The 12 best film streaming on BBC iPlayer, ITVX and C4 in July | Films | Entertainment

This July, Freely is serving up a strong slate of must-see movies across BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and more.

From legendary crime dramas and iconic horror to newer black comedies and arthouse favourites, there’s something here for all kinds of film fans – and all of it is entirely free to stream.

Whether you’re in the mood for a razor-sharp satire, a blockbuster thriller or a classic with Oscar pedigree, these are twelve of the best titles available on Freely right now.

28 Days Later (2002) – BBC iPlayer

Danny Boyle’s dystopian horror film redefined the zombie genre for the 21st century. Released in 2002 and written by Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation), 28 Days Later follows a small group of survivors in a deserted London after a rage virus is unleashed from a research lab.

Cillian Murphy leads the cast in his breakout role, supported by Naomie Harris and Brendan Gleeson. The film’s grainy DV aesthetic, eerie empty cityscapes, and haunting score helped make it a cult classic. It won the Saturn Award for Best Horror Film and is one of Boyle’s most influential works.

Trainspotting (1996) – Channel 4

Another Danny Boyle film, Trainspotting is often cited as one of the greatest British films ever made. Adapted from Irvine Welsh’s novel, it follows a group of heroin addicts in 1980s Edinburgh, led by Ewan McGregor in a career-defining performance as Renton.

With its kinetic direction, unforgettable soundtrack, and audacious visual style, Trainspotting was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and became a cultural phenomenon. The supporting cast includes Robert Carlyle, Jonny Lee Miller, and Kelly Macdonald in her film debut.

Heat (1995) – ITVX

Michael Mann’s Los Angeles crime saga pits Al Pacino against Robert De Niro in one of the most iconic pairings in modern cinema. Pacino plays a relentless LAPD detective; De Niro a disciplined professional thief. Their cat-and-mouse dynamic culminates in a legendary face-off over coffee.

Heat was praised for its realism, atmospheric cinematography, and its influence on modern heist films. It was added to the National Film Registry in 2022.

Catch Me If You Can (2002) – ITVX

Directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., Catch Me If You Can stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a teenage con artist and Tom Hanks as the FBI agent tracking him down.

DiCaprio received a Golden Globe nomination for his charismatic turn, while Christopher Walken earned an Oscar nod for his supporting role. The film blends breezy charm with emotional depth, all set against a vibrant 1960s backdrop.

The Green Mile (1999) – Channel 4

Frank Darabont’s follow-up to The Shawshank Redemption is another emotionally charged prison drama, adapted from Stephen King’s serial novel.

Tom Hanks stars as a death row guard who encounters a mysterious inmate with supernatural abilities, played by Michael Clarke Duncan in an Oscar-nominated performance. The film was a box office success and received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.

Jaws (1975) – ITVX (Jaws Collection)

Widely considered the first summer blockbuster, Steven Spielberg’s Jaws broke box office records and changed Hollywood forever. Based on Peter Benchley’s novel, the film stars Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw as three men hunting a great white shark off the coast of New England.

Jaws won three Oscars and was nominated for Best Picture – and set a new standard for iconic sountracks in film history.

Saltburn (2023) – BBC iPlayer

Emerald Fennell’s provocative black comedy-thriller divided critics but has built a strong following. Starring Barry Keoghan as an awkward Oxford student drawn into the decadent world of a wealthy classmate (Jacob Elordi), Saltburn is a dark, stylish exploration of privilege, obsession and social manipulation.

It follows Fennell’s Oscar-winning debut Promising Young Woman and was nominated for three BAFTAs.

Forrest Gump (1994) – ITVX

Robert Zemeckis’s Forrest Gump is a sweeping historical drama that follows the life of a simple Alabama man, played by Tom Hanks in his second Oscar-winning role. Blending humour, heartache, and cutting-edge visual effects, the film depicts major moments in American history through Gump’s innocent eyes.

The film won six Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director.

M3GAN (2022) – Channel 4 (until 14 July)

Blending horror and satire, M3GAN became a viral sensation on release. Produced by James Wan and Jason Blum, this AI-gone-wrong story centres on a lifelike doll designed to be a child’s best friend. When things spiral out of control, the result is both creepy and oddly hilarious.

The film was a box office hit, praised for its mix of camp and cautionary tech tale.

The Boston Strangler (1968) – Channel 4

Starring Tony Curtis in one of his most acclaimed dramatic roles, The Boston Strangler is a gripping crime thriller based on the true story of the serial killer who terrorised Boston in the early 1960s.

The film mixes docudrama techniques with psychological suspense, and Curtis earned a Golden Globe nomination for his chilling performance.

War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) – ITVX

The third instalment of the rebooted Planet of the Apes trilogy is its most ambitious and emotionally heavy. Andy Serkis delivers a powerful performance as Caesar, the ape leader facing his final confrontation with humanity.

With impressive visual effects and a somber, mythic tone, the film earned praise as a rare blockbuster with depth and sociological criticism.

A Bigger Splash (2015) – BBC iPlayer

Luca Guadagnino’s psychological drama stars Tilda Swinton as a recovering rock star whose peaceful island holiday is disrupted by the arrival of an old flame (Ralph Fiennes).

Loosely inspired by La Piscine, the film blends sensuality, jealousy, and emotional volatility. With a cast including Dakota Johnson and Matthias Schoenaerts, it’s a stylish, sun-drenched character study that builds to a dark crescendo.