Streaming platforms have changed the way we watch TV, offering us on demand – without having to fiddle with video recording equipment – an ever-expanding wealth of original series, classic shows, and movies both new and old. The only problem with this system is that it can get expensive – an Amazon Prime video-only subscription runs about $108 a year, for example; Netflix with ads is only around $84 annually, but rises to the neighborhood of $276 if you go for the 4K HDR option.
Luckily for viewers, however, there are also a number of platforms where you can stream acclaimed series (including some original content) and top-quality movies, from classics of the silent era to some of yesterday’s top hits, for free. Even Amazon has one, called Freevee.
Free streaming platforms can be great places to catch up on or rewatch popular TV shows of the past. Freevee, for instance, offers “Miami Vice” and “Burn Notice;” the Fox Corporation’s Tubi will please you with such series as “Gilligan’s Island” and “Columbo;” if you want something more recent, Fandango Media’s Vudu will let you watch older episodes of everything from “Curb Your Enthusiasm” to “Yellowstone.”
But where these and other free streaming channels really shine is in curating and presenting movies you missed the first time around or can’t wait to see again – including even some titles that other platforms make you subscribe to see, like “Stagecoach,” “Charade,” or “Platoon.” (These are the 50 best movies you’ve probably never seen.)
To determine the best movies to stream for free this February, 24/7 Tempo developed an index using average ratings on IMDb, an online movie database owned by Amazon, and a combination of audience scores and Tomatometer scores on Rotten Tomatoes, an online movie and TV review aggregator, as of early February 2024, weighting all ratings equally. We considered only movies with at least 5,000 audience votes on either IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes that are streaming on Tubi, Pluto TV, Plex, Amazon Freevee, Vudu, or Crackle, and ruled out documentaries. Data on streaming availability, also current as of early February, comes from the streaming guide Reelgood. Directorial credits are from IMDb.
The choices range from a couple of Charlie Chaplin silent classics from the 1920s up through 2019’s Eddie Murphy comedy “Dolemite is My Name.” But the real strength of these channels’ programming comes in mid-to-late-20th century classics like William Wyler’s 1940 Gary Cooper oater “The Westerner,” Alfred Hitchcock’s taut 1956 mystery thriller “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” and the 1994 Tom Hanks tour-de-force “Forrest Gump.” All are worth seeing, and the price is definitely right.
Here is a list of the best movies to stream for free this month:
50. The Most Dangerous Game (1932)
Source: Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures
Source: Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.1/10 (11,555 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 73% (3,503 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (19 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV, Amazon Freevee, Crackle
49. Eve’s Bayou (1997)
Source: Courtesy of Trimark Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Trimark Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (9,428 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 89% (8,317 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 82% (57 reviews)
- Streaming on: Amazon Freevee
48. The Death of Stalin (2017)
Source: Courtesy of IFC Films
Source: Courtesy of IFC Films
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (104,843 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 78% (6,655 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 95% (249 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV, Plex
47. The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.4/10 (61,519 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 84% (34,043 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 87% (39 reviews)
- Streaming on: Crackle
46. Guys and Dolls (1955)
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (16,679 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 83% (30,859 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 91% (33 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV, Plex
45. The Naked Kiss (1964)
Source: Courtesy of Allied Artists Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Allied Artists Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (7,465 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 80% (3,156 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (14 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Crackle
44. Heathers (1989)
Source: Courtesy of New World Pictures
Source: Courtesy of New World Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (95,825 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 83% (75,561 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (56 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV, Plex
43. House of Games (1987)
Source: Courtesy of Orion Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Orion Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (21,699 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 79% (6,511 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (27 reviews)
- Streaming on: Pluto TV, Amazon Freevee
42. The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946)
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.4/10 (9,152 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 74% (1,768 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (10 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV, Amazon Freevee, Plex, Crackle
41. The Big Combo (1955)
Source: Courtesy of Allied Artists Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Allied Artists Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.4/10 (7,137 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 81% (2,213 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (14 reviews)
- Streaming on: Pluto TV, Amazon Freevee, Vudu
40. The Westerner (1940)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (5,548 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 76% (744 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (6 reviews)
- Streaming on: Amazon Freevee, Plex
39. The Fortune Cookie (1966)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (13,691 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 80% (4,687 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (26 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV
38. Ghost World (2001)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (117,647 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 84% (73,554 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (162 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV
37. Detour (1945)
Source: Courtesy of Producers Releasing Corporation
Source: Courtesy of Producers Releasing Corporation
- IMDb user rating: 7.4/10 (16,429 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 78% (5,395 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 98% (41 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV, Plex, Vudu, Crackle
36. The World’s Fastest Indian (2005)
Source: Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (55,754 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 89% (35,818 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 82% (144 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Plex, Vudu
35. Meet John Doe (1941)
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (12,873 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 83% (4,584 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 91% (22 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV, Crackle
34. Foreign Correspondent (1940)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- IMDb user rating: 7.5/10 (19,743 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 81% (6,923 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 95% (42 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi
33. Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
Source: Courtesy of MGM/UA Distribution Company
Source: Courtesy of MGM/UA Distribution Company
- IMDb user rating: 7.5/10 (119,047 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 85% (56,598 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 91% (53 reviews)
- Streaming on: Amazon Freevee
32. Hair (1979)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (36,387 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 87% (29,946 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 88% (24 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV
31. The Secret of NIMH (1982)
Source: Courtesy of MGM/UA Entertainment Company
Source: Courtesy of MGM/UA Entertainment Company
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (39,280 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 85% (5,082 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (28 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi
30. The Magnificent Seven (1960)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (91,371 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 88% (54,058 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 89% (44 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV
29. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Source: Courtesy of Artisan Entertainment
Source: Courtesy of Artisan Entertainment
- IMDb user rating: 8.3/10 (795,904 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 93% (328,609 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 79% (138 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Plex
28. Wuthering Heights (1939)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (16,674 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 85% (8,793 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (23 reviews)
- Streaming on: Plex
27. Forrest Gump (1994)
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 8.8/10 (1,905,676 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 95% (1,244,237 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 71% (104 reviews)
- Streaming on: Pluto TV
26. Brute Force (1947)
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (9,738 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 87% (1,647 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (18 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi
25. Warrior (2011)
Source: Courtesy of Lions Gate Films
Source: Courtesy of Lions Gate Films
- IMDb user rating: 8.1/10 (450,064 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92% (59,533 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 83% (192 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Plex
24. Broadway Danny Rose (1984)
Source: Courtesy of Orion Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Orion Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.4/10 (24,850 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 84% (9,521 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (29 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi
23. Boyhood (2014)
Source: Courtesy of IFC Films
Source: Courtesy of IFC Films
- IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (344,547 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 81% (89,860 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 97% (327 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV, Plex
22. The Sweet Hereafter (1997)
Source: Courtesy of Fine Line Features
Source: Courtesy of Fine Line Features
- IMDb user rating: 7.5/10 (36,111 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 86% (11,680 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 98% (60 reviews)
- Streaming on: Amazon Freevee
21. The Swimmer (1968)
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (10,838 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 83% (3,124 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (23 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi
20. Dolemite Is My Name (2019)
Source: Courtesy of Netflix
Source: Courtesy of Netflix
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (61,771 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 91% (113 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 97% (232 reviews)
- Streaming on: Crackle
19. The Pride of the Yankees (1942)
Source: Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures
Source: Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (10,492 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 89% (6,847 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (32 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV, Amazon Freevee, Plex
18. Platoon (1986)
Source: Courtesy of Orion Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Orion Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 8.1/10 (395,356 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 93% (240,012 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 87% (69 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi
17. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Source: Courtesy of Continental Distributing
Source: Courtesy of Continental Distributing
- IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (121,700 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 87% (130,710 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (74 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV, Amazon Freevee, Crackle
16. Heat (1995)
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- IMDb user rating: 8.2/10 (606,225 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94% (222,169 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 87% (84 reviews)
- Streaming on: Plex
15. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (28,840 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 88% (9,478 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (42 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV
14. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 8.2/10 (717,370 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94% (768,808 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 88% (73 reviews)
- Streaming on: Pluto TV
13. Charade (1963)
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (72,875 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92% (42,943 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (50 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV, Amazon Freevee, Crackle
12. Stagecoach (1939)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (46,215 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 86% (14,658 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (45 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV, Crackle
11. The Unknown (1927)
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (7,766 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 88% (1,929 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (6 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi
10. Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- IMDb user rating: 8.3/10 (78,648 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 93% (8,681 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 91% (23 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV
9. Raging Bull (1980)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- IMDb user rating: 8.2/10 (356,943 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 93% (131,523 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (76 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV
8. The Killing (1956)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- IMDb user rating: 8.0/10 (85,754 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92% (22,285 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 98% (42 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV
7. Memento (2000)
Source: Courtesy of Newmarket Films
Source: Courtesy of Newmarket Films
- IMDb user rating: 8.4/10 (1,169,429 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94% (381,352 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (181 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV, Amazon Freevee, Plex
6. L.A. Confidential (1997)
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- IMDb user rating: 8.2/10 (551,824 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 94% (150,890 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 99% (115 reviews)
- Streaming on: Plex
5. The Gold Rush (1925)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- IMDb user rating: 8.2/10 (106,473 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 93% (20,591 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (50 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Amazon Freevee
4. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
Source: Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures
Source: Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 8.6/10 (422,428 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 95% (219,179 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (87 reviews)
- Streaming on: Plex
3. The Kid (1921)
Source: Courtesy of First National Pictures
Source: Courtesy of First National Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 8.3/10 (120,168 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 95% (15,470 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (48 reviews)
- Streaming on: Pluto TV
2. City Lights (1931)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- IMDb user rating: 8.5/10 (176,008 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 96% (27,144 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 98% (54 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi
1. 12 Angry Men (1957)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- IMDb user rating: 9.0/10 (702,293 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 97% (105,515 reviews)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (55 reviews)
- Streaming on: Tubi, Pluto TV, Amazon Freevee