7 ways to get free movies and TV channels on your smart TV

Each of the below services has an app for most major TV platforms, so you can watch without having to mess around with casting. Their catalogs vary, so give them all a shot to see which ones you enjoy most. Keep in mind that since you're getting the content for free, most of these services show ads. Everyone's tolerance for these is different; try doing a few stretches or getting a drink while they run, and they shouldn't bother you much.

To make these selections, I surveyed the landscape of free streaming apps and chose the ones that offer apps for most smart TVs. I'll expand on this later.

MMPhoto21/Shutterstock You don't have to look far to start your journey of getting free TV and movies right on your screen. Chances are that your smart TV has a preinstalled app that falls into a category called FAST (free ad-supported streaming television). These usually combine on-demand streaming with a list of always-on channels, providing their content for free with no paid plans.

Depending on your TV, you'll find this service under a different name. The most popular are LG Channels, Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel, and Google TV Freeplay (all matching their manufacturer names). On Vizio TVs, the app is called WatchFree+. Each uses a similar layout, with on-demand options listed separately from the live channels.

While you may not recognize many of the channels, it won't be long before you see some shows and films you're familiar with. These FAST services offer game shows, home renovation programs, news, sports, cooking shows, and movies in every genre imaginable. You won't see the latest blockbusters or popular live sports, but if you're not picky, there's always something to check out.

Sidney van den Boogaard/Shutterstock If you're not happy with the pre-installed options, there are many other FAST platforms to try that also work right on your TV; just search for them on your TV's app store. Tubi is one of the best truly free and legal streaming apps with no subscription options. You don't even need to make an account (for most content), though it's recommended so you can track what you want to watch.

In addition to the usual genre breakdowns for TV and movies, you'll find Collections like Summer of Streaming for movies that fit the season. The Network breakdown is perfect if you're looking for shows from a particular station. There are even Tubi Originals when you want to try something totally different. Look around further, and you'll find other groupings like Live TV , Tubi Kids , and Spanish-language content.

Compared to the always-increasing prices of paid services like Disney+ , Tubi is refreshing and offers something for everyone. Expect around 4 to 6 minutes of ads per hour, which Tubi says is lower than traditional broadcasting .

Bangla press/Shutterstock While Pluto is similar to Tubi, its primary focus is on live channels. It still packs an on-demand library when you're not in the mood for channel-surfing, but this one is best if you want to replicate cable at no cost.