Where to download movies to watch offline

These are the best, completely legal ways to download free movies

Updated on November 2, 2022

Streaming is great, but sometimes you want to watch that movie during the camping trip in the middle of nowhere or on the plane when the internet is much slower than at home. The solution is to download the movie to your device so you can watch it (aka "stream it locally") later on, when the internet isn't so great.

It's easy to search for "free movies" to download, but pretty much everything you find will be illegal. Fortunately, there are plenty of completely legal free movie download sources out there. Some of them offer movies in the public domain, but most are actually not-so-well-known, free features of the streaming plans you may already subscribe to!

We scoured the internet and found all the best free movie download sources, filtered through them to remove any of the shady ones (you're welcome, trust us), and wrote about them below. Enjoy!

As you know, streaming is usually a better way to get free movies because there are simply a lot more free and legal movie streaming options out there vs movie download sites or services. Check out the streaming advice at the bottom of this page for more.

PublicDomainMovies.net

What We Like

• Several genres to choose from.

• Downloading is straightforward.

• Most can be streamed as well.

What We Don't Like

• Only older movies.

• No search or sort options.

Of the hundreds of free movie download websites available on the internet, public domain movies should be your go-to so that there's no question about their legality. PublicDomainMovies.net is a great source for these kinds of films.

When a movie is public domain, it means the copyright is no longer held by any one individual—the public owns the movie. In other words, you can watch and download the films as many times as you like, completely legally.

There are a handful of genres along the top of the site to help you find the dramas, horrors, comedies, etc., among the several hundreds movies that are offered here. Every movie page shows the film's cover image, release date, synopsis, and cast members.

You can stream these movies directly from the website if you want to preview what you're getting, but the download button will take you to a final download page, where you can save it to your device for watching later.

Visit PublicDomainMovies.net

The Public Domain Review

What We Like

• Useful filtering options.

• Includes a search utility.

What We Don't Like

• Solely older films.

• Fewer than 200 movies.

Very similar to the above site is The Public Domain Review. Most of the films here are from the same source as the previous site's collection, but we've added it here because of the great filtering options you have.

The link below takes you to the films section specifically, but once you're there, you can filter by century, genre, theme, and type. For example, maybe you're looking for 20th century movies, or only shorts or silent films, or movies that fall under the fashion, ghost, or natural world theme.

To download these movies for free, scroll to the bottom of the movie's description page and look for a link in the Download or Source area.

Visit The Public Domain Review

Download Movies From an Existing Subscription

What We Like

• Movies are high quality.

• Includes new and well-known titles.

• Downloads can be saved directly to your mobile device.

What We Don't Like

• It's free only as part of your paid subscription.

• Downloads can't be copied elsewhere or shared with others.

If you already pay for a movie streaming subscription, you are very likely also eligible to download movies from those services to watch later, offline. This is, very likely, your best option for downloading free movies that you actually want to watch.

That said, streaming services don't just give you the video file to save wherever you want. You can only download the movie in their approved app, which helps them control further copying or burning to discs.

Netflix

Netflix is one example of a subscription service that lets you save its movies and TV shows. You can download Netflix movies to a mobile device or computer through the official app. Use the down arrow shown next to any download-supported video.

Subscribe to Netflix

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video subscribers can download Prime movies and shows as well. Look for the Download button on the same screen where you can stream the video.

Subscribe to Amazon Prime Video

Vudu

Downloading Vudu movies is possible through the official mobile app. Just like with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, this is possible only if you've already purchased the video.

Visit Vudu

YouTube Premium

To download a movie via YouTube Premium for offline viewing, visit the video page in the app and select Download for your options.

Subscribe to YouTube Premium

Disney+

Disney+ is another way to save movies you're paying for through a subscription. Use the mobile app to download Disney+ movies, and then access your offline videos from the download tab.

Subscribe to Disney+

Google Play

Movies purchased via Movies & TV on Google Play can be downloaded through the Your stuff tab of the Google TV app. You can also use the Download button below the video on YouTube.

Visit Google Play

Hulu

Hulu supports offline watching, too. Use the download button next to the film you want to save. This only works for Hulu (No Ads) subscribers.

Subscribe to Hulu

HBO Max

If you have HBO Max, use the down arrow on the movie page to download the movie.

Subscribe to HBO Max

Vimeo

Vimeo lets you download your Vimeo On Demand purchases through the Download button below the video's title. The mobile app can be used for offline viewing, too.

Subscribe to Vimeo

Consider Streaming Movies

If you don't have to, don't limit yourself to downloading when there's the option of streaming. You'll find many more movie choices if you'll consider watching movies on free movie websites instead of downloading them. The films may not be yours to keep, but you'll get to watch them often in high-quality, and stream them directly from the websites, usually as many times as you like.

You also may want to try out a free movie watching app if you're looking to view free movies on a mobile device.

If you're into old fashioned disc rentals, you can even often take advantage of free Redbox rental codes to keep entertainment on the cheap.

Thanks for letting us know!

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