Where to Watch Free Movies Online in Canada (2023)

With the ever-growing number of streaming platforms available right now, it might feel like almost everyone has subscribed to almost every streaming giant in the market, such as Netflix, Disney Plus, or HBO Max. But some people still prefer to watch their favorite shows or movies for free on various websites.

One of the major reasons why some people still choose to watch on free sites is financial limitations. Because the reality is, some people just cannot afford to pay for subscriptions that only add to their monthly bills. Plus, these free sites offer a wider variety of content that is not available on most streaming platforms, like classic, foreign, or even obscure films. 

And then there are cinemas. While theaters offer an immersive cinematic experience with their large screens and high-quality sound systems, more and more people find that watching movies in the comfort of their own homes is more convenient and flexible, as you can access content anytime on streaming platforms. In fact, a study found that Canadians prefer seeing movies on their phones or TVs instead of the big screen because of the cost of movie tickets.

In this article, we will take a look at the best sites that are legal and free from infiltrative malware attacks, where you can stream your favorite shows and movies without making a dent in your bank accounts.

1 – Tubi TV

Tubi TV is completely free, so there’s no need to sign up for an account to stream its content. However, you can only enjoy your favorite shows and movies in 720p quality. Also, expect mid-roll ad breaks.

Its catalog offers films of various genres, from horror to romance, but also offers more old Hollywood classics. The website is easy to navigate, as the films are properly sorted into categories. Some of the most popular movies you can stream on Tubi TV are:

“Charade” (1963)

• Cast: Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant
• Director: Stanley Donen
• Genre: Comedy, mystery, romance
• Why you should watch it: “Charade” is a classic film that features Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant, two of the most iconic actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

“Notorious” (1946)

• Cast: Ingrid Bergman, Cary Grant
• Director: Alfred Hitchcock
• Genre: Thriller, crime, romance
• Why you should watch it: Directed by one of the most influential filmmakers of all time — Alfred Hitchcock — “Notorious” is considered one of the best films in the thriller genre.

2 – Vudu TV

Vudu TV, or Vudu Movies on Us, has one of the largest catalogs for a streaming website, with over 9,000 movies and 360 TV shows, ranging from old Hollywood classics to the latest releases. It is an ad-supported site that also offers video-on-demand services if you want to rent or purchase a movie. To stream via Vudu TV, you will need to sign up for an account. But don’t fret; it’s completely free. 

But here’s the catch: Vudu TV is only available in the United States, so you will need a VPN to access the site in Canada. Among the popular titles you can stream on Vudu TV are:

“Minari” (2021)

• Cast: Steven Yeun, Yeri Han, Alan Kim, Yuh Jung Youn, Will Patton
• Director: Lee Isaac Chung
• Genre: Drama
• Why you should watch it: It’s an Oscar-winning film about a Korean family trying to achieve the American dream. It also features brilliant performances from phenomenal actors like Steven Yeun and Yuh Jung Youn.

“Train to Busan” (2016)

• Cast: Gong Yoo, Kim Su An, Jung Yumi, Ma Dong Seok, Choi Wooshik
• Director: Yeon Sang Ho
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Horror, Thriller
• Why you should watch it: “Train to Busan” is one of the most defining zombie apocalypse films of the 21st century.

3 – Crackle

Crackle is an ad-supported website that offers original content, a mix of old and new titles from Sony Pictures, and other independent films. Its library has over 1,000 movies and 70 shows.

Crackle is completely free, and you would only need to sign up for an account if you want to see personalized recommendations or review your viewing history. You can also stream its content at 1080p. 

However, expect interruptions of at least six 30-second-long ads whenever you stream. Among the popular titles you can stream on Crackle are:

“My Friend Dahmer” (2017)

• Cast: Ross Lynch, Alex Wolff
• Director: Marc Meyers
• Genre: Biography, drama, thriller
• Why you should watch it: This chilling film goes in-depth into the early life of the infamous serial killer, Jeffrey Dahmer, before he became the most wanted man in America.

“Halloween” (1978)

• Cast: Donald Pleasance, Jaime Lee Curtis
• Director: John Carpenter
• Genre: Horror
• Why you should watch it: “Halloween” is the first installment of the popular Halloween movie franchise, which features the iconic masked horror character Michael Myers.

4 – Pluto TV

Pluto TV has over 11,000 titles, from blockbuster movies to independent films. Pluto TV has an app that you can easily download without signing up for an account, and it also supports a variety of devices.

However, fans of international movies must prepare to be disappointed, as all foreign language films are dubbed in English. Do not expect to see your favorite films in high definition as well, as Pluto TV only offers movies in 480p. Another catch: Pluto TV is only available in America, so you will need a VPN to stream on their site. Here are the most popular movies you can stream on the website:

“Pulp Fiction” (1994)

• Cast: John Travolta, Samuel Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis
• Director: Quentin Tarantino
• Genre: Crime, mystery, thriller
• Why you should watch it: Directed by a highly-celebrated filmmaker and featuring the biggest stars of the 90s, “Pulp Fiction” is one of the most influential films of all time that everyone must see.

“Mean Girls” (2004)

• Cast: Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried, Lacey Chabert
• Director: Mark Waters
• Genre: Comedy
• Why you should watch it: “Mean Girls” is a cult classic and one of the quintessential chick flicks of the early 2000s.

5 – Global TV

Global TV is an ad-supported Canadian website that offers primarily local TV shows mixed with some international titles as well as live programming. The site is fairly easy to navigate, with zero annoying ad banners. It also supports different devices, such as Roku and LG smart TVs. There is no need to sign up to access Global TV’s shows. The popular shows you can stream on the site are:

“Abbott Elementary” (2021)

• Cast: Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Lisa Ann Walter
• Director: Randall Einhorn
• Genre: Comedy
• Why you should watch it: “Abbott Elementary” is a Golden Globe-winning series that provides a positive representation of teachers from all walks of life through wit and humor.

“Vikings” (2013-2020)

• Cast: Alex Høgh Andersen, Jordan Patrick Smith, Marco Ilsø
• Director: Michael Hirst
• Genre: Action, adventure, period, historical
• Why you should watch it: “Vikings” is the perfect show for those who want to delve deeper into the history and lore of the seafaring warriors of Scandinavia.

6 – Popcornflix

Popcornflix has a mix of popular and obscure titles, from old Hollywood classics to independent foreign films. You can also stream foreign films in their original audio, unlike on Pluto TV. Popcornflix does not require account registration as well.

However, Popcornflix only has around 600 movies and TV shows and constantly adds and removes content. Also expect a handful of pre-roll ads, banner ads, and spot commercials when you’re streaming. Here are some popular movies you can watch on Popcornflix:

“Detachment” (2011)

• Cast: Adrien Brody, Sami Gayle, Christina Hendricks
• Director: Tony Kaye
• Genre: Crime, drama
• Why you should watch it: Critics hailed “Detachment” as Adrien Brody’s most acclaimed performance since “The Pianist,” so don’t miss out.

“Stuck in Love” (2013)

• Cast: Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Connelly, Lily Collins, Logan Lerman, Kristen Bell, Nat Wolff
• Director: Josh Boone
• Genre: Romance, comedy
• Why you should watch it: “Stuck in Love” is a feel-good rom-com that explores all kinds of love with a star-studded cast.

7 – IMDb TV/ Freevee

IMDb TV, now rebranded as Freevee, has a massive catalog of at least 8 million top-rated titles that you can watch for free, no subscriptions required. However, you will have to deal with an awful lot of ads when streaming. To watch ad-free, you would need to sign up for a paid subscription that costs $19.99.

Unfortunately, Freevee is not available in Canada, so you will have to subscribe to a VPN. Here are some popular films you can stream on the site:

“American Psycho” (2000)

• Cast: Christian Bale, Jared Leto, Chloe Sevigny
• Director: Mary Harron
• Genre: Crime, thriller
• Why you should watch it: “American Psycho” is popular for its dark exploration of the human psyche through violence and gore. So, if raging anti-heroes are your cup of tea, then American Psycho is definitely a must-see.

“Scarface” (1983)

• Cast: Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer
• Director: Brian De Palma
• Genre: Crime, action
• Why you should watch it: This Al Pacino film is a classic that never gets old. It follows its iconic protagonist, Tony Montana, and his pursuit of the American Dream, which continues to resonate with viewers to this day.

8 – Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is the perfect website for anime and Asian entertainment lovers. It includes the latest and most popular series of the moment and simulcasts new episodes instantly after their release in Japan. Subtitles are readily available, and you can also have the option to watch your favorite anime dubbed in your preferred language. You can stream all of these for free in 1080p quality — but with lots of ads.

While it is available in Canada, the US version has a wider catalog. So, you would need to use a VPN if you want to access their site. Here are some binge-worthy anime series you can stream on Crunchyroll:

“Attack on Titan” (2013-2023)

• Cast: Yuki Kaji, Yui Ishikawa
• Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
• Why you should watch it: “Attack on Titan” features one of the most masterfully crafted plots in anime history, topped with an incredible standard of animation. 

“Haikyuu” (2014-2020)

• Cast: Ayumu Murase, Kaito Ishikawa
• Genre: Sports, Comedy
• Why you should watch it: “Haikyuu” is a feel-good high school comedy about volleyball that will teach you about the sport and make you laugh at the same time.

9 – CTV

CTV is a local Canadian network that offers a free, ad-supported streaming website. The website features a diverse selection of content, including blockbuster movies, live programming, and on-demand services. You can stream on CTV in HD quality without signing up for an account.

Also, expect to get interrupted by popping banner ads once in a while. Here are popular titles you can watch on CTV:

“Whiplash” (2014)

• Cast: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons
• Director: Damien Chazelle
• Genre: Drama, Musical
• Why you should watch it: “Whiplash” is a thought-provoking film that shows an artist’s brutal pursuit of excellence and features unforgettable performances by J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller.

“The Social Network” (2010)

• Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield
• Director: David Fincher
• Genre: Drama
• Why you should watch it: “The Social Network” is an award-winning film that chronicles the creation of Facebook and how it changed the social media landscape today.

10 – CBC Gem

CBC Gem is another Canadian network that offers a mix of local and international shows, live events, and on-demand services. Its website is user-friendly with shows and movies sorted by categories. You can also stream without signing up for an account. 

However, you can only stream your favorite shows or movies in 720p quality, with at least four unskippable ads in between. Here are the movies you should watch on the site:

“Mommy” (2014)

• Cast: Anne Dorval, Antoine Olivier Pilon
• Director: Xavier Dolan
• Genre: Drama
• Why you should watch it: Xavier Dolan’s award-winning masterpiece tells a tear-jerking story about a complicated mother-and-son relationship. 

“Shrek 2” (2004)

• Cast: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz
• Director: Andrew Adamson
• Genre: Animation, fantasy, romance
• Why you should watch it: “Shrek 2” is a timeless children’s tale that is perfect to bond over with your family.

12 – Filmzie

Filmzie is a free website that houses curated films from up-and-coming independent filmmakers, such as arthouse indie titles, documentaries, horror, and romance. The site is free to access, and you would only have to pay for a subscription if you want an ad-free viewing experience. You can stream movies on Filmzie in full HD quality as well. Filmzie’s interface is also easy to navigate because it properly sorts the shows and films by genre, and the free content is filtered from the paid ones. 

Filmzie’s library may not seem impressive to some due to its obscure titles, but if you’re an indie film aficionado, then Filmzie is the right website for you. What to watch on Filmzie:

“Dream for an Insomniac” (1996)

• Cast: Ione Skye, Jennifer Aniston
• Director: Tiffanie DeBartolo
• Genre: Romance
• Why you should watch it: The film features a young Jennifer Aniston in her pre-“Friends” days.

“Impossible to Imagine” (2019)

• Cast: Yukiko Ito, William Yagi
• Director: Felicity Tillack
• Genre: Romance
• Why you should watch: “Impossible to Imagine” is a dreamy tale of biracial love filmed in scenic country places in Japan.

Endless Options

Whether you’re looking for blockbusters or classics, there is no denying that the abundance of websites that offer free movies has given us better access to so much more content — not to mention made streaming easier.

While streaming giants offer libraries of exclusive, high-quality content and a seamless viewing experience, these websites can provide access to a wider range of shows and movies that cater to viewers’ varied interests without the need for paid subscriptions. 

There are so many choices to choose from, and it all comes down to personal preference. Ultimately, whichever site or platform you choose, there’s never been a better time to indulge in your favorite movies.