17 Best Free Movies on Tubi to Watch Right Now (2024)

Though free-to-use streamers have a stigma of low quality attached to them, this idea couldn't be any farther from the truth. Tubi in particular has built up a significant repertoire of quality films from all corners of the globe, spanning cinema's brief but expansive history. Everything from classic films from the silent era to more recent blockbusters are all here for you to enjoy. But, seeing as how Tubi's library is composed of hundreds upon hundreds of unique titles, where should you start?

We've found it useful to narrow down Tubi's collection into a much more digestible format. Here are our picks for a few of the best movies you can stream on Tubi right now. You'll be surprised at what this free streaming service has to offer.

Updated on June 16th, 2024, by Brian Kirchgessner: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.

17 The Usual Suspects (1995)

The Usual Suspects

R

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

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Release Date

July 19, 1995

Director

Bryan Singer

Cast

stephen baldwin , Gabriel Byrne , Benicio Del Toro , Kevin Pollak , Kevin Spacey , Chazz Palminteri

Main Genre

Crime

Runtime

106

Writers

Christopher McQuarrie

One of the most expertly plotted crime thrillers of all time, The Usual Suspects follows a bunch of small-time criminals being interrogated by the police after a deadly shoot-out left over a dozen people dead. One of the survivors, Verbal Kint, recounts the events through nonlinear storytelling, where he reveals the truth about five criminals and a ruthless criminal mastermind named Keyser Söze. The question is, did the police really encounter the crime lord himself, or was one of them inventing a lie to cover their tracks?

A Plot Twist No One Saw Coming

A complex mystery that unfolds at an unnerving pace, The Usual Suspects leaves audiences guessing until the final frame, which reveals a truth that was hiding in plain sight. Under Bryan Singer’s terrific direction and with Christopher McQuarrie’s clever writing, the movie emerges as a true original crime thriller that still feels fresh. The ensemble cast includes Kevin Spacey, Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio del Toro, and Kevin Pollak.

16 The Imitation Game (2014)

The Imitation Game

PG-13

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

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Release Date

November 14, 2014

Director

Morten Tyldum

Cast

Benedict Cumberbatch , Keira Knightley , Mark Strong , Charles Dance , Matthew Goode , Allen Leech

Main Genre

Biography

Runtime

113

Writers

Graham Moore

The Imitation Game is set during the Second World War. It follows mathematician Alan Turing being recruited by the newly created British intelligence agency MI6 for a secret operation cracking Nazi codes at Bletchley Park. Along with other geniuses, Turing created an early type of computer that helped decipher coded messages on the Enigma machines. As Turing and his collaborators race against time to break the final German naval code, the secret about his being gay gets out and he is disgraced.

Benedict Cumberbatch's Most Powerful Role

War movies are always expected to nail the perfect balance between bravery and sympathy in order to speak with the audience, and The Imitation Game achieves just that by infusing a human drama into a historical codebreaking mission that changed the world forever. Benedict Cumberbatch delivers a powerful and emotionally complex performance as Turing to match with Morten Tyldum’s sublime direction. The movie not only pays tribute to a lonely genius but also to an event that laid the foundation of our digital work.

15 The Graduate (1967)

The Graduate

PG

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

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Not available

Not available

Release Date

December 21, 1967

Director

Mike Nichols

Cast

Anne Bancroft , Dustin Hoffman , Katharine Ross , William Daniels , Murray Hamilton , Elizabeth Wilson

Main Genre

Comedy

Runtime

107

Writers

Calder Willingham , Buck Henry , Charles Webb

In The Graduate, Dustin Hoffman plays the role of Benjamin Braddock, a 21-year-old disillusioned college graduate who returns home to his parents' house in suburban California unsure of his plans for the future. He finds himself drawn into an affair with a married woman, Mrs. Robinson. Already in grave trouble, Benjamin's secret rendezvous is jeopardized when he falls in love with the one woman Mrs. Robinson wanted him about – her very own daughter, Elaine.

A Generation-Defining Romantic Comedy

Directed by Mike Nichols, The Graduate is a classic rom-com that defined a generation. Its fresh soundtrack and pitch-perfect comedic timing are a delightful combination. Hoffman captures the spirit of his young character trying to stay afloat amid changing social tides alongside co-stars Anne Bancroft and Katharine Ross, who are absolutely stunning and witty in this offbeat indie. Additionally, the movie also resonated widely because of its exploration of post-college malaise and is still relevant half a century later.

14 Lady Bird (2017)

Lady Bird

R

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

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Not available

Release Date

September 8, 2017

Director

Greta Gerwig

Cast

Saoirse Ronan , Laurie Metcalf , Tracy Letts , Lucas Hedges , Timothee Chalamet , Elizabeth 'Beanie' Feldstein

Runtime

93

Main Genre

Comedy

Writers

Greta Gerwig

Greta Gerwig's solo directorial debut, Lady Bird, instantly put her on the radar of film junkies, as her semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story resonated with viewers both young and old. The film tells the story of Christine (who's nicknamed herself "Lady Bird"), a senior struggling with life in her final year of high school. The plot takes a backseat to character and unfolds as the best kind of slice-of-life comedy, chronicling Christine's tense relationship with her mother, her friendships, love life, financial struggles, and difficulties in getting accepted to an arts college.

A Modern Coming-Of-Age Classic

Lady Bird is nothing short of a miracle, standing as both one of the best films of the 2010s and one of the most exciting directorial debuts in recent memory. All the performances, particularly Saoirse Ronan as Christine and Laurie Metcalf as her mother, are pitch-perfect. But what makes the film so special is its heart; Gerwig realizes that Christine is growing up and trying to make sense of her life in ways that many people don't understand, and she empathizes with that. Christine's mother and all the other paternal figures in her life are painted as well-meaning, even if their life advice doesn't always prove up to snuff.

13 Memories of Murder (2003)

Memories of Murder

NONE

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

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Not available

Release Date

May 2, 2003

Director

Bong Joon-ho

Cast

Kang-ho Song , Sang-kyung Kim , Roe-ha Kim , Jae-ho Song , Hie-bong Byeon , Seo-hie Ko

Runtime

129

Main Genre

Crime

Writers

Bong Joon-ho , Kwang-rim Kim , Sung Bo Shim

Over the last decade, Bong Joon-ho has emerged as one of the planet's most exciting filmmakers, and 2003's Memories of Murder is the work that first got him recognized. Based on the 1996 play Come to See Me by Kim Kwang-rim, the story is loosely inspired by the first notable serial murder case in South Korea, set in the 1980s and following a couple of private detectives investigating a series of rapes and murders in their town. As the bodies pile up, the duo struggle to find the murderer, and as their search proves fruitless, their greatest enemy of all proves to be their obsession with catching him.

A Gripping Police Procedural

Like many of the best breakout features, Memories of Murder displays Bong Joon-ho's voice clearly, namely his social satire, his dexterity with tone, and his love of dark humor. Yet it's also one of the most haunting, thoughtful works of his career, exploring how man's arrogance and complacency can often prove his greatest enemy and at worst, let murderers escape scot-free. It also functions as a fantastic feature with David Fincher's similarly chilling procedural thriller, Zodiac.

12 Memento (2000)

Memento

R

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

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Not available

See Also

20 Projects Set to Focus Industry Attention at Spain’s Conecta Fiction   

Release Date

May 25, 2001

Director

Christopher Nolan

Cast

Guy Pearce , Carrie-Anne Moss , Joe Pantoliano , Mark Boone Junior , Russ Fega , Jorja Fox , Stephen Tobolowsky

Runtime

1hr 53min

Main Genre

Thriller

Writers

Christopher Nolan , Jonathan Nolan

Christopher Nolan is one of the most widely recognized filmmakers of the 21st century, and his breakout hit, Memento, remains in his absolute top tier. Nolan's love of playing with structure was made fully evident here, exploring the trials of an amnesiac man, Leonard (Guy Peace), unable to make new memories after an accident. As he searches for the man he believes to have raped and murdered his wife, the story is told across two different timelines: one, in black-and-white, unfolds chronologically, the second, in color, unfolds in reverse order, and the final scene shows the two timelines uniting.

A Hypnotically Engaging Thriller

Memento works almost as a sort of magic trick; its genius lies mainly in the inventive way it tells its story, as the closing twist recontextualizes everything we saw unfold and leaves us desperate to rewatch. It's also one of the best edited films of the 21st century, placing us directly in Leonard's perspective, as scenes start with no introduction and force us, like the character, to put the pieces together and identify where in time we are. It's the rare instance in which the audience is intended to be left in a state of confusion, but in a way that actually serves the story.

11 The Apartment (1960)

Billy Wilder’s iconic romantic comedy from the ‘60s is still as timeless as ever. It centers around C.C. “Bud” Baxter, a clerk who lends his apartment to slick-talking executives to use for their extramarital affairs with hopes that being on good terms will advance his career at the insurance firm. However, when he falls for the elevator operator and discovers that she’s also the mistress of his boss, complications arise. Lastly, Bud is forced to choose between ambition and love.

A Delightful Old Hollywood Rom-Com

With The Apartment, Wilder created one of cinema’s most memorable romantic dramas. His Midas touch on the script and the direction, which is all about the corporate drudgery and the longing to escape the hellhole of minimum wage jobs regardless of how soulless it is to climb the ladder of ambition, is laced with as much pathos as with humor. The cast – Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray, and more – brighten the premises with their wit and relatability. Every frame pulses with the 9-to-5 work scenario we’re all well aware of, and the movie finds its gleeful and tender moments.

10 Raging Bull (1980)

Raging Bull

R

Release Date

November 14, 1980

Director

Martin Scorsese

Cast

Robert De Niro , Cathy Moriarty , Joe Pesci , Frank Vincent , Nicholas Colasanto , Theresa Saldana

Runtime

129

Main Genre

Biography

Writers

Jake LaMotta , Joseph Carter , Peter Savage , Paul Schrader , Mardik Martin

A boxing movie like only Martin Scorsese could've made it, Raging Bull has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the most emotionally grueling films ever made, feeling less like a triumphant underdog story than a blistering depiction of self-destruction. Based on the true story of former boxer Jake LaMotta (Robert De Niro), the plot unfolds over the course of two decades, following his rise in the boxing scene, his tumultuous personal life, and his eventual downfall and descent into obscurity.

A Difficult But Essential Viewing

Raging Bull is first and foremost a glimpse into a mind beset with jealousy and rage, which brought LaMotta great success in the ring but wrecked havoc in his personal life and drove away his wife and brother. Obviously, it's not an easy viewing experience, but with Scorsese's sheer filmmaking prowess on display, and a stunning career-best performance from Robert De Niro, it's hard to look away.

9 12 Angry Men (1957)

12 Angry Men is a searing legal drama directed by the legendary Sidney Lumet. It centers around a stifling jury room, which kind of transforms into a theater of debate when a teenager is accused of murdering his father. What starts as an open-and-shut case soon begins to crack the conscience of the jury members as they question their morals and prejudices. While one juror rallies they reexamine the case to learn the truth, he appears not alone but united.

A Classic for a Reason

The entire film is shot in a courtroom in New York City, which creates a claustrophobic setting. What could have just been a dull movie about people talking in rooms is instead dramatic and electric. Paired with human caveats and powerful performances, the movie’s message about judgment and the consideration of faces remains as crisp today as it did 65 years ago.

8 The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

R

Release Date

October 1, 1974

Director

Tobe Hooper

Cast

Marilyn Burns , Allen Danziger , Paul A. Partain , William Vail , Teri McMinn , Edwin Neal

Main Genre

Horror

The movie that altered the course for independent cinema, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre begins with five unsuspecting teens driving to an isolated house for a night of chill and calm. But when they run out of gas on their way to Sally and Franklin’s grandfather's, the teens decide to stumble on foot to the location, not knowing that they are about to become a butcher’s next cut of meat.

A Gruesome and Influential Horror Story

Directed by Tobe Hooper, the movie becomes a bloody, disgusting, and vivid symphony that forever changed the horror genre for devoted fans. It not only makes us terrified of Leatherface, the chainsaw-wielding killer but also leaves us transfixed by his sheer and bone-chilling violence. Rarely do low-budget horror films achieve cult status, but this one sure deserves a spot as the scariest movies ever made.

7 Threads (1984)

Threads is not your typical horror film. Focusing on the threat of nuclear war, this made-for-television film frames itself as a documentary, focusing on the many different people living in the city of Sheffield. When an escalating conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union quickly turns into a nuclear exchange, Sheffield finds itself caught in the crossfire when the city is bombarded with nuclear radiation. Now on the brink of a nuclear winter, how will those in Sheffield survive?

Horrifyingly Close to Home

Aside from being one of the most bleak horror films ever made, Threads also works as a terrifying example of what a real nuclear war would look like. By presenting itself as a documentary, personal narratives are eschewed in favor of showcasing every little terrifying scenario that the bombs could result in. In doing this, Threads serves as one of the most effective anti-war films in history, showing us exactly what will happen when mutually assured destruction is an inevitability.

6 Train to Busan (2016)

Train to Busan

Release Date

July 20, 2016

Director

Sang-ho Yeon

Cast

Yoo Gong , Yu-mi Jeong , Dong-seok Ma , Su-an Kim , Eui-sung Kim , Woo-sik Choi

Runtime

118

Main Genre

Action

Zombie Horrors are always fun to watch, and while there have been several realistic and unrealistic portrayals of the undead in cinema over decades, this South Korean thriller beats them all with its heart-rending storytelling and fantastic gore. Train to Busan begins with a workaholic father, Seok-woo, taking his daughter to Busan on her birthday, so they can spend the day with her mother.

A Modern Zombie Classic

But while they board a train, Seoul has been overrun by zombies that emerged out of a viral outbreak. When one infected man gets on the train, pure chaos ensues as the passengers scramble for survival. Director Yeon Sang-ho crafts a heart-in-mouth thriller where even strangers join together and fight the living dead. Gong Yoo is also incredible as a father who prioritizes rescuing his daughter.

5 Metropolis (1927)

Metropolis

NONE

Release Date

February 6, 1927

Director

Fritz Lang

Cast

Alfred Abel , Gustav Fröhlich , Rudolf Klein-Rogge , Fritz Rasp , Theodor Loos , Erwin Biswanger

Main Genre

Drama

1927's Metropolis is one of the most influential science fiction films ever. Directed by Fritz Lang, Metropolis depicts a futuristic dystopia where a pair of people from opposing social classes attempt to bridge the widening gap between the titular city's rich and poor. It was revolutionary for being one of the first feature-length science-fiction films ever made, with its elaborate set designs, extravagant costumes, and inspired story influencing the genre for decades afterward.

Sci-Fi History at Your Fingertips

Despite being developed during the silent film era, Metropolis is still a sight to behold. Though the original full-length cut of the film has been lost to time, almost half a dozen official attempts to remaster the footage have been circulating ever since the 1970s. Of course, if you want to experience Metropolis for the first time, you can also do it completely for free on Tubi.

4 At Eternity's Gate (2018)

At Eternity's Gate

PG-13

Release Date

November 15, 2018

Director

Julian Schnabel

Cast

Willem Dafoe , Rupert Friend , Oscar Isaac , Mads Mikkelsen , Mathieu Amalric , Emmanuelle Seigner

Main Genre

Biography

Have you ever thought that Willem Dafoe looks like Vincent van Gogh? Someone else has, leading to his casting in the 2018 biographical film At Eternity's Gate. We follow van Gogh in his later years, with the weight of an emotionally fraught life still resting heavily on his shoulders. As he continues to paint his last recorded works, he attempts to find what little solace he can before his untimely passing.

The Role of Van Gogh Was Made for Dafoe

Most of At Eternity's Gate's praise is aimed squarely at Willem Dafoe's unique performance, as his depiction of this tortured artist is one to behold. Combined with some stellar cinematography filmed on-location in France, this gripping drama will show you a side of this impressionist painter that you've never seen before.

3 In the Heat of the Night (1967)

In the Heat of the Night

NR

Release Date

August 2, 1967

Director

Norman Jewison

Cast

Sidney Poitier , Rod Steiger , Warren Oates , Lee Grant , Larry Gates , James Patterson

Main Genre

Crime

In the Heat of the Night was originally released in 1967, and it's easily one of the best mystery films from that decade. Sidney Poitier stars as Philadelphia homicide detective Virgil Tibbs, a man whose involvement in a Mississippi murder case starts with him being mistaken as the culprit. Despite this blunder, Tibbs is eventually convinced to assist with the investigation. Even with reluctant police chief Bill Gillespie (Rod Steiger) at his side, Tibbs will have to overcome a wave of resentment from the local townsfolk to solve the case.

Tense and Tightly Wound

In the Heat of the Night saw significant praise from numerous critics, with renowned filmmaker Akira Kurosawa citing it as one of his favorite films. Its themes of racial unity give its characters some real depth and complexity. Combine that with a thrilling mystery, and you have what is considered to be one of the best dramas of the 1960s.

2 Ghost World (2001)

Ghost World

R

Release Date

July 20, 2001

Director

Terry Zwigoff

Cast

Thora Birch , Scarlett Johansson , Steve Buscemi , Brad Renfro , Illeana Douglas , Bob Balaban

Main Genre

Comedy

2001's Ghost World walked so that Scott Pilgrim vs. the World could run. Thora Birch and Scarlett Johansson co-star in this comedic adaptation of the titular comic series, playing a pair of teenage outsiders growing apart after a romantic interest starts to divide their attention. That romantic interest just so happens to be Seymour, who is played by Steve Buscemi. Though it wasn't a huge hit at the box office, it succeeded in bringing Daniel Clowes' brilliant comic series to life on the big screen, cementing itself as a cult-classic comedy for years to come.

Essential Viewing from the Coming-of-Age Genre

Though it's billed as a comedy, Ghost World does introduce some darker elements throughout its brief runtime. Its ambiguous ending has seen several morbid interpretations since its release. The movie examines the nature of friendship through a teenager's mindset, and it gives each of our main characters a surprising amount of depth despite their caustic first impressions. It's a brilliant film that deserves your attention.

1 To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

To Kill A Mockingbird

NONE

Release Date

December 20, 1962

Director

Robert Mulligan

Cast

gregory peck , John Megna , Frank Overton , Rosemary Murphy , Ruth White , Brock Peters

Runtime

129

Main Genre

Crime

Based on the beloved novel by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird functions as both a social statement and a poignant coming-of-age story. Told from the perspective of Scout, a six-year-old girl living in Alabama, the film follows lawyer Atticus Finch, who fights to defend Tom Robinson, a young black man accused of raping a white woman in the 1930s. Even while facing backlash from his racist neighbors, Finch perseveres in his job, all while looking to teach his daughter about racial tolerance.

A Classic That Remains Important

Every bit as powerful as the seminal novel, To Kill a Mockingbird gets virtually everything right, poignantly depicting Scout's coming-of-age in a tumultuous time, and wisely depicting the absurdity of prejudice when seen from the eyes of a childhood. And Gregory Peck's Oscar-winning turn, widely hailed as one of the best screen performances of all time, is nothing if not deserving of its reputation; he flawlessly brings life to a fundamentally decent man looking to change the world for the better. It's simply one of the greatest ever movies to argue for civil rights.