Many people who search for RARBG or its look-alike domains are not looking for risk. They are looking for films and series. The good news is that there are now plenty of legal ways to watch for free, funded by adverts or by your local library, with none of the malware, fake buttons or legal worries that come with unofficial torrent mirrors.
This guide lists the main free legal options and what each one is good for. Availability changes by country and catalogues rotate, so check each service in your region. For background on why we recommend these instead of RARBG-named domains, see the Rarbgget.org homepage.
Free, Ad-Supported Streaming Services
These services make money from adverts, so you pay nothing. Most work in a web browser and on phones, smart TVs and streaming sticks.
Tubi
Tubi, owned by Fox, offers a large on-demand library of films and series with adverts. It does not require a subscription, and an optional free account lets you save a watch list. It is available in the United States and several other countries, including Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.
Pluto TV
Pluto TV, owned by Paramount, combines hundreds of “live” themed channels with an on-demand section. It feels like traditional TV: you can drop into a channel that is always showing crime dramas, classic films or comedy. No account is required.
The Roku Channel
The Roku Channel offers free, ad-supported films, series and live channels. Despite the name you do not need a Roku device: it can also be watched in a browser in supported countries.
Plex
Besides its well-known media-server software, Plex runs a free, ad-supported service with on-demand films and series and live channels, available in many countries.
YouTube
In some countries YouTube offers a selection of full-length films free with adverts through its Movies and TV section. Check that a film is uploaded by an official studio or distributor channel rather than by a random account.
Prime Video’s free-with-ads titles
Amazon has folded its former Freevee service into Prime Video. In some regions a selection of titles can still be watched with adverts without a Prime membership; look for titles marked as free with ads.
Free With a Library Card
If you have a public library card, check whether your library partners with these services. They are legal, advert-free and often have more acclaimed films than ad-supported services.
Kanopy
Kanopy offers films, documentaries and classic cinema through participating public libraries and universities. Each library sets a monthly viewing allowance. Kanopy is known for independent, foreign-language and arthouse titles.
Hoopla
Hoopla lets library members borrow films, TV episodes, e-books, audiobooks, comics and music. Borrowing limits are also set by each library.
Public-Domain Films
Some films are in the public domain, which means anyone may watch and share them legally. In the United States, works published in 1930 or earlier are now in the public domain, along with some later films whose copyright was never properly registered or renewed. The best-known source is the Internet Archive, a non-profit digital library with a large collection of public-domain feature films, newsreels, cartoons and educational films. For books, Project Gutenberg offers tens of thousands of free public-domain e-books.
Copyright terms vary between countries, so a film that is public domain in the US may still be protected elsewhere.
Paid Services, If You Want the Newest Releases
For new releases, the licensed route is a subscription or a digital rental. Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, Apple TV and regional broadcasters’ streaming apps all offer legal access. Many have cheaper plans with adverts, and digital stores let you rent a single film instead of subscribing. Prices and catalogues change often, so compare them on the services’ own websites.
Quick Comparison
| Service | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Tubi | Free with ads | Large on-demand film library |
| Pluto TV | Free with ads | Live themed channels |
| The Roku Channel | Free with ads | Mix of on-demand and live TV |
| Plex | Free with ads | On-demand and live channels in many countries |
| Kanopy | Free with a participating library card | Arthouse, documentaries, classics |
| Hoopla | Free with a participating library card | Films plus books, comics and music |
| Internet Archive | Free | Public-domain classics |
How to Stay Safe on Free Streaming Sites
Stick to the official websites and app stores for each service, and be wary of sites that copy their names. A legitimate free service never asks you to install a special player or codec, and never asks for card details to “verify your age” before showing free content. If something feels wrong, our guide to spotting fake mirror and clone sites explains what to look for, and our VPN basics guide explains what a VPN can and cannot do for your privacy.
Want the story of why so many people went looking for alternatives in the first place? Read what happened to RARBG, or go back to Rarbgget.org for our overview.
Tips for Getting More From Free Services
- Use several services together. Catalogues differ, so a film missing from one is often on another.
- Use the search on a film database. Sites such as JustWatch show which legal services currently carry a title in your country.
- Check your library’s website. Many libraries list every digital service they support, sometimes including more than Kanopy and Hoopla.
- Look at broadcaster apps. Many national broadcasters run free streaming apps for their own programmes, such as the BBC’s iPlayer in the UK (a TV licence is required) or PBS in the US.
Free services also change over time: titles are added and removed every month, and services occasionally launch in new countries or close. Treat any list, including this one, as a starting point and confirm on the official site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best legal alternative to RARBG?
It depends on what you watch. Tubi and Pluto TV are the easiest free options, Kanopy and Hoopla are excellent if your library supports them, and the Internet Archive is best for public-domain classics.
Are free streaming sites like Tubi legal?
Yes. Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Plex and similar services license their content and pay for it with adverts.
Do I need an account to watch free movies legally?
Not always. Tubi and Pluto TV can be watched without an account. Kanopy and Hoopla need a library card from a participating library.
