French movies and TV shows have a charm that’s hard to resist. From whimsical films like Amélie to intense crime series like Spiral.
So, where can you watch French movies and shows for free?
In this article, we’ll recommend the 8 best free French streaming websites. These sites offer high-quality French movies with English subtitles, ensuring safe and legal online viewing.
TV5MONDE
Best Free French Streaming Site
TV5MONDE is a decades-old international French-language channel that lets you watch free French films, TV series, documentaries, cultural programs, and French news.
As the best French streaming site, it’s 100% legal, safe, and free. It’s an on-demand service, TV5MONDEplus, that lets you watch a wide variety of French films and shows for free, with commercials. Many shows also feature English subtitles, making it easy to follow along even if you’re still learning French.
Usage is easy: simply visit the TV5MONDEplus website or download the app, sign up for a free account, and start watching French TV and movies right away.
- Website: https://www.tv5monde.com/
- Is it legal? Yes, it’s an official French-language channel.
- Is it free? Yes, most content is free with ads.
- English subtitles: Yes, available on many programs.
France Channel
Best French Streaming Site for Movies and Series
France Channel is a streaming platform focused on French entertainment. It offers French films, TV series, documentaries, and cultural programming.
On a subscription-based platform, you can find French classics like “La Haine” and “The Intouchables,” romantic comedies like “Amélie,” and even popular TV series like “Call My Agent!”
It is a 100% legal streaming service that helps in easily accessing French content even if you are located outside of France.
All you have to do is visit the website, sign up for an account, and start streaming immediately on your computer, phone, or smart TV.
- Website: https://www.francechannel.tv/
- Is it legal? Yes, it’s an official streaming service dedicated to French content.
- Is it free? No, it requires a subscription, but you often get a free trial.
- English subtitles: Yes, available on most movies and series.
Arte.tv
Best Free French and European Streaming Site
Arte is a Franco-German cultural channel that offers free French and European movies, TV series, concerts, and documentaries.
You can watch French films like “The Artist,” as well as award-winning European movies not easily found on Netflix. Arte.tv also offers documentaries on art, history, and society, as well as series like “En thérapie” that explore modern French life.
Best of all, it’s completely free and legal. There’s no need to pay or register; just visit the Arte.tv website and click play to watch. Many shows even have English or Spanish subtitles. However, some content is geo-restricted and only available in Europe. If you can use a VPN to switch to a European IP, you can enjoy the full library.
- Website: https://www.arte.tv/
- Is it legal? Yes, it’s an official French-German cultural channel.
- Is it free? Yes, everything is free with ads.
- English subtitles: Yes, available on many shows and films.
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YouTube
Best Free and Paid Options for French Movies
YouTube is more than just a short-form video platform; it’s a streaming platform for French films and TV series.
You can find classics like “Amélie” and “The Intouchables,” while French distributors also upload older films like “The 400 Blows” for free. If you’re looking for the latest or most popular French movies, just rent them directly through YouTube Movies.
Most films come with English subtitles and AI-generated subtitles in multiple languages.
- Website: https://www.youtube.com/
- Is it legal? Yes, as long as you stick to official uploads and rentals.
- Is it free? Many films are available for free with ads, while others require a rental or purchase.
- English subtitles: Yes, available on many titles.
FranceTV
Best Free Site to Watch French TV Series and Documentaries
FranceTV is the official streaming platform of France’s public broadcaster, offering a wide selection of French TV series, documentaries, and some films.
Most of the content on FranceTV is free and legal. You can watch shows like “Plus belle la vie,” documentaries about French history or society, and French films. Many programs also include French audio and optional English subtitles.
Simply visit the FranceTV website or download the app, create a free account, and start watching your favorite French shows right away. It can be played instantly without a subscription, but with ads.
- Website: https://www.france.tv/
- Is it legal? Yes, it’s an official public broadcaster platform.
- Is it free? Yes, most shows and some films are free with ads.
- English subtitles: Yes, available on many programs.
L’Équipe
Best Platform for French Sports Shows
L’Équipe is a well-known French sports media platform specializing in live sports, highlights, and documentaries. If you’re interested in football, rugby, basketball, cycling, and more, L’Équipe is the ideal platform for you.
You can watch live matches, athlete interviews, and sports talk shows directly on its website. For example, you can find Ligue 1 and Tour de France highlights, as well as special documentaries like “Inside Paris Saint-Germain.” Some programs also offer French commentary with optional English subtitles.
The platform is completely legal, and most content is free to watch online, but some premium or live sports events require a subscription.
- Website: https://www.lequipe.fr/
- Is it legal? Yes, it’s France’s official sports media platform.
- Is it free? Most highlights and documentaries are free; some live events may require a subscription.
- English subtitles: Available on some documentaries and programs.
FilmDoo
The Best Website for French Niche Films
FilmDoo primarily features French films and shorts. You can watch hard-to-find French independent films like “My Brother’s Wife” and “Blue is the Warmest Color.” Many films come with English subtitles, and the interface is simple, allowing you to watch on your mobile device.
Just visit the FilmDoo website, create a free account, and start watching right away. Most content is free, but newer titles may require a small rental or purchase fee.
- Website: https://www.filmdoo.com/
- Is it legal? Yes, FilmDoo works with filmmakers and distributors to offer licensed content.
- Is it free? Many films are free; some require a small rental fee.
- English subtitles: Yes, available on most titles.
Fawesome
Best Free Streaming Site for French Movies
Fawesome is a free streaming platform offering French films, TV series, and international content. It’s ad-supported, so you can watch without paying.
You don’t need to create an account on Fawesome, and the interface is available on both desktop and mobile devices. You can find classic French films as well as some French comedies. While its library isn’t as comprehensive as platforms like Netflix or Canal+, it still offers a wide selection.
- Website: https://www.fawesome.tv/
- Is it legal? Yes, it’s a legitimate ad-supported streaming service.
- Is it free? Yes, all content is free with ads.
- English subtitles: Yes, available on some titles.
Where to Watch French Movies?
In addition to the above free French streaming sites, we also recommend some better options:
1. Canal+: Canal+ is one of France’s largest pay-TV and streaming platforms, offering a wide selection of French films, TV series, and sports. Subscribing allows for convenient viewing on computers, phones, and smart TVs.
2. Netflix: Netflix’s French content is growing, including popular French TV series and films such as Lupin, Call My Agent!, and The Takedown. Its strengths include smooth playback, high-quality video, multilingual subtitles, and support for multiple devices, but it’s not free.
3. FrenchFlicks: FrenchFlicks isn’t a streaming platform, but rather a resource guide for French films. It helps you find legitimate streaming links. It recommends classic French films and provides legitimate streaming links, similar to IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes.
4. OCS (Orange Cinéma Séries): OCS is a French paid streaming service offering French originals and some Hollywood blockbusters. Subscribing allows you to watch the latest theatrical releases and exclusive premieres. Its user-friendly interface supports multilingual subtitles.
5. Eurosport Player: This is the official paid sports streamer, offering live and replays of sports events, including the French Open, football, Formula 1, cycling, and more. It streams smoothly and offers optional French commentary.
Conclusion
Whether you choose a free site like TV5MONDEplus or FranceTV, or a paid option like Canal+ or Netflix, you can enjoy French movies and TV series on these best French streaming sites.
What are you waiting for? Get started now!
