Let’s face it: streaming services are getting expensive. While you may still subscribe to many of them since the combined cost remains cheaper than a linear subscription, the rising prices might have led you to pare down the selection a bit. There are some great free streaming services, like Tubi, to augment your offerings. Tubi is a free ad-supported streaming (FAST) service that provides completely free access to content. You’ll have to watch ads, however, and the selection of movies is constantly changing.
That’s where we come in. Here, we round up the best movies on Tubi right now each month so you can always stay on top of not only what’s available but also what’s actually worth watching. This month, for example, you’ll find some recent and classic blockbusters, including Dune and Dirty Dancing, along with some hidden gems, like Mike Myers’ So I Married an Axe Murderer.
Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new movies to stream this week, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.
Dune (2021)
This epic space opera by Denis Villeneuve brings Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel to life on the screen in stunning fashion. As the third adaptation following the 1984 movie and 2000 miniseries, Dune is set in the future on a harsh desert planet. It follows the conflicts among different leaders and houses as they vie for control and access to a powerful substance.
Our reviewer calls Dune a “sci-fi masterpiece of substance and spectacle,” and an “epic, meticulously envisioned film that delivers on every facet of its potential while teasing the promise of more to come.” That “more to come” has already been delivered with Dune: Part Two released in March 2024. Part Two is now streaming on Max and Netflix if you want to make it a double-header night.
Taken (2008)
No one has a “special set of skills” quite like Liam Neeson, and if you haven’t seen the movie from which that epic monologue originates, now is the time to check it out since it’s streaming for free. Even if you did watch Taken when it first launched, this action-thriller is worth watching again and again. In a career-defining role, Neeson stars as Bryan Mills, a retired Green Beret, and CIA officer who winds up in the midst of a kidnapping plot when his teenage daughter and her best friend are taken by a sex trafficking ring while vacationing in France.
These men have no idea whose daughter they took and the world of hurt they’re in for as Mills puts his military hat back on and sets out to save them and take down those responsible. A fantastic “popcorn movie” with tons of action and fight scenes, Taken spawned two sequels and even a TV series. But none quite compares to the original.
White House Down (2013)
The combination of Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx meant big box office success for this political action thriller, even if White House Down received mixed reviews. But for a solid night of entertainment, you’ll appreciate the story about John Cale (Tatum), a former marine who works as a Capitol Police officer. His job becomes more dangerous when he must save not only his daughter but also U.S. President James Sawyer (Foxx) from a terrorist.
Getting a second life as the most popular movie streaming on Netflix back in July 2023, our writer applauds the performances of both Tatum and Foxx along with director Roland Emmerich’s fantastic handling of the action sequences (he’s the same man behind movies like The Day After Tomorrow and Independence Day). “If you’re coming to White House Down strictly for the action,” he writes, “then you won’t be disappointed.”
So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993)
Mike Myers is known for his over-the-top humor as costumed characters like Wayne Campbell, Austin Powers, and Shrek. But one of his most underrated comedies is So I Married an Axe Murderer. The Canadian actor shines with more subtle humor in this romantic black comedy about a commitment-phobic man who finally believes he found the woman of his dreams. But there’s one problem: she could be an axe murderer. Is he just being paranoid, looking for every little reason to break up as he always has? Or is there something to this?
So I Married an Axe Murderer is one of those movies you’ll be quoting relentlessly and find funnier each time you watch it. While Myers as the lead character Charlie MacKenzie is endearingly comical, he still gets to show off his impressions by playing his grumpy, stereotypical Scottish father Stuart as well. He hates the Colonel, by the way, with those wee beady eyes.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Have you had the time of your life? You’ll feel all sorts of chills by re-watching Dirty Dancing, or maybe checking it out for the first time ever. One of the late Patrick Swayze’s most iconic films, he stars opposite Jennifer Grey in her career-defining role. He’s a dance instructor named Johnny Castle who teaches Frances “Baby” Houseman (Grey) how to dance, all while the two start falling for one another.
Everything leads up to that climactic lift the couple just can’t quite seem to get right. Coupled with the fantastic soundtrack that draws you in with each twirl and embrace, Dirty Dancing is sappy, sweet, and oh-so musical. A great date night movie, Dirty Dancing is a classic that never gets old.
Bad Boys (1995)
“Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when they come for you?” Bad Boys has developed into a massive action comedy franchise; the latest film, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, was released last year, four years after the return of the dynamic duo in 2020’s Bad Boys for Life. Journey back to the start of it all with 1995’s Bad Boys, which introduced fans to Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) and Mike Lowrey (Will Smith), two narcotics detectives in Miami working a case together. When $100 million worth of heroin is stolen and an international drug dealer goes after a woman who witnessed a murder, the pair must put everything on the line to protect her and take down the bad guys.
The chemistry between Lawrence and Smith is what makes this movie, injecting tons of humor into the otherwise dark, twisted, and dangerous plot. As far as buddy cop movies go, Bad Boys is at or near the top of the list. Once you’re done, flip on Bad Boys II as well, which is also streaming for free this month.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)
Nicolas Cage is a bit of an enigma in the business. Cage is an eccentric actor who puts everything he has into his roles, delivering some of the most bizarre yet enthralling performances in Hollywood. Combine this with Pedro Pascal playing a billionaire playboy named Javi Gutiérrez, who is his biggest fan, and you have a winning formula for The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.
Javi isn’t just a superfan of Cage, who plays a fictional version of himself in the movie. He’s downright obsessed. When he pays $1 million to bring the struggling actor to his home for his birthday party, “Nick” soon realizes that Javi wants him to act in an improvisational movie with him. But the situation turns dangerous for real, leading to the thing of both nightmares and Javi’s dreams. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is a surprisingly good, even heartwarming, movie that plays to Cage’s ego and fully demonstrates why Pascal is one of the most endearing actors of this generation.
Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021)
Sit back and enjoy a silly comedy in Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar, which stars Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig as the title characters, two middle-aged women who go on vacation to Florida. The pair meet the handsome Edgar (Jamie Dornan), and both enjoy their time with him. Unbeknownst to the women, Edgar is secretly there to sabotage the resort at the behest of his true love, the eccentric villain Sharon Fisherman (also Wiig).
Whenever an actor plays dual roles in a comedy film, you know it is going to be a special kind of funny. The ridiculous plot, combined with Dornan’s adorable switch to comedy and Damon Wayans Jr.’s hilarious portrayal of Darlie, a second agent sent to spy on Edgar, will have you in stitches.
You've Got Mail (1998)
You’ve Got Mail is one of those classics that never gets old. While the premise would never hold up today in our digital-savvy society, it’s sweet to look back at this Nora Ephron story about two singles who fall in love over an early version of instant messaging (yes, through AOL) without realizing that they’re actually business rivals in the real world. Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) runs a major bookstore chain while Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) has her own independent children’s bookstore. While their views on corporate life are fundamentally different, they click through their online personas.
A beautiful story of two people destined to be together who hit a brick wall once their identities are discovered, the journey between “Shopgirl” and “NY152” is not nearly as exciting as the one we get to see blossom between Joe and Kathleen. No matter how many times you watch You’ve Got Mail, and no matter that you know how it ends, it’s still one of the best rom-coms ever made.
Despicable Me 3 (2017)
Those adorable Minions are at it again in Despicable Me 3. The plot of Despicable Me 3 sees anti-villain Gru (Steve Carell) partner with his long-lost twin brother Dru (also voiced by Carell). Their mission is to stop the evil Balthazar Bratt (Trey Parker), a child actor from the ‘80s, from destroying Hollywood. He’s upset that his TV show Evil Bratt was canceled, and his anger turned him into a supervillain of the worst, most entitled kind.
Filled with witty humor and the signature incoherent babbling of the cute yellow figures, Despicable Me 3 is a perfect re-watch before checking out last year’s Despicable Me 4.
Twilight (2008)
Love it or hate it, there’s no denying that Twilight is one of the biggest teen book series movie adaptations ever, bringing the vampire, werewolf, and human characters from Stephenie Meyer’s novels to life on screen and making massive stars of its cast. In the first film, social outcast Bella (Kristen Stewart) grapples with her attraction to both Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and Jacob (Taylor Lautner). Further complicating things is that she learns Edward is actually a vampire while Jacob is a werewolf, and they are sworn enemies. But not even the concept of death and immortality can get in the way of brooding young love.
A sappy fantasy romance that spawned several movies, you can actually watch the entire set of films for free this month on Tubi. Curl up for a full weekend of vampiric love triangles by hitting play on Twilight: New Moon, Twilight: Eclipse, Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, and Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 as well.
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
It’s not uncommon to hear many people call Four Weddings and a Funeral one of their favorite movies of all time. The plot takes you through a group of friends who encounter and reexperience romance through various social events that go from joyful to somber. At its heart, the movie explores the changing dynamics among friends, the complications of love, and the realities of life.
Earning Academy Award nominations and the distinction of becoming the highest-grossing British movie at the time of its launch, the film features an ensemble cast that includes Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, Kristin Scott Thomas, Rowan Atkinson, and others. Maintaining a 92% Rotten Tomatoes critics score, Four Weddings and a Funeral is widely considered to be one of the best British movies ever made.
Training Day (2001)
In one of his grittier roles, Denzel Washington plays Alonzo Harris, a detective assigned to work with a young prospect, Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke), and evaluate his performance for a possible promotion. As the duo spend the day in Echo Park and South Central Los Angeles, Jake quickly realizes that Alonzo may not be the strait-laced, decorated officer he’s made out to be.
Alonzo has terrifying methods to get the job done, taking the concept of a corrupt cop to a whole new level. The dynamic between the two leads is what truly makes this movie. If you ever doubted Washington and Hawke as tremendous actors, Training Day solidifies their statuses as two of the best from their respective generations.
Death Wish (2018)
Death Wish is one of those movies critics hated, but audiences loved. Bruce Willis stars in this Eli Roth remake of the 1974 vigilante action thriller. Dr. Paul Kersey (Willis) becomes enraged when his family is harmed in a robbery. He starts to take down bad people, becoming increasingly unhinged as he takes his vigilante status to new heights.
Should Paul be condemned or praised for taking down carjackers, thieves, and drug dealers? That’s a deep, moral question examined in Death Wish. It’s one part action, one part social commentary. Whether you love this version of the story or not, there’s no doubt it will spark conversation.
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.
