We all have a soft spot for those old movies that take us back to simpler times. Classic films have a timeless charm that keeps drawing us back, whether it's to revisit an iconic performance or experience old Hollywood magic. The problem is that with so many streaming services out there, finding the right place to watch these timeless gems can feel overwhelming.
Fortunately, we are here to help. With a few taps on your smartphone or clicks on your laptop, you can unlock a vast collection of classic movies.
Many of these platforms offer them for free or at a low cost! If you’re looking to enjoy classics without spending hours searching, check out these 8 apps and sites that make it simple to stream your favorite old movies.
Related: Forgotten Gems: 10 Classic Films You Missed
Turner Classic Movies, or TCM for short, is a popular TV channel with a global reach. This network brings classic films to US, UK, Latin America, Germany, Asia, and Northern Europe audiences. The extensive movie collection on TCM comes from the Turner Entertainment film library, which includes a treasure trove of old Hollywood classics. TCM has the rights to show pre-1950 Warner Bros. films and pre-1986 MGM movies, along with RKO Pictures films from the golden era of Hollywood, making it a movie lover's dream come true!
Download: Watch TCM for iOS | Android
This fantastic app allows you to watch free classic movies from the 1910s to the 1960s. You can easily enjoy full movies from the classic Hollywood cinema era. It features a great selection of films starring legendary actors like Charlie Chaplin, Gary Cooper, Marlon Brando, John Wayne, and Shirley Temple. You’ll find beloved classics such as The Gold Rush, Meet John Doe, Rebecca, and Stagecoach.
The app allows you to browse movies by different categories, including adventure, comedy, drama, and romance. It’s compatible with Android TV and Chromecast, though it does include in-app purchases.
Download: Watch Old Movies for Android
Shout! TV is a go-to spot for cult movies, classic films, and various TV shows, animations, and live music. You can enjoy over 8,000 hours of content without spending a dime. If you prefer watching without ads, a subscription is available.
The app has partnerships with major networks and studios, including Universal Pictures, 20th Century Fox, and Columbia Pictures, bringing you a wide selection of popular and beloved entertainment.
Download: Shout! TV for iOS | Android
Public Domain Movies is a terrific website for classic film enthusiasts. it offers a vast collection of movies that have entered the public domain, meaning they are freely accessible to the public. This includes many classic films from the early days of Hollywood that are now hard to find on other streaming platforms.
The site is easy to navigate, and the movies are organized by genre and year, making it simple to find the films that interest you. Additionally, Public Domain Movies has a large collection of high-quality films, including many that are not available on other streaming platforms.
Visit: Public Domain Movies
Related: 10 Safe & Free Movie Streaming Sites Anyone Can Use
The National Screening Room at the Library of Congress offers a selection of historically and culturally meaningful films that you can watch for free. This collection features both copyrighted materials and content in the public domain. Discover classic movies like 'The Forbidden City, Pekin' (1903), and 'Ghosts' (1915), along with World War I-era footage.
Overall, you can access over 1,200 films released before 1999 on the site. Just a heads up: some of these films reflect views from past decades and may seem offensive to today’s audiences. This highlights the collection's role in shedding light on history.
Download: LOC Collections for iOS | Android
