Updated on: November 24, 2024
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Unblock Movie Sites at School in 2024:
- Download and install a VPN. My top choice is ExpressVPN because it bypasses filters and firewall blocks that schools typically use and works with all top movie sites.
- Enable the VPN’s obfuscation tool. This is an important step if your school also blocks VPNs. Each obfuscation tool works differently. For instance, ExpressVPN has built-in obfuscation on all servers and protocols.
- Connect to a VPN server. Scroll through the server list and connect to a nearby server for the fastest speeds for buffer-free streaming.
- Goto your favorite streaming app. Login to your streaming account and you’re all set to securely watch movies at school!
A VPN is the easiest and most reliable way to unblock movie sites on your school’s network, it uses restrictions like web filters, IP blocks, and DNS-based restrictions.
The VPNs I recommend have sophisticated obfuscation tools, which disguise your VPN traffic to look like regular browsing, helping you avoid detection by firewalls that block VPNs on your school’s network.
I tested 20+ top VPNs to find the best ones for unblocking movie sites on school networks. My top pick is ExpressVPN — it has fast speeds, great streaming support, and is super reliable when trying to get past school network restrictions. Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
How to Unblock Movie Sites at School From Any Device
1. Choose a VPN that accesses movie sites on restricted networks.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for getting around content filters, firewall rules, DNS blocks, and other methods that schools typically use to block movie sites on their networks. It also maintains fast speeds and has the best streaming support on the market.
2. Download and set up the VPN on your device.
To download the desktop app, go to the provider’s website, find the download link for your device, and download the installer. Open the file and follow the instructions to install the VPN. For mobile, visit the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android), search for the app, and download it.
If you’re using a school-issued device and you’re blocked from downloading a VPN, you can try the browser-based extensions — all VPNs I recommend offer these for Google Chrome, which work on Chromebooks and other tablets and laptops. If the network is blocking you, try connecting to a mobile hotspot to install the VPN onto the device. Alternatively, you can see if you can use the Tor browser, which can bypass some school filters.
3. Connect to a server and go to your favorite streaming site.
If the school network blocks VPNs, you’ll need to enable the obfuscation feature first, and then connect to a server. Once that’s done, you can safely visit your preferred streaming sites and watch movies on your school network.
Best VPNs for Unblocking Movie Sites at School in 2024
Quick summary of the best VPNs for unblocking movie sites at school in 2024:
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best overall VPN for unblocking movie sites at school (works 100%).
- 🥈2. Private Internet Access — Excellent VPN for accessing movie sites on mobile.
- 🥉3. NordVPN — Beginner-friendly VPN with dedicated obfuscated servers.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Unblocking Movie Sites at School in 2024
ExpressVPN is my top pick for unblocking movie sites at school. It gets around URL & keyword filtering, firewall rules, and DNS-based blocks. Plus, it avoids any VPN blocks with obfuscation. I like how ExpressVPN automatically turns on obfuscation when it detects blocks on the school network — so you don’t accidentally go online and get flagged for VPN use.
The VPN accesses 100+ streaming sites, including Netflix, Hulu, amd Amazon Prime Video, so you won’t have any trouble safely streaming on your favorite sites. It also works with some less popular streaming sites like Now TV, Crunchyroll, and VRV.
I like that ExpressVPN has apps for all major devices, including Android-based Chromebooks. Plus, the VPN offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge with access to all servers in 105 countries, making it easy to control your VPN directly from the browser.
ExpressVPN’s plans start at $4.99 / month. All plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Excellent VPN for Unblocking Movie Sites on Mobile Devices
Private Internet Access (PIA) is great for accessing movie sites on mobile at school. It gets around all school filters that block movie sites, offers obfuscation via Shadowsocks proxy servers in 5+ countries, and I like how you can use Siri to connect/disconnect from a server.
PIA works with all the popular streaming services, 30+ in total, including several Netflix and Amazon Prime Video libraries, Max, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. But it’s not on par with ExpressVPN, which accesses 100+ streaming platforms. PIA also offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera — they give you access to all of its server locations in 91 countries.
Private Internet Access has plans starting at $2.03 / month. Each plan is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. NordVPN — Easy-To-Use VPN With Dedicated Obfuscated Servers
NordVPN is a beginner-friendly VPN. Its apps have interactive maps that let you connect to any location by clicking on a specific city or state, and if your school blocks VPN traffic, you can find its obfuscated servers in 15+ in a separate tab and connect in 1 click. The VPN works with 10+ streaming sites like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu.
It offers a Chrome, Firefox, and Edge extension that all come with GPS spoofing — a tool that matches the location of the VPN server you’re connected to, so there’s less of a chance a movie site will block your access. You get access to all of its servers in 111 countries, too.
NordVPN’s plans start at $2.99 / month. Every purchase comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Quick Comparison Table
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
When choosing the best VPNs for unblocking movie sites at school, I used our proven testing methodology. I tested each VPN in various scenarios for their reliability to work on restrictive school networks, speeds, streaming support, and more. The section below will explain the criteria in greater detail:
- I chose VPNs that bypass school restrictions. All the VPNs on this list use 256-bit AES encryption, which encrypts your traffic, allowing you to bypass site filters, firewalls, and DNS-based blocks that schools use to block access to movie sites on their networks. These VPNs can also get around VPN blocks at school as they all offer obfuscation.
- I checked for streaming support. Each VPN I recommend consistently works with multiple streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+.
- I considered fast speeds. VPNs can slow down your connection due to encryption and bypassing blocks. However, every VPN on my list offers fast speeds, so you won’t experience buffering or lag while streaming. That said, ExpressVPN has the fastest speeds.
- I ensured device compatibility. The VPNs I recommend have apps for all major devices, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Chromebook. And if you can’t install the VPN on your school-issued Chromebook or any computer you use at school, they all offer browser extensions that will allow you to safely access movie sites.
- I picked VPNs with strong security features. Each VPN on this list includes top-tier security features, such as a kill switch to protect your connection if the VPN drops. This prevents your real IP address and streaming activity from being exposed to the school’s network.
- I made sure the VPN provided a good value. The VPNs that I recommend offer affordable plans with generous money-back guarantees. Plus, they allow multiple simultaneous connections.
What Is a VPN & How Does It Unblock Movie Sites?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a tool that makes your internet connection secure and private. It works by hiding your real location and encrypting your internet traffic, so no one, including school administrators, can see what you’re doing online even if you’re connected to their network.
This allows the VPN to unblock movie sites on school networks in several ways.
First, it can bypass the school’s web filters that block streaming sites by making your traffic look like normal internet use. It also uses its own DNS servers to avoid the school’s DNS blocks, so you won’t be redirected to an error page.
If your school uses a firewall to stop certain websites, the VPN sends your connection through different, secure servers, making it harder for the school’s firewall to block. Plus, it changes your IP address, helping you get around IP-based blocks and access streaming sites.
Sometimes, schools block VPN traffic. To get around this, many VPNs use obfuscation. This method disguises the VPN traffic, making it look like regular web traffic (like HTTPS), so it’s harder for the school’s filters to detect. With obfuscation, you’ll still be able to use the VPN and safely access your favorite movie sites.
Other Ways to Unblock Movie Sites At School
- Use a proxy server. A proxy acts as a middleman between your device and movie sites. The school’s firewall sees the data going to the proxy instead of a movie site, so it doesn’t block it. However, proxies lack encryption and security, so advanced firewalls might still block them.
- Use a smart DNS service. This redirects parts of your data, making it look like you’re trying to access a different site, tricking the firewall. However, setting up a smart DNS can be tricky and may need technical knowledge.
- Use the Tor network. Tor is an encrypted network that hides your online activity, making it hard for your school’s system to detect that you’re accessing movie sites. However, its strong encryption can slow down your connection speed more than a VPN.
- Use mobile data. Instead of using the school’s Wi-Fi, switch to your mobile data. Since you’re not on the school network, there’s no firewall to block you. However, keep in mind that streaming is a heavy-bandwidth activity and can lead to a high phone bill if you have a limited data plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I unblock Netflix at school?
The best way to unblock Netflix at school is with a VPN. The VPNs on my list use bank-grade encryption to hide your streaming activities from the school network administrators. Plus, they have obfuscation to bypass any VPN blocks as well as excellent streaming support.
How to watch movies on a school computer?
A VPN is the best way to watch movies on a school computer. The ones that I recommend encrypt your connection, hiding your streaming traffic from the school administrators. Plus, they reliably bypass web filters, DNS blocks, and firewalls that schools use to block movie sites.
What’s the best VPN for unblocking movie sites at school?
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for unblocking movie sites at school. It offers strong security features, such as bank-grade encryption to hide your online activities from school network filters and obfuscation to mask your VPN usage. Plus, the VPN maintains super fast speeds and works with international sites like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.
Is it legal to use a VPN to unblock movie sites at school?
In most countries, using a VPN is legal. However, you might violate the school’s rules by accessing movie sites with a VPN. The VPNs on my list have strict no-logs policies, so nobody will know how you access movie sites. That said, make sure to follow school rules and use a VPN responsibly.
