The top free movies available on YouTube at the moment (January 2025)

      20th Century Studios

      The popularity of streaming continues to grow month after month. Unfortunately, this also leads to rising prices, with Netflix being the latest platform to increase its fees. There seems to be no end in sight, especially as the competition in the streaming industry intensifies. Consumers are in greater need of free streaming alternatives now than ever before. YouTube offers a free service that provides users with quality movies and television content. Each month, YouTube adds new programs, many of which are quite popular. This month, take a look at our top recommendations below.

      If you’re seeking additional free content, explore our guides on the best free shows on YouTube and the top websites for watching free movies online. For those willing to pay, check out our guides on the best new movies to stream and the finest films available on Netflix.

      Movie images and data from:

      Nick Perry is a freelance writer who has transitioned from Hollywood to Silicon Beach, now relaxing in pajama pants. His work has been featured in Digital Trends, Good Morning America, Entrepreneur, Mashable, and other media platforms.

      Blair Marnell has been an entertainment journalist for over 15 years, with his articles appearing in Wizard Magazine, Geek Monthly, SYFY Wire, Superhero Hype, Collider, DC Universe, as well as the official sites for Star Trek and Marvel. He also contributes his pop culture knowledge to Digital Trends, covering various features related to TV, movies, and streaming.

      Dan is a passionate content creator with diverse skills in pop culture, entertainment, and sports. Throughout his career, he has served as a writer, broadcaster, podcaster, editor, and social media manager. At Digital Trends, Dan focuses on film and television, reviewing upcoming projects and interviewing actors and directors. Outside of Digital Trends, he has been predicting Oscar winners since 2016 and has written about sports, particularly New York professional teams. Dan continues to hope for the New York Knicks to clinch a championship, though it seems this dream may take some time to be realized.

      The best mysteries on Netflix right now

      One mystery that Netflix has never attempted to solve is straightforward: Why are there so few mysteries on Netflix? The options for new titles are so scarce that we nearly added I Know What You Did Last Summer to our list, and we'd only need to locate the Gorton's Fisherman to wrap that case up. Currently, there aren't many suitable films available. Fortunately, the French action thriller Ad Vitam includes enough mystery elements to warrant its inclusion here. Additionally, the older thriller Under Suspicion has made the cut, thanks to its excellent lead actors, Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman. You can find these films along with the rest of the best mysteries currently on Netflix below.

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      The best feel-good movies on Netflix right now

      Netflix does not have a "feel-good" tab, making it challenging to locate films that fit this category perfectly. Feel-good isn’t a genre; it reflects how audiences are intended to react to the film. If a movie leaves you feeling better about life, opens up the possibility of romance, or enhances your mood by the end, then it qualifies as a feel-good movie. This month, we are adding two feel-good films to our list: 13 Going on 30 and The Secret of My Success. The first film follows a woman who gets a second chance at life when her younger self awakens in her adult body. The latter, a quintessential 1980s story, features Michael J. Fox, who brings a unique charm to the role.

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      The best fantasy movies on Netflix right now

      There’s some encouraging news for fantasy movie fans on Netflix as we start 2025. The section is not entirely devoid of content at the beginning of the year. If we had to choose a standout from the recent additions, the 2005 remake of King Kong takes the top spot among newcomers. The other two titles are The Dark Tower and Waterworld. However, when the options are limited, you have to make do with what’s available. Fantasy remains one of the genres that Netflix has not sufficiently replenished. Besides a handful of Netflix originals and films from other studios, finding your fantasy fix on the platform may prove to be difficult. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the best fantasy movies on Netflix. Be sure to catch them while you can, as we can't promise many of them will remain after February.

      Looking for more recommendations? Then check out the best new movies to stream this week, the top films on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the finest films on Amazon Prime Video, the top movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.

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