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15+ Best 123Movies Alternatives (Free & Legal) in 2025

Key takeaways:

  • Free and legal alternatives like Tubi TV, Crackle, and Popcornflix offer ad-supported streaming without legal risks.
  • Popular free sites like FMovies, SolarMovie, and Putlocker remain popular but aren’t supported worldwide.
  • Paid platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and HBO Max provide secure, high-quality streaming options, but content depends on licenses.
  • VPNs, ad blockers, and privacy-focused browsers help avoid suspicious or clone sites and keep your connections secure.

Free streaming platforms have long been popular for watching movies and TV shows, with 123Movies once being one of the most well-known sites, offering thousands of options. Popularity, however, wasn't enough to save 123Movies from being shut down due to copyright violations.

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Guoda Šulcaitė

7 min read

Today, there are numerous 123Movies alternatives, but quite a few of those are malicious clones and fake sites. In this article, we'll go through 15 reliable streaming services for you to explore and watch popular movies without compromising your online safety.

In This Article
  1. Top 10 Free Alternatives to 123Movies
  2. 1. FMovies
  3. 2. SolarMovie

Top 10 Free Alternatives to 123Movies

As popular as 123Movies was, there are plenty of other free streaming platforms for you to choose from, including Movies7 alternatives or even Viprow alternatives, and CrackStreams alternatives for sports content. But if you're looking for great movie streaming sites directly, here are 10 of the most popular streaming services.

1. FMovies

First on our list is FMovies. It's incredibly similar to 123Movies, displaying a similar design and features. In terms of its streaming library, FMovies offers a massive collection of movies and TV series, with HD video quality, though it depends on your internet connection.

Just keep in mind that content availability is largely subject to the region you're in.

2. SolarMovie

SolarMovie is another great alternative, featuring a simple, easy-to-navigate design, loads of content to watch, and multiple streaming links to access it if one link fails.

To make it easier to find what you're looking for, SolarMovie also has a convenient filtering system you can use to search for content by genre, country, or IMDb rating.

3. Tubi TV

In contrast to streaming services operating in the grey area, Tubi TV is a completely legal alternative to 123Movies. The TV show and movie streaming site is owned by Fox Corporation, offering loads of content for you to stream, from action to comedy, drama, to horror.

One thing to note is that Tubi TV is entirely supported by ads and isn't available worldwide. Yet, it's still a free and legal streaming platform that also supports smart TVs and mobile devices.

4. Popcornflix

Popcornflix is another popular streaming service that provides legal access to many fan-favorite TV series and popular movies in HD quality. Like most free 123Movies alternatives, Popcornflix is also supported by ads, but this platform is available in multiple countries, allowing anyone to access free content easily.

5. Putlocker

Moving on, Putlocker is probably one of the most well-known 123Movies alternatives, offering a huge catalog library to stream movies and TV shows. Putlocker is also straightforward and focuses on one simple thing – easy streaming, even if with ads.

6. Crackle

Crackle is an American-based streaming site where you can access most content, including movies, documentaries, TV series, and animations. This platform currently belongs to Sony, and while there were talks of a shutdown a couple of years back, Crackle continues to operate with the help of ads.

7. YesMovies

As number 7 on our list of free streaming services, we have YesMovies. It's another popular platform with multiple genres and the latest releases. YesMovies is simple and doesn't require any registration to start streaming with enough TV shows and movies to carry you through the day.

8. MoviesJoy

Like many of the 123Movies alternatives, including the ones we already listed, MoviesJoy has a straightforward design and a great selection of movies and TV shows to watch in high video quality, depending on availability.

Plus, MoviesJoy offers several alternative domains to ensure continuous access.

9. LookMovie

LookMovie is similar to many free streaming sites, but what sets it apart is its advanced filtering features, which make searching more convenient. You can filter by year, rating, and genre. It's important to point out that some alternative mirror versions of LookMovie aren't official, so make sure to confirm before watching content.

10. Vumoo

Lastly, Vumoo is an amazing 123Movies alternative, with the bonus of resembling Netflix in its design, which undoubtedly contributes to its popularity. Moreover, unlike most free streaming websites, Vumo has fewer ads and pop-ups, allowing users to access content easily without registration.

Free websites are great, but not everyone wants the hassle of verifying that they’re on the real site and not a potentially malicious clone. That’s where paid streaming services come in.

1. Netflix

Who doesn't know Netflix? After all, it's the most popular paid streaming service in the world, with millions of users. Netflix became popular thanks to its simplicity, convenience, global accessibility, language diversity, and HD to 4K streaming quality.

Whether it's re-watching old classics or enjoying exclusive originals, Netflix offers something for everyone. However, as with all legal streaming websites, content availability depends on the region and copyright laws, which is why so many users use VPNs.

Price: Standard with ads plan for $7.99/month, Standard for $17.99/month, and Premium for $24.99/month.

2. Hulu

Moving next, Hulu is another top paid streaming service provider that users can enjoy movies and TV shows. Moreover, Hulu offers a great mix of content with the addition of popular network shows, original productions, and a massive movie library.

The only downside is that Hulu is mainly available in the US, but it can be accessed with a reliable VPN.

Price: Hulu with ads plan for $11.99/month, Hulu without ads plan for $18.99/month. There's also a Student plan and bundles as well.

3. Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video comes together with the overall Amazon Prime membership. This service includes a vast library of popular and old-school movies, TV series, and Amazon Prime originals. Also, users can use the handy rental service or buy newly released movies that aren't available on subscription.

With cross-device availability, worldwide access, 4K Ultra HD quality, and Dolby Atmos sound, Amazon Prime delivers a real premium streaming experience.

Price: $14.99/month or $139/year with special student bonuses.

4. Disney+

If you're a die-hard fan of Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and other famous Disney classics, Disney+ should be on your radar. Besides hosting some of the most popular franchise movies and studios, Disney+ has a comfortable interface with a focus on a family-friendly design to appeal to all family members.

Additionally, Disney+ supports 4K HDR streaming and offline viewing on most devices.

Price: Disney+ Basic for $11.99/month (includes ads), Disney+ Premium for $18.99/month or $189.99/year (ad-free).

5. HBO Max

HBO Max, or just Max depending on your region, offers a wide variety of both Warner Bros. movies and critically acclaimed HBO originals like Game of Thrones to The Last of Us. This streaming service has everything you need for a simple and enjoyable streaming experience with HD or 4K quality and a convenient download feature.

Price: Basic with Ads for $9.99/month, Standard for $16.99/month, and Premium for $20.99/month.

Platform

Available content

Regional availability

Pricing

Requires registration

FMovies Vast library of TV series and movies Varies by region Free (ad-supported) No
SolarMovie Extensive collection of TV shows and films Accessible worldwide via mirrors Free (ad-supported) No
Tubi TV Huge catalog of movies and TV series Available in the US, Canada, Australia, and Mexico Free (ad-supported) No
Popcornflix Massive selection of TV series and movies Accessible worldwide Free (ad-supported) No
Putlocker Large selection of films and TV series Accessible worldwide via domains Free (ad-supported) No
Crackle Rich library of movies and series Available mostly in the US Free (ad-supported) No
YesMovies Expansive archive of movies and TV content Accessible worldwide via mirrors Free (ad-supported) No
MoviesJoy Considerable library of TV series and movies Accessible worldwide via mirrors Free (ad-supported) No
LookMovie Comprehensive selection of TV series and movies Varies by region Free (ad-supported) No
Vumoo Broad selection of TV content Accessible worldwide Free (ad-supported) No
Netflix Massive collection of movies, series, and Netflix Originals Accessible in 190+ countries Standard with ads plan for $7.99/month, Standard for $17.99/month, and Premium for $24.99/month Yes
Hulu On-demand shows and movies, live TV option, and current network episodes Accessible in the US only Hulu with ads plan for $11.99/month, Hulu without ads plan for $18.99/month, and student options Yes
Amazon Prime Video Exclusive originals, rentals, and purchases available Available in 200+ countries $14.99/month or $139/year, special student plans Yes
Disney+ Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and Disney classics Available in select countries in North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe Disney+ Basic for $11.99/month (includes ads), Disney+ Premium for $18.99/month or $189.99/year (ad-free) Yes
HBO Max (Max) HBO Originals, Warner Bros. movies, DC, and exclusive content Available in select countries in the US, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, and parts of the Asia Pacific Basic with Ads for $9.99/month, Standard for $16.99/month, and Premium for $20.99/month Yes

How to Stay Safe While Using Free Streaming Sites

Usually, free online services come with their share of privacy concerns. But with the right tips and security practices, you can avoid malware, intrusive ads, and personal information leaks while enjoying movies and TV shows for free.

  • Use reputable VPNs for streaming: VPNs hide your IP address and encrypt your connections, allowing you to protect yourself and access global content equally. There are several great VPN services like CometVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and NordVPN.
  • Avoid clicking pop-ups: Free streaming platforms are great, but they also contain many ads and pop-ups that could lead to potentially harmful sites.
  • Use an ad blocker: Tools like uBlock Origin or AdGuard are some of the best choices for avoiding aggressive ads and pop-ups, helping you stay safe and enjoy an uninterrupted streaming experience.
  • Choose privacy-friendly browsers: To further enhance your online safety and privacy, choose browsers like Brave, Mozilla Firefox, or Tor, which are known to limit unwanted third-party tracking.

Sites to Avoid: Dangerous or Fake 123Movies Clones

While 123Movies was once an excellent movie streaming site, many websites now use its name to impersonate legitimate streaming platforms. In reality, they are often traps filled with malware, phishing schemes, and aggressive ads.

Warning Signs of Malicious Sites

  • If you’re redirected multiple times or see many pop-up ads before being able to watch a video, it's best to leave that site immediately.
  • Don't ever share your personal information on suspicious sites, as legitimate streaming sites will never ask for your credit card or login details to access free content.
  • Pay attention to URLs that use extra characters, numbers, or strange endings like 123moviesfree4u.xyz – these can indicate clones or phishing traps.
  • Stay away from sites that ask you to install video players, browser extensions, or other apps.
  • Close all site tabs if your browser or antivirus flags the site you have opened as suspicious.

Fake 123Movies Mirrors

Since 123Movies became so popular among those preferring to access content for free, many still trust the name even though the original site was shut down.

While these websites can be just other streaming platforms wanting to attract users with a famous name, others want to trick users into giving away important information. Below are a few of the many examples of unofficial websites that may pose serious security risks:

  • 123movieshub
  • 123moviesfree
  • new123movies
  • 123moviesgo

Wrapping Up

Free streaming sites are amazing, and 123Movies has certainly made a name for itself for quite some time. After its shutdown, however, many users began looking for 123Movies alternatives to continue having access to free content.

Using any free service online comes with risks – that's why it's important to know which sites you can trust, and what actions to take to ensure your connection as well as data stay safe from prying eyes. Whether you choose paid or free streaming platforms, consider boosting your security by using a VPN service like CometVPN to safely encrypt all internet connections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was 123Movies shut down?

Yes, the original 123Movies was indeed shut down in 2018 in response to several copyright violations. Since then, many new sites with the same name were created, but to this day, no 123Movies website is an official successor.

Is it legal to use 123Movies alternatives?

Whether it's legal to use sites like 123Movies depends on several factors, like your location and local policies on accessing free streaming websites. If you're worried or aren't exactly sure about accessing free sites, it's generally advised to choose legal streaming sites like Tubi TV, Netflix, HBO Max, and others.

What is the best legal free site to replace 123Movies?

Some of the best legal streaming services are Tubi TV, Crackle, and Popcornflix. These sites offer huge and fully licensed content libraries. The only downside is that these sites aren't globally available and are entirely supported by ads.

How do sites like 123Movies work?

Free streaming sites offering movies and TV shows for free operate as a facilitator or aggregator platform, hosting multiple links to actual video files. In other words, when you visit a site like 123Movies, you're not actually accessing their database, but a link to a third-party server where the original file is stored.

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Author

Guoda Šulcaitė

Growth Manager at CometVPN

Guoda is an all-round marketing professional with deep knowledge in the tech SaaS industry, particularly VPNs and proxies. She has worked on numerous projects and helped achieve impressive results through project management, content production, and SEO.

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