3 Best Free Shows to Stream This Weekend: April 3-5, 2026

by

You don’t need to pay for expensive streaming services to find your next favorite show. While platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+ can be costly and don’t always have what you’re looking for, free options like Tubi, The Roku Channel, and YouTube TV offer plenty of popular, high-quality TV shows without a subscription fee.

Whether you’re into grand fantasy adventures or heartwarming family stories, there’s a fantastic TV show out there for you. These shows are all ideal for a weekend binge, with plenty of episodes to keep you entertained.

Merlin Is an Epic 5-Part Fantasy Series With a Cult Following

If you’re looking for a new show to get hooked on, consider Merlin. This 2008 series follows a young Merlin, played by Colin Morgan, as he lives in the kingdom of Camelot. King Uther Pendragon, played by Anthony Head, has outlawed magic, but Merlin secretly practices his skills. At the same time, he develops a close friendship with Prince Arthur (Bradley James), the future king.

Merlin isn’t a show that grabs you immediately; it slowly draws you in with fun, self-contained episodes and compelling characters. As the series progresses, the stakes get higher, with more action and emotional moments. It’s a great example of a story that takes its time, carefully building towards the familiar legend of King Arthur. We also get to see how other iconic figures, like Morgana, Guinevere, and Lancelot, became who they are.

Okay, so I still see people obsessed with Merlin – it’s been sixteen years since it first came out, and the fandom is still going strong! Critics generally liked it – it’s sitting at 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences loved it even more, with an 87% score on the Popcornmeter. Over on IMDb, it averages a solid 7.9 out of 10. It ran for five seasons, wrapping up in 2012. And honestly, the ending was pretty divisive, but it definitely sparked a lot of conversation and people still talk about it today, more than a decade later. It’s one of those shows that really stuck with people.

If you’re fascinated by the stories of King Arthur, Merlin, and other legendary figures, you’ll love the BBC series Merlin. You can now watch the complete series for free on streaming platforms like Tubi, The Roku Channel, and Pluto TV. Though it begins a little slowly, Merlin ultimately becomes one of the most compelling and well-done adaptations of the Arthurian legends.

The Neighborhood Is an Underrated Comedy With a Great Cast

The Neighborhood is a comedy series that premiered in 2018. It centers around a white family from the Midwest who relocate to a Black neighborhood in Pasadena, California. Dave Johnson, the father, tries a little too hard to make friends, initially irritating everyone around him. He eventually becomes close with his neighbor, Calvin Butler, and the show follows the funny and heartwarming moments as their families get to know each other.

Truly funny shows that consistently draw viewers are hard to come by, but The Neighborhood captures the charm of classic early 2000s sitcoms. It offers clever writing and a consistently hilarious cast, providing a lighthearted escape that lets you relax and enjoy a bit of silliness for half an hour.

The sitcom The Neighborhood was a hit with viewers and critics alike, enjoying eight successful seasons on CBS. With an IMDb rating of 6.8/10, the show generally received positive feedback. While the original series premiered on May 11th, the story continues with a spinoff centered around Calvin’s cousin, which debuted in 2025. Another spinoff featuring Malcolm and Marty was also planned, but its current status is unknown.

In a TV landscape filled with dramas, The Neighborhood offers a welcome dose of laughter. You can watch every episode of this popular sitcom on The Roku Channel and Pluto TV, and many episodes are also available on the CBS website. With the show ending later this year, now’s a great time to start watching or revisit the series!

This Is Us Explores the Emotional Journey of a Complicated Family

Dan Fogelman, the creator of many popular TV shows, brings us the story of a complex family over several decades. The series, which began in 2016, centers on Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca Pearson (Mandy Moore) and their three children, born in the 1980s. Though Jack and Rebecca work hard to raise their triplets with good values – known affectionately as ‘The Big Three’ – the show reveals that each child faces personal challenges as adults. As the story unfolds across different time periods, each sibling must come to terms with their own strengths and weaknesses.

This Is Us is a deeply moving and often sad look at the challenges faced by one family. It’s known for its excellent writing and performances, and viewers quickly become invested in the lives of the Pearson family members. The show is particularly anchored by strong performances from Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz, and Justin Hartley, who play the adult children, especially as the series progresses.

During its six seasons, This Is Us received widespread praise from critics. The show boasts a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers highlighting its excellent writing and performances. Viewers loved it too, giving it an 82% score on Rotten Tomatoes’ audience meter and an average rating of 8.7 out of 10 on IMDb. The series ended in 2022.

You can now watch all six seasons of This Is Us for free on Tubi, without needing a subscription. This popular drama is known for its powerful stories and emotional impact, and many consider the first two seasons to be some of the best TV shows of the 2010s – they still hold up beautifully today. If you haven’t seen it yet, now’s a great time to discover this excellent series.

5 Questions
Binge Free: Test Your TV Trivia!
Your Top Score
—
Attempts
—
0
0
Report Error

Found an error? Send it so it can be corrected.

Read More

2026-04-02 13:07