The 30 Best Movies Currently Streaming on Tubi
While other streaming services thrive on carefully curated and constantly updating (and thus limited) movie selections, Tubi is a bit different: it’s like the Wild West, with everything from originals to popular hits, from critically acclaimed favorites to the most basic, budget-friendly films this side of the blockbuster. In that spirit, here’s a selection of the best movies currently streaming on Tubi. The variety is vast—and the streaming service won’t be limited. (If you’re unfamiliar, Tubi is a free, ad-supported service, but I generally find the ads less intrusive and less frequent than on other similar streaming services.)
Friday (1995)
Craig and Smokey (Ice Cube and Chris Tucker) are just a couple of guys hanging out, hoping for something to do. They should be careful what they wish for, because this frustrating Friday night is filled with burglaries, gunfights, and overly horny pastors. Like the best buddy comedies and drug addicts, it’s all about silly fun. Watch it Friday .
Titanic (1997)
In today’s world of blockbusters designed to be as comforting and unscared as possible, be the film that made an entire generation of moviegoers cry. James Cameron somehow created an unrivaled hit out of one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century. Watch Titanic .
Titanic 2 (2010)
And then there’s this non-sequel from The Asylum , the company behind such excellent cinematic schlock as the timeless classic Sharknado . Here, a perfect replica of the Titanic sets sail exactly 100 years after the original disaster, this time under the conditions of a man-made disaster: global climate change. Dumber, a million times cheaper, but with 100% more Bruce Davison, this film gives you a taste of the spectrum from the sublime to the ridiculous on Tubi. Watch Titanic 2 and add in the supernatural shock value and the original Titanic 666 from Tubi for one insane movie marathon.
Kill (2024)
This Tubi original (foreign! From Canada!) stars Drag Race alums Trinity Tuck, Heidi Ann Closet, Crystal Methid, and Cara Melle. They play, you guessed it, drag queens who, while on tour, visit a remote biker bar. Things get increasingly troubling when vampires take over the bar, forcing the queens and bikers to team up and fight for survival. It’s heartfelt, raunchy fun with a sincere message and a showcase for energetic low-budget filmmaking. Watch Slay .
Misery (1990)
Before Matlock , Kathy Bates was an Oscar-winning actress who dazzled as the iconic Stephen King fan Annie Wilkes. When James Caan’s Paul Sheldon, author of the popular Misery romance novel series, finds himself trapped in Annie’s remote home, suffice it to say, things get crazy fast. Watch Misery .
The Godfather (1972)
Francis Ford Coppola’s triumph (at least until Part II ) introduces us to the quintessentially American Corleone family, led by the Oscar-winning (and fading) Marlon Brando as Vito and his youngest, most uncooperative son, Michael (Al Pacino). “The Godfather” has always been a distinctly American story, but now that our political leaders are outright gangsters, it feels more relevant than ever. Watch “The Godfather.”
The Trap (2024)
Cooper (Josh Hartnett) is a pretty cool dad in M. Night Shyamalan’s latest film. He takes his daughter, Riley (Ariel Donoghue), to a concert by a really cool pop star who looks like Taylor Swift. However, we quickly learn that Cooper is a serial killer being hunted, and that the FBI knows “The Butcher” will be at the concert, even if they don’t know who. This premise makes for some hilarious thrillers, as Cooper tries to escape the pop concert while somehow ensuring his daughter gets to enjoy the show. Stream Trap .
New Jack City (1991)
New Jack City is a serious, thoughtful crime drama, a thrilling action film, and (just as importantly) a ’90s-infused time capsule, brought to life by Wesley Snipes. Mario Van Peebles makes his directorial debut right away. Watch New Jack City .
Surrounded by Christmas (2017)
It’s a Lifetime original holiday movie, so you already know the vibe and don’t expect too many surprises. It’s fun, though: to advance her career at the mall, Heather (Tatiana Ali) must impress her boss, played by the always hilarious Jackée Harry in full Scrooge mode. Complications arise when her niece introduces her to handsome Brendan Fehr, who helps his mom run a money-losing toy store. Tasked with pushing out these easygoing toy salesmen in favor of tenants with deeper pockets, Heather will have to decide if she’s willing to risk her career and teach Jackée the true meaning of Christmas. At the Mall. Stream Wrapped Up in Christmas .
Jason X (2001)
Sure, it’s not for everyone, not even every slasher fan, but in Jason X we get a film that does exactly what the title says and sends Jason into space. After being captured, Jason is held and studied at the Crystal Lake Research Facility. He’s placed in a cryogenic chamber, where he remains until 2455, when a group of mostly horny young scientists accidentally release him onto their spaceship after a trip to the dead planet Earth. As if good old Jason wasn’t bad enough, he gets some cool cyberware upgrades that don’t bode well for our hapless crew. Watch Jason X.
Gladiator (2000)
Ridley Scott’s historical epic was a box office success and won an Oscar. Russell Crowe plays Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general forced, due to unfair disgrace, to fight in the arena for the pleasure of Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), whom he has sworn revenge on. Watch Gladiator .
The Thin Man (1934)
The alcoholic chemistry between legendary actors Myrna Loy and William Powell gives “Thin Girl” a relaxed energy that makes it not only easy to watch but also thoroughly enjoyable, whether you’re a fan of the central detective or not. Nick and Nora are always great together. Watch “Thin Girl.”
Threads (1984)
This nuclear war drama terrorized British television audiences in 1984, depicting everyday life in a small English town before and after the armed conflict between the US and the USSR. A seemingly realistic depiction of the aftermath of a nuclear winter, it’s also relentlessly grim (rightfully so), yet masterfully filmed. It’s also a fine example of the cinematic archaeology that Tubi allows. Streaming .
Stargate (1994)
A captivating, high-concept sci-fi adventure that launched a remarkable television franchise. An archaeologist discovers a portal (aka a stargate) in the Egyptian desert that leads to a distant point in space, which turns out to be the abode of the ancient Egyptian gods. James Spader is a linguist called in to help sort things out, and Kurt Russell is a soldier ready to blow things up. On the other side, they meet Ra, played by Jaye Davidson, who is memorable for his sexiness, if not his most unkind.
The Raid (2022)
This Tubi original is a fictional response to the 2007 police raids against the Ngāi Tūhoe community in the small town of Ruatoki. The film’s title sounds trite, as if it were a one-off (it’s known internationally as “Muru “). The two-day raid, which cost millions, resulted in a handful of arrests and only a few convictions on minor weapons charges, all because New Zealand authorities were convinced the Māori were plotting some kind of rebellion. Cliff Curtis ( Whale Rider ) plays local police officer Taffy Tawarau, who finds himself caught between the law and his conscience as danger and violence escalate. Watch “The Raid . “
The Color Out of Space (2019)
Nicolas Cage is at his best in this adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft about a family’s descent into madness. A beautiful, terrifying, and utterly unique sensory experience. Stream Color Out of Space .
Some Like It Hot (1959)
Tubi offers a better selection of classics than many other streaming services, most of which have switched to a “newer is better” approach. Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis star as a pair of jazz musicians who run afoul of a mob boss and decide to escape by posing as members of an all-female band (which, notably, includes Marilyn Monroe). Director Billy Wilder is perfect for this farce, balancing wit and silliness. Watch Some Like It Hot .
The Philadelphia Story (1940)
This is one of Hollywood’s most compelling duos, with director George Cukor leading a Katharine Hepburn-inspired team as she’s pursued by Cary Grant and James Stewart (and, of course, her fiancé, played by John Howard, who never gets a chance). It’s hard to know who to root for. Even when the men repulse her, Hepburn remains the center of attention, delivering brilliant dialogue in a film that seamlessly veers from sophistication to eccentricity. Watch The Philadelphia Story .
Donnie Darko (2001)
Jake Gyllenhaal stars in this haunting emo drama about a troubled teen who escapes disaster by sleepwalking. It instantly became a cult classic, the talk of the town. Watch Donnie Darko (director’s cut) or in theaters .
God’s Own Country (2017)
Josh O’Connor (Prince Charles from The Crown ) and Alec Secareanu play Yorkshire farmer Johnny and Romanian migrant worker Gheorghe. Initially, the turbulent relationship that develops genuinely seems tragic (in the vein of Brokeback Mountain ), making the film’s unexpected turn toward a happy ending especially gripping. Watch God’s Own Country .
Hollywood Switch (1987)
Robert Townsend plays Bobby Taylor in this satirical film about the difficulties of life in the Hollywood system for an actor who is simultaneously too black and not black enough for the studio bosses’ tastes. Using elaborate fantasy scenes and parodies of popular films, Townsend creates sharp and often incredibly funny parodies that (sadly) still resonate today. Watch Hollywood Shuffle .
Apartment (1960)
Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine star in this poignant, bittersweet, yet ultimately humane comedy. Fran Kubelik (MacLaine) is an elevator operator who has an affair with an insurance executive, while Bud Baxter (Lemmon) thrives by renting out his apartment to top executives for various extramarital affairs. Their budding friendship threatens both their careers. Watch “The Apartment . “
Ray (2004)
It’s not just Jamie Foxx’s Oscar-winning performance, which earned him the title of “hero,” that sells this interpretation of Ray Charles’s difficult rise—he’s flawless—but the entire cast is superb, especially Regina King, Kerry Washington, and Clifton Powell. Some of the beats are quite recognizable, but the performances themselves create the feeling that we’ve gained a profound understanding of these characters and the real people they represent. Watch “Ray.”
Whale Rider (2002)
Pai is a 12-year-old Maori girl and a direct descendant of her tribe’s noble ancestor, the Whale Rider , except women traditionally cannot be leaders. Star Keisha Castle-Hughes became the youngest ever Oscar nominee for Best Actress for her open and sincere performance.
Terrifying (2016)
Damien Leone’s low-budget horror series is quietly becoming a terrifying empire, and the latest film has become a box office hit. Here, a real-life clown from hell, Art, stalks party girl Tara Hayes and her sister Victoria (Scaffidi) on Halloween night. Watch “Terrifier . “
Return of the Living Dead (1985)
This punk horror comedy is both a masterful parody of zombie films and a stunning, gory thriller that pushes the genre forward. It also features a great deathrock soundtrack. Watch “The Return of the Living Dead . “
Ghost in the Shell (1995)
One of the best anime films of all time, at least in the sci-fi and cyberpunk genres, Ghost in the Shell boasts impeccable style and a thoughtful, multifaceted plot. Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg security agent, hunts a mysterious hacker known as “The Puppeteer” in the rapidly approaching year 2029, when the rise of artificial intelligence threatens even the very concept of human existence. Watch Ghost in the Shell .
Leather Boys (1964)
A classic of British “kitchen realism”—a 1960s movement that created hyperrealistic portraits of, often angry, teenagers and young adults— The Leather Boys depicts a young couple, Reggie and Dot, growing increasingly distant while Reggie prefers to spend time with his biker friends. Among these friends is Pete, who seems to harbor an attraction to Reggie that goes beyond the typical biker attraction. Watch The Leather Boys .
Cabaret (1972)
Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey star in this musical about the glory days and extravagant style of Weimar Germany, giving way to the rising tide of fascism. Watch “Cabaret . “
It Happened One Night (1934)
The film “It Happened One Night,” which became the template for millions of future romantic comedies despite its release during the awkward years of early talkies, remains unrivaled in its charm and sexiness. Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable have incredible chemistry, and their relationship can be described as almost equal—something that would become increasingly rare in the decades to come. It is one of only three films to win Oscars in all major categories, and deservedly so. Watch “It Happened One Night.”