When I think back to the 20th century and all the incredible films that were made, one decade that immediately stands out is the 1960s. It was a decade filled with movies that pushed the boundaries of what cinema could be, including Psycho, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Lawrence of Arabia, The Sound of Music, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

But if I had to choose one movie from that decade that has always held a special place in my heart, it would have to be The Great Escape, a film that’s also widely regarded as one of the greatest war movies ever made.

Directed by John Sturges and released in 1963, The Great Escape is set during World War II and follows a group of Allied airmen who, after being transferred to the high-security German prisoner-of-war camp Stalag Luft III, begin planning an ambitious escape through a network of self-dug tunnels known as Tom, Dick, and Harry. Based on a true story, the film chronicles their daring attempt to break free and evade capture, while also highlighting the bravery, sacrifice, and tragedy of war.

The film is elevated by an unforgettable ensemble of Hollywood legends, including Steve McQueen as Hilts, Richard Attenborough as Bartlett, James Garner as Hendley, Charles Bronson as Danny, Donald Pleasence as Blythe, and James Coburn as Sedgwick.

Fortunately, if you’ve never seen The Great Escape, or it’s simply time for a long-overdue rewatch, you’re about to have the perfect opportunity, as the film is being added to this free streaming service.

The Great Escape will be available on Pluto TV beginning June 29

You can stream this iconic war film for free with ads

As part of its celebration of America’s 250th birthday, on June 29, Pluto TV is adding over 250 movies you can stream for free to its library, and one of those movies is The Great Escape.

This means you can watch The Great Escape in its entirety for free, with the only downside being you’ll have to watch a few ads during it, as Pluto TV is a free, ad-supported streaming service.

That said, if you’d rather watch the movie ad-free, it’s available through MGM+, which costs $8/month, or you can buy it on Prime Video or Apple TV. Alternatively, you can also buy the film in 4K Ultra HD from Amazon if you’d prefer a physical copy.

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More free movies are coming to Pluto TV

There’s plenty to choose from

Besides The Great Escape, hundreds of other great movies are landing on Pluto TV for free on June 29, including several classic war movies, such as Saving Private Ryan, A Bridge Too Far, Stalag 17, and Sands of Iwo Jima.

There are also tons of other memorable movies coming, such as Top Gun, The Expendables, Catch Me If You Can (2002), Jack Reacher, and The Godfather.