YouTube allow users to stream 100 ad-supported free movies

Video sharing website, YouTube has just become the latest company to join the booming video streaming service trend after it allowed its users to watch feature-length films -- for free.

According to media reports, YouTube users in some parts of the world -- not including India --  can now stream selective movies on the platform for free for as long as they wish. However, the users will have to sit through multiple ads in between.

Currently, YouTube has allowed only 100 films in the "Free with ads" option but reports say that the collection will eventually expand.

The list of free movies includes critically acclaimed films like, "Legally Blonde", "The Terminator", "Rocky" and "Pink Panther".

Rohit Dhawan, Director of Product Management YouTube told media that the company saw an opportunity for both consumers and advertisers by providing free movies to users, "something beyond just offering paid movies," after which the service was launched.

YouTube has about 1.9 billion users per month and according to recent stats released by the site, with almost 20 per cent users accessing the online streaming platform via smart TVs.

Previously to watch movies on YouTube, users had to purchase it. This is the first that YouTube is offering an option for users to watch movies without paying.

In 2015, YouTube started offering subscription-based content through YouTube Red which was originally meant for music streaming.

YouTube will also YouTube premium soon which will replace YouTube Red. The fix date of the launch is not known yet.

According to a report by Reuters, it will cost around $12. This will also include YouTube music at an additional cost of $2