Roku Channel Just Dropped 50+ Free Movies & Hit Shows — See the Full July 2025 Lineup Now

Roku is turning up the volume on its flagship free-to-watch hub, The Roku Channel, just as streaming audiences hunt for fresh, low-cost alternatives. The platform’s August 2025 push includes a brand-new ad-free tier dubbed “Howdy,” a slate of buzzy originals and licensed movies, plus deeper device integration—all designed to keep binge-watchers inside Roku’s ecosystem. HOWDY: THE ROKU CHANNEL’S $2.99 AD-FREE OPTION On 5 August, Roku quietly rolled out Howdy, the industry’s least-expensive commercial-free subscription at just $2.99 a month. Subscribers get nearly 10,000 hours of Lionsgate, Warner Bros. Discovery and AMC Networks content with zero pre-rolls or mid-roll breaks, under-cutting competitors that now average $12–$20 for the same perk. Howdy lives inside The Roku Channel’s menu, so viewers can bounce between its ad-free library and the existing free-with-ads collection without downloading a new app. AUGUST 2025 LINEUP: WHAT’S NEW AND TRENDING Beyond Howdy, Roku just refreshed its free catalogue with premium-window titles such as “John Wick: Chapter 4,” “Creed III,” and the sci-fi sleeper hit “Vesper.” Family audiences can queue up the complete “How to Train Your Dragon” trilogy, while true-crime addicts get weekly episodes of the Roku Original “Murder in the Heartland.” Kids’ corner adds “Bluey” seasons 1–3, and sports fans can stream 24/7 coverage from CBS Sports HQ at no charge. EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS KEEP VIEWERS STICKING AROUND Roku Originals continue to punch above their weight. August’s headliner is “The Fixer,” an eight-episode political thriller starring Kate Beckinsale, filmed entirely in 8K for Roku’s new Pro series TVs. Reality spin-off “Honest Renovations” drops its third season as a five-episode binge, while stand-up special “Ramy Youssef: Both Sides Now” premieres ahead of the comedian’s fall tour. HOW TO WATCH THE ROKU CHANNEL ANYWHERE • Roku streaming players and Roku TVs: The Channel auto-appears on the home screen; Howdy’s opt-in button is located under “Premium Subscriptions.” • Amazon Fire TV, Samsung, LG and Google TV sets: Download “The Roku Channel” app from each store. • Mobile and web: Stream at TheRokuChannel.com or via iOS/Android apps, where offline downloads roll out later this month. • No Roku account? Sign up with an email address to track watch-lists and pause across devices. WHY IT MATTERS IN THE STREAMING WARS With Netflix and Disney+ both raising ad-free prices above $18, Roku is betting that a sub-$3 tier can siphon price-conscious cord-cutters while still monetizing its massive ad-supported base. The strategy also bolsters Roku’s platform revenue, which surpassed device sales for the sixth straight quarter, driven largely by advertising and subscription splits. Analysts say the Howdy launch could accelerate Roku’s shift from hardware brand to full-scale media network, increasing leverage with studios eager for new distribution channels. BOTTOM LINE The Roku Channel’s August expansion arrives at a sweet spot: peak summer travel, back-to-school downtime and looming NFL kickoff. By pairing free streaming with the cheapest ad-free upgrade on the market, Roku positions itself as 2025’s must-try service for viewers—and a rising threat to legacy SVOD giants chasing profitability.