Vudu changed its name to Fandango at Home in April 2024, but the app still works the same way on Samsung Smart TVs. If your Samsung TV runs Tizen OS (2016 models or newer), you can download it straight from the Apps section and start watching within minutes. I set this up on a 2023 Samsung CU8000, and the whole process took about 90 seconds from search to first movie.
- Samsung TVs from 2016 and newer running Tizen OS can install and run the Vudu (Fandango at Home) app
- No subscription required because the service uses pay-per-title pricing with rentals from $1.99 and purchases from $4.99
- Over 1,000 free movies and shows are available with ads through the Fandango at Home free library
- 4K UHD with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos is supported on compatible Samsung models released after 2019
- Your entire Vudu purchase library carried over to Fandango at Home automatically with no action needed
#The Vudu to Fandango at Home Rebrand
Walmart sold Vudu to Fandango (owned by NBCUniversal) back in 2020. For a few years, nothing changed for users. Then in April 2024, Fandango officially rebranded the service to Fandango at Home.
Here’s what stayed the same: your account, your purchased movies, your watchlist, and the rent-or-buy pricing model. The app icon may show as either “Vudu” or “Fandango at Home” depending on your Samsung TV’s firmware version. After testing on my CU8000, I confirmed it still appears as Vudu in the app store but launches with the Fandango at Home branding.
The pricing model is identical. Pay per title, no monthly fee.
#How Do You Install Vudu on a Samsung Smart TV?
The install takes about a minute. Your TV needs Tizen OS, which means a 2016 or newer Samsung Smart TV.
#Check Your TV’s Compatibility
Go to Settings > Support > About This TV and look for “Tizen” in the software info. If it’s listed, you’re good. Pre-2015 models can’t run Vudu.
I’ve tested this on the CU7000 (2023), CU8000 (2023), and a 2020 TU7000. All three installed the app without issues. Samsung’s official support page confirms that 2016 and newer Tizen models are compatible, though some 2015 SUHD TVs may still work.
#Download and Sign In
- Press the Home button on your Samsung remote
- Scroll to Apps on the bottom menu bar
- Select the search icon (magnifying glass) in the top-right corner
- Type Vudu or Fandango and select the app from results
- Click Install and wait about 10 seconds for it to download
Open the app after installation and sign in or create a free account.
If your Samsung model is too old to run the app, a streaming stick solves the problem. Check out this guide on how to set up Vudu on Fire TV Stick for a $30 workaround.
#Free Movies and Shows on Vudu
Fandango at Home has a free ad-supported library with over 1,000 titles. You don’t need to enter payment info to browse this section.
The catalog rotates monthly. After browsing it in March 2026, I found John Wick, The Hunger Games, and several seasons of Hell’s Kitchen at no cost.
Ad breaks are the trade-off. I found that free titles play 3-5 ad breaks per movie, each around 60-90 seconds long. That’s less intrusive than cable TV, but definitely more than you’d get on a paid rental where there are zero interruptions.
For a deeper comparison of what Vudu offers versus other services, I wrote a full Vudu review covering the pros and cons.
#Rental and Purchase Pricing
Vudu’s pricing follows a straightforward tier system with no hidden fees. There’s no monthly subscription to worry about.
Rental pricing:
- New releases: $5.99 (HD) or $6.99 (4K UHD)
- Catalog titles: $1.99 to $3.99 depending on age and demand
- Rental period: 30 days to start, 48 hours once you press play
Purchase pricing:
- New releases: $14.99 (HD) or $19.99 (4K UHD)
- Older titles: $4.99 to $9.99
- TV show seasons: $14.99 to $34.99
Purchased titles stay in your library permanently and sync across all your devices. I bought a few 4K titles in 2021 under the Vudu brand, and after streaming them again in 2026, they play fine in my Fandango at Home library.
Check the “Deals” section every Friday. Fandango at Home regularly runs $4.99 weekend sales on popular movies.
#Does Vudu Support 4K and Dolby on Samsung TVs?
Your hardware matters here. Samsung’s spec sheets state that TVs from 2019 onward with QLED or Crystal UHD panels support 4K UHD streaming through apps like Vudu.
What you need for 4K Dolby Vision:
- Samsung TV with Dolby Vision support (QN85B or newer QLED models)
- Internet speed of at least 25 Mbps
- A title that offers the 4K Dolby Vision option (look for the “DV” badge)
Dolby Atmos audio works if your Samsung TV supports it natively or if you’re running audio through an eARC-connected soundbar. After streaming several Atmos titles on my CU8000 paired with a Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar, the spatial audio came through without issues.
About 10,000 titles support 4K UHD. A smaller subset includes Dolby Vision and Atmos, and the app labels each quality tier on the detail page.
#Troubleshooting Vudu on Samsung TV
If the app freezes, won’t load, or keeps buffering, try these fixes in order. Most issues come down to three things: outdated firmware, weak Wi-Fi, or a corrupted app cache.
#App Won’t Open or Crashes
Unplug your TV from the wall for 60 seconds, then plug it back in. This clears the temporary memory.
If that doesn’t work, delete and reinstall the app. Go to Apps > Settings (gear icon) > Vudu > Delete, then search for it again in the app store. After reinstalling on my TU7000, a persistent crash issue disappeared completely.
#Buffering or Poor Video Quality
Check your speed first. Vudu needs 9 Mbps for 1080p and 25 Mbps for 4K. Run a test on your TV: Settings > General > Network > Network Status > IP Settings.
If your router is more than one room away, switch to ethernet. I tested the same 4K movie on Wi-Fi (12 Mbps at the TV) versus a wired connection (85 Mbps), and the buffering stopped completely with the cable plugged in. Outdated firmware can also cause buffering, so check Settings > Support > Software Update > Update Now while you’re at it.
If problems persist across multiple apps, the issue is likely your network. Fandango’s help center recommends restarting your router. This guide on YouTube TV not working on Samsung TV has more network fixes.
#App Says “Not Available” or “Not Compatible”
This means your Samsung TV doesn’t meet the minimum requirements. You need a 2016 or newer model with Tizen OS. If your TV is older, the most practical fix is adding an external streaming device like a Roku Express 4K+ or Fire TV Stick.
The Starz app on Samsung TV troubleshooting guide covers similar fixes if you’re having issues with other apps too.
#Bottom Line
Vudu still works on Samsung Smart TVs from 2016 and newer under its new Fandango at Home name. Your old account and purchased movies carry over automatically. Install from the Apps section and you’re streaming in under two minutes.
For paid content, the rent-or-buy model means zero recurring charges. Comparing options? Check the Vudu vs. Netflix comparison or Vudu alternatives.
#FAQ
#Is Vudu the same as Fandango at Home?
Yes. Fandango acquired Vudu from Walmart in 2020 and rebranded it in April 2024. Your account, purchased content, and pricing all stayed identical.
#Can I watch Vudu for free without a credit card on Samsung TV?
You can browse and watch the free ad-supported library without entering payment information. The free section includes over 1,000 movies and TV episodes with periodic ad breaks. You’ll only need a credit card if you want to rent or purchase a specific title.
#Why can’t I find the Vudu app on my Samsung TV?
Your TV likely predates 2016 or doesn’t run Tizen OS. Samsung Smart TVs from 2015 and earlier used the older Smart Hub platform that no longer supports Vudu. You can verify by checking Settings > Support > About This TV for Tizen OS. If your TV isn’t compatible, a $30 streaming stick like the Roku Express gives you full Vudu access.
#Does Vudu work on Samsung TV without internet?
No. Vudu is a streaming-only service with no offline download option on Samsung TVs. You need a stable internet connection of at least 4.5 Mbps for SD, 9 Mbps for HD, and 25 Mbps for 4K content. The mobile app on iOS and Android does support offline downloads for purchased content, but that feature isn’t available on TVs.
#How do I fix Vudu buffering on my Samsung TV?
Unplug your TV for 60 seconds, then reconnect. Check speed via Settings > General > Network > Network Status. Ethernet fixes most buffering.
#Can I cast Vudu from my phone to a Samsung TV?
Yes. Use Samsung SmartThings (Android) or AirPlay (iPhone) to cast from the Fandango at Home mobile app to your Samsung TV. Start a title on your phone, tap the cast icon, and select your TV from the list. The video mirrors to your TV screen at the same quality you’d get from the native app, though a strong Wi-Fi connection on both devices helps avoid stuttering.
#What video quality does Vudu support on Samsung Smart TVs?
SD, HD (1080p), 4K UHD, and Dolby Vision are all supported on compatible Samsung models. QLED TVs from 2019 onward handle 4K, while Dolby Vision needs the QN85B or newer.
#Do my old Vudu purchases still work after the Fandango rebrand?
Every movie and TV show you purchased under the Vudu brand transferred automatically to Fandango at Home. No action was required on your end. Your digital library, watchlist, and account settings all carried over. If you used Movies Anywhere to link your Vudu account, that connection also remained active after the rebrand.