If you're looking for Roku channels that are free, you're in luck — the list of free Roku channels is long. Very long. And more free Roku channels are added all the time.
There are a dozens of Roku channels you can watch that are totally and completely free. For most, all you need is an email address to sign up. The selection offers something for everyone, too. It starts with the Roku Channel itself, where you can watch free movies online as well as TV shows from the past. Even better, though, the Roku Channel is also offering live news from local and national networks, giving cord-cutters another reason to ditch cable.
You can also watch free TV and movies on Freevee, Pluto TV or Tubi; interesting originals on Crackle; the latest headlines on Newsy; and even painting highlights from artist Bob Ross.
That's just the tip of the iceberg. The best free Roku channels also include inspiring presentations from Ted Talks, family-friendly programming on PBS Kids and so much more. Here are our picks for the top Roku channels that are free.
1. The Roku Channel
If you have a Roku device or a Roku TV, then watching free movies and TV shows is just a click of the remote away. But even without a Roku, anyone can sign up for a free account. The Roku Channel streams free and live entertainment, all supported by ads (so yes, you do have to sit through commercials). It offers a rotating selection of classic films and shows, sports and kids fare. And the Roku Channel also offers originals, including the dozens of titles purchased with the Quibi library.
Arguably the best part of The Roku Channel is its news options. It offers national news from ABC (Ch. 115), FOX (Ch. 120) and NBC (Ch. 116), as well as local news from NBC for major cities such as Dallas Fort Worth (Ch. 135), Los Angeles (Ch. 126), South Florida (Ch. 147) and Connecticut (Ch. 142).
One of our favorite free Roku channels is actually in The Roku Channel, and we'll get to it below.
2. Tubi
Tubi is another free streaming service you can add as a Roku channel for free. Just sign up with your email address and get access to an on-demand library of hundreds of movies and TV series. Generally, you'll find past hits and classics, like The Karate Kid, Underworld and The Grudge. The Tubi Kids section is bountiful, but the best part of Tubi is its easy-to-use navigation. You can browse eclectic collections like "Not on Netflix," "United Against Inequality" and "Highly Rated on Rotten Tomatoes."
3. Pluto TV
Think of Pluto TV as a free version of cable television. Add this free Roku channel and then browse Pluto TV's live channels on a guide-like grid, which shows you what's streaming right now and coming up. The movie-themed channels are split by genre (Action, Comedy, Romance, Horror, etc.). You can also find TV offerings from MTV, TV Land, Showtime as well as more specific themes like Star Trek, The Price Is Right and Baywatch.
4. Crackle
Crackle is one of the best Roku channels for watching free big-budget movies, provided you don't mind sitting through a few commercials. If you cut the cord on your cable subscription but still miss zoning out in front of cheesy action comedies, this app is for you. The selection at Crackle rotates frequently, but there are usually some memorable films, like Gattaca.
5. PBS Kids
PBS has been the gold standard for kids programming for decade. In the streaming age, it's put many of its shows on the PBS Kids app, which you can add as a free Roku channel. Little ones can watch whatever is playing live, or enjoy Sesame Street, Curious George and Clifford the Big Red Dog on demand.
6. TED
With the TED channel, you can watch hundreds of talks and presentations from expert speakers on a huge range of topics. Browse by newest releases, trending talks or by categories like Courageous, Jaw-Dropping, Funny and Inspiring. There are also themed playlists to meet your every mood, from "What makes you happy" to "The pursuit of justice." Or search for a specific speaker or topic that you have in mind.
7. The Bob Ross Channel
Tap into your inner artist with The Bob Ross Channel. Add it to your list of Roku free channels and you can dive into 380 classic episodes of the Joy of Painting series. Maybe watching Bob Ross paint will make you want to pick up a paintbrush. Or just use the channel as soothing streaming background noise while folding laundry. Bob Ross is great for either.
8. Xumo Play
Xumo Play is another free, ad-supported streaming service that offers a variety of live and on-demand content. It provides access to over 190 channels, including news, sports, movies, TV shows, and lifestyle programming. Some notable channels and content providers on Xumo include NBC News, CBSN, Bloomberg, Fox Sports, and many genre-specific channels for movies and TV shows.
This app aims to provide a cable-like experience without the cost, making it an attractive option for cord-cutters and those looking to supplement their existing streaming services with free content. Even though it doesn't have the best movies, you'll still find stuff like "21 Jump Street", "Forensic Files", "Family Feud" and "Unsolved Mysteries".
9. Kanopy
Have a library card? You've got access to thousands of movies, TV shows and additional content made available through the free Kanopy channel. All you need is a library login and you're able to jump into Kanopy's vast collection wihtout spending a dime. There are no commercials and plenty of different options to sift through, so all you have to worry about is what you want to watch next. Best of all, you don't have to "return" what you borrow when you watch Kanopy from your Roku device. It's all there, for free, for as long as you want!
10. FilmRise
FilmRise serves up a collection of over 10,000 hours of movies and TV shows, from dramas to Westerns and everything between. It's also the home to series like "Hannibal" and "Hemlock Grove", so if you've been following either one, you can park your Roku on FilmRise and find something exciting to watch no matter what time of day it is. You can access all of its content without a subscription, no matter what you feel like watching, all for free and available today.
11. RetroCrush
Love classic movies and anime? You don't need to go broke tracking it down to find the best of the best. RetroCrush has a massive selection of classics like "Revolutionary Girl Utena" and "Project A-KO" to check out as well as new gems you might not have seen like "Cromartie High School", all playing 24/7, all for free. Watch tons of free series, and upgrade to a paid plan to get even more classics so you can stay a well-versed anime fan of all genres and all ages. There's plenty to discover right on Roku with RetroCrush if you're an anime fanatic.
More Roku channels to get for free
As we said at the top of the page, there are so many free Roku channels. Here are some honorable mentions:
Crunchyroll: Anime fans can access hundreds of titles
The CW: Recent episodes of the network's hit series
Fawesome: Deep-cut free indie movies
Hoopla: Free movies from your local library
NewsOn: Live local news broadcasts from around the country
Vevo: Music videos from top music stars
Fandango at Home: Selection of free movies and shows alongside titles for rent
YouTube: Browse millions of videos on your Roku device
- The best Roku devices: Streaming Stick, Premiere, Ultra and more
