How to Watch FilmRise Online From Anywhere in 2024

Samuel Walker  - Technology Policy Researcher
Last updated: January 1, 2024
Read time: 12 minutes
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FilmRise is an exciting video streaming platform that offers tens of thousands of titles for free. And you can see them from any place on the planet if you have a VPN to manage the task.

THE TAKEAWAYS

FilmRise is a popular and exciting VOD streaming service. While the platform is global, the content differs according to your geographic location. However, a good VPN will enable you to connect to FilmRise as if you were in the US. That will unlock the best content for you, independently of your physical location.

The only thing better than watching your favorite TV shows and movies online anytime you want is the ability to do it for free. This is why many internet users around the globe wonder if they can watch FilmRise from their location. Fortunately, the answer is yes. With the help of a top-notch VPN, you can watch your favorite FilmRise content from your preferred US library anywhere outside the region.

What is FilmRise?

FilmRise is a free video streaming platform that offers thousands of films and TV shows on demand. It’s a unique platform in the video streaming niche because it’s perfectly legal, despite being free (most free video streaming websites offer pirated content mostly).

It’s an independent US-based service that offers plenty of content from third-party video platforms and paid TV channels.

FilmRise’s catalog boasts more than 50,000 items between movies and TV shows. It includes musicals, romance, comedy, drama, action, crime, thriller, horror, and anything you’d like. It has something for everybody at zero cost.

The platform also hosts plenty of exciting documentaries and family-friendly material. If you are into cult classics, Memento and Donnie Darko will make your day. If you are more of the TV show persuasion, you’ll have Kitchen Nightmares, Neverland, Shameless, and Midsomer Murders to start.

Like every legal video streaming platform on the internet, FilmRise is geo-restricted. In addition, the most extensive content library is for US-based users only. So, if you are not reading this article within the United States, there’s no need to give up the quest for FilmRise access. All you need to do is to get a premium VPN service that will let you see FilmRise from anywhere you are.

Quick guide to watching FilmRise outside the US

Unblocking FilmRise to enjoy its content anywhere online is simple. If you’re short on time and just want to get the essential information, follow these steps.

  1. Pick a top-notch VPN and subscribe. The best option is ExpressVPN, but Surfshark and NordVPN will do as well.
  2. Find, download, and install your new VPN software on your device.
  3. Launch your app or client and log in.
  4. Connect to your VPN network using a US server.
  5. Open FilmRise and start watching!

A quick guide to our top VPNs

  1. ExpressVPNIt has remarkable speed and thousands of active servers across 94 countries. The VPN has a no-logs policy ensuring maximum security of your data and reliably unblocks FilmRise on smart TVs, Roku, and game consoles.
  2. SurfsharkThis is one of the most affordable VPNs for FilmRise. It has great speed, robust security and no limitation to the amount of connections. The VPN works well with many streaming services including FilmRise, Netflix, Amazon and others.
  3. NordVPNAmong other listed VPNs, NordVPN is our top choice for watching FilmRise. It has more than 5000 servers across 60 countries, making it almost limitless for a user to access any other services worldwide. Also, the VPN allows you to connect 6 simultaneous devices and protect your traffic with 256-bit AES encryption.

Why do I need a VPN to stream FilmRise if I’m not in the United States?

FilmRise is a global service for streaming free movies and TV shows online, but it’s a legal service too. That means that the platform has negotiated with the copyright owners of the works it shows and agreed with them on which titles it can stream and where in the world it can offer them. Consequently, the FilmRise library varies from country to country; in some, it’s unavailable.

Also, the most extensive content variety is for US-based users, so even if you can watch some content from your current country, there will still be plenty of content in the US catalog that remains forbidden to you.

So if you want to use FilmRise and enjoy its complete library, you need a VPN that assigns you a US IP address. This makes the FilmRise server “think” that you are connecting from the United States and will serve you accordingly.

VPNs are privacy tools that are supposed to hide your IP address. This protects your digital security and anonymity because the IP address is essential information that can reveal much about you, starting with an excellent approximation of your geographic position without GPS or other data. VPNs are one of the most powerful and versatile digital life tools you can have, and they are legal in most of the world’s countries.

Any good VPN will give you a new IP address, thus allowing you to choose a virtual location to show to the internet.

However, not every VPN is an excellent choice to use with FilmRise. You will need one of the best, with speeds supporting an HD video stream and reliable servers that can keep you online for hours without interruptions.

Also, you need a VPN that unblocks the best video streaming services, which is not straightforward because video streaming platforms tend to blocklist VPN servers when they find them. ExpressVPN fits the task perfectly and is the best option for this application. 

Subscribing to FilmRise from your country

FilmRise is a free video streaming service, so you don’t have to pay anything to use it. And you don’t need to have an account, either.

The remarkable thing about FilmRise is that being free, its catalog keeps expanding daily. But, yes, you have to put up with ads between streams. However, you’ll have fewer ads and publicity here than with your cable TV provider.

The service prides itself on offering HD content from a generous selection of films and TV shows for free, without breaking any copyright laws. 

Do you have Roku? Then your Roku Channel Store has FilmRise as a free premiere channel!

The best VPNs to watch FilmRise outside the US

As mentioned earlier, unblocking FilmRise from your current location needs the service of a top-notch VPN. And which is the one that will do the trick, we hear you ask? This section will give you the three best VPN options to unblock FilmRise’s US catalog.

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN new features block logo 120 by 120 now

Offering the most impressive and unmatched features in the VPN market

servers Boasts more than 3,000 robust VPN servers in 90+ countries
encryption Data encryption using AES-256
Trusted servers nord TrustedServer technology (RAM-based servers)
P2P optimized servers Most of the servers support peer-to-peer traffic
network lock feature Network Lock (kill switch)
Split tunneling feature Features a dependable split tunneling system
Zero-logs policy Does not keep logs on you
simultaneous connections One account can connect up to five devices at once
money-back guarantee No-questions-asked pay-back policy of 30 days
Pros
  • Blazing-fast speed on all of its servers
  • Protects users’ privacy to the fullest extent possible
  • Works even in countries with strict censorship, like China and the UAE
Cons
  • Costly pricing plans, given the industry average

As we keep testing many of the best VPNs in the market to find the best options for various tasks, ExpressVPN keeps coming out on top. And watching FilmRise wasn’t the exception, as ExpressVPN proved to be the best option once again.

The speeds and bandwidth in ExpressVPN are excellent, which is one of the main things you need to keep up with an HD video stream.

This provider’s server network includes more than 3,000 nodes in more than 94 counties. Of those servers, many are in 25 US cities, which are the ones that will unblock FilmRise for your enjoyment. 

ExpressVPN is also the best VPN to unblock video streaming services in general. In addition, it can manage access to other platforms such as Hulu, Netflix, Oxygen, YouTube, HBO, and many more.

Your ExpressVPN account is suitable for five concurrent connections, which means you can have five devices protected with this VPN anytime.

ExpressVPN has software for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, thus covering all the usual suspects. However, it also supports more exotic hardware that most other VPNs do not consider, like Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Firestick, and Smart TVs.

A unique feature of this VPN is its “MediaStreamer,” a video player with a SmartDNS function to stream geo-blocked content more efficiently.

ExpressVPN’s security is among the best in the market, using AES-256 to protect your traffic, preventing every type of IP leak, and protecting your privacy by avoiding log-keeping. It also has an automatic kill switch, so your device never leaks unencrypted data to the internet.


2. Surfshark

SurfsharkVPN

Becoming the market’s favorite because of its excellent performance at a low-cost

servers A total of 3,200+ VPN servers located in 65 countries worldwide
Trusted servers nord RAM-based servers (excellent for privacy)
Zero-logs policy Maintains a strict no-logs policy
encryption AES-256 (military-grade) data encryption
P2P optimized servers P2P optimized VPN servers
Kill switch Integrated kill switch
Split tunneling feature Split tunneling
simultaneous connections Support for unlimited simultaneous devices per subscription
money-back guarantee 30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
  • Offers extra security features such as malware protection
  • Evades international content restrictions effortlessly
  • Budget-friendly pricing plans
Cons
  • Servers located far away from your location may have slow speeds

Surfshark is a relatively new VPN service that has gathered a lot of momentum in a short period. The secret is offering a VPN service that can compete with the best in the business at a meager price. If you pick an extended subscription plan, you can enjoy Surfshark’s fantastic VPN service for as little as 3 USD monthly.

The server network includes 3,200 nodes in more than 65 countries. The US-based fleet alone has over 600 servers in 23 cities, so this VPN gives you plenty of excellent choices to unblock FilmRise.

The speeds in Surfshark’s servers are almost as fast as in ExpressVPN, as their efficiency lets you keep about 85% of your baseline speeds when you’re behind the VPN’s network.

Surfshark is also very effective with several other video streaming services such as ESPN, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, and many more.

Your subscription is enough to have unlimited devices connected to the Surfshark VPN anytime. Software is available for Linux, Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS, covering all the primary hardware. Still, there are also apps available for Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Smart TV, and some routers.

The security features are top-notch, with AES-256 in charge of encryption, no logs, a kill switch, obfuscated mode, and a Double VPN available.

Surfshark’s incredible quality and meager price make it possible for all types of budgets to include an excellent VPN. 


3. NordVPN

NordVPN for Streaming

Global server network makes this VPN one of the best VPN services on the market

servers A global network of more than 5,000 VPN servers located in more than 60 countries
encryption AES 256-bit encryption
tor compatible Seamless Tor compatibility with Tor Over VPN feature
Trusted servers nord RAM-based, privacy-friendly servers
Zero-logs policy No user data keeping
Kill switch It comes with a customizable kill switch
Split tunneling feature Split tunneling customized to your needs
simultaneous connections Concurrently supports six connections
money-back guarantee A 30-day refund policy is in place
Pros
  • There are lots of options for geeks
  • Performance-oriented VPN servers
  • The provider offers obfuscated servers
Cons
  • First-time users may find the desktop app overwhelming

NordVPN boasts an extensive server network that includes several specialized types for specific types of traffic. It has 1,900+ servers based in the United States alone. In addition, the whole network has more than 5,300 nodes in 60 countries.

Unblocking FilmRise or any other video streaming platform is straightforward when you have many reliable and fast servers. The vendor claims to provide unlimited bandwidth, and it delivers.

The speeds are so good that we could keep 87% of our baseline without any problems. Furthermore, it was good enough to support HD video streams without buffering.

NordVPN will open many other doors for you too. Services like HBO Max, Hulu, Starz, Paramount+, and Sky work with this VPN like a charm, so your options for entertainment will be great.

The service is also compatible with lots of hardware: Linux, iOS, macOS, and Windows are covered. But also Apple TV, Fire TV, Smart TV, Roku, and Chromecast devices.

Your account support six simultaneous connections to the VPN network.

Other features in NordVPN include Double VPN, server obfuscation, a kill switch, zero logs, and AES 256 encryption.


How to select VPNs for FilmRise

Unfortunately, not all VPNs can help you watch FilmRise without getting spotted. Below are the factors to consider when choosing your VPN or as a matter of fact the methodology we used to select from our top Filmrise VPNs. 

Incredible performance

Streaming is a task that requires high speeds with no buffers. Due to the improving online video quality, we regularly test VPN speed to check if they are keeping up. The VPNs on this list provide sufficient speed for streaming in HD.


Excellent streaming abilities

Other than accessing every version of FilmRise, we also consider VPNs that can also work with other streaming platforms like Prime Video, Disney Plus, and others. This will allow you to access more content, thereby expanding your entertainment options.


Strong security and privacy tools

Of all other features, your data privacy and security are the most important. This is the reason why we consider VPNs with uncrackable encryption, and other essential security features like data leak protection, kill switch, and no-logs policy.


User-friendly interface

A good VPN should be user-friendly, with an easy-to-maneuver interface for all devices supporting FilmRise. The provision of 24/7 live chat also makes it easier to solve any issues that may arise at any time.


Can I use a free VPN to unblock FilmRise?

No. Due to high demand, free VPNs offer a limited monthly bandwidth with low unreliable speed. Also, most of them are blocked by popular streaming platforms, including FilmRise. So, they won’t enable you to watch anything online. In terms of security, free VPNs are known to be promiscuous as they sell your data to other third parties. To assure the security and privacy of your data we recommend taking the privacy policies of the VPN in mind into account.

What can I watch on FilmRise from outside the US?

FilmRise is unlike any other video streaming platform. It gives you access to many titles in third-party outlets like PBS, HBO, Paramount, or Starz, so your options are abundant, and you’ll always find something interesting to see with this service.

The complete library at FilmRise includes 50,000 videos, and it keeps growing daily. So between the movies and TV shows, there is something for everybody to watch here.

The genres on offer include musical, romance, comedy, action, drama, horror, thriller, crime, action, and much more.

Which are the best movies and TV shows offered at FilmRise?

Films

The movie catalog on FilmRise is extensive, and there are plenty of great titles to stream at your request. Some of the more notable names include:

  • Sprinter
  • My Friend Dahmer
  • A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints
  • Monster
  • The Justice of Bunny King
  • Divine Divas
  • Dark Blood
  • The Miseducation of Cameron Post
  • A Chrismas Kerana
  • Beans
  • Driveways
  • Marvelous and the Black Hole

TV Shows

The TV show catalog is also very attractive and includes many beloved classics. You can look forward to finding these shows:

  • Meet, Marry, Murder
  • The Rifleman
  • Doc Martin
  • The Commish
  • Forensic Files
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
  • Case Histories
  • Dr. G, Medical Examiner
  • Kim’s Convenience
  • Line of Duty
  • Highway to Heaven
  • Kids in the Hall
  • Midsomer Murders
  • Above Average Presents
  • Bloodline Detectives
  • The Dick van Dyke Show
  • Hell’s Kitchen

FilmRise-compatible hardware

Many devices will work seamlessly with FilmRise, enabling you to watch your desired content within or outside the US. For example, the following hardware is perfectly compatible with the platform:

  • Vizio
  • Xbox One
  • Roku
  • LG smart TV
  • Samsung smart TV
  • Chromecast
  • Fire TV
  • Fire TV stick
  • Android TV
  • Apple TV, from the fourth generation onwards
  • Fire tablets
  • Android devices
  • iOS devices

How to stream FilmRise globally on Android

You can access FilmRise US from anywhere in the world using a VPN which will help unblock the geo-restrictions. Below are brief steps to follow if you want to stream FilmRise live:

  1. pay a subscription to a VPN app (ExpressVPN is a good choice)
  2. Download and set up the VPN app on your Android machine.
  3. Link up to a US server (recommended New York).
  4. Delete the cache and data history from Google Play Store.
  5. Go to the Play Store app and download FilmRise.
  6. Run the app and set it up. (no sign-up required).
  7. Enjoy streaming FilmRise abroad live from anywhere in the world.

How to stream FilmRise on iOS

To watch FilmRise on your iOS device, you will also need the help of a VPN to bypass the geo-restrictions. Here is how you can access Disney channels outside the US on your iOS device:

  1. Pay a subscription to a VPN app (we recommend ExpressVPN).
  2. Download and set up the VPN app on your iOS streaming machine.
  3. Link to a US server (recommended New York).
  4. Change location settings and choose the same country you set in your VPN app.
  5. Visit the App Store and download FilmRise.
  6. Run the app and set it up (no sign-up required).

Enjoy streaming FilmRise abroad live from anywhere in the world.


Conclusion

FilmRise offers a wide variety of legal content for free. Its 50,000 titles include movies and TV shows of all genres. In addition, it has a reasonable amount of ads, so this is a unique video streaming platform that is both free and legal at the same time.

The platform works with all types of hardware, from the most commonly used Android devices to the more exotic Roku ones.

The only limitation of FilmRise is that it’s geo-restricted. The content library changes depending on your country of residence, and there are even a few jurisdictions where no service is available. This is expected from any legal streaming platform, as the copyright agreements limit the places where the content should be available. 

However, it doesn’t mean you can’t watch FilmRise just because you’re outside the US. A good VPN service can bypass the geo-block from anywhere in the world. Thus, you can use FilmRise as if you were in the US, with the complete catalog available.

Additionally, your new premium VPN service will enhance so many aspects of your digital life that you wish you had one long ago.

The ability to rely on a top-notch VPN will increase your entertainment options exponentially. And it will also help you achieve the most critical goal every internaut should have in mind: staying safe.

FAQs

FilmRise is a global service that you can stream anywhere. But the service offers a different catalog for every country. So if you want to enjoy the US FilmRise library anywhere outside, a good VPN will enable you to watch it.

There are a total of 33 streaming services offering FilmRise. CNN, Discovery Plus, Crackle, IMDB TV, Peacock TV, ShowTime, Roku, Vizio, Hulu Stars, Netflix, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime.

Yes, you can add the FilmRise Roku channel to your streaming device without cost.

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About the Author

Samuel Walker

Samuel Walker

Technology Policy Researcher
27 Posts

Sam Walker is a tech-focused writer who has traveled the world but currently lives in Australia. He has a keen interest in digital privacy and security. Sam loves testing new technology and researching the latest security trends to keep others informed (and ultimately safe) online.

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