by Henry Wambua
SolarMovie was a popular site for watching movies and TV shows online for free without even creating an account.
However, it often stops working as some internet providers block access due to questions about its legal status. You may see a message saying it’s unavailable when trying to access the site.
Luckily, several reliable and legal streaming services remain that can replace SolarMovie. These options provide quality entertainment without the same restrictions or reliability problems.
Read on for the best legal alternatives for streaming your favorite films and television shows.
1. Pluto TV
- Starting Price (per month): Free with ads
- Availability: United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America
- Channels: Over 250
- Movies / TV Show Catalog: Thousands of titles
- Device Support: Amazon Fire, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, Chromecast-enabled TVs, Computers, iOS, Roku.
- Simultaneous Streams: 3
This alternative features a large on-demand library with thousands of titles to choose from and a live TV section with lots of channels, too.
Searching is simple, whether you want to find a specific movie, check out a category, or look up a favorite actor. Each selection tells you the runtime, so you can easily pick something that fits your timeframe.
An excellent feature is the multi-device access. You aren’t tied to just one screen since Pluto TV apps exist for many common devices. Watch on the phone during your commute and switch to a smart TV at home – the experience translates smoothly between platforms.
With no account needed, it’s a hassle-free way to be entertained by a wide range of free content anytime.
Pros:
- Completely free
- Live and on-demand content
- Wide device compatibility
- Large channel and content selection
Cons:
- Ads can be frequent during viewing
- Video quality varies by title
2. Tubi
- Starting Price (per month): Free with ads
- Availability: United States, Costa Rica, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Mexico, Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador
- Channels: N/A (On-demand content)
- Movies / TV Show Catalog: Over 40,000 titles
- Device Support: Amazon Fire, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, Computers, iOS, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation
- Simultaneous Streams: N/A
Tubi TV provides a large selection of on-demand content thanks to agreements with major movie and television studios. In 2020, Fox Corporation acquired Tubi.
Since then, its selection has grown further. So, in addition to its 40,000 titles that include popular movies and shows, you’ll also find programming from brands such as Fox Entertainment and Fox Soul.
Pros:
- Completely free
- Enormous content library
- Personalized recommendations
- 4K quality streaming
- Available on a wide variety of devices
Cons:
- Interruptions due to ads
- Limited availability outside major regions
3. Crackle
- Starting Price (per month): Free with ads
- Availability: United States
- Channels: N/A (On-demand content)
- Movies / TV Show Catalog: Over 3,000 titles
- Device Support: Amazon Fire, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, Computers, iOS, Roku, Xbox
- Simultaneous Streams: 1
As a free streaming service, Crackle stands out by focusing on exclusive content beyond what many other platforms provide. It has produced popular original series like Snatch and StartUp that draw viewers to the service.
The mix of familiar titles alongside new shows makes it an appealing choice when you want fresh options beyond just mainstream entertainment.
Browsing is straightforward, whether you want to see new releases, popular picks or search for a specific program. Each selection provides information like runtime and a brief description.
Pros:
- Free streaming service with no subscription required
- Access to original series and exclusive content
- Intuitive and easy-to-navigate platform
Cons:
- Frequent ad breaks can be disruptive
- Limited to viewers in the U.S.
4. Peacock
- Starting Price (per month): Free if you have an old account created before Feb 2023 or Xfinity internet/TV subscription.
- Availability: United States, UK, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and Ireland
- Channels: N/A (On-demand and live sports)
- Movies / TV Show Catalog: Over 7,500 hours of content
- Device Support: Amazon Fire, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, Computers, iOS, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, Vizio Smart TVs
- Simultaneous Streams: 3
Peacock TV, from NBCUniversal, offers a comprehensive streaming experience with both free and premium tiers. It primarily features television series, films, news, and sports programming.
Access to it usually costs money, but if you subscribe to Xfinity Internet/TV, you’ll get it for free. The same is true if you have an account created before February 2023.
The free tier is worth it, as it features over 10,000 watch hours of content.
Pros:
- Large catalog of TV shows and movies from NBCUniversal
- The free tier provides thousands of hours of content
- Premium subscriptions may be included with other services
- Live sports coverage
- Offers both live and on-demand viewing
Cons:
- Limited catalog on the free tier
- Premium subscriptions require a monthly fee
- Interface can be confusing to navigate
5. Roku Channel
- Starting Price (per month): Free with ads
- Availability: United States, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom
- Channels: Over 400
- Movies / TV Show Catalog: Over 80,000 titles
- Device Support: Amazon Fire, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, Computers, iOS, Roku
- Simultaneous Streams: 3
This alternative has over 80,000 titles in its library, more than what SolarMovie offers. Partnerships with major networks ensure Roku Channel’s catalog remains fresh and robust.
When you open the app, promotional titles are displayed to entice you to start streaming. A simple row of thumbnails allows you to browse through options.
Each genre has countless films and television series broken into easy-to-digest sections. If you don’t see anything that interests you on the front page, the search feature helps locate specific programs.
The Roku Channel also offers over 400 live linear channels. News, sports, lifestyle programs, private channels, and more are broadcast just like traditional cable—but without the expensive monthly subscription.
Ads are shown, though they are brief and don’t take over the viewing experience.
Pros:
- Extensive range of free content
- User-friendly for Roku device owners
- Premium add-ons are available for enhanced viewing
Cons:
- Ad-supported free tier
- Only available in a few countries
