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YouTube has emerged as an unexpected treasure trove for legally watching Hollywood movies and popular TV shows for free. From cult classics to award-winning hits, YouTube's impressive collection spans various genres to suit any taste.
In this comprehensive guide, we will uncover the 20 best free movies on YouTube Movies and TV channel readily available. To help you pick the perfect flick or binge-worthy show, we have categorized the selections based on genre.
So, grab your popcorn and get ready to explore the impressive world of free movies on YouTube!
The Pink Panther
Plot:
Starring comedy legend Peter Sellers as the bumbling Inspector Clouseau, this zany caper film from 1963 sparked a hit franchise spanning decades. It offers loads of slapstick humor and a delightful escapist romp.
School of Rock
Plot:
Jack Black is at his comedic best as the slacker Dewey who impersonates a substitute teacher to earn some cash. What ensues is a hilarious music-filled riot as Dewey mentors his students to compete in a battle of the bands.
A Beautiful Mind
Plot:
Critically acclaimed for its sensitive portrayal of schizophrenia, A Beautiful Mind won 4 Oscars. It chronicles the inspirational life of Nobel Laureate John Nash and his struggles with severe mental illness.
Gandhi
Plot:
This multiple Oscar winner encapsulates the extraordinary life of Mahatma Gandhi and his non-violent fight for India’s independence. Fantastic acting by Ben Kingsley makes it compelling viewing.
Blade Runner
Plot:
Ridley Scott's sci-fi masterpiece features Harrison Ford as a retired detective chasing dangerous rogue robots. Its thought-provoking themes around artificial intelligence and the ethics of biotech engineering make it timelessly relevant.
The NeverEnding Story
Plot:
This magical children’s fantasy adventure beautifully brings to life a parallel world, threatened by dark forces and saved only by the power of imagination. It’s whimsical escapism the whole family will cherish.
The Terminator
Plot:
With its legendary terminator assassin spawning multiple sequels and a TV spin-off, this 1984 sci-fi thriller epitomizes action excellence. It blends sci-fi, action and horror in a relentlessly exhilarating package.
Top Gun
Plot:
Top Gun skyrocketed Tom Cruise into the Hollywood stratosphere and became iconic pop culture symbolizing cool fighter pilots. Its aerial dogfight sequences remain some of the most stunning committed to celluloid.
Die Hard
Plot:
Bruce Willis cemented his action hero credentials in this wildly entertaining thrill ride. As wisecracking cop John McClane, he almost single-handedly takes down a tower full of terrorists on Christmas Eve to save his estranged wife. Yippee Ki-Yay!
The General
Plot:
Silent comedy legend Buster Keaton performs nail-biting stunts on a moving steam locomotive in this 1926 classic inspired by an actual civil war hijacking incident.
Jerry Maguire
Plot:
Anchored by Tom Cruise in career-best form and Cuba Gooding Jr’s Oscar-winning turn, Cameron Crowe's brilliant screenplay captures the cutthroat world of a sports agent at the top of his game and the woman who changes his life. Their iconic "You complete me" line has since sparked countless romantic movie tributes.
When Harry Met Sally
Plot:
This delightfully witty, iconic romantic comedy examines if men and women can ever be "just friends". Thanks to its hilarious script brimming with charm and chemistry between leads Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, it has become the quintessential NYC rom-com.
Slumdog Millionaire
Plot:
This fantastical romantic drama embeds a boy meets girl love story within Mumbai's bustling slums and India's Who Wants to Be a Millionaire game show. Its irresistible spirit took the 2009 Oscars by storm, claiming eight trophies including Best Picture.
Pumping Iron
Directors: Robert Fiore, George Butler
Plot:
This engrossing docu-drama insight into competitive bodybuilding offers an intimate look at a young Arnold Schwarzenegger at the peak of his powers. Its behind-the-scenes access during Schwarzenegger's intense training to secure his Mr Olympia title makes compulsive viewing.
F for Fake
Plot:
Legendary filmmaker Orson Welles directs and stars in this highly inventive documentary, his final complete work. Blending fact and fiction, it examines the nature of deceit and truth - especially potent in today’s era awash with fake news and false narratives.
Man on Wire
Plot:
This highly engaging, stranger-than-fiction documentary chronicles French high-wire artist Philippe Petit'sillegal and jaw-dropping 1974 tightrope walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.
Stop Making Sense
Plot:
Capturing the legendary Talking Heads at the peak of their powers in a euphoric 1983 concert, this is widely acclaimed as the greatest concert movie ever filmed.
Night of the Living Dead
Plot:
Despite micro-budget production values, this 1968 independent horror classic broke taboos in graphic violence to pioneer today’s lucrative zombie genre. More importantly, its searing social commentary on 1960s America and civil rights issues remains disturbingly relevant.
Nosferatu
Plot:
As one of the earliest vampire films, this 1922 silent movie Adaptation of Dracula became enormously influential in horror fantasy. Its creepy surrealism and stunning cinematography, especially Count Orlok's iconic shadow ascending the stairs, make it eternally chilling.
Paranormal Activity
Plot:
Thrilling audiences solely through creepy found footage on a microbudget, this 2009 supernatural blockbuster has been hailed for reinvigorating the horror genre and spawning multiple sequels in one of most profitable franchises ever.
Can I download free movies on YouTube to watch offline?
No, YouTube does not offer an inbuilt download feature that allows you to download YouTube movies free for offline viewing.
However, you can use a 3rd-party streaming video downloader such as StreamFab YouTube Movies Downloader to download these free YouTube movies, and also your purchased YouTube movies to watch unrestrictedly on any device you have.
Why are there free movies on YouTube's Movies & TV library?
YouTube allows major studios like MGM, Lionsgate and Paramount to create dedicated channels offering select titles for free with ads.
This allows the studios to monetize older films gathering dust while expanding their audience reach. It’s a win-win allowing fans legal and free access to acclaimed Hollywood movies.
What kind of YouTube free movies can I watch?
You can find a wide variety of YouTube free movies spanning every genre – action adventures, sci-fi classics, critically acclaimed dramas, romantic comedies, horrors and more.
However, choice availability varies by country due to licensing so you may find more or fewer free options depending on your location.
Are these free YouTube movies legal?
Yes. They are legally uploaded by official studio partners, usually with ads. So you can enjoy these free YouTube movies guilt-free without any piracy concerns.
ACan I watch TV series for free on YouTube?
Yes, many popular classic shows are available on YouTube Movies & TV channel although choice is more limited than standalone movies.
Examples include original Star Trek series, Baywatch episodes and British classics like Brideshead Revisited.
What video quality options do free YouTube movies have?
Video quality of YouTube free movies varies but most allow at least 480p resolution. Many stream in crisp HD or Full HD 1080p quality. Premium titles may allow 4K quality.
Simply adjust video quality options on YouTube player to maximum available for your film.
Can I watch these free YouTube movies on my Smart TV?
Yes, you can easily watch YouTube on your internet-enabled Smart TVs. Open the YouTube app on your Smart TV or games console connected to your television, then search directly for the movie title and watch away!
AWe hope you’ve uncovered some gems for your next movie night from our roundup of the 20 best free movies on YouTube. With acclaimed Hollywood hits, timeless classics and hidden indie treasures across every major genre, YouTube offers an eclectic range of quality entertainment legally accessible worldwide.
Make the most of these resources especially during the ongoing cost of living crisis squeezing people's budgets. Keep checking back as YouTube frequently adds popular new titles to its free streaming catalogue.
Moreover, if you prefer offline viewing on your own device, you can use StreamFab YouTube Movies Downloader to download not only these free movies on YouTube but also your purchased ones to watch on any of your device without an internet connection!
Your ultimate choice to download videos from Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, YouTube and other sites.
Your ultimate choice to download videos from Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, YouTube and other sites.