Many films in the public domain, silent films, and open access videos can be found on Youtube, as well as documentaries which have been made available for free. Netflix has made Ava DuVernay's 13th available, and PBS has placed many of its American Experience films on a Youtube Channel. The Youtube Movies channel also has many films available free with ads.
Youtube channels managed by the federal government, including NASA, USGS, and NOAA are not subject to copyright. These channels have open access videos including space exploration footage, volcano and earthquake footage, and underwater footage. Please note: this applies only to official federal accounts, and does not include state or local agencies which may still be subject to copyright.
In addition, you can easily search for films licensed through Creative Commons, which can be used openly for a variety of purposes so long as the original creator is credited. You can learn more about Creative Commons on Youtube on their FAQ page. See the video below for more information on finding Creative Commons- licensed videos on Youtube.