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You may think of YouTube as mostly videos of cute kitties, adorable babies, or people doing stupid things. But Google, the owner of YouTube, is trying to change your perceptions.
YouTube Movies
If you want to watch feature movies without a subscription, including many free movies, check out YouTube Movies! YouTube has full-length feature movies available for viewing. Many of the movies are free, others are available for rent, with prices ranging from $2.99 to $6.99 for movies that are still appearing in theaters.
YouTube movies are available in many categories, including comedy, horror, classics, romance, foreign, science fiction and others. Recent movies available from YouTube movies include Green Lantern, Bad Teacher, Fast Five, Bridesmaids and Hanna.
Having a Halloween party tonight? Show horror movies from YouTube!
The advantages of YouTube movies include many choices of free movies and no need for a membership. You don’t need to download special software to rent YouTube movies. You can watch YouTube movies on your computer, smartphone, tv (with an Internet connection), and iPad. Almost anywhere you can access the Internet, you can access YouTube Movies. (Note that some movies have not been authorized for viewing on mobile devices.)
Most of the movies are not available in HD and the quality of your viewing experience will be directly related to the speed of your Internet connection.
YouTube Movies are available in the US and Canada. Earlier this month, YouTube brought movie rentals to the UK.
YouTube TV
Google announced on Friday that it will be investing $100 million to develop original content tv shows for YouTube. Google has targeted top talent to create new shows, including Madonna, Ashton Kutcher, Jay-Z, Tony Hawk, Deepak Chopra, and veteran tv producers. YouTube will launch 100 new channels, including news, comedy, sports, science, fitness, moms, dance, and documentaries. channels. Here’s sneak peek at the list of the new channels: YouTube New Channels.
Some new channels are set to launch next month and the rest will roll out over the coming year.
With all of the new content on YouTube, you may find yourself watching much more on YouTube in the future!
Do you watch movies on YouTube? Will you be checking out new channels on YouTube? Let us know in the Comments section below!
Note: Many thanks to The Wonder of Tech reader who suggested YouTube Movies as a topic!
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Speaking of YouTube, you must check out this amazing magician with his Halloween iPad tricks!
Then checkout today’s special Google Doodle, Halloween edition!
Happy Halloween!
I had no idea! Thanks for bringing this to my attention; I thought my only option was iTunes!
Hi Kathy, Yes, I thought of my UK readers when I started researching this article. How exciting that UK residents can watch these movies on YouTube.
I hope you find many movies to enjoy!
Hi Carolyn,
Happy Halloween!
Wow- I wish I was also in the US or Canada to enjoy these awesome YouTube movies.
To be very honest, I have never explored YouTube more than for cards, recipes, inspirational stuff or some links sent by people. Movies of course are not available at our end, as of now- though I do hope they make it available all over real soon. The new channels sure look promising as well 🙂
As of now, I am making my daughters see this movie clip on your blog, starting off their Halloween with a bang!
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Harleena, Happy Halloween! I’m sorry you won’t be able to watch YouTube movies, but I’m thinking that you will be able to watch YouTube TV Channels when they launch. Google is commissioning the original content so there should not be copyright restrictions on the distribution of its shows.
I hope your daughters enjoy the fun video! 🙂
Thanks for the great post + the Halloween present — Simon Pierro.
Hi Lee, I’m so glad you enjoyed this article! And the Halloween treat, of course. 🙂
I guess I should have called it a Halloween TREAT
(~~)
I feel like I no longer know YouTube. Things are changing so fast. I feel YouTube will no longer be YouTube as we know it today. These are just great ideas from Google. I didn’t know about all this. The one thing I do a lot on Youtube is watching TED videos. 😀 I followed the link of the new channels and found TED there.
I really wonder how this will affect bloggers who use YouTube as a marketing method. I have seen some top affiliate marketers create some things like Internet Marketing Shows. I think they were expecting something like this… who knows where this thing is heading…
Thanks for telling us about all this! 🙂
Mouh
🙂
Hi Mouh, You’re right, YouTube is almost unrecognizable from its origin. YouTube is such a powerful site, I’m glad Google is expanding its capabilities.
My opinion is the more YouTube offers, the more people will have a reason to visit the site, benefiting those who have videos on the site.
People will also be more inclined to make sure their television has internet access so they can watch YouTube on the big screen. 🙂
Happy Halloween! Carolyn. Nice post. The only thing with YouTube is that with the recent design change its slowed down. Can’t watch a movie while its buffering the whole time. Good mix of Halloween. This is the third post I am reading today where a blogger is combining the topic and the celebration.
Hi Eddie, Happy Halloween! We bloggers are a festive bunch! (~~)
I’m sorry you’re having that issue with YouTube. I agree, it can be frustrating if you have to wait while the film is buffering. You can try loading and pausing it for a while as you pop the popcorn and then play it. Hopefully that will eliminate any buffering mid-film.
Great post Carolyn! No question the world is changing. All you need these days is a laptop or an iPad and you’re plugged into to every form of media out there. It will be interesting to see how this changes the television and movie viewing market down the road. I would suspect that in five years’ time, it will be a very different space.
Hi Ruth, It is amazing how quickly the world of tech is changing. Two years ago we didn’t even know what an iPad was. Five years ago there was no iPhone or Android phone.
It will be very interesting to see where this goes, whether the original content of YouTube is closer to the original content on HBO or the original content of the videos that first appeared on YouTube. I’m looking forward to seeing which is the case!
Now that’s just cool Carolyn! I also, of course, had no idea.
I will at times watch things online but only if something happened and a show I usually tape didn’t for some reason. Here is my problem with watching things online though and even going to the movies now. I don’t hear as well as I use to so I don’t catch everything they are saying. It’s not much fun I will admit.
It’s still a great idea and they may end up having something to help the hearing impaired. At least I sure hope they will.
Thanks again for always being on top of the latest tech news.
~Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, That can be frustrating when you miss hearing what is being said.
Have you tried using headphones or earbuds with your computer? The ones that you use with your iPod Touch will work with your computer. I often listen to my computer using earbuds from my iPhone as it’s much easier to listen that way than through the speakers. You can also get external speakers for your computer, but since you already have earbuds, you could just use those.
I hope this helps! 🙂
What people don’t seem to understand about hearing loss is that those ear pieces only make things louder. They don’t help you decipher what is being said.
When your hearing starts to go it’s hard to understand certain words like the letter “C” and “D” sound so alike, it’s easy to misunderstand what’s being said. Turning up the volume doesn’t necessarily help.
It’s the same thing with hearing aides. All they do is turn up the volume. It’s a very frustrating problem to have I’m afraid and there’s little that can be done to improve it at the moment.
Thanks for your suggestions but trust me, I’ve tried pretty much everything to no avail. 🙁 Maybe some day they’ll come out with something. I’m keeping my fingers crossed since I’m still young and this problem will only get worse with time.
Hi Adrienne, I’m sorry, I am one of the ones who didn’t realize the implications of hearing loss. Do you use closed captioning at all?
I am pleased to tell you that I previewed a demo of tech last week that will be used to help those with hearing loss. The tech is still in its infancy but seems very promising and innovative. I will keep you posted, I promise.
That’s totally understandable Carolyn. If you’ve never had any hearing loss then it’s not something you’d be familiar with. I never knew myself until my Mom started to loose hers.
That’s actually how I watch TV, I use the closed caption. Wish they had that at the movies which is why I don’t go to the movie theater anymore. That would be awesome if they included that feature. I would be so thrilled about that! Yey!!!
Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate that.
Hi Adrienne, There have been calls for Netflix to include closed captioning with its streaming services, but that hasn’t happened yet. DVD’s would be your best bet for now or foreign films with subtitles.
I will let you know if I hear of closed captioning being added to a movie streaming service. That would be great!
Another cool beans moment……….I did not know this; I just hope none of my YouTube vids pop up while trying to watch a movie. I will definitely have to check this out………thanks for sharing……..
Good point, Bill! Why would anyone want to watch a movie when they could watch Bill Dorman YouTube videos?
My girls have watched my Best App Ever! YouTube video on our tv. Luckily, they’ve never done that with guests around.
I hope you have a happy Halloween, Bill! (~~)
So, you are saying you have a YouTube production out there? I will definitely have to seek this out………
Ok, the time is now; should I pay $100 to upgrade to an iPhone 4s 16G or let them give me an iPhone 4 8G at no charge?
$100 for the 4S. No question. It’s a great investment.
Hi Carolyn,
I knew there were movies but didn’t know that YouTube is improving, I just watched this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5tRSinF1PY
I have post a blog with more photos tomorrow, but you’ve seen them all on Facebook! I’ll try to write something interesting about them. My internet was off today, I fixed it eventually; it was a bad connection on the phone line. I wrote a blog but decided not to post it in the end, it was that bad!
A few people like this weeks photos, I ache all over from all the walking! The ones in the arboretum were difficult because of the light and lots of restoration work going on.
Hi Mike, Yes, Google has added tremendously to the YouTube movie library. In May, Google added 3000 movies from Sony, Warner Bros. and Universal Studios. I was particularly impressed that the library includes movies that are still in theaters.
I’m also glad that YouTube Movies are available in the UK now. There are many free movies available for your Thrifty Thursdays and Frugal Fridays! 🙂
I will still be eager to see your photos on tomorrow’s blog post even though I already saw them on Facebook. I enjoy not just your photos, but the lessons that you give. Those photos were amazing so I look forward to your discussion of them. 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
I was reading your post and all I was thinking was, I hope that she didn’t write “only available in the US” and then I saw it. I’m not going to say what I feel right now, but Norway is not my favorite country right now 🙂
I just love watching movies. And Netflix or YouTube Movies would have been awesome for me. But I’m testing a service called Voddler (it’s from Sweden, and a lot like Spotify for movies). It works great, but not as many new movies.
Hi Jens, I feel your pain. I lived in the UK for a long time, wishing for tech they had in the US. I’m happy to report that YouTube movies is available in Canada and the UK, but not elsewhere outside the US.
Perhaps YouTube Movies will keep expanding. I’m fairly certain their tv shows, being original content, will be available outside the US.
Sorry! 🙂
I have been thinking about using a vpn that will allow me to start using services only available in the US. I’m trying not to, but I’m not sure how much longer I can wait 🙂
Hi Jens, You could try that or you could move to the US. Not sure which one would be the bigger hassle. 😉
Carolyn, aloha. Yet another “Who Knew” from you. While I use YouTube, I certainly had no idea of the movie options; that’s terrific. Since it’s Halloween, it only seems appropriate to note that the movie options from YouTube will not doubt put another nail in the Netflix coffin.
Love, love, love Simon’s tricks. It is amazing what “techie magicians” can do with iPads or iPhones. Simply amazing and throughly delightful. Thanks so much for sharing. Now I am off to do the same.
Wishing you a Spooktacular day filled with treats. Aloha. Janet
Hi Janet, YouTube movies is a great resource, but their library isn’t enough to make Netflix worried yet, I bet. Netflix has a much more extensive library and, at $7.95/month for streaming, it’s a fantastic deal. People might be angry with Netflix now, but I still think they’re the best game in town.
Thanks so much for sharing, Janet! I hope your Halloween is fun and spooky! (~~)
P.S. Just checked out the Google Doodle. Those are so darn much fun. Oftentimes when I look at them I wonder how long it took them to create them. They must have a Google Doodle Department creating year round. Mahalo for bringing it to my attention.
I love that Google Doodle. I don’t recall ever seeing a video Google Doodle before. So glad you enjoyed it! I wonder if there is someone whose job at Google is to be the Google Doodler?
Hi Carolyn,
well I knew they had movies on youtube, but didn’t know they rented movies too. thanks for telling me.
btw, most of the free movies aren’t worth watching. can you suggest any good movie available for free on youtube??
Hi Faran, what kinds of movies do you like? If you like comedies, check out Step Brothers and Big Daddy. For drama, check out Girl, Interrupted or And Then There Were None. Have fun exploring!
You know what, I kinda have some time to kill ryt now. so am gonna watch one of your recommended free movies on youtube.
Thanx 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
That’s a new one for me. I didn’t realize there were movies on You Tube, but thanks for sharing.
Hi Cathy, you’re not the only one who was unaware of YouTube Movies. I am very glad a Wonder of Tech reader suggested this as a topic.
Thanks for stopping by, Cathy!
Happy Halloween Carolyn.
Very eye-opening post you share with us!
I didn’t know there are movies on youtube, even more that you can rent some of them.
The YouTube TV sounds pretty good and interesting.
Thanks for the infos Carolyn!
Hi Nick, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m so glad you enjoyed the article. I hope you enjoy the movies too! 🙂
I never thought of watching movies on youtube – I am not much of a movie watcher, I guess that is why. But, this whole concept is very new to me.
If I could just get my favorite channels to my TV via another way and stop paying high fees – I would be all for it 😉
Hoping one day in the future I can do that – it would save a ton of money for sure – which is all what we are looking for these days, right?
Linda
Hi Linda, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Great point, everyone wants to save money. Stay tuned to The Wonder of Tech for an article later this month on this Important topic. 🙂
I don’t know if I would watch a full length movie on Youtube, it feels like a bit of a weird format for spending 2 hours on time engrossed. However I do love youtube for catching up on comedy sketches and stuff like that. I quite like the short and sweet nature of youtube.
Do you think the way we consume youtube content will change once there is feature length content? Like watching youtube instead of going to the cinema….
Come to think of it…this could save us bootstrappers a few $£, lol
what about if you have slow internet…with all that buffering, you can forget it, lol.xx
Hi Stacey, you’re right, the quality of your viewing experience is directly related to your Internet speed, as with any video service. Time will tell whether people adjust their viewing habits away from traditional tv and movie screens and to computer and iPad screens.
Some day you may have to explain to your grandkids what a tv is!
Thanks for stopping by, Stacey!
Wow! I had no idea about all these upcoming changes with YouTube! For me, the most annoying part about YouTube is that if I accidentally click too far on the time bar or if I switch to fullscreen mode, sometimes the video will start loading again from the beginning. I can imagine being super frustrated if this happened with a YouTube movie after waiting hours for it to load with my horrible connection here in Peru. =P
Otherwise, the idea of movies and TV shows on YouTube is super exciting! I’m going to be a YouTube TV show fan for sure! =)
Hi Samantha, Wow, I’ve never had that problem switching to full screen mode, with YouTube or any other video. I’m thinking you should switch right away when you start watching a YouTube video to be sure you don’t have a problem.
Having a slow internet connection can be very frustrating. This past week I was stuck underground on a train for two hours with no cell phone service. The train had Wi-Fi though and I placed a video call to my daughter to let her know I would be home very late. The video call could barely get through because everyone was using Wi-Fi.
I was frustrated until I remembered how cool it was that I could have a video chat with my daughter when I was underground! 🙂
Haha! Love your attitude and your focus on the good, Carolyn. =) What an important lesson. =)