With so many streaming services in Canada available to subscribe to these days, it’s starting to get a bit costly to keep up. And with inflation the way it is, you might be looking for ways to save money with free movie streaming services in Canada.
Sure, Prime Video Canada, Disney+ Canada, Netflix Canada and all the other top streaming services offer up great original programming, but if you just want to enjoy some classic movies and shows, there are lots of free streaming options available.
Here are the best free streaming services in Canada that will keep you entertained while helping your budget stay in check.
Kanopy
If you have a library card you have access to Kanopy! And there are no ads, making this the best streaming service in Canada for movies on the list.
WHAT TO WATCH ON IT: Kanopy has one of the most varied collections of titles available. Everything from classics like In the Heat of the Night and Midnight Cowboy, to more obscure fare like The Bees and Re-Animator, there’s always something new to watch on the service.
WHERE YOU CAN WATCH IT: The Kanopy app is available to download for Android and iOS as well as on most major streaming devices, such as the Apple TV and the Amazon Fire Stick. You can also stream directly from kanopy.com.
PROS: No ads, good quality video streams, watchlist feature.
CONS: With so much content available the menu system is a bit difficult to navigate. There is also a limit of how much you can watch each month.
Tubi
Tubi is the only streaming service that comes close to feeling like you’re browsing through a video store in the ’80s (probably because there’s a lot of cult favourites and horror titles on it). It is ad-supported, but you usually only get a couple during a movie and it’s not that intrusive.
WHAT TO WATCH ON IT: As noted, Tubi offers a lot of cult faves and horror movies. The 1959 William Castle film The Tingler, starring Vincent Price, Robert Downey Sr.’s Putney Swope, one of Quentin Tarantino’s recommended movies, Rolling Thunder, and a ton of other wacky stuff are all available. There’s also a good selection of more recent indie films (mid90s, Hard Candy, and Ghost World) plus some original programming.
WHERE YOU CAN WATCH IT: Tubi is available for pretty much every mobile and streaming device on the market. You can also watch it online at tubi.com.
PROS: oddball selection of titles, watchlist feature.
CONS: oddball selection of titles might not be for everyone, ads, quality of certain titles not the best.
Plex
Best known as a media server for playing video files off your computer, Plex now has an ad-supported Movies & Shows option built-into the app.
WHAT TO WATCH ON IT: It’s a real mixed bag of content on Plex. There’s some solid movies like Room, The VVitch, Sin City, Point Break, and L.A. Confidential. There’s also a good selection of TV shows, including 21 Jump Street, Hell’s Kitchen, and The Dick Van Dyke Show. On the other end of the spectrum you can find a big selection of horror films new and old (Terrifier, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The House of the Devil) and cult favourites (Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, Assault on Precinct 13, Kentucky Fried Movie).
WHERE YOU CAN WATCH IT: The Plex app is available for all major streaming devices, smart TVs, mobile devices and online at plex.tv.
PROS: A good mix of movies and TV shows.
CONS: Ads are intrusive, streaming quality is not that great.
The Roku Channel
One of the most popular streaming devices, Roku also has their own free, ad-supported streaming service.
WHAT TO WATCH ON IT: The Roku Channel offers some great original programming, like Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, Die Hart 2: Die Harter (starring Kevin Hart) and a live stage production of Heathers: The Musical. They also offer up a decent selection of older movies, including Michael Mann’s Thief, Taika Waititi’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and Beach Blanket Bingo, as well as shows like The Beverly Hillbillies, Mr. Bean and Petticoat Junction.
WHERE YOU CAN WATCH IT: The Roku Channel is only available on Roku streaming devices.
PROS: More original programming than other free streaming services, good quality.
CONS: Only available on Roku devices.
What’s your favourite free streaming service in Canada for free movies and shows? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on our Facebook page.
