How to Watch/Add Movies on Kodi (Legally): A Step-by-Step Guide

Larry Mimosa August 12, 2024 | 15:30

Kodi is a free media player that lets you add extra features and make it your own. But how should you use them to watch a movie better?

With add-ons, Kodi is an open-source media player that lets you stream movies, TV shows, music, and a lot more from different sources straight to your device. This makes it a home theater system.

Kodi add-ons, on the other hand, that add content to the system are often made by outsiders and can pose security risks. This is why you need to use a VPN with Kodi. A VPN keeps your privacy safe by encrypting your internet connection. This means that no one can see what you're doing online.

How to Watch Movies on Kodi: A Comprehensive Guide

Stream Movies Legally on Kodi

Why Watch Movies on Kodi?

The main reason Kodi is so good at streaming movies is that it works with so many devices and file formats. Because Kodi is open source, it is always being updated and made better so that people can have the best experience possible when streaming movies and other content.

You can use Kodi to turn any phone, tablet, computer, or smart TV into a place to enjoy entertainment.

What are Kodi add-ons?

Add-ons are what make Kodi work, and they let users watch a huge number of movies and TV shows. These add-ons from outside sources give you links from websites that host online content.

Because of this, you can stream movies from a lot of different sources, giving you more viewing options than with most streaming services.

Why you need a VPN for Kodi

There are several benefits to using a VPN with Kodi. If your internet connection is encrypted, you won't have to worry about the security risks that come with using third-party add-ons. Identity thieves, man-in-the-middle attacks, and ads that track your activities are all possible threats.

All of your data will stay private and safe from hackers and other bad people because of the encryption.

It will also help you get around geo-blocks so you can stream content that isn't available in your area. This makes it possible for you to watch more movies and TV shows without any limits. Moreover, a VPN boosts streaming speeds by lowering the throttling that happens because of an ISP, which makes watching videos smooth.

Top 5 Most Popular Kodi Add-ons

Kodi is just a media player, so it's not much by itself. That's why you need add-ons to do anything else, watch movies, listen to music, or podcasts. Below, you'll see how to play video files on Kodi right from your phone or tablet.

It was already said in the beginning that Kodi has a lot of add-ons. They have a website where you can see all the add-ons that are in the official Kodi repository right now. You can look for them by author, category, or keyword.

If you don't know what to pick or where to begin, here is a list of well-known Kodi add-ons, no order given.

1. iPlayer WWW (aka BBC iPlayer)

BBC iPlayer has many high-quality movies and TV shows from the UK and other countries. One problem with BBC iPlayer is that it only has a limited amount of content and is locked to certain regions. If you are not in the UK, you can't watch BBC iPlayer.

2. Tubi TV

Tubi TV has more than 50,000 movies and TV shows from a wide range of genres. On the other hand, Tubi TV locks some of its content geographically, so you can't watch it in Europe right now.

3. Classic Cinema

Classic Cinema is a gold mine for classic cinema lovers. This add-on offers a vast selection of movie billboards, TV shows, and silent films. It’s free-to-use for all Kodi users.

4. Crackle

Crackle is a free online video library run by Sony. Sony owns the rights to all the content on the platform. Sony is a big name in movies, so you can be sure that the content in this area will be of high quality.

5. PopcornFlix

PopcornFlix is a free movie streaming service that has a huge library of movies and TV shows. You can get this streaming service for free on Kodi and set it up.

Not all of Kodi's add-ons are safe to use, though. Some of them might have malware or even links to content that has been stolen. Make sure you only use the official or more popular add-ons for streaming if you want to stay safe.

How to Watch Movies on Kodi: Step-by-step guide

Kodi isn't the same as Netflix when it comes to streaming movies, mostly because it's open source and runs on add-ons. On Netflix, you get a library of hand-picked shows and movies. On Kodi, you need to install an add-on before you can stream movies.

These add-ons give you more movie options by collecting links from different sources. However, they require more work to set up and manage.

Here's how to use Kodi to watch movies, step by step:

Navigate to the Add-ons menu: Open Kodi and go to the main menu. From there, select the “Add-ons” option.

Find the Video Add-ons tab: In the Add-ons menu, locate and click on the “Video Add-ons” tab.

Choose and install an add-on: Browse through the available add-ons, select one that suits your needs (such as Crackle or Tubi TV), and click “Install.”

Access the add-on: Return to the “Video Add-ons” tab and open the installed add-on.

Browse and stream movies: Use the add-on to browse the available movies and start streaming your chosen content.

How to Add Movies to Kodi: Step-by-step guide

Kodi also has a way to add movies that you got from somewhere else, like downloaded files or ripped DVDs. After doing this, you can use Kodi to organize and play your own movie library from a central media library.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to add videos to Kodi:

Navigate to the Videos menu: Open Kodi and go to the main menu. Select the “Videos” option.

Choose files: In the Videos menu, click on “Files” to access the file manager.

Add videos: Select the “Add videos” option, which will open a new window for you to browse and add your video files.

Browse for media locations: Click “Browse” to locate the folder where your movies are stored on your device.

Select and add the folder: Once you’ve found the folder containing your movies, select it and click “OK” to add it to Kodi’s library.

Set content type: After adding the folder, you’ll be prompted to set the content type. Choose “Movies” and confirm to let Kodi scan and organize your movies.

Best VPNs to watch movies on Kodi

It is important to set up a VPN on Kodi to protect your privacy, get around geo-blocks, and speed up your streaming. Our how to install a Kodi VPN guide has all the information you need to set up a VPN on Kodi.

There are so many VPNs out there that it can be hard to sort through them all and choose the right one. These are the three best VPNs we think you can use to stream movies on Kodi:

ExpressVPN: Offers optimized servers for streaming and a Lightway protocol for fast, secure, and reliable connections. It supports a wide range of devices; you can connect up to eight at once.

Get ExpressVPN | Read ExpressVPN Review

NordVPN: Its SmartPlay feature ensures smooth streaming on Kodi, and it boasts superb security features: from split tunneling, kill switch, and private DNS to double VPN, which offers a second layer of protection.

Get NordVPN | Read NordVPN Review

CyberGhost: Offers streaming servers optimized for managing high traffic volume, and minimizing throttling and delays, to ensure an optimal Kodi experience. It comes with industry-leading encryption and a strict no-logs policy.

Conclusion

With its wide range of configurable add-ons, support for multiple file formats, and extensive device compatibility, Kodi is an outstanding platform for watching movies. It is a flexible option for any movie lover because of its open-source nature, which allows for continual improvements and new features.

But a VPN is necessary to use Kodi securely and to its maximum capacity. With a VPN, you can bypass geo-restrictions on content, stay safe from online threats, and protect your privacy.

If you know what you're doing and have the correct equipment, you can turn Kodi into a fun and secure home theater experience. Discover the top Kodi add-ons and secure your online movie streaming with a VPN.

FAQs

Is streaming movies on Kodi safe?

If you use safe add-ons and a VPN, streaming movies on Kodi can be safe. A lot of third-party add-ons can be dangerous to your security and leave you open to malware or data breaches.

When you use a VPN, your internet connection is encrypted. This keeps your information private and protects you from possible threats. Stick to official or well-known add-ons to keep your streaming safe and minimize risks.

Can I use a free VPN with Kodi?

You can use a free VPN with Kodi, but most people don't recommend it. People who use free VPNs often have to deal with slower speeds, data limits, and fewer server options, all of which can make streaming less enjoyable.

Free VPNs might not have strong security features either, and they might even log and sell your data. Getting a good paid VPN will improve your performance, security, and privacy while streaming on Kodi.

What is the best add-on for watching movies on Kodi?

Which Kodi add-on is best for watching movies depends on your tastes and where you live. Crackle for free movies, BBC iPlayer for British shows, and Tubi TV for a lot of different movies are all popular choices.

Because each add-on has its own content library, you should try out a few to find the best one for your viewing needs. To keep your streaming experience safe, always make sure you're using add-ons from reputable sources.

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