WATCH FREE Movies: The Streaming Services Still Offering Long Free Trials

With subscription fatigue and rising streaming prices in 2025, many seek ways to watch movies without committing. While free trials are rare, some services still quietly offer them. This article reveals every legal, active, long free-trial option so readers can try movies without paying.

The Best Streaming Services Still Offering Free Trials

Hulu (30-day free trial)

Duration of free trial: 30 days (for many new and eligible returning users)

Movie catalogue: Includes films from studios like 20th Century, FX, and Hulu Originals, as well as access to licensed cinema and a rotating catalogue.

Credit card required: Yes

How to cancel before billing: Log into your account → Subscription settings → Cancel before the 30th day.

Availability by region: U.S. only (or U.S. territories).

Tips: Hulu often pushes you toward bundles (Disney+ / ESPN). For pure testing, uncheck extras. Hulu also offers “Hulu + Live TV” with a 3-day trial.

Apple TV+ (7 days, or 3 months with device)

Duration of free trial: Standard 7-day trial. However, buying an Apple device (iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc.) may qualify you for a 3-month free trial.

Movie catalogue: Exclusive Apple Originals like Killers of the Flower Moon, Greyhound, and many critically acclaimed films.

Credit card required: Yes

How to cancel before billing: Via your Apple ID subscription settings before the 7-day period ends.

Availability by region: Wide international reach (check your country’s Apple TV+ offering).

Also, when you subscribe to Apple One (a bundle of Apple services), you often get a 30-day trial that includes Apple TV+.

Amazon Prime / Prime Video (30 days)

Duration of free trial: 30-day trial for Amazon Prime (includes Prime Video)

Movie catalogue: Access to a complete rotating film library, licensed titles, Amazon Originals (e.g. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Reacher, etc.), plus the ability to add Prime Video Channels (each with its own trial).

Credit card required: Yes

How to cancel before billing: Within account settings, cancel Prime before day 30; you retain access until trial end.

Availability by region: Many — U.S., UK, India, etc.

Important: If you cancel Prime early, you often still enjoy the whole trial period. Also, when adding extra channel subscriptions under Prime Video, those bundles usually have separate 7-day trials.

Paramount+ (7 days)

Duration of free trial: 7 days (sometimes 30 days via promo codes or bundles)

Movie catalogue: Paramount Pictures library, CBS films, Showtime catalogue (in some tiers)

Credit card required: Yes

How to cancel before billing: Go to account settings on Paramount+ and cancel during the trial period.

Availability by region: U.S. primarily, plus Canada, Latin America, and some European markets.

Sometimes promotions (e.g. via Walmart+ or telecom bundles) extend the free period.

YouTube Premium (1-month free trial)

Duration of free trial: 1 month

Movie catalogue: Benefits include ad-free YouTube, background play, YouTube Originals, and access to YouTube's movie rentals/purchases (though free trial doesn't grant all rental movies)

Credit card required: Yes

How to cancel before billing: Via subscription settings in YouTube or Google account before the trial ends

Availability by region: Many countries where YouTube Premium is available

Important: This trial is not for free access to the whole movie catalogue, but it gives an improved YouTube experience and sometimes includes access to some movie content or discounted rentals.

Peacock (Premium Plus, 7 days — when available)

Duration of free trial: 7 days for Premium Plus (where the trial is still available)

Movie catalogue: Access to Universal Pictures film back catalogue, NBC/Universal titles

Credit card required: Yes

How to cancel before billing: Go to your Peacock subscription settings and cancel during the trial.

Availability by region: U.S. only (or U.S. territories)

Note: Peacock does not always display a free trial option; sometimes it’s offered only via partner links or promos.

Discovery+ (7 days)

Duration of free trial: 7 days

Movie catalogue: While discovery+ is heavily documentary/reality content, it sometimes hosts documentary films and feature films in nature, science, and history genres

Credit card required: Yes

How to cancel before billing: Cancel via account settings before day 7

Availability by region: U.S. and select global markets

Also, bundled deals with mobile carriers or providers sometimes extend the trial or waive the cost.

Starz (7 days)

Duration of free trial: 7 days (often via Prime Video, Hulu, or directly)

Movie catalogue: Major blockbusters (e.g. John Wick, Spider-Man in some regions), Starz originals

Credit card required: Yes

How to cancel before billing: Cancel via whichever platform you subscribed (direct, via Prime Video, etc.) during the 7-day window

Availability by region: U.S. & select markets internationally

Starz often appears as an “add-on” free trial when bundling via Prime Video or Roku.

Crunchyroll / Funimation (Anime-oriented)

Duration of free trials: Usually 7 days for premium plans (sometimes 14 days promotional)

Movie catalogue: Anime films (e.g. Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, Your Name) plus a vast anime series library

Credit card required: Yes

How to cancel before billing: Use account settings before the trial ends

Availability by region: Many countries (region-locked catalogue differences)

Because many anime fans prioritise such content, these trials can be beneficial for movie watchers in that niche.

Limited or Hidden Free Trials — How to Unlock Them

Some free trials are not evident on the main pages. Here’s how to unearth them:

Device-based offers: On platforms like Roku, Fire TV, and PlayStation, certain apps show trial offers not seen on the web.

Carrier or ISP bundles: Providers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and Comcast occasionally include streaming trials.

Student offers / promotions: Students may get extended trials or stacked offers.

Region-specific promos/codes: Sometimes a localised promo code gives a longer trial.

New device incentives: Buying hardware (e.g. a streaming box or smart TV) may unlock trials automatically.

To find hidden trials, search phrases like “streaming service + free trial for new customers + your country,” and try clicking sign-up via partner sites (e.g. a carrier).

How to Watch Free Movies Without a Trial — 100% Legal Options

If a user has already used all the free trials, there are still legal, always-free services:

Ad-supported platforms: Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Crackle, Plex. These hosts' studios license movies and rotate the catalogue regularly.

Public / geo-specific free services: Some regions have free national broadcasters’ VOD.

Library streaming: Some libraries partner with Kanopy, Hoopla, or similar services to stream films free with a library card.

YouTube’s free movies section: Some older or public domain films are free to watch.

These options don't require credit cards or trials; they show ads and earn revenue legally.

Tips to Maximise Free Trials (Without Breaking Terms)

Use different email addresses or family profiles, if allowed (legally).

Set calendar reminders for cancellation a day before billing kicks in.

Download content (if the feature is supported) before the trial expires.

Stack trials across different platforms to string together weeks or months of “free” streaming.

Watch during the trial period intensively, and focus on big titles first.

Use reminders and notes to avoid unintended renewal.

As long as the terms of service are obeyed, these practices are ethical.

Streaming Services That No Longer Offer Free Trials (and What to Do Instead)

Several major platforms have removed their trials altogether:

Netflix: Free trials were discontinued years ago.

Disney+: No longer offers free trials in most regions.

HBO Max / Max: Rare to find a free trial; some limited trials via Amazon Channels periodically.

Sling TV: Has dropped free trials and now gives first-month discounts.

For these, users must look for bundle deals, promotional discounts, or credit card perks (e.g. some credit cards offer streaming credits or initial months waived). Also, specific promotional windows (e.g., launch events) might temporarily enable trials.