123Movies was a popular platform to watch free movies online. Sadly, it was taken down in March 2018, and since then, many 123Movies mirror websites have popped up.
Unfortunately, mirror sites can be run by malicious third parties that just want to steal your data or identity. The safer option is to choose one of our 26 123Movies alternatives, which have been tried and vetted by our cybersecurity experts. Here’s a snippet from our top 10 sites like 123Movies:
Unfortunately, mirror sites and even 123Movies alternatives can pose malware risks to your device. Never visit free movie sites without a VPN! We recommend Surfshark, which has powerful anti-malware protection and will stop your internet provider from seeing what sites you visit.
Want to see our full list of the 26 best 123Movies alternatives? Read on!
123Movies used to be one of the most popular websites to watch movies free online and stream TV shows. While the official 123Movies website was taken down a few years back, copies of the site are still accessible through mirrors and clone sites. But there are several 123Movies alternatives out there.
However, watching free online movies poses risks that include malware, financial penalties, or having your internet shut down. Make sure you protect yourself with our recommended VPN, Surfshark, which offers malware protection and IP cloaking!
So, what sites like 123Movies are safe to use, and what are the best 123Movie alternatives? We’ll answer these questions and more in the article below.
The 26 Best 123Movies Alternatives: Best Paid and Free Movie Streaming Sites
Free movie sites go down all the time – sometimes, they come back, but not always. If you’re looking for 123Movies alternatives, we’ve picked the best sites like 123Movies for you.
SolarMovies has an expansive library of the latest movies and older titles. We found the site ideal for streaming movies online in high definition. Plus, the interface is easy to navigate, with great categorization filters for its media content. You can browse movies and series by country, genre, or IMDb rating. Not to mention, we weren’t disturbed by any pop-up ads while testing the site.
On the other hand, there are banner ads, which can get annoying at times. Also, if the given categories aren’t what you’re looking for, SolarMovies can be slightly hard to navigate. Apart from these issues, it’s still the best 123Movies alternative and one of the top Soap2day alternatives, too.
2. AZMovies: Minimal ad intrusion for watching movies online
If you want to watch the latest Hollywood blockbuster, AZMovies is probably the best 123Movies alternative. We found a great collection of movies, including classics and new releases. Not to mention, the interface is pretty minimalist, so you should have an easy time navigating the platform.
That being said, this free movie site is riddled with ads, including banner and pop-up ads. That’s why we only recommend you stream movies online from AZMovies if it’s legal where you live and if you have a VPN with ad-blocking capabilities.
A VPN will hide your identity and ensure a smooth viewing experience. From our research, the best VPN app to use with AZMovies is Surfshark.
FlixTor is a popular free streaming site and one of the best 123Movies alternatives. It’s been around for a long while and has one of the biggest libraries of free movies and TV shows. If you can think of an existing piece of media, it’s probably hosted on the platform. So, if unofficial streaming is legal where you live, FlixTor is a great option when you struggle to find a title anywhere else.
On the other hand, we did find FlixTor’s advertising a bit annoying. And since it’s so big, it’s often the target of government crackdowns. So, the site might not always be accessible.
Netflix is probably the most popular streaming site, with a wide variety of movies and shows. It’s been a prime destination to watch movies online for years. It’s seen slowing growth in recent years, but it’s still pretty popular. Last year, they made big headlines with their own production of the Adams family, Wednesday.
Moreover, when testing Netflix, we discovered that we could also watch Harry Potter, The Office, Glass Onion, and other high-profile productions.
Unfortunately, not all Netflix titles are available worldwide. For example, Harry Potter is only available in the UK and Turkey. To unblock a larger library on Netflix, you can use a top VPN, like Surfsjark, that will expand your Netflix catalog and let you watch movies that might otherwise be unavailable in your country.
Max (previously HBO Max) is one of the best movie streaming sites you can find. It’s the pinnacle of Warner Bros content, featuring everything from classics like The Sopranos to new productions like House of the Dragon or The Last of Us.
Previous HBO platforms like HBO Now or HBO Max failed to provide a viable alternative to Netflix. Their library was too limited to compete with the giants of streaming. But with the advent of a unified Max, you get all the Warner Bros content you might want. Plus, the platform released a lot of hit shows last year. So, if you want to stay tuned to new releases, it’s a great 123Movies alternative.
However, Max is only available in a few select regions. If the platform is unavailable where you live, you can access HBO Max and its vast library of movies and TV shows with a good VPN provider.
6. MoviesJoy: A nearly ad-free 123Movies alternative
MoviesJoy has virtually no ads, which makes it one of the best alternatives to 123Movies if you want an undisturbed viewing experience. Plus, we really liked that most of their titles stream in HD. Moreover, the UI is well-made, so it offers one of the best alternatives to 123Movies if unofficial platforms are legal where you live.
On the other hand, we did find the library pretty small compared to big names like FlixTor and SolarMovies.
You’ll still have to put up with limited banner ads, and the browsing system of MoviesJoy can be restricting. You can’t browse their titles as you would on other 123Movies alternatives like AZMovies.
7. Amazon Prime: Great alternative for multimedia content
What We Like
Decent library, especially for how little it costs
No ads
Available on almost all devices
What We Don't Like
No free version
Content availability can vary depending on where you live
Amazon Prime is not too different from Netflix. You can watch Invincible Season 2, which was a TV series created for Amazon Prime and other exclusive shows. When looking at its subscription plans, we also liked that it was a bit cheaperthan Netflix.
Compared to HBO Max, Amazon Prime didn’t stand out with its releases these past few years. The Boys did well, but other than that, nothing has quite hit the mark. The Lord of the Rings show was reviewed very poorly, and the fans weren’t too happy about it, either.
Still, Prime is a big platform with a lot of great shows. Plus, the Prime subscription also gets you a sub on Twitch and other benefits, so it is worth your money.
8. SubsMovies: The most accessible 123Movies alternative
SubsMovies is the most accessible alternative to 123Movies. Their library is not that impressive, and the quality of the content isn’t always top-notch. But what we found most impressive about SubsMovies is the tons of subtitles in multiple languages.
If you struggle to find content available in your native language, or if you just want to enjoy your favorite movies and shows with someone who doesn’t speak an international language, SubsMovies is a great alternative to 123Movies.
9. Disney Plus: The best streaming platform for all things Disney
Disney Plus is the best place to watch all things Disney, including Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and much more. It’s not just a great platform for fairy-tale fans; it has all sorts of other content as well. When we accessed Disney Plus, we saw many popular shows like The Mandalorian, Glee, Andor, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
If you’re in the mood for an MCU marathon or you want to relieve nostalgic times with old Pixar cartoons, Disney Plus is the best alternative to 123Movies. Unfortunately, it’s not available worldwide. If you want to access Disney Plus’s full library from anywhere in the world, you’ll need a reliable VPN like Surfshark.
Hulu is one of the best up-and-coming movie streaming services and a great 123Movies alternative. We could watch movies online and check out various live channels, too, while on the platform. It features both on-demand titles, as well as live events from different US channels. If you’re looking for an alternative to cable, Hulu has some of the best deals on the market.
Not to mention, it’s also available in a bundle with Disney Plus and ESPN Plus for as little as $7.99 per month. However, Hulu is not available outside the US. If you want to watch it anywhere else, you’ll need to unblock Hulu with a VPN.
Like Hulu, Sling TV is one of the best sites for cord-cutters tired of high cable subscription costs. It has an amazing suite of US TV channels available for as little as $30 per month, including AMC, CNN, Comedy Central, Showtime, TLC, and many more. If you want to get the full TV experience in your browser, Sling TV is one of the best providers.
Unfortunately, Sling TV is only available in the US. If you want to access it from anywhere else, you’ll need a VPN to change your IP address to one from the States. In our tests, Surfshark was more than capable of unblocking Sling TV with its 600+ US IP addresses.
When testing Popcornflix, we were impressed with its user interface, especially for an unofficial streaming platform. It was easy to navigate and find the shows we wanted to watch, and we were also happy to see that it was even available on mobile devices. Plus, it had very minimal ad intrusion, which is always a big plus in our book.
On the other hand, it’s an unlicensed streaming site, so you can’t access it if streaming is illegal where you live. On top of that, its library of movies isn’t too impressive. Popcornflix is more focused on TV series.
If you’re looking for top content filtering, Putlocker is probably one of the best 123Movies alternatives. It has great categorization options, and you can browse their titles alphabetically, by country, by IMDb results, and plenty more.
The site also has a large library of titles, and it’s really easy to navigate. For example, we could keep browsing the site while we were watching something just by minimizing the media player.
Unfortunately, it’s not a perfect site. For starters, it’s an unofficial platform, so they don’t have rights to the content they share. In fact, some ISPs will outright block your access to the site. On top of that, the ads are pretty intrusive, which can lead to an unpleasant viewing experience.
Peacock was our go-to recommendation for free streaming sites until it dropped its $0 tier. But even without that, it’s an extremely affordable service and one of the best 123Movies alternatives.
The site is backed by NBC, and it has a decent on-demand library to show for it. We could watch shows like The Office, Yellowstone, Blacklist, and F9 on Peacock. More importantly, we could watch the Indy 500 or WWE, which are some of NBC’s live events.
Unfortunately, Peacock is only available in the US, so you’ll need a VPN to access it. If you’re not sure which tool to use for it, we recommend Surfshark. The VPN provider has 600+ servers in the US, so you will easily find one to unblock Peacock TV.
Popcorn Time is a BitTorrent app that lets you download movies and TV shows. But it works a bit differently from other torrenting apps.
When testing Popcorn Time, we found that it has a built-in media player, which lets you stream the content you’re downloading while it’s being shared with you. This makes it a streaming app in practice. And it’s a great alternative to 123Movies because it’s available on a lot of devices.
However, keep in mind that most of the content available to download via Popcorn Time is unlicensed. Make sure you respect your country’s laws on content distribution before using the app. Also, know that the initial Popcorn Time shut down because of its content law breaches, so you might have a hard time finding trusted mirrors.
16. Amazon Freevee: Great licensed collection available for free
If you’re looking for a free alternative to Amazon Prime, Freevee might be the best streaming platform for you. It was previously known as IMDb TV before it was bought by Amazon, and it’s a pretty decent site.
Of course, its library is not as varied as Prime’s, but you can use it to watch a lot of content. When we checked its library, Freevee included titles like Mad Men, Friday Night Lights, a few Star Trek Films, and more.
The platform is supported by ads, so you will have to put up with some content interruptions. But if you want to watch something that’s on Freevee, it can be one of the best 123Movies alternatives.
17. Cineb: Great navigation and a minimal interface
Cineb is a relatively new site with a minimal interface and a great user experience. Although its content is unlicensed, it features very few ads, so you can have a great time on the platform without being interrupted by pop-ups every few minutes. Cineb also has good browsing and filtering options for both movies and TV shows, and you can find a lot of new releases in high definition.
However, the site is still new, so you might encounter some problems while navigating Cineb. When we tested the platform, some shows came up as entries in Cineb’s library but didn’t have any valid links to a media player.
Moreover, the interface was messy in some places. But still, if local regulation allows you to visit it, Cineb is a great 123Movies alternative.
18. StreamM4u: Unofficial streaming site completely free of pop-up ads
StreamM4u is not the best 123Movies alternative. It’s an unofficial streaming site with a clunky interface that’s hard to navigate. It also has a pretty thin library, at least when compared with other unofficial sources.
However, StreamM4u is one of the few sites that let you watch free content without any pop-up ads. Do note that there are some banner ads, and the content can be quite explicit on said ads.
But if you’re looking for a good free movie streaming site that won’t bombard you with pop-ups every time you try to click on a video, StreamM4u can be a good choice.
PrimeWire is one of the best 123Movies alternatives thanks to its easy navigation, large library, andsupport for new releases. On the site, we could filter titles by a lot of categories, watch movies and series in HD quality, and interact with PrimeWire’s community through reviews and comments.
However, it’s lower on our list for a few reasons. First, it’s still an unofficial streaming site, which makes it inaccessible and illegal in a lot of places.
Second, the original site was taken down a while ago, which means you have to rely on mirrors. These mirrors aren’t always safe, so you’re exposing yourself to some risks while trying to access PrimeWire. What’s more, the ad intrusion on the site is pretty annoying.
20. MusicHQ: Great filtering and no pop-up ads
What We Like
No pop-up ads
Great content filtering options
Good navigation
What We Don't Like
Still features banner ads, which can lead to dangerous sites
Despite what the name implies, MusicHQ is not a music site. It’s an unofficial streaming site that lets you watch many movies and TV series for free. We were also happy to find some of the best Netflix shows when testing the platform.
We were also impressed by how easy it was to navigate and found lots of filters to browse its content and even a dark mode you can enable on the site. It also has no pop-up ads, just the occasional banner. So it’s a pretty good 123Movies alternative.
Still, its content is unlicensed. And the banner ads can lead you to some dangerous sites if you misclick them. So, if you can legally visit MusicHQ, make sure you only do it with a reliable VPN. It will protect your identity and even block some ads. From our research, Surfshark is the best pick for watching MusicHQ.
SpaceMov is a decent alternative to 123Movies if you want to find the latest releases. Our testers saw new theater releases that had only just landed on the big screen! You can easily dodge poor-quality streams, too – we found the CAM and HD-quality labels very informative.
But you will have to contend with a bunch of pop-ups and other adverts. So, we recommend getting Surfshark. Its powerful built-in ad blocker will stop you from accidentally clicking on a malicious advert. That leaves you free to enjoy SpaceMov without risk!
YesMovies is great for people who don’t want to contend with lots of pop-up adverts. We were able to launch a Barbie stream quickly and easily, with minimal interruption. That said, the pop-ups that did appear opened in a new tab, which can be frustrating. But you can stop these by using a good ad blocker.
Streams are in HD quality, though many are actually 720p as opposed to 1080p. Still, it’s a good site like 123Movies to watch movies for free. For a free streaming site, we found the interface surprisingly intuitive, too. Categories and filters laid out along the top of the page made navigation fast and simple.
23. ZMovies: Extensive filtering options for release year
ZMovies is one of the best free streaming sites for filters if you’re looking for movies released in a particular genre and year. The filters go back decades, but they’re not particularly well laid out. That’s our main criticism – as you can see, it looks a bit clunky.
We also had to contend with quite a lot of pop-up adverts on this 123Movies alternative site. That said, we never care too much about ads because our pop-up blocker stops them. Get Surfshark and block ads like we do. Then, you can enjoy free movies in peace.
Finding movies we wanted to watch on 5Movies was simple. From the homepage, you can filter by genre, country, year of release, and more. Or, dive straight into TV show or movie categories to surf for hidden gems. 5Movies also lets you view top-rated IMDb movies to avoid picking a bad flick!
But when we couldn’t find movies from the early nineties, we realized something – 5Movies lacks old content. If you want to find classics, you won’t find them here. We recommend choosing an alternative site like ZMovies instead.
25. Afdah: Loads of HD movies with minimal ad intrusion
Afdah’s is a good 123Movies alternative. We saw plenty of filters along the top of the page that made navigation easier. But the rest of the interface didn’t particularly impress us – overall, the site felt quite cluttered.
Afdah is another site that didn’t bombard us with annoying adverts. We noticed a fairly large content library with heaps of movies in high definition. There’s also a substantial offering of TV shows to choose from. Remember, while ads are minimal, risky ads can still infect your device with malware.
Surfshark’s CleanWeb feature will ensure that all malicious ads are blocked and never reach your device while visiting free streaming sites.
GOKU is a unique twist on 123Movie alternatives, offering a place to watch Bollywood content that you are less likely to find on other sites. We also saw a good range of Hollywood releases, though international content was a bit lacking.
Something we really liked about GOKU was that the site only hosts HD content. We didn’t see any poor-quality CAM streams, and we could even watch movies that were dubbed in Hindi or other languages!
Is 123Movies Safe and Legal?
The safety of 123Movies depends on which mirror you use. Since 123Movies has been taken down, the only way to access the site is through copies of the website (also known as “mirrors“). However, as they’re controlled by third parties, you could be at risk of malware if you visit a malicious site or click on a pop-up advert.
Due to this, we recommend against using 123Movies mirrors. Instead, choose one of our 123Movies alternatives. Our cybersecurity experts have vetted each site to ensure they’re as safe as possible.
As for legality, watching copyrighted content on 123Movies is illegal in most countries. While each country has its own stance on watching pirated content, most governments outlaw the downloading and streaming of copyrighted movies or shows. However, some countries like Poland or Spain let you watch movies for free, as long as it’s just for personal use.
Note:
Always check your country’s legislation before visiting our 123Movies alternatives. VPNOverview does not condone piracy or downloading copyright content.
Caution! Here’s How to Watch 123Movies Safely
There are countries where streaming free movies and TV shows is perfectly legal. However, you still need to protect yourself from prying eyes, viruses, and malicious website hosts while using free movie streaming sites.
Don’t venture there without protection – download a virtual private network to change your IP address and encrypt your online activity. The best choice right now is Surfshark. It offers stellar online protection, uncapped data, and lightning-fast speeds for streaming hundreds of free movies.
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Added Protection: Use antivirus software for malware protection
Aside from a VPN, you should download an antivirus to boost your protection against malware. Surfshark can block attacks and stop you from visiting malicious sites, but the best protection comes from a double-pronged approach. Antivirus software protects you in the event you click a malicious advert or fall victim to phishing.
We tested various antivirus solutions extensively, and Norton 360 came out on top of the competition. If you accidentally click on a dodgy link, Norton 360 will block the infected file before it can harm your device. With hackers disguising free movie links as malware, this is a crucial investment for streaming free movies.
Norton 360 offers robust security features with high levels of protection, so you can watch movies, stream TV series, or download movies without worrying about computer worms or spyware.
Our Verdict: 123Movies Alternatives Are Just as Good, But Use a VPN
123Movies was a popular choice to watch free movies online. But the 123Movies official website is no longer online. There are plenty of mirrors that pop up every day – but the 123Movies alternatives we’ve tested and vetted are better choices.
FlixTor, SolarMovies, and AZMovies are all good sites like 123Movies. And if you can’t access them where you live, Netflix, Disney Plus, and HBO Max are all worthy alternatives.
But, if you can’t access these paid 123Movies alternatives, just download Surfshark to unblock those sites by changing your IP address. Surfshark also offers a CleanWeb feature to safeguard you from malware on unofficial websites.
If you are looking for alternative sites to popular video streaming platforms that have been taken down or may not always work, check out our articles below:
The Best 123Movies Alternatives: Frequently Asked Questions
Are you stuck with a question regarding 123Movies alternatives? Check out our FAQ section to see if we have the answer. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to leave us a comment.
Is using 123Movies legal?
Using 123Movies is legal in some countries. For example, Spain and Poland allow piracy for personal reasons. However, unofficial platforms like 123Movies are illegal in some countries.
You might be surprised to find out what your internet provider knows about you and the sites you visit. We always advocate getting a VPN to protect your online privacy – but particularly when visiting free movie sites like 123Movies!
What are the consequences of using 123Movies?
This all depends on the country you’re in while using 123Movies. In some countries it’s illegal, in others it is not. Even if you are in a place where it’s illegal, individual downloaders might not face any consequences. As a result, consequences range from absolutely nothing to substantial fines.
Fortunately, you can cloak your online activity by downloading a VPN like Surfshark.
Is 123Movies safe?
The original 123Movies no longer exists, but its mirror sites can come with all sorts of dangers. These copies are owned by people who could potentially inject malware into the site or show you malicious ads. Instead, use the best 123Movies alternatives that offer feature parity and have been vetted by cybersecurity experts like us.
What are popular legal 123Movies alternatives?
Some popular legal alternatives to 123Movies are:
Netflix
Hulu
Disney Plus
YouTube TV
Sling TV
HBO Max
Keep in mind that you need a paid subscription to access most of these services, and not all of them might work in your country. You can unblock these websites by getting a US IP address from a VPN provider!
Chris is a tech journalist with many years’ experience covering online privacy and cybersecurity. He’s also a published author and works as a Product Manager for some of the most innovative software development companies.
Hi Jamie! We actually wrote an entire article on how to watch the Harry Potter movies. Currently, the HP movies can be found on Amazon Prime most easily. We hope that'll be of help! You'll likely also be able to watch these magical movies on 123Movies and alternatives like Putlocker, but keep in mind that watching the films there might not be considered legal in your country!
Hi i wanna watch Harry potter please help from jamie.
Hi Jamie! We actually wrote an entire article on how to watch the Harry Potter movies. Currently, the HP movies can be found on Amazon Prime most easily. We hope that'll be of help! You'll likely also be able to watch these magical movies on 123Movies and alternatives like Putlocker, but keep in mind that watching the films there might not be considered legal in your country!