The world's archives

1,537–1,584 of 12,291 films, free to watch, from the world's open archives.

Where these films come from, and who sees what

Every film here plays from the archive that keeps it: the Internet Archive, Wikimedia Commons, the NASA Image and Video Library, the Library of Congress and Open Images (the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision). Nothing is copied to this site. Each film's page names its archive, links to its page there, and states its licence or status as the archive does.

Archive films carry no age ratings, so each is placed from the collections it sits in and the subjects the archive gives it, cautiously. Sexual content and nudity are left out altogether.

Little OnesFilms for young children by name: nursery rhymes, lullabies, preschool.
KidsCartoons and animation, children's and family films, and educational films, unless they deal with war, propaganda, crime, horror or drugs, or carry racial caricature.
TweensDocumentaries, science, nature and space, classic comedies, newsreels, commercials and lectures.
TeensEverything else, including anything we cannot tell about; war, crime, horror and westerns go no lower.
AdultSexual themes (such as the old "sex hygiene" films), gore, surgery, slaughter, atrocity footage.
Internet Archive Exiled to Shanghai 1937 · Feature · 52 min Title: Exiled to Shanghai Summary: Two rival newspaper men battle over a beautiful woman while covering an overseas civil war. Directed by: Nick Grinde,… Internet Archive America Marching On: A Screen Editorial With Lowell Thomas 1937 · Film · Subtitles 14:24:36:00 MS man with moustache in single-breasted 1930s style suit seated at desk speaks to camera: “If there is one thing we are all interested in, it is… Internet Archive Just a Second 1937 · Film · Subtitles Just a Second is a black-and-white silent short film produced by the Handy (Jam) Organization in 1937 or 1939 for the U.S. Rubber Company. The film features… Internet Archive Fireman's Life, A 1933 · Cartoon · 6 min May also be titled "Hook & Ladder Hokum". You can find more information regarding this film on its IMDb page . Internet Archive Dragnet Patrol 1931 · Feature · 54 min Title: Dragnet Patrol Summary: A sailor falls for a gangster's moll, leaves his wife and finds himself caught up in a life of crime. Directed by: Frank R.… Internet Archive The Wearing Away of the Land 1939 · Film · Subtitles Shows the ways in which natural forces such as rain, glaciers, wind, and the ocean, erode the land. "How rocks are decomposed; how caves and sink holes are… Internet Archive Vintage Wine 1935 · Feature Title: Vintage Wine Summary: The family head of a wine company refuses to retire, but his family have other ideas. Directed by: Henry Edwards Actors: Seymour… Internet Archive Dreaming Lips 1937 · Feature Title: Dreaming Lips Summary: Directed by: Paul Czinner Actors: Elisabeth Bergner, Raymond Massey, Romney Brent Production Company: Trafalgar Film Productions… Internet Archive Precisely So 1937 · Film · Subtitles "THROUGH THE MICROSCOPE IS THE FANTASTIC LAND BEYOND HUMAN VISION, WHERE MEN WEIGH SMOKE, WHERE ELECTRIC SPARKS ARE SLUGGISH, & WHERE SOLID STEEL IS BENT BY A… Internet Archive Shadow of Chinatown: Chapter 1 - The Arms of the Gods 1936 · Short · 26 min Sonya Rokoff acting as a representative of a European importing firm hires Victor Poten (Bela Lugosi), a Eurasian mad scientist who hates both whites and… Internet Archive Death Drives Through 1935 · Feature The race car designer Kit Woods is in love with Kay Lord. Kay's father is against her relationship with Kit. Kit also has to do with the competition from his… Internet Archive Doctor's Orders 1934 · Feature Bill Blake, a jovial con man is known to friends and his son as a traveling salesman, but in reality, operates a phony medicine show, complete with singing,… Internet Archive Of Mice and Men (1939) 1939 · Feature Of Mice and Men is a 1939 American drama film based on the 1937 play of the same name, which itself was based on the novella of the same name by author John… Internet Archive Porky's Garden (1937) 1937 · Feature Porky’s Garden is a 1937 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes animated cartoon directed by Tex Avery. The short was released on September 11, 1937, and stars Porky Pig.… Internet Archive Honeymoon For Three 1935 · Feature Jack Denver, man-about-town, wakes up after a binge to find himself in the flat of Yvonne Daumery, whose father insists he marries her. Internet Archive Boats (aka A Boat Trip) 1938 · Film · Subtitles The story of a trip down the Hudson River from Albany to New York. Two children, boy and girl about 10 to 12 years old, explore the ship Alexander Hamilton… Internet Archive Seeing Green 1937 · Film · Subtitles A LOOK AT THE "BRAIN" OF THE TRAFFIC LIGHT SHOWS HOW THE RED & GREEN & AMBER LIGHTS PROMOTE SAFETY. GOOD ANIMATION OF SERIES OF LIGHTS AND LINES OF CARS. GOOD… Internet Archive Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp (1939) 1939 · Feature Olive Oyl's screenplay for an Aladdin movie comes to life and Popeye battles for control of a genie in this, the last of the three Popeye color films. Watch… Internet Archive Pick of the Pod 1939 · Film · Subtitles 01:19:31:18 Busy intersection of city in 1940s at sunrise; cars fill the street. 01:19:55:23 Great shot from outside of house looking in through window at… Internet Archive Crossroads of the Pacific: A Hawaiian Cruise 1930 · Film · Subtitles Stock shots: warships; desks being washed over by waves; giant artillery guns; planes taking off from aircraft carriers; torpedos being fired; gun turrets;… Internet Archive Me and My Gal 1932 · Feature https://web.archive.org/web/20230321133816/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Me_and_My_Gal Internet Archive 1939 1939 · Cartoon Public domain cartoons of 1939. Work in progress. Corrections on copyright status welcome. Internet Archive The Most Dangerous Game (1932) 1932 · Feature When legendary hunter Bob Rainsford is shipwrecked on the perilous reefs surrounding a mysterious island, he finds himself the guest of the reclusive and… Internet Archive [Home Movies: High School, 1930s] 1930 · Home movie · Subtitles Screening notes: Dizzying pans throughout Various events and gatherings throughout the school year Beginning shows groups of students posing in different… Internet Archive [San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Construction] 1933 · Film · Subtitles San Francisco Bay Bridge during construction at various times showing progress of bridge. Oakland and San Francisco, California Great historical footage of… Internet Archive Religious Racketeers 1938 · Feature · 1 h 7 min · Subtitles A mystic pretends that he can talk with the dead. Internet Archive Big Man from the North (1930) 1930 · Feature Big Man from the North is an American animated short film. It is a Looney Tunes cartoon, featuring Bosko, the first star of the series. It was released in… Internet Archive Prest-O Change-O (1939) 1939 · Feature Prest-O Change-O is a 1939 Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Chuck Jones, and first released on March 25, 1939, by Warner Bros. It is the second appearance… Internet Archive White Zombie 1932 · Feature https://web.archive.org/web/20230318091343/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Zombie_%28film%29 Internet Archive The Booze Hangs High (1930) 1930 · Feature The Booze Hangs High, released in December 1930, is the fourth title in the Looney Tunes series. The short features Bosko, Warner Bros.’ first cartoon… Internet Archive The Return of Chandu - Chapter 12 1934 · Short · 18 min Bela Lugosi is "Chandu" an American raised in the east and possessed of White Magical powers. Chandu must protect an Egyptian princess from being sacrificed… Internet Archive Norman Alley's Bombing of USS Panay Special Issue, 1937/12/12 1937 · Newsreel (1) Reel 1 - "Nanking" (2) Reel 2 - "Uncensored!!! Unedited!!! The U.S.S. Panay Bombing in its entirey - exactly as photographed!" (this newsreel special is… Internet Archive The High Command 1937 · Feature Title: The High Command Summary: A general of the old school, who believes strongly in his own honour and sense of duty, must come to terms with a crime he… Internet Archive Postal Inspector 1936 · Feature · 56 min The only musical featuring Bela Lugosi . Internet Archive Mickey's Surprise Party (1939) 1939 · Feature Minnie is baking cookies. When she leaves for a short while, her dog Fifi accidentally drops popcorn kernels in the dough. Mickey and Pluto come over and… Internet Archive A Cuckoo in the Nest 1933 · Feature Title: A Cuckoo in the Nest Summary: A crowded inn means that a man and a woman must share the same room for a night. One problem is that they are both… Internet Archive Larceny on the Air 1937 · Feature · 52 min The protagonist goes after a company that is selling a drug containing radium. Internet Archive Prison Break (1938) 1938 · Feature Story of a tuna fisherman who has been wrongfully convicted of a murder he did not commit. His exemplary behavior in prison ensures that he is up for early… Internet Archive 1935 Pontiac Advertising (R2) 1935 · Film · Subtitles Produced for showing to Pontiac automobile dealers. Describes the advertising campaign undertaken by Pontiac to promote the 1935 models in a variety of media:… Internet Archive Wild ride through downtown Los Angeles, ca. 1932 1932 · Home movie This 16mm home movie clip shows a wild ride through the streets of downtown Los Angeles. Movie marquees help date the clip to around 1932. This film is from… Internet Archive Dracula's Daughter ( Colorized, 1936) 1936 · Feature Dracula's Daughter (1936), colorized with HAVC 5.6.0 Internet Archive Cavalry 1936 · Feature · 1 h 2 min Title: Cavalry Summary: Just after the Civil War, Captain Thorn is sent west to help protect the new telegraph line that is under construction. Leeds is out… Internet Archive Down the Gasoline Trail 1935 · Film · Subtitles Producer's synopsis: "Real photography and cartoon animation tell what happens to a drop of gasoline from the time it is put into the gasoline tank of a… Internet Archive Bosko the Drawback (1932) 1932 · Feature Bosko is the star player in a wacky game of professional football. Watch on RetroFlix: https://retroflix.org/bosko-the-drawback-1932/ Internet Archive The Outcast 1934 · Feature When the box-office manager takes off with all the money belonging to a traveling theatre-troupe, the show's promoters and leading performers, Bill Potter and… Internet Archive Trapped By Television 1936 Colorized 1936 · Feature From IMDB: An inventor looking for backing for his television invention gets involved with a crooked businessman and gangsters who try to steal his invention.… Internet Archive Stepping Toes 1938 · Feature Title: Stepping Toes Summary: The granddaughter of an old showman is kept away from him by his daughter, ashamed of their background. But the girl is… Internet Archive A Car Tune Portrait - 1937 1937 · Cartoon In this, the 18th of Fleischer's Color Classics series, cartoon characters attempt a symphonic performance. One gets the impression that this cartoon was, to…