Popcorn Time was an extremely popular app that let users stream movies and TV series for free. However, the platform is no longer available officially, prompting users to look for alternatives to Popcorn Time.
After thorough research and testing, we have listed the 20 best Popcorn Time alternative options in this article. Here are the top five paid alternatives:
- Netflix: The best all-around Popcorn Time alternative
- Disney+: Top streaming platform for families
- Hulu: Streaming service compatible with many devices
- Peacock: Alternative to Popcorn Time with a vast American library
- Amazon Prime Video: Streaming platform with the latest blockbusters
These are the top five free Popcorn Time alternatives:
- Kodi: Open-source media center
- FlixTor: Free Popcorn Time alternative with the most recent movies
- 123Movies: Popular streaming service accessible through mirror sites
- Putlocker: Free alternative to Popcorn Time with HD streams
- YifyTV: Streaming platform with user-friendly interface and large library
If you intend to use any of the Popcorn Time alternatives above, it’s a good idea to protect your online activity by using a VPN. NordVPN is our top recommendation, as it allows for blazing-fast streaming of high-quality content and can bypass geo-blocks in minutes.
Give the rest of the article a read to learn more about the best Popcorn Time alternatives!
Popcorn Time was once a popular app for streaming movies and TV shows. But if you’re wondering what happened to Popcorn Time, it was unfortunately shut down in 2022 (even though a version of it still exists on GitHub, many users have moved on because of the spreading of fake versions).
If you’re looking for a different streaming service similar to Popcorn Time, we’ve listed the 20 best Popcorn Time alternatives below for you to consider. We cover both paid and free alternatives to Popcorn Time in this article.
However, some alternative options listed above are only available in limited regions and countries. Using a VPN to access Popcorn Time alternatives will help you access geo-blocked content worldwide. NordVPN is our top-rated VPN and an excellent choice for streaming due to its fast speeds and unblocking capabilities.
The Best Paid Popcorn Time Alternatives
We’ve divided our list of the best Popcorn Time alternatives into paid and free streaming services. If you’re concerned about your online security, then it’s best to stick to one of the paid options, as all movies and shows on these services are official and legal.
Important Notice:
VPNOverview doesn’t endorse piracy or illegal activity in any form. The right to stream copyrighted content varies between free movie websites. Accessing illegal content carries risks that could result in the termination of your internet connection, fines, or legal action.
We tested 30+ Popcorn Time alternatives and listed the best ones in the sections below.
1. Netflix: The best all-around Popcorn Time alternative
Key Features
- Number of Titles: 13,612 shows and movies
- Countries available in 190+ countries
- Pricing: From $6.99
No surprises here, as Netflix is the most popular streaming service in the world. While testing the platform, we liked its neat interface and enjoyed browsing through its extensive library that expands weekly. The interface is actually quite similar to what Popcorn Time’s used to be.
The app is available on all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. This allows you to seamlessly carry your content across devices. We could download and save all the movies we wanted to watch on the go. There are also hundreds of Netflix secret codes to access obscure content.
Netflix offers different subscription tiers, with a basic plan starting at $6.99/month (with ads). This is slightly expensive, but you can save money on your Netflix subscription. If you use a VPN to direct your internet traffic through a server based in countries like Turkey, you can profit from the fact that Netflix subscriptions are cheaper there.
- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
2. Disney+: Best alternative to Popcorn Time for families
Key Features
- Number of Titles: 2,012 movies and shows
- Countries available: 107+
- Pricing: From $7.99 (ad-supported)
Disney+ has taken the streaming world by storm. We loved its huge collection of classics from Pixar, Disney, and Marvel. It also boasts an extensive library of shows, which makes it a great Popcorn Time alternative. In countries like India, with the Disney+ Hotstar app, you can even watch sports, such as cricket, football, and badminton.
Like Netflix, we observed that Disney+ works on most platforms and streaming devices, including Roku. We were also happy to see that you can share your profile with friends and family and use the platform simultaneously on up to four devices.
While Disney+ is now available in most countries, the program and content availability may differ. Some people use Disney+ with a VPN to access a larger content library. NordVPN has an extensive server network, which makes several different content libraries available.
3. Hulu: Streaming service that supports a wide range of devices
Key Features
- Number of Titles: 5,000+ movies and shows
- Countries available: United States, Puerto Rico, and Japan
- Pricing: From $7.99 (ad-supported)
Hulu is another leading premium streaming service that is a viable alternative to Popcorn Time. Its catalog contains TV shows, movies, Hulu Originals, and other premium content. Notably, we discovered that it also provides access to live TV and sports.
The service is supported on an extensive range of devices, including Apple TV, Fire Stick, and gaming consoles like the Xbox. The base package offered by Hulu, which contains ads, is priced at $7.99.
Unfortunately, Hulu is currently restricted to the US and Japan. You will need to use a VPN to watch Hulu from anywhere else in the world. We regularly use NordVPN to access Hulu. It has 1,970 US servers, ensuring you can always find a fast and uncrowded server.
4. Peacock: Alternative to Popcorn Time with a vast American library
Key Features
- Number of Titles: 1200+ movies and shows
- Countries available: 6
- Pricing: From $5.99 (ad-supported)
Peacock is NBC Universal’s over-the-top (OTT) streaming service. Like Hulu, it has a great repository of American content, such as The Office, Modern Family, and Suits. The service showcases different podcasts, too, like the Rich Eisen Show, and is also great for watching movies.
The best bit about Peacock is that we could use it for free! However, opting for this option meant that we were subjected to ads. If you want to access live sports, like the Premier League and WWE, and the streaming content, you can purchase a Peacock Premium subscription for $5.99. A Premium Plus subscription, which costs $11.99, is completely ad-free and allows you to download movies and watch them offline.
Unfortunately, Peacock is only available in a handful of countries, like the UK and the US. However, you can access Peacock with a VPN, no matter your location.
5. Amazon Prime Video: A popular streaming platform with the latest blockbusters
Key Features
- Number of Titles: 30,000 movies and shows
- Countries available: 200+
- Pricing: From $8.99/month
Prime Video is probably the platform that can rival Netflix’s popularity and content library. It makes a great Popcorn Time alternative for people looking to catch up on their favorite movies.
A full Prime membership, which costs around $14.99 monthly, gave us access to movies, shows, and music. If you want to subscribe to just Prime Video, you can do that for $8.99/month. Like its other competitors, Prime runs on virtually every major operating system.
Amazon’s recent acquisition of MGM Studios means its library will be larger and contain some iconic movies, like the James Bond series. Did you know New Zealand has the largest Amazon Prime library, with nearly 20,000 titles? Access the expanded Prime New Zealand library with a NordVPN server.
6. HBO Max: Popcorn Time alternative for exclusive HBO content
Key Features
- Number of Titles: 2,000 movies and shows
- Countries available: 60+
- Pricing: From $9.99/month (ad-supported)
HBO Max is Warner and AT&T’s new on-demand video streaming service. While testing the platform, it was great to see features of HBO classics, like The Sopranos and The Wire, and content from Warner, CNN, and Sony Pictures. HBO Max can be a good alternative for users who used to stream such shows on Popcorn Time.
Plans for HBO Max start at $9.99 for the version with ads. To go ad-free, users will need to shell out $14.99 per month. The ad-free subscription also allows you to stream Warner Bros. 2021 premieres the day they are shown in cinemas.
HBO Max is only available in the United States, Europe, and a few Latin American countries. However, you can use a VPN to stream HBO Max from other countries. We’d recommend NordVPN as it has really fast and reliable servers across North and Latin America.
7. Sony LIV: Best Popcorn Time alternative for Indian movies
Key Features
- Number of Titles: 1,000+ movies and shows
- Countries available: 10+
- Pricing: $6/month (on SlingTV)
This is a pick for our readers in India. Sony LIV features some of the most popular shows on Indian television, along with blockbuster Bollywood movies. The Popcorn Time app used to have a lot of traffic from India, and Sony LIV could be the perfect alternative for these users to stream movies and TV shows.
While we were not great fans of its interface, Sony LIV made up for it in the sheer number of options it provides. We were impressed by the fact that it features sports and games, in addition to available movies and shows. The app is available on iOS, Android, and Fire Stick and can be accessed through the browser on laptops and PCs.
8. Crunchyroll: One of the top anime streaming platforms
Key Features
- Number of Titles: 1,200+ movies and shows
- Countries available: 200+
- Pricing: $7.99/month
Crunchyroll is an American streaming company focusing on anime and manga movies and content. It has an interesting story since it started as a platform that provided illegal copyright-infringing content and now provides free legal anime content.
While on the platform, we were glad to see that the latest anime movies and TV shows were available to watch on the premium version of Crunchyroll a day or two after they aired in Japan. Sony Entertainment has recently acquired the platform and hopes to use its acquisition to offer an unparalleled anime and manga streaming experience.
The best thing about accessing Crunchyroll was that we could watch anime and manga for free! However, the free versions were usually in low resolution, with many ads, and uploaded a week after the initial telecast.
9. Plex: Popcorn Time alternative with a user-friendly interface
Key Features
- Number of Titles: 810+
- Countries available: 195+
- Pricing: From $4.99/month
Plex is one of the more interesting alternatives to Popcorn Time. It’s a media organization and streaming tool that lets users create servers to share their favorite content, whether that’s movies, TV shows, or music. In that sense, it’s a great tool to share the content that you own legally with your friends and family. There’s also a ton of free and legal content that is generally available on Plex.
You can get a Plex Pass, which is a premium subscription, for $4.99 a month. With Plex Pass, you can record and save live TV broadcasts, in addition to premium music and sharing features.
The Best Free Popcorn Time Alternatives
These free alternatives to the Popcorn Time app are options for users living in countries with more lax copyright laws for free movie streaming websites. This is because, much like Popcorn Time, these alternatives also lead to pirated content, viewing which is illegal in countries with strict copyright enforcement.
There’s also the risk that some of these Popcorn Time alternatives host malware-containing media files that can infect your device. Hence, we strongly recommend a VPN with robust ad blocking features and malware prevention like NordVPN. The Threat Protection feature that NordVPN provides will safeguard you against cyber threats when accessing streaming sites.
While you can use the alternatives listed below to watch movies and TV shows for free, we recommend that you use one of the official options listed above to stream copyrighted content. This keeps you safe legally and rewards creators for their efforts in making the content for you.
10. Kodi: Open-source home theater software
One of the closest alternatives to Popcorn Time is Kodi. It’s a free software media system that can be used to stream videos. It comes in the form of a downloadable app and features a slick and easy-to-use design.
Kodi comes with add-ons, which can increase its functionality and stream movies and some of the best TV shows from Netflix, YouTube, and ESPN, among others. While testing the site, we observed several legal add-ons. However, those developed by third-party developers can lead you to pirated content. So, it’s always good to be careful when choosing your Kodi add-ons.
Kodi can also play music and display pictures, making it an all-around entertainment solution. It works on a range of devices, such as the Apple TV and even Raspberry Pi.
11. FlixTor: Free Popcorn Time alternative with the latest movies
FlixTor has emerged as one of the household names when it comes to streaming movies and TV shows. We were impressed with its up-to-date library with all the latest and greatest hits. This was also one of the reasons we selected it as one of our top free Popcorn Time alternatives.
Regular users who pay nothing can access movies released in the last six months and episodes released in the last three months. To gain access to FlixTor’s complete library, you’ll need to become a VIP member by paying $14.95 each month.
The mirror or website that hosts FlixTor keeps changing, and ensuring that you’re visiting the correct source can be challenging. NordVPN is one of the best ways to secure your internet activity while accessing FlixTor.
12. 123Movies: Popular streaming service accessed through mirror sites
The original 123Movies website was one of the world’s most popular free streaming sites before being shut down in 2018. However, we did discover that it still exists, but in the form of clones and forks.
The site is a great web-based alternative to Popcorn Time. Its interface has been refreshed recently, and we found it much easier to navigate. You can find movies and TV series classified by genre, production house, year, and actors. 123Movies also features some well-curated lists. Since it’s web-based, it should run well on most devices.
13. Putlocker: A free alternative to Popcorn Time with HD streams
A household name for streaming movies and TV shows, Putlocker was taken down in 2016. However, its services are available even today through mirror websites.
While testing the site, we found that it has a simple interface. We were able to get to the movie or TV stream of our choice in just two or three clicks. The latest movies, such as The Nun 2, The Equalizer 3, and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, are all available on Putlocker.
Putlocker comes with the same caveats as the Popcorn Time app as far as security and legality are concerned. So, it’s important that you use a VPN and an antivirus program to keep yourself safe while using Putlocker.
14. YifyTV: Streaming platform with a simple interface and a large content library
YifyTV is a web-based platform that offers a broad array of movies and TV shows across various genres. Unlike other streaming services, YifyTV allowed us to stream and download content directly from our web browser. We also really liked its user-friendly interface and design, which enhanced our overall viewing experience.
One of the standout features of YifyTV is its subtitle support, catering to a global audience. While the platform offers free access to its content library, it is advisable to use a VPN service due to potential copyright restrictions. While researching this article, we were able to access YifyTV securely with NordVPN.
15. Popcornflix: A great option for classic movies
We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to add a streaming website with a “Popcorn”-related name to our list. Popcornflix has been around for a while. It’s an ad-supported streaming service for movies and TV shows.
We did find the content on the site a bit dated, but if you’re looking for classics, this is the place to be! It also features some great TV series, like the original 21 Jump Street. You can watch this content for free, but you will get a lot of ads during the streams.
16. Crackle: Streaming platform that offers Sony Pictures movies
Crackle is a free, ad-supported streaming service that offers a variety of movies and TV shows online. Unlike subscription-based platforms, we were glad to see that Crackle does not require a monthly fee. This makes it an accessible option for viewers on a budget.
The platform is one of the best video streaming services and provides a range of genres, including action, comedy, and drama. It also includes features like creating watchlists and receiving recommendations, enhancing user experience.
However, Crackle is available only in the United States. Hence, accessing the great titles on the streaming platform will require a VPN subscription. NordVPN’s vast server network in the United States makes it a compelling option to unblock Crackle globally.
17. Duckie TV: Popcorn Time alternative with a personalized calendar for your favorite TV shows
Duckie TV is one of the closest alternatives to Popcorn Time we came across during our research. It allowed us to have a personalized TV show calendar that automatically tracked when an episode of our favorite series was available.
You can link the Duckie TV app with other clients like BitTorrent and uTorrent, and it will automatically queue downloads immediately after the episode airs. The app is available on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
However, Duckie TV relies on torrenting, giving rise to the same security concerns as Popcorn Time. We recommend always using a good antivirus software when accessing Duckie TV.
18. Stremio: Streaming app compatible with many operating systems
Stremio is another cross-platform media management tool like Kodi and Plex. You can use it to manage your different types of content all in one app. Users can customize their experience on Stremio using a variety of plugins and add-ons. The Stremio app can be installed on Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android.
While there are several authorized plugins for Stremio, unofficial ones also exist. These are probably more popular because they allow you to access copyrighted movies and TV shows for free.
As we’ve mentioned for some of the other Popcorn Time alternatives above, you can land in legal trouble for streaming movies and shows that are not authorized. This means these streams are copyrighted and shared without permission. There are many countries around the world where this act is illegal. So be careful when deciding which plugins to use with Stremio.
19. PrimeWire: Wide collection of free blockbuster movies
PrimeWire is one of the best Popcorn Time alternatives that looks a lot like 123Movies and Putlocker. It’s a free streaming website that hosts the latest movies and TV shows. We didn’t even need to log in to access them.
While using PrimeWire, we found that the streams loaded fast but weren’t of the best quality. We didn’t have to navigate through too many ads either.
Be aware that PrimeWire is considered illegal in most countries, and using it could get you into a fix. However, there are several ways to use PrimeWire safely to avoid getting into trouble.
A VPN provider, like NordVPN, will help you maintain your privacy while using PrimeWire as it will encrypt your data and keep it hidden from malicious actors who may be waiting to steal your information or infect your device with malware.
20. MoviesJoy: Free streaming website with non-intrusive ads
MoviesJoy is an online streaming platform that offers a wide range of movies and TV shows. Unlike subscription-based services, MoviesJoy is generally free to use and ad-supported. The platform allowed us to stream content without registering, making it a convenient Popcorn Time alternative.
It’s crucial to note that the legality of the content on MoviesJoy can be questionable, as the platform often hosts copyrighted material without proper licensing. Hence, we’d recommend avoiding MoviesJoy in countries with a strict IPR regime and using NordVPN if you access it elsewhere.
Why Use Popcorn Time Alternatives?
Popcorn Time is no longer officially available. Hence, it is a good idea to be familiar with either paid or free Popcorn Time alternatives if you want to watch content similar to the one offered by the platform in the past. Some of the reasons you might want to check out these paid and free streaming sites we have listed above include:
- Many feature the latest movies and TV shows.
- Most sites are easy to use, and app installations are typically pretty smooth too.
- Strictly online streaming platforms don’t require you to download torrents. Instead, you can easily watch movies and shows directly online.
However, not all alternatives are equally good or safe. Some may contain countless ads that may carry malware or have clunky interfaces. That’s why it’s important to choose a good Popcorn Time alternative and use a way to protect your personal data. And this is where a VPN comes in.
Best VPN for Popcorn Alternatives: NordVPN
Even when accessing legitimate streaming sites, it is always a good idea to use a top VPN provider, as it will help you encrypt your personal data, hide it from prying eyes, and allow you to access services that may not be available where you live.
That is why you need a VPN service like NordVPN. This provider offers enhanced encryption and a Threat Protection feature to safeguard you against malware that may be lurking on a streaming site.
NordVPN offers AES 256-bit encryption to protect your personal information and keep you anonymous while visiting any site online. It has access to 5,400+ servers worldwide, so it allows you to access any streaming site you want easily without being held back by geo-blocks. Moreover, its servers are super-fast, so you can watch your favorite content without lag.
Most importantly, NordVPN offers a Threat Protection feature that will prevent malware from ever reaching your device. It will block ads and trackers and stop you from accessing dangerous sites online.
And the best part? You can access all of NordVPN’s enhanced security features for 30 days for free through its money-back guarantee.
| 💵 Price | From $2.99 a month |
| 📱 Operating systems | Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 💻 Connections | 6 |
| 💳 Payment methods | Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Other |
| 🔒 Protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard |
| 📥 Torrent options | Torrenting allowed |
| 📅 Money-back guarantee | Money-back guarantee, 30 Days |
| 📋 Logs | Zero logs |
| 🎬 Works with |
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Final Thoughts: What Are the Best Popcorn Time Alternatives?
While Popcorn Time is not officially active anymore, there are more than enough alternatives you can use to stream your favorite online content. Netflix and Disney+ are the best paid alternatives, whereas Kodi and FlixTor are great free options.
We strongly recommend using a VPN while accessing the Popcorn Time alternatives listed above. Not only does it keep you secure, but it also helps circumvent geo-restrictions that such streaming services typically use. NordVPN is an excellent streaming VPN as it’s fast, secure, and easy to use. Moreover, NordVPN offers some great deals on its subscriptions.
Looking for alternatives to other popular streaming platforms? Check out our articles below:
- Best CouchTuner Alternatives
- Best LookMovie Alternatives
- Best Viaplay Alternatives to Stream Sports and Movies
Were any of your questions regarding Popcorn Time alternatives left unanswered by the article? Check out the FAQs below to see if you can find the answer you’re looking for.
Popcorn Time is no longer active, but when it was, it used torrent files to deliver movie and TV streams to its users. Using torrents to watch copyrighted content without permission constitutes copyright infringement, which is illegal in many countries.
The consequences you face if caught using Popcorn Time or any similar platform depend on the stringency with which laws are imposed in your country.
Popcorn Time was an app that you had to download from the internet. There is no longer an official source where you can safely download the program. Instead, several mirrors occasionally host files with malware.
There are both paid and free alternatives to Popcorn Time. Some of the best paid ones are Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Peacock. But, if you are looking for free streams, you can check out Kodi, Plex, FlixTor, or 123Movies.
Using Popcorn Time alternatives without a VPN can be risky, as your ISP and law enforcement can easily track all your activity, including the torrent files you use and the movies you streamed.
A VPN is also needed to access Popcorn Time alternatives in countries where it is geo-blocked by ISPs. NordVPN is an excellent choice for online streaming as it excels at unblocking content without lowering browsing speeds.
Popcorn time still works, they have also updated it. I'm watching a movie as I type this.
Hi, Gary. Thanks for your input! There is indeed a working version of Popcorn Time. This article will be updated with clearer wording on Popcorn Time's status once we've tested the current release for security.
Ummmm popcorn time was never shut down. It's an open source project available on github and from multiple other sources...
Hi Adam! Thank you for your comment. You are correct that there is a version of Popcorn Time on GitHub, and we will look into it and update our article if needed. However, in this article, we were mostly focusing on Popcorn Time's original version, which isn't necessarily about the code itself and whether you can still use it, but about the fact that the original creators have shut down the project. So, at the moment, the official website is no longer available, making it more risky and slightly less user-friendly to use Popcorn Time. The original platform was created to be simple to use by turning torrenting into streaming, so individuals that were less tech-savvy could use it. Therefore, at the moment, alternatives that are similar to the original Popcorn Time website are needed.
Im watching a movie via the OG version right now on my PC. Its not just source code available but the official direct executable for both Windows and Mac is downloaded from there, its also the official version. The one with the multiple forks right now is the android app, but with the code base for it always being open source that was always going to happen.
The only thing that can be shut down relating to this project is a domain name to host the download on a website. And they are easily replaced. Effectively popcorn time has already achieved immortality status like the pirate bay, it can never be fully taken down.
Thank you for sharing, Adam! Our experts will look into this and adjust the article accordingly. We do, however, still believe it's important to provide a list of alternatives to Popcorn Time for those people looking for an easier way to stream (a platform with an official domain, for example) or for those who simply don't want to use Popcorn Time for whatever reason. Popcorn Time's status is indeed legendary, but it's not the only option out there, and that's what this article highlights. :)