PublicDomainMovie.net
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Several genres to choose from.
Downloading is straightforward.
Most can be streamed as well.
No payment necessary.
Only older movies.
No search or sort options.
Way too many website ads.
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. PublicDomainMovie.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 of movies that are offered here. Every movie page shows the film’s cover image, release date, synopsis, and cast list.
I like that I can stream these movies directly from the website for a preview of what I’m getting before I start the download. However, I don’t like all the ads. There are actually loads of them all over the place; fortunately, they aren’t included in the videos themselves.
The Public Domain Review
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Useful filtering options.
Includes a search function.
Ad-free website.
Solely older films.
Fewer than 200 movies.
Hardly ever updates with new additions.
Some dead links.
This one is very similar to the above site. Most of the films at The Public Domain Review are from the same source as the previous site’s collection, but I’ve added it here for two reasons: the lack of ads and the great filtering options.
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 food, architecture, or natural world theme.
Everything here can be streamed. The movie download links are on the bottom of each page.
Internet Archive
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Lets you stream before downloading.
Filter by year and topic.
Huge listings, all totally free.
Free from ads.
You won’t find newer films here.
Strange categorization methods.
Internet Archive is a trove of digital information. It has not only movies for download, but also software, web pages, books, and more. Like the above two sites, this one offers free movie downloads because they’re in the public domain.
There are lots of categories here where you might find movies, so the link below, which takes you to Feature Films, is just one example. There are tens of thousands of free films in over a dozen languages.
Most if not all the movies from the sites listed above are actually sourced from Internet Archive, but I prefer those movie download sites over this one because there’s just too much to sift through here. Still, I like to use this website for its filtering options, which can include language, creator, year, topic, and more.
The Library of Congress
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Lets you stream before downloading.
No ads, and nothing costs.
Multiple file format options.
Only includes older films.
Tiny collection.
Another way to download movies is through the Library of Congress. According to the LOC, the purpose of this list of movies is to “showcase the range and diversity of American film heritage.”
They’re a selection of films from the National Film Registry (NFR), which is a collection of movies selected by the United States National Film Preservation Board.
A couple of things I like about downloading movies here is that the website is ad-free and all the options are on a single page because there are only a couple dozen movies to pick from.
These titles can be downloaded directly from the Library of Congress’ website in formats like MP4 and MOV.
Netflix
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Includes both movies and TV shows.
Big library of films that updates often.
Browse for just downloadable movies.
Must be a paying user.
Ad-supported plans don’t include downloads.
Must download from the app (not the website).
Not all titles can be downloaded.
Downloads are automatically removed in no later than seven days (some sooner).
Netflix is one example of a subscription service that lets you save its movies and TV shows to a download portion of the app so you can watch even without an internet connection.
As a long-time Netflix user, this is an obvious choice for me when I want to save a movie offline. If you don’t use Netflix, there are several other, similar options listed below.
Downloads are allowed through the Netflix app for iOS, Android, and Windows.
Streaming services like Netflix don’t 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.
Public Domain Films: Public domain films are those whose copyrights have expired or were never copyrighted in the first place. These movies are free to watch and download legally. Websites like Internet Archive, Public Domain Torrents, and Open Culture offer a plethora of classic films, documentaries, and educational content without any cost or legal concerns.
Library Services: Many public libraries offer free access to digital collections, including movies and documentaries. Services like Kanopy, Hoopla, and OverDrive allow library cardholders to stream or download movies legally. Simply sign up with your library card and enjoy a wide range of films without any guilt.
Free Streaming Platforms: Several streaming platforms offer a selection of movies for free with intermittent ads. While the collection may not be as extensive as subscription-based services, you can still find popular titles and hidden gems. Look out for platforms like IMDb TV, Tubi, Pluto TV, and Crackle for legally streamed movies at no cost.
YouTube: YouTube hosts a vast array of movies and documentaries, both paid and free. Many independent filmmakers and distributors upload their content for free viewing, while others offer rentals or purchases. Explore YouTube’s Movies & Shows section for a mix of old classics, indie flicks, and niche genres that are available legally.
Educational Institutions: Universities and educational institutions often provide free access to academic films and documentaries. Platforms like MIT OpenCourseWare, Stanford Online, and Harvard’s YouTube channel offer a treasure trove of educational content, including lectures, seminars, and documentaries, all available legally and for free.
Legal Torrent Sites: While torrenting is often associated with piracy, there are legal torrent sites where you can find movies that are distributed under Creative Commons licenses or are in the public domain. Websites like Legit Torrents and Internet Archive offer a selection of legal torrents, ensuring that you can download movies safely and legally.
Check for Special Offers: Keep an eye out for special promotions and offers from legitimate streaming services. Many platforms provide free trials or limited-time access to their content libraries. Take advantage of these offers to watch your favorite movies legally without spending a dime.
