Free and Legal Places to Watch, Read and Listen
A curated list of free, legal sources for films, books, audiobooks and classical music, from public domain archives to services you can use with a library card.
You do not need a stack of subscriptions to enjoy great films, books and music. These services are free and legal, either because the works are in the public domain or because access is funded by libraries and non-profits.
Films
- Internet Archive Moving Image Archive: public domain features, silent films, cartoons and newsreels.
- Kanopy: a film streaming service available free through many participating public libraries and universities.
Books
- Project Gutenberg: tens of thousands of free ebooks, mostly classic works whose copyright has expired.
- Libby: borrow ebooks and audiobooks with a library card from a participating library.
Audiobooks
- LibriVox: free public domain audiobooks read by volunteers around the world.
Music
- Musopen: a non-profit offering free classical music recordings and sheet music.
Guides on FlexyBlogs
- How to watch films more critically
- How to start a book club that lasts
- Build a home theatre on a budget
Copyright terms differ between countries, so a work that is public domain in one country may not be in another. Check the terms on each service if you plan to reuse anything.
