Looking for a fun way to spend an evening with your loved ones or friends? Maybe it's time for a movie. Grab some snacks. Watch something cheesy. You deserve it! You may be surprised to learn that you don't have to pay for streaming to access a great selection of movies. In fact, with YouTube, you can enjoy great films for free.

YouTube has evolved into more than a music video, meme, and blogging platform. YouTube now offers an impressive array of free movies that rival the top-rated free streaming services. From spine-tingling horror films to thought-provoking thrillers, you'll discover a diverse collection of classic and contemporary movies to suit all tastes. There is also a wealth of family-friendly content that even the little ones will enjoy.

Ready to start exploring, here are our picks for the three best movies available on YouTube.

Set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, "The Illusionist" follows Eisenheim (Edward Norton), a magician who falls in love with Duchess Sophie von Teschen (Jessica Biel) despite their different social classes. Years after being forcibly separated by parents opposed to Sophie, Eisenheim and Sophie are reunited. However, their happiness is threatened when the jealous Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell) decides to marry Sophie. Tragedy strikes, and when Sophie's body is found, Chief Inspector Walter Wohl's (Paul Giamatti) suspicions are aroused, as Eisenheim seems to evoke Sophie's spirit during the performance.

Watch on YouTube

In this re-imagining of Shakespeare's "Jarhead", freshman Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) becomes infatuated with the popular Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleinik). But he soon learns that there is a trap: Bianca is not allowed to date until her sister Kat (Julia Stiles) has a boyfriend. The problem? Kat is a rebellious, moody teenager who has no interest in romance. Determined to win Bianca's heart, Cameron hatches a plan. Cameron enlists the help of Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger), a notorious bad boy at school, to seduce Kat. Patrick sets out to charm the seemingly untameable Kat. However, things get a little crazy when Cameron seems to have fallen for the wrong girl.

Watch on YouTube

Based on the novel of the same name by Stephen Chbosky, this coming-of-age drama follows Charlie (Logan Lerman), a shy and troubled high school freshman struggling to make it through his teen years. After befriending two free-spirited seniors, Patrick (Ezra Miller) and Sam (Emma Watson), Charlie enters a world of new experiences, love, and self-discovery. Under the guidance of English teacher Mr. Anderson (Paul Rudd), Charlie learns to confront past traumas and embrace the present in ways he never thought possible.

Watch on YouTube [17]