25 Best Free Shows and Movies on Tubi in October 2025 (Worth Watching)

ATL

Director(s): Chris Robinson

Cast: T.I., Lauren London, Mykelti WilliamsonGenre: Comedy, Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 1hr 40m

Rotten Tomatoes: 63% (Critics), 86% (Audience)

In this coming-of-age drama, four high schoolers in Atlanta work to chart out their futures post-graduation. Set around the roller rink and infused with hip hop, ATL is a film that’s brimming with talented actors, particularly T.I. What could be seen as a formulaic plot is elevated thanks to the way that both the soundtrack and its actors’s chemistry combine.

Even if you’re not a huge fan of coming-of-age films, the skating scenes are worth watching it for.

Memento

Director(s): Christopher Nolan

Cast: Guy Pearce, Carrie-Ann Moss, Joe PantolianoGenre: Mystery, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 1hr 56m

Rotten Tomatoes: 93% (Critics), 94% (Audience)

Filmmaker Christopher Nolan has made a career out of telling stories in outside-the-box, non-linear ways, and Memento shows us an early example of just how compellingly he can do it. In the film, which deals with an amnesiac trying to solve the murder of his wife, the story gets fragmented across a color version moving backwards in time and a black-and-white version moving forwards in time.

If that sounds like a confusing way to experience a thriller, you’d be right, but in actuality, it all adds up surprisingly well. By the time the film ends (or starts, depending on how you look at it) you’ll have been on one mind-altering ride.

I, Tonya

Director(s): Craig Gillespie

Cast: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison JanneyGenre: Biopic, Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 2hr 1m

Rotten Tomatoes: 90% (Critics), 88% (Audience)

The 1994 attack on figure skater Nancy Kerrigan is the inspiration for this blisteringly acted biopic that somehow straddles the line between both comedy and drama. In the film, Tonya Harding (played by Margot Robbie) and her verbally abusive mother (Allison Janney) grapple with what they did and didn’t know when the attack occurred during Tonya’s rise to stardom, then fall to infamy.

While it’s ultimately a pretty tragic story, thanks to sharp writing and direction, it stays darkly engrossing throughout. It’s a bold take on a bold story, and it sticks the landing.

Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Director: Darren Aronofsky
Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly
Runtime: 1h 42m
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Psychological Drama
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% (Critics), 93% (Audience)

Perhaps one of the most depressing films ever made, Requiem for a Dream is the harrowing story of four addicts and their interconnected lives. Directed by Darren Aronofsky (The Whale, Black Swan), the film hits hard—both because of its relentless editing and its staggeringly vulnerable performances. Ellen Burstyn gives a career-best performance as Sara Goldfarb, a woman who becomes addicted to diet pills.

Empire (2015 - 2020)

Creators: Lee Daniels, Danny Strong
Cast: Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Jussie Smollett
Genre: Drama
Rating: TV-14
Number of Seasons: 5

Empire is a gripping drama that dives into the cutthroat world of the music industry. At the heart of the series is a powerful family, led by patriarch Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), running a successful record label and balancing ambition, loyalty, and betrayal as they fight for control of their empire. If you love high-stakes storytelling set against a backdrop of fame and fortune, this series delivers in every episode.

Straight Outta Compton (2015)

Director: F. Gary Gray
Cast: O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell
Genre: Biography, Drama
Rating: R
Runtime: 2hr 27m
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% (Critics), 91% (Audience)

Detailing the story of N.W.A's development, first album, and success, Straight Outta Compton is one of the best musical biopics out there. Produced by Ice Cube (portrayed in the film by O'Shea Jackson Jr.), the film features strong direction, beautiful cinematography, and excellent performances. You may know Eazy, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, and MC Ren’s music, but getting to experience their story across this film is as exciting as it is informative and entertaining.

As a group that continued speaking truth to power even in the face of controversy, N.W.A paved the way for countless musicians in the rap scene and beyond. Whether you’re streaming Straight Outta Compton as a chronicle of their cultural impact or to just have a damn good time, you won’t be disappointed.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Rating: R
Runtime: 2hr 49m
Rotten Tomatoes: 79% (Critics), 83% (Audience)

This biographical comedy/drama about the rise and fall of brokerage founder Jordan Belfort is as excessive as it is exhilarating. As Belfort, Leonardo DiCaprio gives one of the best performances of his career, wrapping the audience up in the thrills that his exponentially growing wealth affords him. He’s complemented by strong performances by both Jonah Hill and Margot Robbie, both of who show their considerable acting range in the movie.

Best of all, filmmaker Martin Scorsese makes sure we’re able to laugh at Belfort’s downfall, making the movie all the more cathartic in 2025. And that’s before we even get to that hilarious scene with the quaaludes.

Fargo (1996)

Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Cast: William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi
Runtime: 1h 38m
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% (Critics), 92% (Audience)

A 1996 crime/thriller that spawned a multi-season TV series is definitely a major boon for any streamer — especially one that isn’t a part of the conversation as often as the major players. In this Coen Brothers classic, a car salesman (William H. Macy) tries to get himself out of debt by hiring two people to kidnap his wife in the hopes that his rich father-in-law will pay the ransom. Things go sideways quickly, keeping you on the edge of your seat as the film evolves into a dark comedy. Just wait for the wood chipper.

Scandal (2012 - 2018)

Creator: Shonda Rhimes
Cast: Kerry Washington, Darby Stanchfield, Katie Lowes
Genre: Drama
Rating: TV-14
Number of Seasons: 7
Scandal is a fast-paced political thriller that pulls back the curtain on power, corruption, and secrets in Washington, D.C. At the center is a brilliant fixer, played by a captivating Kerry Washington, who specializes in making problems disappear for politicians and celebrities. But while she’s cleaning up the District’s most high-stakes messes, her own complicated past threatens to unravel everything.

If you’re into smart, addictive shows where no one’s hands are truly clean, this one’s impossible to stop watching.

Safe House (2012)

Director: Daniel Espinosa
Cast: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Vera Farmiga
Genre: Action, Thriller
Rating: R
Runtime: 1hr 55m
Rotten Tomatoes: 52% (Critics), 63% (Audience)

In this action spy thriller, Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds play unlikely allies who must join forces when the safe house they’re at gets overrun by South African mercenaries. Safe House’s action sequences are heavily influenced by the Bourne Identity trilogy, making for a gritty take on the spy thriller. But what really makes the movie worth watching is (unsurprisingly) its performances. As ex-operative Tobin Frost, Washington milks his role for all its worth, and Washington and Reynolds both have great chemistry as they run and gun their way across the movie’s two-hour runtime.

Is Safe House a little formulaic? Sure. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a fun ride. And with Tubi, it’s a free ride to boot.

The Equalizer (2014)

Director: Antoine Fuqua
Cast: Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz
Runtime: 2h 12m
Rating: R
Genre: Action/Mystery & Thriller
Rotten Tomatoes: 61% (Critics), 77% (Audience)

This action-packed vigilante thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat. Denzel Washington plays Robert McCall, a retired Marine and ex-DIA officer who’s pulled back into action when he seeks to protect a teenage trafficking victim, Alina, from the Russian mafia.

As Robert unleashes his own brand of justice on the criminals responsible for her suffering, he faces increasingly dangerous enemies. With a mix of clever tactics, brutal combat, and a deep sense of morality, The Equalizer offers intense, high-stakes action with a hero who is determined to right the wrongs that others can’t. If you love a gripping, no-holds-barred thriller, this one’s for you.

Killing Hip Hop (2024)

Cast: Angela Yee, Adam 22, YG
Genre: Docuseries
Rating: N/A
Number of Seasons: 1

This Tubi-native docuseries dives into the hip-hop industry, exploring the stories, controversies, and more surrounding artists like Young Thug and Lil Peep. Hosted Angela Yee, the four-part series uncovers "the legacies of artists and the threats they face," including the consequences of Young Thug's RICO trial. If you’re fascinated by hip-hop and want a deeper look at the genre beyond the beats and rhymes, Killing Hip Hop delivers a must-watch experience.

Just Go With It (2011)

Director: Dennis Dugan
Cast: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 1hr 55m
Rotten Tomatoes: 19% (Critics), 51% (Audience)

In Just Go With It, Adam Sandler plays Danny Maccabee, a successful plastic surgeon who discovers his fiancee has been cheating on him and decides to keep his wedding band after breaking things off to date women no-strings-attached. Of course, this being a romantic comedy, Danny quickly falls for a sixth-grade teacher named Palmer. When she discovers his ring and thinks she’s cheated with him, Danny must enlist his assistant (played by Jennifer Aniston) to pose as his soon-to-be ex-wife in order to try and win Palmer’s affections.

From Big Daddy to Happy Gilmore, director Dennis Dugan and Adam Sandler have quite a track record of successful comedies. Just Go With It continues to prove why that partnership works.

Donnie Darko (2001)

Director: Richard Kelly
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell
Runtime: 1h 53m
Rating: R
Genre: Psychological Drama
Rotten Tomatoes: 87% (Critics), 80% (Audience)

Donnie Darko is the kind of cult classic that only gets better on repeat viewing. Full of strange symbolism and an open-to-interpretation ending, the 2001 film didn’t perform as well at the box office (in part, due to the 9/11 attacks). Nevertheless, the Jake Gyllenhaal-led film slowly gained in popularity thanks to its home video release, which can now be enjoyed streaming on Tubi. If you like the sound of a film with a demonic rabbit, a plane crash, and parallel universes, this sci-fi thriller is worth checking out.

Point Break (1991)

Director: Kathryn BigelowCast: Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey
Runtime: 2h 2m
Rating: R
Genre: Action
Rotten Tomatoes: 70% (Critics), 79% (Audience)

Point Break might be one of the best action movies of all time. Like other classics like The Matrix and John Wick series, Point Break is anchored by a winning performance by Keanu Reeves. In this movie, Reeves plays Johnny Utah, a federal agent who has to infiltrate a surfer gang infamous for robbing banks wearing masks of old presidents. With a premise like that, you can probably tell that it’s a product of the early 1990s — and it’s all the better for it.

Moonlight (2016)

Director: Barry Jenkins

Cast: Mahershala Ali, Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton SandersGenre: Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 1hr 51m

Rotten Tomatoes: 98% (Critics), 79% (Audience)

Moonlight is a landmark film. Directed by Barry Jenkins and starring Mahershala Ali, the movie tells the story of three defining chapters in the life of Chiron, a Black man growing up in Miami. Told with incredible depth and craftsmanship, the film is a powerful exploration of masculinity, friendship, and identity. It’s not surprising that it won Best Picture (even if that moment was overshadowed due to one of the biggest live event screw-ups in recent memory).

It’s hard to write about Moonlight without sounding hyperbolic, but the movie really is that good. Moonlight isn’t just one of the best movies to watch on Tubi right now; it’s one of the best movies of the 21st century. The fact that you can stream it for free makes it required viewing for those who’ve yet to experience it.

The Mummy

Director(s): Stephen Sommers

Cast: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John HannahGenre: Adventure, Action, Fantasy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 2hr 4m

Rotten Tomatoes: 63% (Critics), 75% (Audience)


Not to be confused with the ill-attempted Tom Cruise reboot, 1999’s The Mummy, starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz is the kind of action adventure flick they just don’t quite make like they used to. In the film, Fraser plays Rick O’Connell, a 1920s treasure hunter who comes face to face with a vengeful, undead Egyptian priest. It’s a total blast and the perfect popcorn film for movie night.

And if The Mummy has you hungry for more of this kind of fantasy adventure, make sure to check out The Mummy Returns. It’s free to stream on Tubi, too.

Bring It On

Director: Peyton Reed
Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku, Jesse Bradford
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 1hr 38m
Rotten Tomatoes: 65% (Critics), 66% (Audience)

Teen comedies really had their hey-day in the 2000s, and Bring it On proves why. In the film, two high school cheerleading teams prepare for a national competition, with one team facing accusations of plagiarizing their choreography when a new girl joins their squad. While the big draw to Bring it On is seeing its high-energy cheer routines (which required putting its main cast through a four-week cheerleading bootcamp and using real cheerleaders as extras), the film actually manages themes of cultural appropriation surprisingly well for a movie made two decades ago.

Smartly paced and not taking itself too seriously, this cheerleading comedy is still plenty of fun twenty-five years later.

Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)

Director: Adam Wingard
Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 1hr 53m
Rotten Tomatoes: 76% (Critics), 91% (Audience)

Godzilla turned 70 this year, and what better way to celebrate than watching him duke it out with one of cinema’s biggest movie monsters, King Kong?

The sequel to 2017’s Kong: Skull Island and 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters, this entry in the Warner Bros. “MonsterVerse” delivers exactly what its title promises. Its special effects are impressive, its action sequences are huge, and the battle between its titular monsters is nothing less than epic. What more do you want?

Sneaker Hustle

Director(s): Sia Savvy

Cast: Dominick Brasilleo, Melissa Carnegie, Cheech the DonGenre: Documentary

Rating: TV-14

Runtime: 1hr 16m

Rotten Tomatoes: N/A

Are you a sneakerhead? If you’re reading Complex, chances are you’ve got even a passing interest in the culture, influence, and history of the sneaker industry. If that’s the case, then Tubi’s original doc, Sneaker Hustle is for you.

Running just over an hour, the film is a showcase of the passion that fuels many sneaker fans, as well as the surprising lengths they’ll go to for the perfect pair of kicks. It’s breezy, informative, and required viewing for any collector.

Spotlight

Director(s): Tom McCarthy

Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdamsGenre: Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 2hr 9m

Rotten Tomatoes: 97% (Critics), 93% (Audience)

Following The Boston Globe’s 2001 investigation into a molestation scandal at a Catholic church, Spotlight features an all-star ensemble cast. With Michael Keaton and Mark Ruffalo leading the pack, it’s a strong drama that makes journalism as exciting to watch unfold as any other crime drama.

Spotlight is one of the less showy Best Picture winners in recent years, but that doens’t make it any less worth watching. Fans of subtle, methodical storytelling and great acting will find plenty to enjoy in this tight, two-hour drama.

Borat: Subsequent Movie Film

Director(s): Jason Woliner

Cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Maria Bakalova, Dani PopescuGenre: Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 1hr 36m

Rotten Tomatoes: 85% (Critics), 62% (Audience)

When the original Borat was first released, it landed in the middle of the Bush administration with plenty to poke fun at. 2020’s sequel, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, has just as much, if not more, to lampoon, thanks to being released in the wake of the first Trump presidency.

The shock-value is still there in this one, it just feels somewhat tame at times thanks to how haywire the world seems to have gone since 2006. Nevertheless, Sacha Baron Cohen is as committed to his character as ever, leaving you in stitches at its satire.

The Worst Person in the World

Director(s): Joachim Trier

Cast: Renate Reinsve, Anders Danielsen Lie, Herbert NordrumGenre: Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 2hr 8m

Rotten Tomatoes: 96% (Critics), 86% (Audience)

One thing people may not think about when they think about Tubi is prestigious arthouse films, but it’s a lane that Tubi most definitely drives in. Joachim Trier’s The Worst Person in the World is the perfect example of this, a drama about a young woman and the ups and downs of her love life.

The Worst Person in the World a quiet, funny movie with strong characters and equally-strong performances. It’s in the Criterion Collection for a reason, and pretty darn cool that you can stream it for free.

Men

Director(s): Alex Garland

Cast: Jessie Buckley, Rory Kinnear, Paapa EssieduGenre: Thriller, Horror

Rating: R

Runtime: 1hr 40m

Rotten Tomatoes: 69% (Critics), 40% (Audience)

Alex Garland’s Men is a horror film that makes the idyllic English countryside terrifying, even as it’s gorgeous to look at. Starring Jessie Buckley, the film wears its themes on its sleeves, a bold and bloody encapsulation of the many reasons women have to distrust men.

One of the creepiest conceits is the way that Rory Kinnear continues to pop up as different characters, leading to one gruesomely epic body horror finale.

Watchmen

Director(s): Zack Snyder

Cast: Billy Crudup, Malin Akerman, Jackie Earle HaleyGenre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy 

Rating: R

Runtime: 2hr 42m

Rotten Tomatoes: 64% (Critics), 71% (Audience)

Zack Snyder is known for his over-the-top style, something that lends itself well to the world of graphic novel adaptations. His vision for 300 is undeniably inspired, and he brings that same “I’m watching the panels of this comic come to life” experience to one of the most famous graphic novels of all time: Alan Moore’s Watchmen.

Gritty, heady, and full of fascinating characters, Watchmen follows a rag-tag group of superheroes in an alternate 1985 America. It’s one of the best comic adaptations of all time, and a thrilling action movie to boot.

Looking for more streaming recommendations? Check out our guides to the best TV shows available on Netflix, AppleTV, Hulu, Peacock, and HBO Max, plus the best movies on Netflix, Peacock, AppleTV, Disney+, HBO Max, and Hulu.