Best 123Movies Alternatives For Free Video Streaming In 2025

123Movies has become one of the most popular platforms for streaming and downloading HD movies and TV shows online for free. However, due to frequent shutdowns, legal issues, and concerns about safety, many users find themselves searching for reliable alternatives to keep their entertainment going without interruption. Whether you’re looking for high-quality streams, a user-friendly interface, or a safe way to watch movies, there are plenty of great options available.

In this article, we’ll explore the best 123Movies alternatives in 2025 that offer seamless streaming experiences to satisfy every movie lover’s craving. While some sites do not provide the download option, you can use EaseUS Video Downloader, which is a powerful tool that supports various video sites like YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, etc. It is a great helper if you want to download a YouTube playlist at once.

Quick Answer – Which is the best 123Movies alternative?

Best Overall: Crackle – Offering a large, legal library of movies and TV shows with minimal ads.
Best for Latest Movies: Vudu – Free access to recent movies in HD and 4K streams.
Best for a Wide Range of Content: SolarMovies – Offering a huge, regularly updated library of movies and TV shows.
Best for Live TV & Channels: Pluto TV – Offering a cable-like experience with live TV channels and on-demand movies.

Did 123Movies Get Banned? Reasons & Legal Concerns

123Movies was one of the most popular movie streaming websites. It offered free access to movies and TV shows in high definition, attracting millions of users monthly. However, it streamed copyrighted movies and TV shows without proper licenses, causing financial losses to filmmakers and the entertainment industry. Ultimately, the original site was closed. So, yes, 123Movies was officially banned in March 2018 due to copyright infringement.

Regarding legality, watching movies on sites like 123Movies is often considered a legal gray area. While streaming itself may not be explicitly illegal in some regions, the legality largely depends on whether the content is authorized for distribution. Since most movies available on 123Movies are violating copyright laws, the same applies to accessing them. Although viewers may not always face direct legal consequences, it is important to understand the potential legal risks, including fines or other penalties in many countries.

Being aware of these issues helps users make informed decisions about where and how they watch movies online. The following are some legal 123Movies alternatives and similar free sites like 123Movies. Let’s check the list out.

What Replaces 123Movies? Top 12 Working Sites

Crackle

Best for: Classic films, TV shows, and cult favorites.
Monthly Visit: 12 million (estimates vary)
Video Quality: 1080p (HD)
Ad-free: No, ad-supported

Crackle is a well-established, legal, and free movie streaming service that serves as a reliable alternative to 123Movies. It offers a sizable and diverse library of movies, embedded videos, TV shows, and original series across multiple genres, making it a popular choice for viewers seeking free, ad-supported entertainment in the United States. Crackle’s user-friendly interface and availability on various devices, including smart TVs, mobile apps, and streaming devices, enhance its accessibility and convenience for users.

Pros:

Free, ad-supported streaming without subscription fees
Parental controls available for family-friendly viewing
Offers original programming exclusive to Crackle
Easy to navigate and search for content

Cons:

Only available in the United States
Limited advanced filtering options beyond genre selection

Tubi

Best for: Diverse library (indie films, documentaries, mainstream titles)
Monthly Visit: 50 million
Video Quality: 720p
Ad-free: No, ad-supported

Tubi is another 123Movies alternative, which streams movies online for free. It offers one of the largest collections of on-demand movies and TV shows, including over 275,000 titles and more than 300 exclusive originals. Tubi appeals especially to younger audiences and cord-cutters by providing a premium streaming experience without subscription fees, accessible across a wide range of devices such as smart TVs, mobile phones, and web browsers.

Pros:

Completely free, legal, and with no subscription required
Personalized recommendations and watchlist creation
Live TV options and a dedicated kids’ section
Regularly updated with new movies, TV shows, and originals

Cons:

Limited advanced filtering
Ads cannot be skipped

Popcornflix

Best for: B-movies, indie films, and niche genres
Monthly Visit: 5 million
Video Quality: HD
Ad-free: No, ad-supported

Popcornflix offers a wide range of full-length movies and TV shows, making it a solid legal replacement to 123Movies. Popcornflix provides users with access to a diverse library ranging from classics, indie films, to popular titles without requiring any subscription or payment. Its user-friendly platform allows easy browsing and streaming in HD quality, supported by ads to keep the service free.

Pros:

High-definition movie streaming with English and Spanish subtitles
Available on multiple platforms: web, iOS, Android, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and more
Regularly updated with new titles and exclusive web series
No account creation or payment information needed

Cons:

Geo-restricted
Streaming quality generally matches standard DVD resolution, not HD or 4K, for all titles
Limited personalization features

Pluto TV

Best for: Live TV channels and on-demand movies
Monthly Visit: 70 million
Video Quality: 1080p
Ad-free: No, ad-supported

Pluto TV offers a wide variety of live channels and on-demand content, making it another popular alternative to 123Movies for those seeking free entertainment. Pluto TV provides over 250 live channels covering genres such as movies, news, sports, entertainment, and more. It also streams content licensed from major providers and its own original channels.

Pros:

Streaming movies for free without registration or subscription
Thousands of on-demand movies and TV shows, including classics and popular titles
Customizable closed captioning and parental controls for family viewing

Cons:

No personalized recommendations
Lack of offline viewing options

Hulu

Best for: Next-day TV episodes, originals
Monthly Visit: 40 million
Video Quality: 4K
Ad-free: Yes (with premium plan: $17.99/month)

Hulu is a versatile and popular streaming service that combines on-demand content with live TV options. It is one of the top choices for viewers who want access to current TV shows, original programming, and a broad entertainment catalog. It is known for providing next-day access to current TV episodes from major networks and live TV streaming options bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+ for a complete entertainment package.

Pros:

An extensive on-demand library of TV shows, movies, and Hulu Originals
Live TV streaming option with 90+ channels, including sports and news
Compatible with many devices and platforms

Cons:

Only available in the United States
Limited simultaneous streams (usually two devices)

Vudu

Best for: Rentals, purchases, and free ad-supported movies
Monthly Visit: 15 million
Video Quality: 4K UHD
Ad-free: Free tier has ads; rentals/purchases are ad-free

Unlike subscription-based platforms, Vudu allows users to pay only for the specific movies or TV shows they want to watch, without any monthly fees. It features a vast library of over 200,000 titles, including new releases often available the same day as Blu-ray, classics, and a selection of free content. Vudu supports high-definition streaming up to 4K UHD with HDR and offers features like offline downloads, family-friendly profiles, and parental controls.

Pros:

No subscription fees; pay only for what you watch
High-quality video and audio options
Family-friendly features and parental controls

Cons:

No live TV channels
Geo-restrictions

Netflix

Best for: Originals, global content
Monthly Visit: 200 million
Video Quality: 4K HDR
Ad-free: Yes (Ad-free plan starts at $17.99)

Netflix is a leading subscription-based streaming service that allows members to watch a vast library of TV shows, movies, documentaries, and Netflix Originals. Netflix offers content tailored to regional preferences and provides features such as personalized recommendations, multiple user profiles, and offline downloads on mobile devices. Depending on the subscription plan, users can stream in Standard Definition, High Definition, Full HD, or Ultra High Definition (4K UHD) with HDR and Dolby Vision support for enhanced picture quality.

Pros:

Huge, diverse, and regularly updated content library
Easy-to-use interface with personalized recommendations
Video download available on mobile devices

Cons:

No free tier available
Standard plans do not support 4K streaming

Vumoo

Best for: Free access to recent movies/TV
Video Quality: 720p-1080p
Ad-free: No (intrusive ads)

Vumoo is a free online streaming platform similar to 123Movies that offers a large library of movies and TV shows without requiring users to sign up or pay. It gained popularity for its simple, user-friendly interface and the ability to stream content in high quality (up to 1080p) with multiple server options. Vumoo’s catalog includes a wide range of genres and titles, including recent releases and independent films, making it a favored choice for users seeking free on-demand entertainment.

Pros:

Completely free and easy to access without registration
Large content variety from different genres and regions

Cons:

Vumoo operates in a legal gray area
Potential exposure to malware or harmful scripts on some mirror sites

FMovies

Best for: Free access to recent movies/TV
Video Quality: 1080p
Ad-free: No (aggressive pop-ups)

FMovies is a widely known free streaming site like 123Movies, offering a large variety of films, TV shows, anime series, and more. FMovies is popular for its extensive and regularly updated library, sleek and easy-to-navigate interface, and the ability to watch the latest releases without registration or payment. With multiple streaming servers per title, video availability and viewing experience are improved.

Pros:

No registration or subscription required for access
Generally good streaming quality with HD options available

Cons:

Operating in a legal grey area
Many clone sites contain ads, pop-ups, and potential malware risks

SolarMovies

Best for: Free access to recent movies/TV
Video Quality: 720p
Ad-free: No (ad-heavy)

SolarMovie is a free 123Movies alternative, which offers a vast collection of movies and TV shows across various genres and countries, allowing users worldwide to watch content in high-definition quality without needing to download files or create an account. On this site, you can watch movies ranging from action, comedy, horror, game shows, news, and TV series. It is perfect for those who prefer free online entertainment.

Pros:

Subtitle support in multiple languages
Easy navigation
The option to download movies for offline viewing

Cons:

Potential legal issues
Frequent ads and pop-ups
No official app or customer support

AZMovies

Best for: Free access to recent movies/TV, Hollywood movies
Video Quality: 1080p
Ad-free: No (malicous ads)

AZMovies is a popular free movie streaming website known for its extensive library of films spanning many genres and regions, making it an excellent alternative to 123Movies. It features a user-friendly interface with HD streaming quality and a dedicated Latest Movies section that highlights new updates. The platform is more focused on movies rather than TV shows, which is ideal for users fond of films and cinema.

Pros:

Large and diverse movie library covering many genres and years
Compatible with multiple devices and browsers
No registration or subscription required

Cons:

Fewer TV shows are available, focusing on movies
Legal and security risks
Geo-restricted

GoMovies

Best for: Free access to recent movies/TV
Video Quality: 720p
Ad-free: No (invasive ads)

GoMovies is a free online streaming platform known for offering a vast collection of movies and TV shows in HD quality without requiring users to pay or subscribe. It gained popularity due to its extensive library of the latest films and series, providing premium entertainment without restrictions. It also provides movies with subtitle options and dubbed movies, allowing users who don’t understand the original language to enjoy content seamlessly.

Pros:

User-friendly interface with easy navigation and search features
Multiple streaming servers per title to reduce buffering
High-quality streaming available on many titles

Cons:

Potential legal consequences
Lack of official support or customer service

Conclusion

In conclusion, while 123Movies and its unofficial alternatives offer tempting free access to a vast range of movies and TV shows, they often come with significant legal and security risks. Choosing a reliable and safe streaming platform depends on your priorities—whether it’s access to the latest releases, a broad content library, live TV options, or high-quality originals. Legal services like Crackle, Tubi, Pluto TV, Vudu, and Netflix provide trustworthy alternatives that balance content variety, streaming quality, and user safety. By opting for these platforms, viewers can enjoy a seamless entertainment experience without compromising privacy or facing potential legal issues.

FAQs

Do you need a VPN for 123Moves?

You do not strictly need a VPN to use 123Movies. While not mandatory, a VPN significantly enhances your security and privacy when using 123Movies, making it a wise choice, especially considering the legal and cybersecurity risks involved.

Is it safe to use 123Movies alternatives?

Using 123Movies alternatives can vary in safety depending on the specific site you choose. Many unofficial streaming platforms similar to 123Movies, such as FMovies, SolarMovies, and GoMovies, may expose users to risks such as malware, intrusive ads, and unreliable streaming quality. However, there are safer and legal alternatives. Platforms such as Tubi, Crackle, Pluto TV, and Popcornflix offer free or subscription-based streaming legally, with minimal risk of malware or legal issues.

What is the most trusted free movie site?

For the safest and most trusted free movie streaming experience, Crackle stands out as the best overall choice, which is praised for its reliable content, relatively low ad intrusion, and ease of use without requiring a subscription or account. Tubi, Popcornflix, Vudu, and Pluto TV are also highly recommended for legal, ad-supported, free movies.