The biggest streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video often take the headlines, but did you know that, thanks to the best free streaming services, you can stream some incredible movies without having to cough up a monthly fee?
One of the best free streamers in the business right now is Tubi. The platform offers hundreds of movies that you can enjoy without a subscription and without even signing up. The only “price” is having to tolerate a few commercials, and while I’m certainly no fan of ads, the odd break in the action is a small price to watch these excellent flicks for free.
However, while Tubi’s library is vast, there’s quite a lot of bargain-bin or TV-quality fodder in the mix. Nevertheless, there are plenty of Hollywood favorites, and some modern classics as well. That’s why I’ve picked out the five movies you need to watch on Tubi now.
‘Memento’ (2000)
Before Christopher Nolan was one of the biggest names in Hollywood, helming a trilogy of Batman movies and turning the life of Robert J. Oppenheimer into one of the most compelling biopics of the 21st century, he crafted a psychological thriller called “Memento."
It seems relatively quaint in comparison to Nolan's grand-scale recent work. However, it’s no less gripping, with a truly phenomenal hook and a performance from Guy Pearce that ranks as one of his best roles.
A masterclass in non-linear storytelling, “Memento” offers two separate narrative strands that at first appear confusing and a little contradictory, but by the end join together in a satisfying full-circle moment. Pearce plays Leonard Shelby, a former insurance agent, suffering from amnesia, and on the hunt for the man he believed murdered his wife. To say any more would spoil some of the movie’s surprises, but I’ll just advise you to watch this one very closely.
Watch "Memento" on Tubi now
‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ (2013)
Martin Scorsese’s 2013 crime comedy reveals in excess, not least of which via the chunky three-hour runtime. But that’s sort of the whole point. This lampooning of the Wall Street lifestyle casts a condemning glance over a seedy world where “enough is never enough.”
Frankly, this movie sells itself based on the talent involved with Leonardo DiCaprio in the leading role, and Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie and Matthew McConaughey flanking him in support. With Scorsese behind the camera, no wonder it’s considered a modern great.
The subject matter is Jordan Belfort (DiCaprio), a real-life former stockbroker who eventually pleaded guilty to fraud and market manipulation after years of illegal activities. The movie follows Belfort from entry-level Wall Street grunt to the leader of his own firm. A trail of debauchery-fueled carnage follows in his wake, and while his rise is swift, his eventual fall comes equally as fast. “The Wolf of Wall Street” is funny, smart and most of all, supremely entertaining from beginning to end.
Watch "The Wolf of Wall Street" on Tubi now
‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1998)
Ask somebody on the street to name a war movie, and I would wager there’s a very strong chance they will reply “Saving Private Ryan.” Steven Spielberg’s 1998 epic is judged by many to be his magnum opus, which, when you consider his filmography bursting with classics, is extremely high praise indeed.
It sets the tone with its devastating opening set on Omaha Beach during the Normandy invasion of June 1944, and from there, it’s an often-bleak exploration of the horrors of World War II. But what makes “Saving Private Ryan” so impressive is that while it showcases the brutality of war, it doesn’t forget to give viewers glimpses of hope and humanity.
It sees Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) tasked with leading a squad of men behind enemy lines to locate the eponymous Private James Ryan (Matt Damon). Ryan’s three brothers have been killed in combat, and the U.S. military determines that, for moral purposes, Ryan must be found and brought home to save his family from more heartbreak. While attempting to find Ryan, the group faces overwhelming odds and huge hardship, but they approach each obstacle with honor and unrelenting courage.
Watch "Saving Private Ryan" on Tubi now
‘Possessor’ (2020)
There’s something in those Cronenberg genes because Brandon Cronenberg proved himself to be just as capable of crafting a psychologically riveting sci-fi as his father, the iconic David Cronenberg, with his memorable debut “Possessor.”
This twisty movie will really stay with you, and you’ll probably want to watch it more than once just to unravel its many layers. It presents a simple story on the surface, but there’s plenty to dig into beyond the basic setup. Plus, the leading performance from Andrea Riseborough is really quite special.
“Possessor” is set in the near future and sees an elite assassin, Tasya Vos (Riseborough), complete various hits for a corporation. The intrigue comes in her method, which involves taking control of other people’s bodies to complete the job, but things get complicated when a host fights back against Tasya’s invasion of their mind. If you need further convincing, "Possessor" holds a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Watch "Possessor" on Tubi now
‘12 Angry Men’ (1957)
If I were judging movies based solely on the quality of their screenplay, then “12 Angry Men” would be almost unrivalled. It packs some of the greatest writing in Hollywood history, and the fact that everything else about it is seriously fantastic is just a very appreciated bonus.
Directed by Sidney Lumet, written by Reginald Rose, and starring the legendary Henry Fonda, it’s a legal drama so riveting that it challenges even the best thrillers and has more than stood the test of time. Even its themes of societal prejudice and the true nature of justice remain as timely today as they were back in the 1950s.
The 12 men in question are the members of a jury in a New York County Courthouse. Their job is to decide the fate of a young 18-year-old boy accused of murdering his father. Convening in the jury chamber, initially, all but one juror (Fonda) is convinced of the boy's guilt, but as they begin to discuss the facts and their theories, each is forced to consider their morals and values, and reasonable doubt begins to creep in.
Oh, and I can’t talk about “12 Angry Men” without tipping my cap to Lee J. Cobb for his role as Juror No. 13, a man who is the most convinced of the dozen of the boy’s guilt.
Watch "12 Angry Men" on Tubi now
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