18+ Streaming Services Offering Free Access

We’ve been streaming more than ever, and the only thing better than watching a really good show (or even a brand-new movie) from the comfort and safety of your home — is doing that for free. And these free streaming services make that a reality.

A bunch of streaming services want to get your attention, so they’re giving out long free trials, special perks, or in some cases, totally forever-free content.

Here are 18+ free streaming services offers you won’t want to miss:

 

1. Get Sling TV for free for life, no credit card required.

Online streaming television provider Sling TV is offering a number of their live channels and programs to the public for no cost. The free programming includes live news coverage, lots of TV shows like Hell’s Kitchen, Flip or Flop, and a number of movies. There’s no sign-up, but if you end up wanting more, a Sling subscription starts at $40/month.

Here’s what you do:

• Download Sling TV on Roku, Amazon, or Android devices — or visit watch.sling.com on your Chrome, Safari, or Edge web browser.
• Follow the instructions on the welcome screen.

Here’s how to get the deal:

1. Click here to activate the promotion.
2. Create an account with your email and password.
3. That’s it — you’re ready to start streaming.

 

2. Redbox is streaming a bunch of free channels and movies.

Redbox‘s website allows you to rent or buy movies online, but they’ve quietly started releasing free, ad-based live and on-demand content — no credit card or account required. The rotating monthly programming includes access to TMZ, USA Today, Fail Army, Funny or Die, and more — plus a bunch of movies.

Here’s what you do:

1. Go to Redbox.com.
2. Click the Watch Free link at the top of the page.
3. Start watching.

 

3. Watch Hollywood hits and popular TV shows for free with Freevee (used to be IMDb TV).

Watch Hollywood hits and TV favorites free of charge on Amazon Freevee (no Prime membership needed). You can also watch this free, ad-supported streaming video channel in a number of ways:

• Freevee app
• Amazon.com
• Prime Video app
• Amazon Fire TV devices
• Apple TV
• Google TV
• LG
• PlayStation 4 and 5
• Roku
• Samsung Smart TV
• Xbox
• Xfinity

This streaming channel is only available in the United States.

Freevee TV enables customers to watch hit TV shows, top Hollywood hits, and more without purchasing a subscription (it’s always free).

Here’s what you do:

1. Go to Amazon.com.
2. Sign up for a free new account (no credit card required).
3. Browse the shows and start watching.

 

4. Some wireless, internet, and/or TV customers get Max for free.

Max (formerly known as HBO Max) is a big deal. Not only do they have a ton of popular originals and blockbuster movies, but they’re now THE PLACE where Warner Bros. Discovery releases their films, 45 days after being in theaters. And they’ve added Discovery Plus content to their library.

There’s no universal free trial right now, but some of AT&T’s customers straight-up get it free. For everyone else, the service costs $9.99/month with ads or $15.99/month without ads — on the higher end of these streaming services, but compared to movie ticket prices, it’s a bargain. They also have an Ultimate Ad-Free option $19.99/month that you can watch on the go in 4K.

Cricket Wireless gives customers on their $60/month plan access to Max (with ads) for free.

 

 

5. YouTube offers free streaming movies & TV shows.

You might not have known you can rent or buy movies from YouTube or that the streaming video platform has 1,500 different free movies and more than 4,000 TV show episodes available for you to watch — with ads.

These aren’t Oscar winners, but I was excited to see their list includes Nacho Libre, Legally Blonde, the Super Size Me documentary, and a bunch of animated films. On the TV side, they’ve got Hell’s Kitchen, Heartland, and classics like The Commish and 21 Jump Street. They won’t even ask for your credit card number or make you create an account.

Here’s what you do:

1. Visit the Movies & Shows page on YouTube.
2. Pick Free to Watch Movies or Free to Watch TV Shows.
3. Pick something to watch.

 

6. Paramount Plus with Showtime streaming service is free for 7 days.

If you’d like to watch Showtime, you’ll have to sign up for Paramount Plus. The two are now bundled and cost $11.99/month, but they’re offering seven day free trial that’ll give you access to their popular shows like Homeland, Shameless, and Billions, as well as featured films, documentaries, and sports programs. After your trial, you’ll pay $11.99/month.

Since you can get Paramount+ and Showtime together, you get both streaming services for $11.99 after the 7-day trial.

Here’s what you do:

1. Visit ParamountPlus.com.
2. Click “Start your free trial.”
3. Enter your email address and password.
4. Add your credit card information.

 

7. Watch the latest news free on the Roku Channel.

Roku Channel is making a ton of free streaming content available on Roku devices or Roku TVs, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple mobile devices, and Samsung smart TVs.

You’ll see ads about every 15 minutes while streaming TV stations like ABC News, NBC News, TMZ, and Fubo. Plus, there’s a category exclusively for kids.

And remember that failed streaming service Quibi? Roku Channel bought up all Quibi’s original shows like the money-giveaway reality show Thanks a Million with Jennifer Lopez and Chrissy’s Court (think Judge Judy style show, but with Chrissy Teigen on the bench).

Here’s what you do:

1. Get a Roku streaming device (if you don’t already have one).
2. Scroll down to “Free movies, TV, and more.”
3. Start watching.

If you get lost, here’s more about how to get free content on Roku.

 

 

8. Get the full library of Amazon Prime Video options for 30 days — or lots of kids’ programming until further notice.

If you’re not an Amazon Prime member, you can sign up to get a 30-day free trial. Not only will you get perks like free 2-day shipping, but you’ll have access to the vast content available through Prime Video.

From originals like The Marvelous Miss Maisel and The Boys to a library of hit movies, there’s lots to love. And they just scored a major broadcast deal with the NFL for exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football. If you want to keep your Prime membership after 30 days, it costs $14.99/month, or $139/year.

Also, Amazon has made a number of kids’ programs available without a Prime membership (but with commercials). Access is free, but you do have to create an Amazon sign-in — no credit card required.

Here’s what you do for the 30-day trial:

1. Visit the Amazon sign-up page.
2. Fill in your contact info and credit card number.
3. Head over to Prime Video.
4. Pick your show.

 

9. T-Mobile gives certain plans free Netflix streaming services.

T-Mobile‘s program, Netflix On Us, gives customers who have two or more lines of any type of Magenta or at least one line of Go5G Next or Go5G Plus on their account free Netflix!

The Go5G, Go5G Military, and Go5G First Responder plans (2+ lines) qualify for Netflix Basic: standard definition streaming to one screen at a time, a $9.99/month value. (Pay an extra $10/month if you want Netflix Premium — up to four screens.)

T-Mobile Go5G Next and Go5G Plus (2+ lines) accounts get Netflix Standard: HD streaming to two screens at once, a $15.49/month value.

 

10. Enjoy Hulu’s library of movies and TV shows for 30 days, absolutely free.

Hulu is best known for their extensive library of TV shows, particularly those on the Fox networks. The regular Hulu plan is $7.99/month after the trial, and the commercial-free version is $14.99/month.

Here’s what you do:

1. Visit hulu.com/start.
2. Click “Sign up now.”
3. Pick your plan.
4. Enter an email address and password.
5. Add your credit card information.

Note: After the free trial, you’re able to bundle Hulu with Disney+ and ESPN+ starting at $12.98/month — saving you about $155/year!

Also, for a limited time, college students can sign up to get a Hulu subscription for free for a month. Details below:

 

11. Crackle’s movie classics are always free (but with lots of ads).

Sony-owned streaming service Crackle is always free, offering thousands of hours of TV shows and movies.

You can access Crackle from your computer, smartphone, or smart TV/Roku to watch classic TV shows like The Lucy Show, Barney Miller, Iron Chef, Starsky and Hutch, and more — and a ton of movies like The Illusionist, Serendipity, Maya The Bee Movie, Spy Kids, and more Sony-owned titles.

Be advised: there’s not much for kids here, and there are a lot of ads.

Here’s what you do:

1. Visit Crackle.com, get the Crackle app, or find the Crackle channel on your smart TV.
2. Create an account (not required but helpful for watch history).
3. Choose from the library.

 

12. The Criterion Channel is giving away their films for 7 days.

The one-week free trial from The Criterion Channel, offers a mix of 1,000+ classic and contemporary films from Hollywood and around the world as curated by the Criterion Collection organization. After the trial period, Criterion costs just $10.99/month, or $99.99/year (24% savings).

Here’s what you do:

1. Visit the Criterion Channel sign-up page.
2. Enter an email address and password.
3. Add your credit card information.

 

13. Get your anime fix free for two weeks with Crunchyroll.

If you love anime, manga, and dorama shows, Crunchyroll is the one-stop shop. They not only have top anime programs like Naruto, Demon Slayer, and Attack on Titan, but they have a bunch of original shows, too. And you can enjoy their more than 1,200 shows free (with ads). If you want to try their ad-free premium plans ($7.99 to $14.99/month), they have a free 14-day trial.

Here’s what you do:

1. Visit the sign-up page at Crunchyroll.com
2. Enter your email address, username/password, and birthday
3. Start watching — or if you want to try premium, click the option to begin the 14-day trial (credit card required)

 

14. Free Pluto TV offers MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and more.

Viacom CBS’s Pluto TV has always been free, but their 200+ channel offerings are as relevant as ever. Pluto TV offers on-demand content and a number of traditional TV channels live, including MTV, Nick and Nick Jr., Comedy Central, Court TV, Sky News, and more. Just know that when you go to Pluto TV, it will automatically start playing programming with sound, so don’t be alarmed!

Here’s what you do:

1. Download Pluto TV on Chromecast, Roku, Amazon, or Android devices — or visit www.pluto.tv on Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.
2. Choose what looks good — easy as that!

 

 

15. Tubi offers free access to 20,000 movies.

Another free, ad-supported service, Tubi carries thousands of movies and TV shows from Paramount Pictures, MGM, Lionsgate, Warner Bros., and Universal Pictures.

From blockbusters like Sweet Home Alabama, The Sixth Sense, Elf, Hunt for the Wilderpeople to cult classics like The Fly, Weekend at Bernie’s, and Secondhand Lions, there’s a lot to choose from. You can browse their massive collection before signing up, which is a nice touch.

Here’s what to do:

1. Download Tubi on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Chromecast, Roku, Amazon, or Android devices — or access Tubi by visiting TubiTV.com on Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.
2. Pick a show and start watching.

 

16. PBS shows and documentaries are always free.

The PBS video app is free public TV that can be downloaded to any device. From hit PBS Kids shows to a library of award-winning Ken Burns documentaries, there’s plenty of valuable free content to consume here. It will also show you local/themed programs on your local PBS station.

Here’s what you do:

1. Download PBS on Roku, Amazon, Apple, Chromecast, or Android devices. You can also access PBS by visiting PBS.org on Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.
2. Choose what looks good, easy as that!

 

17. In the spring, MLB TV will be free again for T-Mobile customers.

Baseball fans, rejoice. For seven years running, T-Mobile, Spring, and Metro wireless customers get a free annual subscription to Major League Baseball’s MLB TV (regularly $149.99/year). The subscription kicked off March 30, Opening Day in 2023.

To get the deal, you had to open the T-Mobile Tuesdays page starting Mar. 23, 2023.

Not a T-Mobile subscriber? College students also get the MLB TV streaming services for free closer to the playoffs. There aren’t really any deals for anyone else yet, but you can get a week’s free trial when you sign up for MLB TV. Just make sure you cancel by that seventh day. Or you could just watch classic baseball games on YouTube for free.

 

18. Nick Junior’s Noggin offers a 30-day free trial.

Noggin by Nick Jr. has over 1,000 of the most beloved preschool shows of all time. Right now, you can get Noggin free for 30 days, then $7.99/month after.

 

 

Some more 7-day free streaming services trials worth mentioning:

• A&E Crime Central has classic crime series and specials: $4.99/month or $49.99/year (16% savings) after trial.
• Acorn TV streams British TV shows: $6.99/month after trial.
• ALLBLK offers Black-oriented films & TV: $5.99/month after trial.
• AMC+ has The Walking Dead, Better Call Saul, and other hit shows: $6.99/month after trial.
• Apple TV+ offers original programming: $6.99/month after trial.
• Cinemax offers 7 days free via Hulu: $9.99/month after trial.
• CuriosityStream offers a massive library of documentaries and educational content. Get a free 7-day trial through Amazon Prime: $2.99/month after trial.
• Discovery Plus has a ton of reality-based shows from Discovery, TLC, Travel Channel, Food Network, HGTV, and more. It’s free for 7 days; $4.99-$6.99 afterwards.
• DOX offers another big library of documentaries: $2.99/month or $29.99/year (16% savings) after trial.
• Fubo offers live sports and TV channels: $74.99/month after trial.
• Hallmark Movies NOW features Hallmark Movies, including some you can’t see anywhere else: $5.99/month or $59.99/year (16% savings) after trial.
• History Vault by the History Channel streams more than 2,000 History Channel documentaries: $4.99/month or $49.99/year (15% savings) after your 7-day free trial.
• The History Channel also offers a couple of shows for free without signing in, including all episodes of Pawn Stars.
• Lifetime Movie Club offers commercial-free new and classic Lifetime movies: $4.99/month or $49.99/year (15% savings) after trial.
• MGM+ has thousands of hours of movies and TV. Get Epix for $5.99/month after your 7-day trial.
• MHz Choice is the #1 streaming services for foreign and international content: Get 50% off your first three months with promo code HOT2023, then $7.99/month or $89.99/year after your free trial.
• NFL Game Pass offers full broadcast replays, condensed games, and more: $6.99 – $14.99/month or $39.99 – $79.99/season after your 7-day trial.
• Paramount Plus has movies, TV shows, CBS/MTV, originals, and live sports: $5.99/month, with Showtime $11.99/month after trial.
• Philo offers live and on-demand movies and TV: $25/month after trial.
• PureFlix has faith-based, family-friendly content: $7.99/month or $69.99/year (27% savings) after trial.
• Shudder is a horror-only streamer: $5.99/month or $56.99/year (21% savings) after trial.
• Sundance Now has indie films, documentaries, and more: $6.99/month after trial or $59.99/year (28.5% savings).