What is a public-domain film, and why can you watch it free?

Every film is protected by copyright for a limited time. When that protection ends, or was never properly renewed, the film enters the public domain: it belongs to everyone.

How films end up there

In the United States, works published before a certain year have aged out of copyright, and that year moves forward every January. Many mid-century films also fell into the public domain early because their owners did not renew the registration or left the copyright notice off the prints.

What it means for you

A public-domain film can be watched, shared and screened by anyone, legally and without a fee. That is why the classics on FimHay play free, with no account and no advertising.

Why is there a paid download?

Streaming is free. A download is a convenience: one tap, one light file, ready for offline viewing. That small payment supports the work of finding good copies, organising them by genre and keeping the site fast.

Not everything old is free

Age alone does not make a film public domain, and rules differ between countries. If you are a rights holder and believe a title is listed in error, write to us and it will be reviewed and removed promptly. See About & help.