If you are searching for free online movie streaming sites to watch movies and TV shows, you've almost certainly come across the 123Movies website. It has long been a name that movie lovers recognize and has attracted millions of users worldwide.
It promises a massive library of content at no cost. But questions remain: Is 123Movies safe? Is it legal? And what are the best 123Movies alternatives today? This full review explores what 123Movies was, and the safest alternatives to enjoy movies and TV shows online.
Part 1. What Is 123Movies?
123Movies (also called GoMovies, GoStream, and 123movieshub) was an online streaming website based in Vietnam. It offers an extensive catalog of films and TV series, all available for on-demand viewing for free and without the need for user registration. At its peak, it became one of the most visited pirate streaming sites in the world, with tens of millions of monthly users.
However, due to copyright violations and piracy concerns, the 123Movies official website was shut down in 2018. Since then, multiple authorized mirror and clone sites have appeared, often using the same branding. These sites are a constantly shifting network of domains that host copyrighted content without permission from the rights holders. Frequently utilized domains include the following:
- https://ww20.0123movie.net/
- https://123movies12.club/
- https://play123moviez.com/
- https://123movies8.net/
- https://123moviesdb.net/
Part 2. Is 123Movies Similar Site Safe and Legal to Use?
User Experience: While the promise of free content is alluring, the experience of using a website similar to 123Movies is often frustrating and unpleasant.
Upon visiting, users are typically bombarded with aggressive advertisements. Clicking the "play" button on a movie can trigger multiple pop-up windows and redirects to other websites, some of which are malicious. You often have to close several intrusive ads before the video even begins, and more ads will interrupt your viewing.
Is 123Movies Similar Website Legal?
Streaming content on movie sites like 123Movies is considered copyright infringement in the United States and most other Western countries. While law enforcement has historically focused on the site operators, the act of knowingly viewing pirated material places the user in a legal gray area and is technically against the law.
Is 123Movies Clone Site Safe?
Let's get straight to the point: No, it's not safe to use websites like 123Movies.
- Malware and Viruses: The ads on these sites are often from unregulated networks and can serve as a delivery system for malware, spyware, and viruses. You might be tricked into downloading a fake "video player update" that is actually a malicious file.
- Phishing Scams: Redirects can lead you to sophisticated phishing sites designed to look like legitimate login pages (for your email, social media, or bank) to steal your credentials.
- Data Privacy: These sites are not secure. Your IP address and browsing activity could be tracked by third parties, leaving your personal data exposed.
Part 3. Top 6 Safe and Free 123Movies Alternatives
With the legal and safety issues of 123Movies in mind, it's clear that finding a 123Movies alternative to stream movies and TV shows is the best option. Fortunately, many safe, legal, and free alternatives offer a great streaming experience without the downsides. These platforms are supported by ads, which allows them to provide a wide variety of movies and TV shows completely free of charge. In this part, we'll introduce you to the top six alternatives to 123Movies.
Tubi
Website: https://tubitv.com/
Owned by Fox, Tubi is arguably the king of free, legal streaming, and it has built a reputation as a powerhouse service that rivals the scale of many paid competitors. Its core promise is simple: a massive, constantly updated library of movies and TV shows that is 100% free to watch with commercials. There is no subscription fee, no credit card required, and no trial period, just thousands of titles available on demand.
Tubi partners with major studios like Paramount, Warner Bros., and MGM, as well as networks like A&E and Lifetime, to legally license its content. This makes it a premier 123Movies alternative for anyone looking to cut costs without sacrificing variety or legitimacy.
Pluto TV
Website: https://pluto.tv/
Owned by Paramount, Pluto TV masterfully blends the classic, passive experience of watching broadcast television with the flexibility of on-demand streaming. It is a completely free alternative to 123Movies that offers two distinct ways to watch: a lineup of hundreds of live, linear channels and a vast library of movies and shows you can play anytime.
The core of the Pluto TV experience is its live TV guide, which is designed to look and feel just like a traditional cable menu. The channels are curated thematically, so you can easily find what you're in the mood for.
Sling Freestream
Website: https://www.sling.com/freestream
Sling Freestream is the completely free streaming tier from the popular live TV service, Sling TV. Its goal is to provide a robust, cable-like experience without the cost or commitment of a subscription; you don't even need to create an account to start watching. Freestream's primary strength is its massive lineup of over 600 free live TV channels.
In addition to its impressive live TV offering, Freestream also includes a substantial library of over 40,000 on-demand movies and TV show episodes, making it a powerful, all-in-one website for free entertainment.
The Roku Channel
Website: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/
While it bears the name of the popular streaming devices, The Roku Channel is a free service available on a wide variety of platforms, not just Roku players. Its major advantage is its comprehensive approach to free content, acting as a central hub for movies, episodic series, and live television.
The service boasts thousands of free movies and TV shows, including a growing slate of its own Roku Originals. Beyond its on-demand library, The Roku Channel offers an impressive guide of over 500 live TV channels. This combination of a deep on-demand catalog and a rich live TV experience makes it a nice 123Movies alternative.
Crackle
Website: https://www.crackle.com.in/
Crackle is one of the original pioneers in the ad-supported streaming space, offering a no-cost, legal alternative to 123Movies for years. Now owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, it continues to provide a curated and constantly refreshing library of movies and TV shows.
Crackle's strength lies in its straightforward, easy-to-navigate platform that focuses on delivering a quality selection of well-known films and classic television series. While its library may not be as vast as some competitors, the content is reliably sourced from major Hollywood studios, including Sony Pictures. It also features a growing collection of Crackle Originals, giving viewers exclusive content they can't find on other free platforms.
PopcornFlix
Website: https://popcornflix.com/
Also owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, PopcornFlix is a sister service to Crackle that carves out its own unique identity by focusing on content outside of the mainstream. It is an excellent destination for viewers looking to discover independent films, foreign cinema, cult classics, and unique documentaries that often don't appear on larger platforms.
The service is organized by genre, making it easy for film buffs to browse everything from Troma's horror catalog to classic martial arts movies and compelling documentaries. With a library full of hidden gems and genre favorites, PopcornFlix is the perfect free service for the adventurous viewer who wants to find something new and unexpected to watch.
Part 4. Top 4 Legal and Paid 123Movies Alternatives
While free, ad-supported services offer a fantastic amount of content, paid subscription platforms are the definitive legal alternative to 123Movies. For a monthly fee, you get access to the latest blockbuster movies, exclusive award-winning original series, and a premium, ad-free viewing experience that is completely safe and reliable. If you're tired of searching for content and want everything in one high-quality place, these services are the gold standard.
Netflix
Website: https://www.netflix.com/
As the titan of the streaming industry, Netflix offers an unparalleled variety of content. Its library is a vast collection of films, documentaries, stand-up specials, and reality TV, but its biggest draw is its massive slate of original programming. With award-winning series like Stranger Things and The Crown and blockbuster original films released every month, Netflix remains a go-to service for those who want a seemingly endless supply of new things to watch.
If you want to keep your favorite Netflix movies and shows forever, you can use a dedicated third-party downloader. One great option is StreamUlt Netflix Video Downloader.
This software lets you download any movie or TV series from Netflix and save it as an MP4 or MKV file on your computer. With the videos saved locally, you can watch them offline anytime, even after your Netflix subscription has ended. The Netflix downloads are also completely ad-free.
Hulu
Website: https://www.hulu.com/
Hulu is the essential service for anyone who wants to stay current with network television without a cable subscription. Its key feature is offering next-day access to new episodes from major networks like ABC, NBC, and Fox. Beyond that, Hulu has built a reputation for its own critically acclaimed original series, such as The Handmaid's Tale and The Bear. It's the perfect choice for TV lovers who don't want to fall behind on their favorite shows.
Max
Website: https://www.hbomax.com/
Formerly known as HBO Max, Max is the home for prestige, premium content. It combines the entire library of HBO's iconic and award-winning shows with blockbuster films from the Warner Bros. catalog and popular reality shows from the Discovery network. If you're looking for cinematic movies, thought-provoking dramas, and high-quality documentary storytelling, Max offers a curated library that consistently feels premium.
Disney+
Website: https://www.disneyplus.com/
For families and fans of the world's biggest entertainment franchises, Disney+ is an indispensable service. It is the exclusive streaming home for every movie and show from the vaults of Disney and Pixar, as well as the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Star Wars saga. With the addition of content from National Geographic, it offers an incredible value proposition for viewers of all ages who want to dive deep into these beloved universes.
For Disney+ videos, you can also use StreamUlt Disney+ Video Downloader to keep your favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic titles forever. It's able to download any movie or show from Disney+ directly to your computer and save it as an MP4 or MKV file. After download, you can watch them offline on any device, even after your Disney+ subscription has ended.
Part 5. FAQs about 123Movies
Q1.Do I need a VPN for sites like 123Movies?
A1. Many sources recommend a VPN for privacy when visiting unofficial sites. A VPN can hide your IP address from your internet provider. However, it does not make streaming illegal content legal, nor does it protect you from malware or phishing if you click on a malicious link within the site.
Q2.Why are there so many 123Movies sites?
A2.After the 123Movies official website was shut down, many opportunistic operators created clones to capitalize on the well-known name. They frequently change their domain addresses to evade being shut down by authorities.
Q3.Why 123Movies official website shut down?
A3.123Movies shut down because it violated copyright laws by distributing pirated content, and the pressure from Hollywood studios and global regulators made it impossible to continue operating legally.
Q4.How do legal free streaming sites make money?
A4.They operate on the same model as broadcast television. They show advertisements before and during the content. In exchange for watching a few short ad breaks, you get access to their entire library for free.
Part 6. In Conclusion
123Movies was once a go-to site for free movies, but it was shut down for piracy, and today's similar sites are unsafe and illegal. Instead of risking malware or legal trouble, you can enjoy safe, legal 123Movies alternatives. Free platforms like Tubi, Pluto TV, and Crackle offer solid libraries, while premium services such as Netflix, Hulu, Max, and Disney+ deliver top-quality content.
👉 The takeaway: 123Movies is gone, but better, safer streaming options are everywhere.
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Alex Mercer, a multimedia expert at StreamUlt, specializes in streaming video conversion, tips, and troubleshooting, providing innovative solutions to simplify digital life.
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