Want to watch an Asian movie tonight but not sure where to start on your phone? Two apps keep showing up in the stores: Viki and iQIYI. Both are best known for series, and films sit in the catalog next to them.
Both are free to download, have Android and iPhone versions and offer part of the catalog at no charge, with ads. But the movie selection changes from country to country and from month to month.
Here is what each app offers, what is free, where the ads appear, what costs money and how to look for a film instead of a series.
Start with Viki 👇
6 min read
📋 What you’ll find here
- Can you watch Asian movies for free on your phone?
- Series first, movies second
- Viki: dramas from many countries and a favorites list
- iQIYI: anime, originals and short dramas
- What is free, what costs money and where the ads show up
- How to find a movie in the catalog
Key Takeaways
- Viki and iQIYI are free to download on Android and iPhone
- Both are strongest in Asian series; movies sit in the catalog and vary by country and by period
- Part of the content is free with ads; Viki Pass and the iQIYI VIP plan are paid and remove the ads
- The Viki listing also mentions premium movies to rent, which cost extra
- Before you get excited about a title, open the app and check that it is available to you
Can you watch Asian movies for free on your phone?
You can watch part of the catalog for free, with ads. Both Viki and iQIYI offer a free selection, and a paid plan unlocks more and removes the ads. A specific film may be on one app, on the other or on neither.
That is why the rule is simple: search for the title in the app before you get excited. The catalog changes, and what is free today may not be free tomorrow.
Series first, movies second
Both apps are built around series. Viki is known for dramas from Korea, China, Taiwan, Japan and Thailand, and iQIYI gathers Chinese, Korean and Thai dramas, anime and variety shows. Movies are in the catalog, but they are not the focus of the home screen.
That changes how you look. Instead of scrolling the home screen, use the app’s search to reach the film, and save what looks interesting to watch later.
Viki: dramas from many countries and a favorites list
The store describes Viki, from Viki, Inc., as the place to watch Asian dramas from Korea, mainland China, Taiwan, Japan and Thailand, plus Korean variety shows, movies and K-pop. Part of the catalog is free, with ads.
Viki Pass is the subscription that removes the ads. The listing also mentions premium movies to rent, which cost extra. On Google Play, the app lists ads and in-app purchases. It has a favorites list, celebrity pages and comments tied to the moment in the video.
- Dramas from five Asian countries
- Korean variety shows, movies and K-pop
- Viki Pass removes the ads
iQIYI: anime, originals and short dramas
iQIYI, from IQIYI International Singapore, gathers Chinese, Korean and Thai dramas, anime, variety shows and movies, plus its iQIYI Originals series and short dramas. The listing talks about a large free selection.
The VIP plan skips the ads and unlocks early access to new releases. The app syncs what you watch across phone, tablet and TV. On Google Play it lists ads and in-app purchases.
- Anime, variety shows and movies
- Original series and short dramas
- VIP plan skips the ads
What is free, what costs money and where the ads show up
Both are free to download and run ads in the free part. To remove the ads, Viki has Viki Pass and iQIYI has the VIP plan, and both cost money. There are also the premium movies to rent that the Viki listing mentions.
Before you accept any charge, read the purchase screen and what the subscription includes. If you only want to watch one film, check whether it is free before you subscribe.
How to find a movie in the catalog
Open the app, tap search and type the name of the film. If the app asks for a subscription or a rental, the title is not in the free part. If it does not show up, it is not in your country’s catalog right now.
If you do not know what to watch yet, start with a genre you like and keep opening the titles that appear.
- Search for the name of the film
- See whether it asks for a subscription or a rental
- Save the ones you want to watch later
How the ratings compare
On Google Play, Viki has a 4.6 rating from 1.15M reviews and iQIYI has a 4.8 from 1.5M. Both have over 100 million downloads. On the US App Store, the scores are 4.77 for Viki and 4.81 for iQIYI.
High ratings show that both please the people who use them. What decides it is the catalog you find in your own country.
Which one to pick
If you like following dramas from several countries and want a tidy favorites list, Viki covers it well. If you prefer a catalog that also gathers anime and original series, iQIYI is the way to go.
Nothing stops you from installing both and checking which one has the film you want. Both are free to download.
How to download them and get started
Use the buttons in this article, which lead to the official page on Google Play or the App Store. After installing, open the app and run a search before you start any subscription.
That way you find out, at no cost, whether the film you want is in the free part.
Is it worth it?
It is worth it for anyone who enjoys Asian cinema and series and does not mind ads in the middle. For specific films, the catalog is what matters: check the title before you count on it.
This article is informative and independent. The ratings, review counts and downloads were checked on the stores on October 24, 2026. We have no connection with the developers mentioned, and we are not responsible for how the apps work, for the catalog available or for changes in price. The store listing is always the final source.
Keep reading 👇
K-Drama Apps: Viki or iQIYI for Your Next Binge ›
How to Watch K-Dramas on Your Phone and TV with Viki ›
Turkish Dramas: Where to Watch Full Episodes on Your Phone ›
FAQ
Can I watch Asian movies for free in these apps?
You can watch part of the catalog for free, with ads, on both Viki and iQIYI. What is free changes over time and by country, so check the title in the app.
What costs money?
Viki Pass and the iQIYI VIP plan are paid and remove the ads. The Viki listing also mentions premium movies to rent. Read the purchase screen before you accept.
Are the movies always available?
No. The catalog changes from country to country and from month to month. Search for the title in the app before you plan your evening.
Do these apps only have series?
Both are best known for Asian series, but the stores mention movies among the content. Use search to go straight to the film.
Do the apps have an iPhone version?
Yes, both have Android and iPhone versions. The buttons in the article lead to the official page in each store.
Can I watch on a TV?
iQIYI syncs what you watch across phone, tablet and TV, according to the store. Check the Viki listing for the devices it supports.
