Being stuck indoors and/or a stay home / shelter in place guideline during this coronavirus time means you finally have time to catch up on the latest television shows and movies. Lucky for us, many streaming services and networks are offering early releases, free streaming, and other perks to those stuck indoors for a while. Take a look below at some of the free streaming and early release offerings you can look forward to. Some links are affiliate links and we will make a small percentage of commission from your purchase. Happy viewing!
Free and Cheap Streaming Options
If you want to try a streaming service for free, many companies are offering the first 30 days free. You just need to cancel before the 30 days is up in order to avoid charge. Some of these services include:
– Showtime
– Acorn TV (you have to use the code FREE30 at checkout)
– Sling TV
– Starz
With these services you will be able to access kids shows, cable shows, as well as a variety of movies.
Other streaming services are offering free shows, no strings attached. Simply go to the homepage and sign up for a free account. Then, start streaming:
– Amazon
Amazon is offering certain kid’s movies and tv shows for free. You don’t even have to sign up for Amazon Prime. Just head to the homepage and sign up for a free Amazon account. Amazon Prime Video 30-day Free Trials are available all the time, but if you haven’t taken advantage of it, now is definitely the time to do so!
If you are already a member, here are a few of the recent releases for you to enjoy:
– 3/20/20 – Blow the Man Down
– 3/29/20 – Pet Sematary
– 3/27/20 – Making the Cut
You can, if you are an Amazon Prime member, enjoy Prime Video Channels free for 14 days as well.
– Pluto TV
Pluto TV is much like Hulu in the sense that it runs in show ads, but if this isn’t a deal breaker for you, consider streaming for free with them. Here you can find Nickelodeon shows as well as news programs found on cable.
– Vudu
Vudu is Walmart’s streaming service and they are currently offering a variety of free shows and movies. Contents change regularly so check in and check often.
New Releases AT HOME!
If you want to see movies that you otherwise can’t see in theatres right now, you have options. Check out some of the blockbusters that will be/or are currently available to you to watch from the comfort of your home.
– Emma
This Jane Austen romantic comedy is currently available to rent or buy from services such as iTunes, Amazon Prime, Google Play, and FandangoNow.
– Invisible Man
Love a good thriller? Invisible Man is currently available to rent or buy on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Prime, Google Play, and FandangoNow.
– Onward
If it is the kids you wish to please, Pixar’s Onward is it. You can rent or buy Onward from iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Prime, or FandangoNow. You can start streaming Onward for FREE on Disney+ starting April 3rd.
-Trolls
In theaters and at home April 10, 2020 Avail on Google Play, Vudu, Fandango Now, Redbox on Demand, and more!
Most if not all of these seem to be running about $19.99 for a 30 day rental. For the whole family to watch a newly released movie together, this is a great price to me! We are “saving” some of these for when it’s been a dreary weather week or a tough day as a kind of fun thing. We’ll definitely be making one of our yummy popcorn mixes to enjoy while we watch a movie too!
Some other movies recently released or coming to Disney+ in March include:
3/1/20 – Ice Age
3/4/20 – Black Panther
3/25/20 – A Wrinkle in Time
Netflix is loading up its viewing options hoping to snag some new subscribers during this time of hunkering down. Some of the most popular movies available for streaming on Netflix right now include:
– Goodfellas
– Shawshank Redemption
– Groundhog Day
– National Treasure
– Drive
– Inception
– Marriage Story
As of March 24th, there are a host of other movies that will be available for purchase only. You can purchase these items via iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Prime, and of course Fandango Now. Some of these movies available for purchase include:
– Birds of Prey
– Bloodshot
– The Gentlemen
– Just Mercy
Stay tuned as cable channels are starting to roll out a variety of movie marathons in order to keep people busy and entertained. In the meantime, check out these free streaming offerings or one of the several early releases that you can enjoy in the comfort of your home.
Make sure you have a way to stream! We have used Roku Streaming Media Player and Amazon’s Fire TV Stick (Save $25 off your purchase of Fire TV Stick 4K. Use promo code 4KFIRETV at checkout. ) in our house! Your PS4 and Xbox One will also work to stream many of these!
Monica Y says
Great list, so many people right now need to keep the family entertained and this is a great list to share with them
Marysa says
Realistically, we are watching a lot of TV lately.. this is so useful! Thanks for sharing your tips!
Cathy Mini says
What an awesome tips I will definitely check Starz. Netflix has become my favorite though.
rika says
Thanks for sharing this! I’ve been watching movies on Netflix and looking to explore more streaming options out there!
Lizzie Lau says
We’re currently doing Netflix and Disney+. I just found out that our library system streams a lot of movies as well as educational programming.
Amy H says
Oh, I have Prime and Disney +! I will have to check these out….
Barbies Beauty Bits says
That is all that I do is stream. Been watching so many shows, especially on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon. I forgot about Sling.
Lynndee says
We have cable and Netflix and watching movies and TV shows whenever we can. Such a good way to kill the time as well as relax when you have nowhere to go.
Catalina says
Love these tips! I will definitely try them! The best hacks for quarantine!
adriana says
I have tried Pluto TV and works really well. And I cancelled Netflix when added Disney + for sure we have been using the streaming services a lot lately.
Tasheena says
Thanks for sharing this list. I have to make sure to check out some of these sites.
Amber Myers says
Oh nice! We have a lot of these. Netflix has been a favorite lately. We also have Disney +
Pam Wattenbarger says
We have Sling, Hulu, and Netflix. We’ve been doing a lot of streaming since we’ve been stuck at home. I didn’t realize that I could try Starz for 30 days.