2026 Guide: Films on TV This Week: Best Movies on UK Television
Updated June 2026 with current pricing, channel listings and UK setup steps. UK television broadcasts hundreds of films every week across free-to-air and premium channels. The problem is not a lack of choice — it is finding the good ones. This guide highlights the films genuinely worth watching this week across BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Film4, Channel 5, and key movie channels. Updated throughout the week as schedules are confirmed.
For full TV listings across all programme types, see our main UK TV guide. For editor-picked highlights including dramas and documentaries, see best TV this week.
Today's Best Film Picks
We select today's film picks based on critical ratings, audience scores, and broadcast rarity. Film4 (Freeview 15) is consistently the best free channel for quality cinema, broadcasting several films daily from mainstream blockbusters to award-winning independent titles. BBC Two's late-night slot regularly features critically acclaimed movies you would normally only find on streaming services. Channel 5's afternoon slot favours action and thrillers.
Today's specific film picks are updated daily. Check back for recommendations with times, channels, and ratings.
This Week's Must-Watch Films
Every Monday we review the full week's film schedule across all major UK channels. We categorise weekly picks by day and genre so you can quickly find something matching your mood — Sunday afternoon classic, midweek thriller, or Friday night blockbuster.
The Film4 schedule deserves special attention. As a dedicated free film channel, it broadcasts up to six films daily with a genuinely impressive selection. The Channel 4 app includes a substantial Film4 on-demand library with hundreds of additional titles.
Best Film Channels on UK TV
Film4 (Freeview 15)
The UK's best free film channel. 4-6 films daily spanning every genre. Afternoon slots lean mainstream, primetime features prestige titles, late night offers cult classics and world cinema.
BBC One & BBC Two
BBC One's Saturday/Sunday afternoon films are family-friendly. BBC Two's late-night slot is a treasure trove of critically acclaimed cinema — often the best film on UK TV any given night.
ITV & ITV2
ITV's Saturday night slot features blockbusters. ITV2 runs popular action, comedy, and superhero films throughout the week, particularly strong for Marvel franchise movies.
Channel 5 & 5Star
Channel 5 afternoons favour action and thrillers. 5Star runs romantic comedies and lighter fare. Solid for background viewing and guilty pleasures.
For every UK channel number, see our Freeview channel numbers list. For premium movie access at the lowest price, our TV and broadband deals guide compares cinema bundles.
Films by Genre
We tag each film by genre so you can browse by mood. The most common genres on UK free TV are action/thriller (Channel 5, ITV2), drama/romance (BBC Two, Film4), comedy (ITV2, Channel 4), sci-fi/fantasy (Film4, ITV2), and classic cinema (BBC Two late night, Film4 afternoon).
If broadcast schedules do not have what you want, free on-demand film libraries are extensive. Pluto TV has dedicated 24/7 movie channels, Tubi has one of the largest free film libraries in the UK, and Rakuten TV offers free and rental titles. Our free streaming guide covers every platform with free films.
Free On-Demand Film Libraries
Miss a broadcast? Several free platforms offer substantial movie libraries on demand:
For app guides, see free TV apps for Smart TV. For the best overall apps, see our 7 best free streaming apps.
Looking for a Specific Film?
Tell us the film and we will find when it is airing this week.