Top 20 Free Movie Apps For iOS & Android

Everybody remembers their first trip to the movie theater. It is a whirlwind of sounds, sights, and sensations. The smell of buttery popcorn lingers in the air. Lifesize cardboard figures loom from every corner. There is a palpable feeling of anticipation in the air. It’s three minutes until lights down, so you’d better run and find your seat. The main feature is about to begin. These Free Movie Apps can help you capture a bit of that experience from the comfort of your own home

It’s hard to disagree with the idea that there’s something magic, even transcendental, about the cinema experience. Yet, crucially, it’s a magic that doesn’t have to be unique to the movie theatre. The rapid evolution of smartphones, streaming technologies, and digital collections is encouraging cinephiles to swap rising ticket prices for the chance to watch free movies in the comfort of their own homes.

With so many free movie apps to choose from, it’s no wonder that people are choosing a more intimate experience. In most cases, all you have to do to start watching blockbuster titles is register your details and become a member. Then, you’ll get a personal account and access to hundreds of new and old releases. Whether you’re a fan of rom-coms, horror movies, thrillers, comedies, or musicals; if you find the right app to watch free  movies online, you’ll never be short of entertainment again.

The Best Free Movie Apps for Android & iOS

The following list of free movie apps has been compiled to help you avoid the fakes and pick a service that suits your needs. All of these free movie apps are compatible with iOS and Android devices, so they can be watched on iPhones, iPads, Android tablets, and laptop computers too. If you have the correct accessories, you can even hook your device up to a TV and stream free movies in total comfort. Add some popcorn and you’ve got your own personal cinema.

1.  Movie HD

The Movie HD app was developed in conjunction with the creators of the HD Cinema and Sky HD apps, so it comes with good credentials. It has an expansive collection of free movies, in a long list of genres, but its main benefit is that it can be used with Chromecast. This means that any film you choose can be streamed directly from your smartphone to a television screen at the touch of a button. There are more than twenty film categories to pick from and these include popular TV shows like Breaking Bad and the Big Bang Theory too.

Movie HD APK Download & Guide (Also be sure to check out Movie HD Lite!)

2. Showbox

The ShowBox app is one of the most popular, because it has a very user friendly interface. The vast digital collection can be navigated quickly, so there’s no need to spend time fruitlessly browsing unless you want to. The key advantage of this app is that content can be downloaded and stored for offline viewing later. This really is home cinema at its most convenient. Why fit your life around your movie addiction, when you can shape your viewing habits to fit your routine? The ShowBox app is fully compatible with HD content, so you can watch movies in glorious definition if your internet connection supports it.

Showbox APK Download & Guide

3. Playbox HD

If you’ve used free movie apps before, you may have come across PlayBox HD. It has undergone somewhat of a transformation in the last few years, however. It was originally known as CinemaBox. Under its new name, the app now offers a diverse collection of titles, but the standout detail is that it requires no registration. So, if you’re not keen to sign up, PlayBox HD could be the right choice for you. The technical issues that marred its first inception seem to have been fixed now, which means that users can watch their favourite flicks whenever and wherever they like.

Playbox HD APK Download & Guide

4. Megabox HD

The MegaBox HD app is a slightly newer choice, as it only appeared a couple of years ago. It is extremely popular though and has more than 50,000 users worldwide. It also offers a staggering 60,000 titles, so you’ll never have trouble finding that movie magic again. The downside to MegaBox HD is that it streams some commercial ads and it won’t work if an ad blocking program is activated to stop them. While this is bound to put some film lovers off, the app is certainly worth a look; can that many users be wrong? You can download titles from the MegaBox HD app and store them for watching later.

Megabox HD APK Download & Guide

5. Kodi

Kodi is a little different to other free movie apps, because it is run and managed by a non-profit organisation. The XBMC Foundation created it and now supervises its constant development. This app is not a static, fixed platform. It is always being changed, tweaked, and updated by expert coders from around the world. Since its inception in 2003, over 500 software developers and more than 200 translators have contributed to its journey. Kodi, essentially, turns any computer, smartphone, or tablet into a streamable set top box, so that movies can be played from larger TV screens. As it isn’t owned by any of the big providers, it isn’t governed by licensing rights and, with the right tools, users can watch pretty much anything.

Download: Google Play

6. Mobdro

The Mobdro app isn’t widely known, but it does offer some compelling features. For Android users, it is a quick and easy way to access TV shows, blockbuster movies, sports coverage, and even cable channels. While only a tiny proportion of the content is available in HD, Mobdro is useful for when you’re away from home and want to catch up on your favorite content. Like Kodi, it isn’t owned by any of the major providers, which means that there are fewer restrictions on what you can watch. Mobdro is definitely one of the best free tv apps for PC, Andriod & iOS!

Download: Android APK

7. Popcorn Flix

Popcorn Flix is one of the most popular free movie apps because it is updated on a regular basis. However, you should be aware that it is a relatively new resource and it has some way to go yet before it reaches the heights of MegaBox HD or ShowBox. There are only 700 titles to choose from, which might sound like a lot, but it pales into comparison next to the larger, more firmly established apps. As mentioned, however, the content collection is being constantly updated, so there is still a lot to love about the Popcorn Flix app. Use the simple navigation tools to categorise movies according to release date, genre, themes, and a number of other credentials.

Download: iTunes | Google Play

8. Viewster

Viewster is a hugely popular movie streaming app which offers users the chance to enjoy top of the line content for free. As well as featuring many high profile releases, it has one of the most expansive anime collections anywhere on the internet. There are over 20,000 anime shows, movies, and shorts on Viewster and this has made it a big hit with diehard fans. There is no need to register and the app will give you all kinds of information on the content that interests you. This includes bios, trailers, movie news, and more. As Viewster is a big hit across Europe, you’ll find a great many documentaries and foreign flicks here too.

Download: iTunes | Google Play

9. TubiTV

While TubiTV isn’t one of the most well-known free movie apps, it does offer some great features. And, even though you might not have heard of it, the app has been downloaded more than one million times from the Play Store alone, so it comes with a lot of promise. With over 40,000 films and TV shows to choose from, the wealth of variety on offer is huge. There are even separate categories for things like martial arts films and stand-up comedy. The collection is regularly updated and tweaks are made to try and constantly improve the service.

Download: iTunes | Google Play

10. Yidio TV

Yidio is quite unique, because it functions as a kind of search engine for online content. It does not host movies, but it directs users to the places where they can be streamed for free. So, all you have to do is open the app, search for a title, and you’ll be given a list of possible streaming sites (for example, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Showtime). What this does mean is that not all of the content is free. If you’re directed to a platform that requires paid membership – like Netflix – you’ll need to register. There are plenty of free movies and TV shows to be found though, particularly if you’ve got the time to browse.

Download: iTunes | Google Play

11. Crackle

The Crackle free movie app is compatible with pretty much any device that you can think of. This makes it a popular choice with diehard film and television fans. In recent years, one much loved feature has been eliminated – you can no longer download and store content – but the app still has a lot to offer. There is no registration or log in process, so you don’t have to give up your personal details and the variety of titles is diverse. According to user reviews, the streaming capabilities are extremely high level and rarely disrupted, which is something that even the major streaming providers can’t always claim.

Download: iTunes | Google Play

12. Snag Films

The SnagFilms app is recommended for anybody who gets frustrated with browsing Netflix and other digital collections. It makes suggestions based on your viewing habits, so after you’ve been using it for a little while, you’ll receive a completely personalised service. Plus, a huge proportion of the titles on offer can be streamed in 720 or 1080p. You can add interesting movies and TV shows to a queue and come back and watch them later, which is a really useful tool. It means that you’ll never have to wander aimlessly through a mountain of content for a Friday night movie again; just log in to your free account and check out your saved suggestions.

Download: iTunes | Google Play

13. Youtube.com

YouTube isn’t always mentioned on lists of the best streaming apps, but it remains a valuable resource. In recent years, it has been dominated by dedicated movie platforms, so it certainly isn’t the most popular place to watch free films. However, lots of movies have been uploaded to YouTube in their entirety. The copyright issues are complex in this scenario and you will find that newer titles get quickly removed sometimes. Head over to reddit.com/r/fullmoviesonyoutube/ to check whether the movie you want has been uploaded.

Download: iTunes | Google Play

14. Netflix.com

Now, we come to the big daddy of the movie streaming platforms. As you probably know, Netflix isn’t technically free to use, but it does offer a free 1 month trial for new members. And at $8 for a basic membership, it might as well be. For this tiny monthly fee, users have access to one of the largest and most diverse collections of content available anywhere. There’s a reason why Netflix.com is the giant of digital streaming and it’s because everything works. There is no unwanted advertising, buffering issues are rare, and you can enjoy everything from the best Bollywood flicks to arthouse gems, golden oldies, and much more.

Download: iTunes | Google Play

15. Hulu.com

Hulu is a lot like Netflix, but it doesn’t have the same international status quite yet. It is huge in the United States, but still relatively unknown in the UK and across Europe. This is primarily because, while Hulu offers many of the same titles, Netflix has significantly more content to choose from. There are no advertisements though and most of the movies and TV shows are available to stream in 720p HD. If you’re looking to get your hands on full boxsets, the Hulu app is a good choice. Do be aware, however, that there are no 1080p HD streams and, like Netflix, you have to pay a subscription fee to access the content on multiple devices.

Download: iTunes | Google Play

16. Terrarium TV

This app is another third party tool, so it doesn’t host the content directly. Instead, the Terrarium TV app provides a search function that allows users to locate almost any movie, documentary, or TV show. Once found, a list of possible sources is provided and it is up to you to search through the links and find a stream that is good enough. For some people, this kind of app is just too fiddly and indirect. They want their content right in front them and streamable at the touch of a button, like Netflix. Yet, the benefit of apps like Terrarium TV is that there is no real limit to what can be watched and enjoyed.

Download: Android APK

17. Bobby Movie Box

The Bobby Movie Box app is currently only available to Android users. It is not yet compatible with Apple devices, though there are rumors that a more flexible version is on the way. It does play advertisements, which can be a deal breaker for some movie fans, but the collection is exciting and it gets updated regularly. Many of the titles can be streamed in full HD and the user interface is bright, simple to understand, and actually really pleasant to interact with. Keep your eyes peeled for an iOS version of Bobby Movie Box.

Download: Android APK

18. Popcorn Time

Popcorn Time is one of the newest free tv & movie apps because it only just celebrated its one year anniversary. Despite this, it is managing to compete with many of the bigger platforms on the market and the number of users grows every day. It is a good option for movie fans who want a little bit more from their streaming service because you have the option to upgrade from a free to a premium membership if you wish. Also, users have expressed their delight at the fact that buffering issues are rare, even on relatively sluggish internet connections. As Popcorn Time sources content from other torrent websites, you may want to consider combining it with a VPN, but this is something that not all users choose to do.

Download: Google Play

19. Cartoon HD

Cartoon HD was at the center of a minor controversy in 2013 after Apple pulled it from the store. Now, after a makeover and some key alterations, the platform is back. The app used to work in the same way as Popcorn Time; it didn’t host the content, but it provided reliable links to places where it could be streamed. The new app is a little more traditional and features a fully hosted digital collection that is available to members who register for a free account. It has a diverse selection of movie and television titles, with a nod towards the American market.

Download: Android APK

20. Newest Movies HD

The Newest Movies HD app, though relatively low profile, offers a staggering 50,000 titles. They come under an expansive selection of genres and categories, so you’ll always be spoiled for choice here. To make searching easier, there are filters like ‘highest rated,’ ‘most watched,’ and ‘critically acclaimed.’ The drawback to using this app is that there has been some talk of compatibility issues and occasional software malfunctions. At the moment, Newest Movies HD is only available on Android devices, but you can download content and watch it later, at your convenience. There is an exciting (and surprisingly vast) anime collection, which is sure to delight diehard fans of the genre.

Download: Android APK

Why These Movie Apps are the Future of Streaming

There are all kinds of issues surrounding the use and development of movie streaming apps. This is, in part, due to the degree of variety that exists among them. At one end, you have established platforms like Netflix – which are highly commercial and turn over huge profits, while undermining traditional media forms – and at the other, you have third party providers who offer similar services, but often find themselves on the wrong side of copyright laws.

If one thing is clear, it’s that content streaming apps are here to stay. It just remains to be seen how the industry will change and whether the law will eventually become more forgiving towards third party platforms. It is a debate that isn’t restricted to the movie business, because the same questions are being asked of music streaming services too. This is why avid film fans are encouraged to keep their finger on the pulse when it comes to how and where they access their favourite titles.

This list should provide you with plenty of ideas, particularly if you’re not yet familiar with movie apps. Netflix and YouTube are always great places to start, but they’re not necessarily the best option for you. Every app featured is free to download and the vast majority are free to use as well, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try the ones that sound like they’ll best fit your lifestyle, viewing habits, and technology. Happy streaming, folks.