Streaming > Streaming TV, Movies, & More The Best Free TV Shows on YouTube Catch your favorite episodes for free, with ads By Robert Earl Wells III Updated on June 3, 2022 Reviewed by Jon Fisher Reviewed by Jon Fisher Wichita Technical Institute Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Streaming TV, Movies, & More Netflix Hulu Disney+ Prime Video Apple TV+ Favorite Events YouTube offers movies and TV shows to rent or purchase, but did you know that you can watch TV shows for free with ads? You can browse the full list of free YouTube TV shows on YouTube's site, or consult our guide to the best shows on YouTube. 01 of 12 Wilfred (2011): Strangest Comedy About a Boy and His Dog YouTube IMDb rating: 7.8/10Genre: Comedy, Drama, MysteryStarring: Elijah Wood, Jason Gann, Fiona GubelmannCreated by: Jason Gann, David Zuckerman, Adam ZwarTV Rating: TV-MA Ryan (Elijah Wood) feels like he has nothing left to live for until meets an anthropomorphic dog who becomes his life coach. Wilfred was an Australian show before it was adapted for American audiences with show co-creator Jason Gann playing the title character in both versions. The humor is crude and irreverent just like the original, but like Ryan, you'll probably walk away from each episode in a better mood than you were beforehand. Watch 'Wilfred' on YouTube 02 of 12 Scream Queens (2015): Funniest Tribute to the Slasher Genre Fox IMDb rating: 7.1/10Genre: Comedy, Horror, MysteryStarring: Emma Roberts, Lea Michele, Abigail BreslinCreated by: Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk, Ryan MurphyTV Rating: TV-14 Chanel Oberlin (Emma Roberts) and the other sisters of Kappa Kappa Tau are being targeted by someone disguised as the university mascot. Although it's a comedy, Scream Queens pays homage to classic horror movies like Psycho and Halloween. The original scream queen, Jamie Lee Curtis, even plays Dean Cathy Munsch. Nick Jonas and Niecy Nash round out the hilarious supporting cast. Watch 'Scream Queens' on YouTube 03 of 12 The Carol Burnett Show (1967): Funniest Variety Hour of the 60s and 70s YouTube IMDb rating: 8.7/10Genre: Comedy, FamilyStarring: Carol Burnett, Vicki LawrenceCreated by: Carol BurnettTV Rating: TV-PG In the 1960s and 70s, it seems like everyone had a variety show, from Sonny and Cher to the Brady Bunch. But no one could beat Carol Burnett, who ruled the world of sketch comedy for over a decade. The Carol Burnett Show won 25 primetime Emmy Awards during its run. Many of the episodes on YouTube haven't been available since they originally aired, so if you missed them when they first ran, you have a lot of catching up to do. Watch 'The Carol Burnett Show' on YouTube 04 of 12 Iron Chef (1993): Craziest International Cooking Show YouTube IMDb rating: 8.6/10Genre: Game Show, Reality-TVStarring: Chen Kenichi, Hiroyuki Sakai, Rokusaburo MichibaCreated by: Fuji TVTV Rating: PG Before Iron Chef became a staple on the American Food Network, it was one of Japan's biggest game shows in which chefs from around the country challenged master chefs in timed cook-offs. Hosted by the charismatic and enigmatic Takeshi Kaga, Iron Chef is just as entertaining today as it was 30 years ago, and you might even get inspired to try some new cuisine. Watch 'Iron Chef' on YouTube 05 of 12 Earth: Final Conflict (1997): A Bleaker Vision of the Future From the Creator of Star Trek YouTube IMDb rating: 6.2/10Genre: Action, Drama, MysteryStarring: Von Flores, Leni Parker, Anita La SelvaCreated by: Gene RoddenberryTV Rating: TV-PG Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry had an idea for a darker sci-fi series about a clash between Earthlings and extraterrestrials. After his passing, Roddenberry's wife Majel Barrett-Roddenberry brought his vision to life with the show Earth: Final Conflict. When seemingly altruistic beings offer humans a cure for all the planet's ailments, some people start to become skeptical of their intentions. Watch 'Earth: Final Conflict' on YouTube 06 of 12 Eerie, Indiana (1991): Like the Outer Limits But For Kids YouTube IMDb rating: 8.2/10Genre: Adventure, Comedy, DramaStarring: Omri Katz, Justin Shenkarow, Mary-Margaret HumesCreated by: Jose Rivera, Karl SchaeferTV Rating: TV-Y7 In this hidden gem from the early 1990s, new kid Marshall Teller (Omri Katz) struggles with adjusting to life in a middle American town with supernatural secrets. Eerie, Indiana walks a fine line between humor and horror, but it's tame enough for most kids. Sadly, only 19 episodes were ever made, but now you can watch them whenever you want, including one episode that never aired on TV. Watch 'Eerie, Indiana' on YouTube 07 of 12 Heartland (2007): Most Heartwarming Canadian Show for the Whole Family YouTube IMDb rating: 8.4/10Genre: Drama, FamilyStarring: Amber Marshall, Shaun Johnston, Michelle MorganCreated by: Murray ShostakTV Rating: TV-PG Not to be confused with the 2007 American medical drama with the same name, Heartland is a Canadian show about a family of ranchers. It's based on a series of books by Lauren Brooke, which follows the lives of sisters Amy (Amber Marshall) and Lou (Michelle Morgan) as they support their bereaved grandfather (Shaun Johnston). It's mostly wholesome family entertainment, although it sometimes deals with tough subjects such as loss and addiction. Watch 'Heartland' on YouTube 08 of 12 The Goode Family (2009): Most Politically Incorrect Show About Political Correctness YouTube IMDb rating: 6.4/10Genre: Animation, ComedyStarring: Mike Judge, Nancy Carell, Linda CardelliniCreated by: John Altschuler, Mike Judge, Dave KrinskyTV Rating: TV-MA Mike Judge is best known for creating Beavis and Butt-Head and King of the Hill, but in 2009, he decided to try something a little different with The Goode Family. About a family of do-gooders who often only make things worse, Goode Family has some jokes that are already outdated by today's standards, but it can still be fun to go back and watch, just like Judge's other shows. Watch 'The Goode Family ' on YouTube 09 of 12 Z Rock (2008): Weirdest Star-Studded Band Mockumentary YouTube IMDb rating: 8.1/10Genre: ComedyStarring: Joey Cassata, Lynne Koplitz, David ZablidowskyCreated by: Mark Mark ProductionsTV Rating: TV-MA When you're an indie band, you have to take any gig you can get. That's why the members of hard rock band Z02 all have day jobs performing at kid's parties. The show stars real-life brothers Paulie and David Zablidowsky, and it features cameos from the likes of Dee Snider and Dave Navarro. A lot of the dialogue is improvised, so it has a reality-TV vibe even though it's a mockumentary. Watch 'Z Rock' on YouTube 10 of 12 Dead Zone (2002): A Steven King-Inspired Psychic Detective Story YouTube IMDb rating: 7.3/10Genre: Drama, Fantasy, MysteryStarring: Anthony Michael Hall, Nicole de Boer, Chris BrunoCreated by: Michael Piller, Shawn PillerTV Rating: TV-14 A head injury grants Johnny Smith (Anthony Michael Hall) psychic abilities, which he uses to help the police solve crimes. Meanwhile, Johnny has to deal with the fact that his ex-wife married the local sheriff while he was in a coma for six years. If that sounds like the plot of a Stephen King novel, it's because the show is based on the author's 1979 book with the same title. Watch 'Dead Zone' on YouTube 11 of 12 21 Jump Street (1987): Coolest Cop Drama That Probably Couldn't Be Made Today YouTube IMDb rating: 7.2/10Genre: Crime, Drama, MysteryStarring: Johnny Depp, Dustin Nguyen, Peter DeLuiseCreated by: Stephen J. Cannell, Patrick HasburghTV Rating: TV-14 A team of young cops goes undercover posing as high school students to investigate drug trafficking, abuse allegations, and hate crimes. Despite the controversial concept, 21 Jump Street was a progressive show that didn't shy away from difficult topics. Starring Johnny Depp in his breakout role as Officer Tom Hanson, it's the type of show that often ends with a PSA from the cast. Watch '21 Jump Street' on YouTube 12 of 12 The Mediator With Ice-T (2021): A Judge Show for Problems Too Big for Judge Judy YouTube IMDb rating: 6.8/10Genre: Reality-TVStarring: Ice-T, Freddie Foxx, Eric BatesCreated by: Ice-TTV Rating: TV-14 Rapper Ice-T is not a cop, but he does play one on TV. Now, he's putting his fake criminal justice experience to use in his new role mediating conflicts, serving as both the judge and the jury. In one episode, he assesses the emotional damage caused by missing bottles of body wash. It's like Judge Judy, but more legitimate. Watch 'The Mediator With Ice-T' on YouTube Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit