Tubi: 10 Great Movies You Can Watch Now – For Free!

Denzel Washington in Spike Lee's Malcolm X.

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow on X.

Tubi is an ads-supported free streaming service available on your computer, mobile phone or streaming device, such as Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Xfinity X1 set-tops and Sony and Vizio Smart TVs. The Tubi lineup consists of thousands of TV shows and movies from studios such as Fox, Lionsgate, Paramount, MGM and Warner Bros. And many of those shows and movies are among the greatest ever made. By example, below are 10 great films that you can stream right now on Tubi – for free! (Even better, the ad interruptions on the Tubi movies are minimal, if there are any at all!)

Malcolm X (1992)
Spike Lee’s evocative 1992 drama starring Denzel Washington as the 1960s civil rights leader is the director at the peak of his powers (Denzel, too.). The film chronicles the amazing life of Malcolm X from his days as a Detroit drug dealer to his transformation as a religious leader and civil rights icon. Beautiful film in more ways than one.

Scarface (1983)
The brilliant Brian De Palma-directed drama stars Al Pacino as Cuban refugee Tony Montana who discovers crime does pay, and exceedingly well, in coke-fueled 1980s Miami. While Scarface may be — okay, is — too violent for some, the film perfectly chronicles the era’s thirst for excess and hedonism through the eyes of Montana. Michelle Pfeiffer is flawless as Montana’s ice-cold, white powder-sniffing moll and the splendid supporting cast also includes Steven Bauer, Robert Loggia, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and F. Murray Abraham. Great movie, and don’t forget to say hello to Tony’s little friend.

V For Vendetta (2006)
V For Vendetta. Hugo Weaving (and a Guy Fawkes mask) stars as a revolutionary terrorist in the future who plans to overthrow a fascist government. The 2006 film, which is beautifully photographed, stirred some controversy as well for seemingly embracing violence as a means of protest. But you be the judge. V For Vendetta also stars Natalie Portman as the revolutionary’s reluctant sidekick.

Raging Bull (1980)
Collaborating with director Martin Scorsese once again, Robert De Niro delivered an Oscar-winning performance as Jake LaMotta, a troubled boxer. The physical and emotional transformation De Niro underwent for the role is awe-inspiring. Raging Bull remains a pinnacle of cinematic storytelling, showcasing both De Niro’s dedication and Scorsese’s directorial brilliance.

Annie Hall (1977)
Woody Allen’s comedy masterpiece is based loosely on the actor/director’s romance with Diane Keaton, who plays the title character. The film, which captured the 1978 Academy Award for Best Picture, combines Woody’s comic brilliance with an insightful take on relationships and human foibles. Such a great movie and one that filmmakers have tried to replicate ever since with varying degrees of success. (Looking at you, Rob Reiner, director of When Harry Met Sally.)

Boyz n the Hood (1991)
Directed by John Singleton, this coming-of-age drama is a poignant exploration of the challenges faced by young African Americans growing up in a neighborhood plagued by violence and systemic inequality. With its compelling characters and raw, authentic storytelling, the film delivers a gripping narrative that sheds light on the harsh realities of urban life while also emphasizing the importance of education, family, and making choices that can break the cycle of violence and despair.

After Hours (1985)
The 1985 comedy/drama from director Martin Scorsese stars Griffin Dunne as an uninspired computer data entry worker who yearns for excitement in his life and, unfortunately for him, gets more than he can handle during a wild after-dark journey in a nightmarish Manhattan. Along the way, Dunne’s worker-bee is enticed, and sometimes entrapped, in bars, diners and matchbox apartments by the likes of Rosanna Arquette, Catherine O’Hara, Teri Garr, Cheech and Chong and John Heard. After Hours will make you laugh, sometimes cringe, and definitely make you think twice before deciding to head out on your own for a nighttime spin around the block.

High Fidelity (2000)
The 2000 comedy/romance film stars John Cusack as a record store clerk who recalls his past romances while categorizing pretty much everything in his life. Cusack is charming and the supporting cast is overflowing with fun turns from Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jack Black, Joan Cusack (John’s sis), Lisa Bonet, Lili Taylor, Tim Robbins and Sara Gilbert. There’s even a Bruce Springsteen cameo.

Robert DeNiro in Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets.

Mean Streets (1973)
Director Martin Scorsese’s moody and absorbing 1973 drama starring Harvey Keitel and Robert DeNiro as young gangsters living the bad life in New York. This is the film that put both Scorsese and DeNiro on the map, leading to a decades-long collaboration of brilliance including such great films as Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, the King of Comedy, Casino and Goodfellas.

Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)
The film, which is based on a real-life story, stars LaKeith Stanfield as Bill O’Neal, an FBI informant who infiltrates the Black Panthers during the 1960s to get incriminatory evidence against its leaders. However, O’Neal soon regrets his mission when his work triggers a controversial homicide of the group’s leader, Fred Hampton, played exceptionally by Daniel Kaluuya.

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The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.