Video overlay effects are valuable for editors of all skill levels. Fortunately, they aren’t difficult to understand. The name says it all — overlays are clips that layer over your core footage to add something extra.
If you’re working on season-themed footage, you may wish to add falling snow or rain. Lighting overlays set the mood, whether it’s romantic or eerie, and overlays can also be animated, which makes them stand out a bit more. It all depends on your project and choices — the possibilities are endless.
There are tons of free video overlays out there. If you can imagine it, there’s an overlay for it! Motion Array has put together a fantastic selection for you to download for free today. It’s time to check them out.
Summary
Part 1: Top 34 video overlays every editor should own
With so many great free video overlay effects to choose from, it’s tough to know where to start. Here are some fun and useful overlays you can download right now. They’ll kickstart your collection, and you can find the best possible effects for your video.
1. Golden Light Particles
This pack gives you a soft, dimly lit overlay with a romantic feel. It’s a drag-and-drop file, which means you add it to your footage and choose a blending mode that looks good. It’s also loopable, so you can use it for any length of footage you want.
Download Golden Light Particles Now
2. TV Noise
Give your footage that old-school, half-tuned TV look. Glitchy noise is perfect for adding visual interest, making a statement, evoking nostalgia, or enhancing the image. It’s a staple of the futuristic, sci-fi, and horror genres, but fits many projects. Did you know there’s even a horror genre called ‘analog horror’ based on this association?
3. Free Rainbow Light Leak Overlay
Let’s go from horror to beauty. This video overlay pack gives you a beautiful rainbow-light leak to add something special to an edit. Its warm, bright feel evokes a fresh, new atmosphere for any project.
Free Rainbow Light Leak Overlay Download
4. Moving Multi-Colored Lights
This motion-graphic video overlay pack offers a colorful, animated light-particle effect. It would work well as a background for text and videos.
Download Moving Multi-Colored Lights Now
5. Stripe Fractal 03
This is a striking, elegant flare video-effect overlay. Get creative with how you use it to boost your footage. You could draw attention to on-screen action or to add an uplifting touch.
Download Stripe Fractal 03 Now
6. Tunnel Lines #2
Here’s a wonderfully abstract stock-motion overlay for you to use as you wish. Uneven, wiggling lines shift on the screen. Slip it into your openers or add pep to your social media videos.
7. Free Mini Glitch Pack
This overlay video pack is a little treasure chest for your next edit. You’ll find a variety of glitchy overlays, as well as titles, logos, transitions, and sound effects. There’s plenty to play with. If you need inspiration for using glitches, this tutorial will help.
Free Mini Glitch Pack Download
8. Photo Session
Infuse your videos with layers of light leaks in geometric shapes to create a stunning photoshoot sequence. With a gorgeous cinematic feel, this video effect overlay creates an aura of class and glamor.
9. Texturize Effect Presets
Texture gives extra depth and feel to any shot. Now you can add texture to your videos to create a unique look. This video effect overlay can be used to signal a transition or freeze a frame for a cool ending.
Download Texturize Effect Presets Now
10. Overlay Generator
Here we have a fantastic collection of overlays with a handy tutorial. These 8 .MOGRT files in 4K are perfect for wedding and travel videos and slideshows.
Download Overlay Generator Now
11. Night Vision
Is it even an action film if you don’t have a close zoom through the hero’s night-vision goggles? This video overlay pack is a must for your next action feature. Add authenticity and let your viewers follow the enemies at night and complete the mission like they’re really there.
12. 60+ Sniper Scopes Presets Pack
Let’s build on the previous video effect overlay. Add a handy sniper scope effect for those perspective shots. With 60 to choose from, they’ll power up your action sequences with their genuine military flair.
Download 60+ Sniper Scopes Presets Pack Now
13. 3D Countdown
Every editor should have a good countdown overlay in their collection. It’s easy to key in the background of your choice, too. Anytime you need to create excitement and tension with a countdown, this pack has you covered.
14. Glitch Countdown
Are you looking for more creative countdowns? This timer includes a modern digital clock with eye-catching glitch effects.
Download Glitch Count Down Now
15. Dark Circle Horror
Check out this creepy, dark, abstract video effect overlay with its water-like motion. Attribution is required if used in commercial projects, but the quality is worth it.
Download Dark Circle Horror Now
16. Camcorder
No list of free video overlays would be complete without this classic. Pep up a found footage horror, or add a realistic touch to home movies and memories.
17. 8mm Film Grain Overlay
Every editor needs a great film grain overlay. Creator Austin Newman gives us just that, and a tutorial to go with it. This is a quick, easy way to get an authentic old-film look.
Download 8mm Film Grain Overlay Now
18. Computer Code Flythrough
Now here’s a video effect overlay that techies will love. Create interest and intrigue with a code-style look. This pack is ideal for sci-fi movies, but you’re sure to find other uses for it, too. Throw it into your next edit to add some science to your story.
Download Computer Code Flythrough Now
19. Binary Numbers
Here’s another one for the tech folks out there. Need an effect for a computer hacking scene? Making a documentary about technology? This should do the job.
20. Sliced Light
This sliced light leak is a little different — a dazzling, rainbow-colored light glitches right down the middle of the screen. It could make an interesting cut for almost any project.
21. Smoke Overlay
A misty effect created by white smoke swirls on a black background, this overlay is made to drop into your edit to create a dark, haunting mood.
22. Bubbles Generator
Everything is more cheerful with bubbles! Use this overlay for a bit of fun or to add a child-like, happy feeling to your project. It’s fantastic for kid-centric videos, but will add charm to any footage.
Download Bubbles Generator Now
23. Dark Winter Snowfall
A wintery overlay with light snowfall is ideal for seasonal videos. Your holiday clips will always be thematic and intriguing. You could also use this video overlay pack to enhance cold scenes and add appeal to snowy moments.
Download Dark Winter Snowfall Now
24. Free Overlays
This little pack contains 4 free overlays, a glitch, a light, and 2 patterned transitions. From the sleek, romantic red overlay to a street art look, it will power up any video effect overlay collection.
25. Blank VHS Tape
An old-school VHS tape for a trip down memory lane, this overlay comes complete with a time counter and crackling background. From adding depth to vintage films to creating nostalgia in retro footage, it can be used in many projects.
26. Rotating Star
This is a simple rotating star animation. It describes itself as a festive or winter background, but isn’t confining — it can be adapted to suit any need. With its geometric look, it would also work well in meditation and relaxation videos.
27. 3D Hearts by CuteStockFootage
Bring the love! This slow, dreamy, and romantic video overlay pack is ideal for Valentine’s Day or any other heartfelt occasion. It will provide that loving feeling your edit needs.
Download 3D Hearts by CuteStockFootage Now
28. Circus Kaleidoscope
A colorful, mesmerizing mandala creates a chill mood. It’s ideal as a calming background especially because it’s loopable, allowing you to use it for extended periods.
Download Circus Kaleidoscope Now
29. Red Paint Mixing
Check out this hypnotic overlay of red-and-white paint mixing. It’s really striking and would make an arty background or overlay. Try it in fashion-focused or photographic projects.
30. Orange Particles
Like the embers of a fire, this overlay creates an intense atmosphere. It can add realism to on-screen fires or evoke the same warm mood. It could even fit into dramatic or spicy clips, or be used for exciting lead-ins and sizzling promos
31. Snow Flakes Falling
This video overlay pack includes another thing every editor needs — an excellent green-screen snowflake overlay. Use it for winter-themed videos or your latest holiday photo slideshow.
Download Snowflakes Falling Now
32. Colored Bubbles
You never know when you might need a slow-paced stream of colorful bubbles! Add a dreaminess to your edit and try it out in a flashback or anywhere you want a soft touch.
33. Water Ripples
We’ve looked at winter themes — now this free video effects overlay adds a splash of summer to your videos. Fill out your seasonal overlay collection with Water Ripples.
34. Paint Circle by Free Stock Footage Archive
This simple video overlay pack gives you a paint-trail circle on a green screen. Use it to highlight something essential or make an intriguing transition. Your video will look superb no matter how you use it.
Download Paint Circle by Free Stock Footage Archive Now
Part 2: How do you use overlays?
Overlays are really easy to use, as well as being creative additions. Most of them are simple drag-and-drop files that you insert on top of your footage. You may need to change the blending mode to see both your footage and the effect at the same time.
Of course, this is a basic explanation covering most video editing programs. Whatever your preferred editing suite, adding overlays to your project should be quick and easy. If you get stuck, Motion Array will have a tutorial to help.
Don’t forget that licensing requirements may come with free overlays. Some places ask for attribution, which means you need to find a space on your video to place their name as a credit. Some don’t require attribution, and you won’t need to worry at all. It is, however, worth checking in advance.
Part 3: Making your own video overlay effects
If you can’t find what you want here, you can try making your own overlays. Static and stock video overlays are very easy to create.
Your best friends when creating and working with video overlays are blending modes. Some of the more commonly used ones are Screen and Overlay. Below are some basics to know, but Motion Array has in-depth tutorials — like creating a lightning effect in After Effects — to explore, too.
Screen
Applying this blending mode to a layer lightens it considerably. It removes all the black from the original layer and subtly blends both layers.
Overlay
The overlay mode is more complex. Although it’s similar in some ways to screen mode, the biggest difference is that the overlay doesn’t remove shadows and highlights. This will increase the contrast and saturation.
There are many other blending modes you can play around with. Experimenting is fun and you’ll soon know what works best for you!
No matter how experienced an editor you are, you can get enormous value from video overlay effects. They boost the professionalism of amateur videos and add flair to the work of a pro.
Don’t underestimate the effect these packs can have on your edit. Using overlays results in a polished feel that’s very hard to create without them. So, why not download a few that catch your eye and give them a try?
