of its own original content. You’ll find a variety of TV shows to a selection of feature films only available on Crackle.
Tubi
If you haven’t heard about Tubi yet, you will. The ad-supported, free streaming service is now owned by Fox.
Tubi, which you can watch online or on streaming media players, has 20,000 free streaming TV shows and movies. Right now, much of Tubi’s content is older, but don’t mistake older for unpopular.
Tubi’s menu is easy to navigate. You can find TV dramas and comedies, kids’ shows, trending movies, the best of British TV, documentaries, scary movies and others. One category you won’t find on Netflix or Hulu is Tubi’s “Not on Netflix” category, with movies and TV shows.
Check Tubi out and revisit it from time to time. With its big-money backers, it’ll continue to expand its library of free streaming content.
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Network TV
If you’re cutting the cord on cable or satellite TV, you probably worry about not being able to watch your favorite TV shows. There is really no reason to worry. You can stream almost every current network TV show for free. All the major networks have streaming content on their homepages, including some you can watch live.
Did you miss “The Blacklist” on NBC or “The Voice”? You can find them, and many other shows, streaming on NBC.com. You can watch Fox shows like “Family Guy” on Fox.com and CW shows like “Jane the Virgin” on CWTV.com.
Another way to watch network TV is by picking them up live with an antenna. It’s true, you can simply add an antenna to your system and you’ll pick up tons of channels for free!
This amplified HD antenna from Amazon will do the trick. This HD antenna can receive full HD Channels like ABC, CBS, NBC, PBC, Fox and more.
When you consider all those options for streaming free TV shows and movies, it’s getting easier to cut the cord.
Plus, if you’re an Amazon Prime member, Prime Video comes with your membership. You can stream content like its Emmy-winning original series, “Transparent,” and hundreds of other shows and movies like “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Fleabag” or “Jack Ryan.”
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