The majority of legal movie downloads are restricted to titles in the public domain; however, alternative options for watching movies offline are available if you’re familiar with where to find them.
Looking to enjoy a movie at your own convenience? Simply download it to your device, enabling you to stream it locally later on, anytime, anywhere. The convenience of movie downloads lies in their readiness for playback, even without an internet connection.
While the temptation to search for “free movies” is high, it’s crucial to note that the majority of such content is illegal. To save you the hassle, I’ve diligently explored the internet to compile a list of the best, entirely legal sources for free movie downloads. These options have been carefully curated to exclude any questionable sources, ensuring a secure and enjoyable viewing experience. Your hassle-free movie-watching awaits below. Enjoy!
The Internet Archive serves as a vast repository of digital content encompassing not just movies but also software, web pages, books, and various other materials. Similar to the aforementioned platforms, it provides free movie downloads as the content falls within the public domain.
With numerous categories available, the link provided below directs you to Feature Films, offering tens of thousands of free films in over a dozen languages. While many movies on the previously mentioned sites are sourced from the Internet Archive, I personally prefer those platforms due to the overwhelming volume of content here. Nevertheless, I find the website valuable for its extensive filtering options, allowing users to refine searches based on language, creator, year, topic, and more. Click here to visit Internet Archive.
An alternative method for downloading movies is through the Library of Congress. According to the LOC, the purpose of curating this movie list is to “showcase the range and diversity of American film heritage.”
These movies are carefully selected from the National Film Registry (NFR), a compilation of films chosen by the United States National Film Preservation Board.
What I find appealing about downloading movies from this source is the absence of advertisements on the website, and all available options are conveniently displayed on a single page, given the limited selection of just a couple of dozen movies.
These titles are accessible for direct download from the Library of Congress’ website in formats such as MP4 and MOV. Click here to visit The Library of Congress.
If you’re an Amazon Prime Video subscriber, you have the option to download movies directly from the same interface used for streaming. This feature extends to rented and purchased titles (excluding the Freevee collection). Rented movies and films acquired through a Prime subscription typically have a 48-hour expiration period once downloaded. Purchased movie downloads can be stored on up to four devices, while subscription titles are limited to two devices at a time.
Similar to the user-friendly approach of Netflix, the process of downloading Amazon Prime movies is straightforward. Simply locate the Download button within the Prime Video app, and this functionality is available across iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows platforms. Click here to visit Amazon Prime Video.
Hulu stands as another subscription-based platform providing access to completely legal full movies and original programming, making it a legitimate option for movie downloads.
To enjoy content offline, simply utilize the download button located next to the film you wish to save.
However, it’s important to note that, similar to other services, the ability to download movies is limited to specific plans—specifically, Hulu (No Ads) and Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV. Plans with ads, movies from premium add-ons, and on-demand movies from Live TV are not eligible for downloading.
This feature is available across various devices, including iPhone, iPad, Android, and Amazon Fire devices. Click here to visit Hulu.
On Disney+, I’ve come across numerous fantastic movies, many of which would be perfect for a lengthy plane journey. The option to download movies from Disney+ is available through the mobile app—simply click on the Download button on the movie’s page.
However, it’s essential to note that this feature is exclusive to Disney+ Premium, Disney Bundle Trio Premium, or Legacy Disney Bundle subscribers. Unfortunately, those on Basic plans, which do not involve payment, do not have access to movie downloads. Click here to visit Disney+.
Surprisingly, YouTube allows offline viewing for purchased or rented movies, and this feature is not limited to YouTube Premium subscribers!
Any individual who buys or rents a movie through YouTube has the option to save it for offline playback. Simply open the video within the Android or iOS app, and tap the Download button to select the desired quality and preferred audio track.
If this functionality extended to YouTube’s free movie collection, it would easily claim the top spot on this list! Click here to visit YouTube.
Netflix exemplifies a subscription service that allows users to store its movies and TV shows in a dedicated download section of the app, facilitating offline viewing without the need for an internet connection.
For someone like me, who has been using Netflix for an extended period, it becomes the natural choice when opting to save a movie for offline viewing. If Netflix isn’t your preferred choice, various alternative options are detailed below. Downloads can be executed from both the mobile app and the desktop app. Click here to visit Netflix.
Stay tuned, as I’ll continue to explore more free movie download sites for you.