If you love movies, Tubi might be worth checking out. The best part? It’s totally free! What is Tubi? It’s an advertising video on demand (AVOD) free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service. As the name implies, you can browse through a diverse collection of older moves, with one catch: there are short ads.
Tubi is owned by Fox and while you won’t find the latest blockbuster flicks, you will find tons of classic (and even relatively recently released) movies that are worth watching for the first time, or perhaps even the 10th. It’s the equivalent of popping in an old VHS tape except you can access Tubi through a multitude of devices and via the simplicity of streaming. Another catch, however, is that the list of available films is constantly changing. To help you navigate what’s available, we’re highlighting the best movies on Tubi right now.
Looking for more? We have also rounded up the best shows on Tubi.
The Lincoln Lawyer (2011) new
If you have fallen in love with the Netflix series of the same name starring Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, you might be interested in checking out the original The Lincoln Lawyer movie on which it’s based. Actually, both are based on the Michael Connelly novel and titular character, a talented legal mind. The movie stars Matthew McConaughey as Mickey Haller, a lawyer with an unconventional business approach: he works out of the back of his Lincoln Town Car, driven around Los Angeles by a chauffeur.
As a criminal defense attorney, Mickey typically defends low-end criminals, a choice that doesn’t sit well with his ex-wife, who works on the other side of the legal world as a district attorney. Mickey, however, is adamant about his purpose until one particular case unlocks a dangerous series of events. A solid movie, The Lincoln Lawyer is worth the watch before diving into the series.
The Expendables (2010) new
The elite mercenary team in this action movie is made up of a who’s who of action movie actors from decades past, including Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and even former professional wrestler Steve Austin. Yes, you get all this testosterone in a single film.
But The Expendables is not just about fan service. The movie has a thrilling plot where the group sets out on a mission to overthrow a Latin American dictator, only to uncover an even bigger, more sinister plot behind him. Sure, The Expendables received mixed reviews. But you can’t deny its star power and the nostalgia quotient is through the roof. Considering the movie spawned three sequels already, there’s something to be said for the formula.
The Waterboy (1998)
We’ll preface this by saying that The Waterboy is by far not Adam Sandler’s best movie, nor does it even rank in his top 10. But the hilarious sports comedy is perfect when you’re in the mood for something to simply sit back and laugh hysterically at while watching. Written by Sandler, he plays Robert “Bobby” Boucher, Jr., an eccentric, socially awkward 31-year-old who works as a water boy for a university football team.
Fueled by anger from being bullied for so many years, Bobby finally stands up for himself and tackles one of his biggest bullies. And as it turns out, his outburst suggests that Bobby might just make a pretty mean quarterback. You can guess what happens next as the silly movie explores a heartwarming premise of redemption and confidence, albeit in the most Adam Sandler way possible.
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) new
One of the late Robin Williams’ most beloved comedic roles. Mrs. Doubtfire has such an unbelievable premise. But that’s precisely what makes it so endearing to parents and so hilarious to kids. After being unable to see his children as often as he’d like due to friction with his recently deemed ex-wife, Daniel (Williams) goes to extreme measures: He dons a wig, dress, and make-up and uses his skills as a voice actor to apply for a job as a housekeeper.
Lo and behold, his ex doesn’t recognize Daniel and hires him (er, her) for the job. While working with the kids, Daniel not only grows closer to them in ways he never could before (under the guise of being an elderly woman), but he also starts becoming a better version of himself. There’s a serious message behind this adorable movie: sometimes there is no happily ever after, and that’s okay. Williams is arguably the only actor who could have pulled it off in a way that doesn’t seem ridiculous, but rather just intensely sweet.
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)
Jim Carrey was at the top of his game in the early ‘90s. Fresh off his role on the sketch comedy series In Living Color, he starred in this ridiculous comedy about animal detective Ace Ventura. Given his incredible ability to communicate with all types of animals, Ace is hired to find a dolphin mascot that has been abducted. Through his investigation, however, Ace discovers a bigger plot and conspiracy brewing.
Having developed a cult following and generating plenty of quotable lines, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective launched Carrey’s movie career. Don’t expect anything more than a ton of toilet humor, contorted faces, and silliness. But that might be just what the doctor ordered.
Point Break (1991) new
Since Keanu Reeves is enjoying a resurgence in popularity thanks to the latest John Wick movie, it’s the perfect time to look back at some of Reeves’ earlier action movies. In the early ‘90s, the now bona fide action hero starred in Point Break, a crime action movie directed by Kathryn Bigelow.
The movie, which also stars the late Patrick Swayze and Gary Busey, is about Johnny (Reeves), a former quarterback and rookie FBI agent who helps a more experienced agent Angelo (Busey) investigate a series of bank robberies by a group who wear rubber masks of former presidents. The suspicion is that the criminals are surfers, so Johnny is sent to go undercover in the community. It’s a role that was tailor-made for Reeves and marked a perfect transition from his more comedic roles (think the Bill & Ted movies) to the action films for which he later became known.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
As classic a slasher horror film as you’ll ever find, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is must-see viewing for any fan of the genre. There are no flashy special effects, nor gratuitously gruesome scenes. But it is a terrifying movie about a group of friends who become victims of a family of cannibals and a sick killer known as Leatherface.
The first blockbuster slasher film to use power tools as a central weapon, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is considered one of the most influential horror films ever made. What makes it even more impressive is that the movie was made on a relatively small budget with a core cast of mostly unknown actors.
Train to Busan (2016)
Hailing from South Korea, Train to Busan is an action horror zombie movie that’s intense from start to finish. Much of the film takes place on a high-speed train traveling from Seoul to Busan. Outside, there’s an undead apocalypse, and it has made its way onto the train, threatening almost certain, eventual death of the passengers inside.
At the heart of the story is a workaholic dad named Seok-woo (Gong Yoo), who is on the train with his young daughter, Su-an (Kim Su-an). He is taking her to see her mother on her birthday. As passengers move from car to car and the train stops to pick up survivors, Seok-woo finally realizes what’s important. Train to Busan is a thrilling and heartwarming watch.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
Michael Caine and Steve Martin are, well, dirty rotten scoundrels in this movie of the same name. A remake of the 1964 movie Bedtime Story, which starred Marlon Brando and David Niven, the pair are con men who decide to compete with one another for the affection of a wealthy heiress. The goal? Weasel her out of her $50,000 fortune (adjusted for inflation, that would be about $130,000 today).
The two men, however, have very different approaches. Lawrence (Caine) is a highly intelligent, upper-class, sophisticated British man who believes he can charm his way into her life. Freddy (Martin), meanwhile, is much less refined in his tactics but blackmails Lawrence into teaching him his way. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was rewritten in gender-switched fashion for 2019’s The Hustle starring Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson. But it’s this version that will have you laughing all the way through.
The Usual Suspects (1995)
A classic that fans love to watch again and again to look for intricate details that lead to the shocking reveal in the end, The Usual Suspects is also a must-watch for anyone who hasn’t seen it yet. The neo-noir mystery film that stars Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio del Toro, Kevin Pollak, Chazz Palminteri, Pete Postlethwaite, and Kevin Spacey centers around the interrogation of physically disabled con man Roger “Verbal” Kint (Kevin Spacey), one of only two people to survive a massive fire and massacre on a ship.
Through the interrogation, Kint tells Agent Dave Kujan (Palminteri) a twisted, complicated story of events that confuses the officer. He alludes to the alleged perpetrator, a mysterious man named Keyser Söze. Fans of the movie know how it ends, but that doesn’t make it any less intriguing to watch over and over.
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