Looking for something worth watching this May that won’t cost a penny? Freely, the UK’s new free streaming platform, is offering a solid line-up of quality films across BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and more.

From acclaimed dramas and thoughtful biopics to thrillers and nostalgic comedies, these 12 picks are all available to stream this May. Many are critically acclaimed, award-winning, or modern cult favourites.

Here are some of the best films you can watch for free this spring:

Rush (2013)

4 May – BBC iPlayer

Ron Howard’s biographical sports drama captures one of the most thrilling rivalries in Formula One history: the battle between charismatic British driver James Hunt and disciplined Austrian champion Niki Lauda during the 1976 season.

Chris Hemsworth plays Hunt, with Daniel Brühl in a BAFTA-nominated role as Lauda. The film explores their contrasting personalities on and off the track, culminating in a dramatic and fateful showdown at the Japanese Grand Prix. Known for its precision, intense racing sequences, and emotional depth, Rush was praised by critics and motorsport fans alike, and is considered one of the best Formula One films ever made.

The Darkest Hour (2017)

5 May – BBC iPlayer

Set in May 1940, The Darkest Hour follows Winston Churchill’s early days as Prime Minister, as Nazi forces sweep across Europe. With Britain on the brink, Churchill must decide whether to enter peace negotiations or fight on against enormous odds.

Gary Oldman’s portrayal of Churchill earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor, and the film was also nominated for Best Picture. Directed by Joe Wright and written by Anthony McCarten, it powerfully dramatises real political tensions, key moments in the war effort, and the power of rhetoric – including Churchill’s iconic speeches that rallied the British people during their darkest hour.

Central Intelligence (2016)

5 May – Channel 4

This action-comedy pairs Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart in a mismatched buddy dynamic that delivers both laughs and fast-paced thrills. Johnson plays Bob Stone, a former bullied teenager turned lethal CIA operative, who reconnects with mild-mannered accountant Calvin Joyner (Hart) on the eve of their high school reunion.

Joyner is reluctantly pulled into an international spy plot involving encrypted files and rogue agents. With a mix of physical comedy, chase scenes, and surprising heart, Central Intelligence proved a commercial success and showcases strong comedic chemistry between its leads.

Their Finest (2016)

8 May – BBC iPlayer

Set during the London Blitz in World War II, this drama-comedy tells the story of Catrin Cole, a Welsh copywriter hired by the Ministry of Information to write female-focused dialogue for British propaganda films. As she works with a struggling production team to make a morale-boosting movie about the Dunkirk evacuation, she finds both professional purpose and personal transformation.

Starring Gemma Arterton, Sam Claflin, and Bill Nighy, Their Finest blends humour and melancholy to portray the role of storytelling in times of crisis. Directed by Lone Scherfig, the film was praised for its period detail, witty script, and emotional resonance.

Priscilla (2023)

Streaming now – BBC iPlayer

Directed by Sofia Coppola, Priscilla offers a subtle and intimate re-examination of the life of Priscilla Presley, based on her 1985 memoir Elvis and Me. The film centres on her teenage years, beginning with her first encounter with Elvis while he was stationed in Germany and charting her gradual integration into his carefully controlled inner world. Cailee Spaeny stars as Priscilla, with Jacob Elordi portraying Elvis.

Unlike previous biopics focused on the King of Rock and Roll, Priscilla shifts the angle of the storytelling to the complexities, isolation, and emotional toll of being around him. The film received critical acclaim for its restrained style and Spaeny’s standout performance, which won the Best Actress award at Venice Film Festival.

Aftersun (2022)

Streaming now – BBC iPlayer

Aftersun is the debut feature from Scottish writer-director Charlotte Wells and one of the most critically acclaimed films of 2022. It follows 11-year-old Sophie and her father Calum during a summer holiday at a Turkish resort. Told largely through Sophie’s fragmented memories and adult reflections, the film is a meditation on parenthood, memory, and unspoken emotion.

Paul Mescal’s performance as Calum in this quietly devastating coming-of-age story earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

Herself (2020)

Streaming now – BBC iPlayer

Directed by Phyllida Lloyd (Mamma Mia!, The Iron Lady), Herself is a powerful story about one woman’s determination to break free from a cycle of domestic abuse and rebuild a life for herself and her two daughters.

Clare Dunne, who also co-wrote the screenplay, stars as Sandra, a woman who decides to build her own house after facing bureaucratic delays in accessing housing support. With the help of friends and strangers, she begins to create a new home – both physically and emotionally. The film was lauded for its raw performances and grounded storytelling, highlighting issues of social inequality and resilience.

Lightyear (2022)

Streaming now – BBC iPlayer

This animated sci-fi adventure from Pixar reimagines Buzz Lightyear not as the toy from Toy Story, but as the fictional space hero who inspired it. Voiced by Chris Evans, Buzz leads a team of stranded explorers in a mission to return home from a hostile alien planet – all while facing off against a mysterious enemy known as Zurg.

While more serious in tone than previous Toy Story entries, Lightyear introduces new characters, exciting visuals, and a self-contained origin story.

Fall (2022)

Streaming now – BBC iPlayer

In this high-concept survival thriller, two adrenaline-seeking friends – Becky and Hunter – climb an abandoned 2,000-foot radio tower in the middle of the desert, only to find themselves trapped at the top with no way down. With dwindling supplies and no mobile signal, the pair must find creative ways to survive against the elements and their own fears.

Directed by Scott Mann, Fall received praise for its tension-building and vertigo-inducing cinematography. It’s a tight, minimalist thriller that plays on the fear of heights and isolation, offering a tense watching experience.

Nine to Five (1980)

Streaming now – BBC iPlayer

This workplace comedy classic remains as sharp and relevant today as it was when first released over four decades ago. Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton play three overworked and underappreciated women who decide to take revenge on their sexist, egotistical boss. After a series of hijinks, they accidentally take control of the office – and transform it into a progressive and efficient workplace.

Nine to Five was a box office hit and has since become a cult favourite, spawning a TV series and a stage musical. It’s recognised for its empowering message, witty script, and Dolly Parton’s iconic theme song of the same name.

From Time to Time (2009)

Streaming now – Channel 5

Directed by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey), this family-friendly fantasy is set in post-WWII England and follows 13-year-old Tolly, who discovers he can travel through time within his ancestral home. Jumping between the 1940s and the early 19th century, Tolly uncovers hidden secrets and long-buried truths about his family’s past.

Featuring Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, and Hugh Bonneville, the film blends ghost story, period drama, and historical mystery in a gentle, uncomplicated tale based on Lucy M. Boston’s novel The Chimneys of Green Knowe.

Bullet Train (2022)

Streaming now (until 18 May) – Channel 4

Brad Pitt stars as Ladybug, a weary assassin trying to finish a simple job on a high-speed train in Japan – only to find the train packed with rival killers with interconnected missions. Directed by David Leitch (John Wick, Atomic Blonde), the film – set to leave the streaming platform in a few days – blends stylised violence, quick-fire humour, and energetic pacing. The ensemble cast includes Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Joey King, and Sandra Bullock.

Based on the Japanese novel Maria Beetle by Kōtarō Isaka, Bullet Train became a late-summer box office hit in 2022 and is a fun, fast-moving one for fans of sleek, modern action.

Here is the full list of Freely’s must-watch films for this May:

Rush – BBC iPlayer – 4 May

The Darkest Hour – BBC iPlayer – 5 May

Central Intelligence – Channel 4 – 5 May

Their Finest – BBC iPlayer – 8 May

Priscilla – BBC iPlayer – available now

Aftersun – BBC iPlayer – available now

Herself – BBC iPlayer – available now

From Time to Time – Channel 5 – available now

Lightyear – BBC iPlayer – available now

Fall – BBC iPlayer – available now

Nine to Five – BBC iPlayer – available now

The Dark Knight – ITVX – coming soon

Kingsman: The Golden Circle – ITVX – coming soon

Shrek – ITVX – coming soon

John Wick – ITVX – coming soon

Uncharted – Channel 4 – available now

Bullet Train – Channel 4 – available now, leaving 18 May