10 SolarMovie Alternatives to Watch Movies & Shows in 2024
SolarMovie’s shutdown in 2016 due to copyright issues has led to many mirror sites replacing it. However, these replicas might have malicious ads that could infect your device. Most don’t even have functional streams or violate copyright law, so using them is too risky to try.
After a lot of research, I found the best SolarMovie alternatives. I prioritized free and legal sites. Regardless, you should use a VPN with any free streaming site to stay anonymous and protect yourself from potential phishing attempts.
Most VPNs aren’t suitable for streaming or lack adequate security. After testing many brands, I recommend ExpressVPN due to its blazing-fast speeds and top-tier protection. You can try ExpressVPN confidently as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick Guide: Best VPNs to Use With SolarMovie Alternatives
- ExpressVPN — The best overall VPN for SolarMovie alternatives due to its Lightway protocol, which guarantees ultra-fast speeds for lag-free streams.
- CyberGhost — Optimized servers for streaming provide uninterrupted watch sessions, but its browser extension lacks full VPN functionality.
- Private Internet Access — Its native ad blocker blocks all pop-up ads and protects you from malware, but its speeds can be slow on distant servers.
Why Should I Consider SolarMovie Alternatives?
Ideally, you should stick with paid services like Netflix or Hulu. Sites like SolarMovie are known for copyright violations, so you should consider free and legal streaming sites. Here are a few good reasons to consider SolarMovie alternatives:
- No legal issues — mirror sites of SolarMovie have copyrighted content without permission, which makes them illegal. It’s better to choose legal alternatives.
- Better security — free and legal SolarMovie alternatives don’t have malicious pop-up ads that could infect your device.
- Streaming quality — legal SolarMovie alternatives often have better quality streams instead of camera-recorded versions.
The Best SolarMovie Alternatives in 2024
Pluto TV
Pluto TV is exclusive to the US and serves over 250 live channels and 100,000+ hours of on-demand content. It includes major channels such as CBS, Comedy Central, and CNN, neatly organized for easy selection based on your interests.
Signing up isn’t required, but having an account enables personalized content and channel favoriting. Ads appear every 10 minutes, a fair compromise for free service. My colleague in the US streamed Top Gun in HD without major ad disruptions on Pluto TV.
Tubi TV
Tubi’s library is comparable to paid platforms due to its partnerships with studios like Paramount and Lionsgate. It has 20,000+ movies and shows. You can easily find what you’re looking for or explore new genres through the ‘Browse’ button.
You don’t have to sign up to stream on Tubi. However, I suggest you do so that you can create watchlists and pick up where you left off. Tubi’s free model gives you ads every 15 to 20 minutes, but they’re brief and not too intrusive.
Freevee
Freevee is Amazon’s zero-cost alternative to Prime Video. It has the same interface as Amazon Prime Video and offers a library of 9,000+ titles, including live TV. Freevee’s catalog sometimes features Prime Video’s exclusives in the line-up as a bonus.
Currently, Freevee is only available in the US due to licensing agreements. You can expect 6 to 7 minutes of advertisements per hour, starting with a 30-second ad. The only hassle is you’ll have to create an account and sign in to start streaming on Freevee.
Crackle
Crackle has over 38,000 hours of content, including 80 shows and 500+ movies. It’s a Sony-backed service, so you’ll find many original titles like Startup and Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. This is partially due to its partnerships with Legendary Pictures and Lionsgate.
While free and ad-supported, it maxes out at 480p resolution, which feels dated compared to HD standards on other platforms. Additionally, Crackle’s library rotates frequently, so that favorite show you discovered might vanish before you finish it.
Plex
If you live outside the US, Plex should be your go-to free streaming platform. It’s free and completely legal, with 50,000+ on-demand movies, shows, and over 250 live channels. The platform’s partners include Lionsgate, Warner Bros., Paramount, MGM, and more.
Plex also works as a media server, letting you create a personalized streaming hub. You can use it on smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, Roku, and even gaming consoles. Although the ads are a bit more frequent than I like, Plex is an excellent choice for non-US streamers.
Popcornflix
From Screen Media Ventures’ blockbusters to niche indie films, Popcornflix has content for everyone. It’s home to over 3,000 movies and 1,500 TV shows, arranged into categories like action, comedy, drama, horror, sci-fi, and kid-friendly content under ‘Family Fun.’
Most content is available in SD, with a small minority in HD. Since it’s free, commercials are unavoidable, but it’s better than the barrage of ads found on traditional TV. Popcornflix only works in the US and Canada.
Putlocker
Unlike legal platforms like Netflix, Putlocker relies on user-uploaded content. The variety of 20,000+ titles comes at the cost of quality control. You can find a pristine stream or its grainy, foreign-dubbed CAM version. This means you’re responsible for staying within legal bounds.
Locating a movie or series on Putlocker is straightforward with a quick search. To explore different genres, click the hamburger menu and select ‘Movies’ or ‘Series.’ While the site itself doesn’t interrupt your viewing with ads, there are many pop-up ads on Putlocker.
Flixtor
With 3,000+ titles, Flixtor has independent films, Hollywood blockbusters, and older TV shows. You can browse by genre and release date for easy navigation. It fetches streams externally and could bypass licensing agreements, so it’s better to stick to public-domain movies.
Since Flixtor curates content from external sources, there’s a risk of malware attacks if you click the wrong link. You can stream on your browser or download Flixtor’s app from the Google Play Store. Sideloading is possible on Flixtor but can be risky from untrusted sources.
YesMovies
YesMovies’ minimalist interface makes it appear like a premium streaming service. It has a growing content library, including latest releases, classic films, and TV series. If you’re confused about what to watch, click the ‘Top IMDb’ tab to browse the most popular titles.
As an unauthorized site, YesMovies has user-uploaded content. This poses legal concerns, and you’ll often find broken links and poor-quality streams. You’ll have to experiment to find a working, high-quality link on YesMovies — just make sure not to infringe copyright.
MoviesJoy
Unlike many other free sites, MoviesJoy supports streams in up to 1080p. Most of the content has subtitles in many languages, including English, French, Russian, and Arabic. You won’t get in-stream ads, though finding a working link can sometimes be a hassle.
MoviesJoy isn’t authorized or partnered with major studios. Using it is risky if you’re not careful about watching public-domain content. The pop-ups can be a nuisance, but a reliable VPN can block ads and protect you from attacks on free streaming sites like MoviesJoy.
The Best VPNs to Watch Movies on SolarMovie Alternatives
1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN to Stream HD Content on SolarMovie Alternatives
Key Features:
- 3,000+ servers in 105 countries and 20+ US locations
- Includes quantum-resistant security, military-grade encryption, leak protection, and private DNS
- Stream safely on up to 8 devices simultaneously
- Offers 24/7 live chat, email, and a detailed knowledge base for reliable customer support
- Provides a 30-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN is my #1 choice for SolarMovie alternatives due to its best overall performance. It has one of the most extensive networks and uses an advanced Lightway protocol that leads the industry in speed. It also ensures top-tier security, shielding you from harmful ads and pop-ups on free streaming platforms.
Lightway’s minimal code footprint lightens the data processing load, enhancing data transfer efficiency. ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol dipped speeds by just 6% on far-off US servers, with speeds almost matching the baseline on nearby servers.
A network spanning 105 countries and 20+ US locations provides global coverage to tune in to your favorite SolarMovie alternative. ExpressVPN regularly updates its IP addresses to avoid detection so you can stream uninterrupted on restricted school and work networks.
The only slight drawback is ExpressVPN’s higher cost. Yet, the performance and security it offers justify the investment. It leads the pack of the best-ranking VPNs in 2024, offering lightning-fast speeds and top-shelf security for a modest additional charge.
For maximum savings, get ExpressVPN’s 1-year + 3 months plan for a 49% discount. Its 30-day refund guarantee lets you try it confidently. ExpressVPN honored my refund request in 3 days through a hassle-free live chat interaction, no questions asked.
ExpressVPN works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast, Roku, smart TVs, routers, and more.
Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
2024 Update! ExpressVPN has dropped prices for a limited time to a crazy $6.67 per month for the 1-year plan + 3 months free (you can save up to 49%)! This is a limited offer so be sure to grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
2. CyberGhost — Special Servers for Streaming Ensure Quality Streams on SolarMovie Alternatives
Key Features:
- 11,800+ servers in 100 countries with streaming servers in 23 countries
- Offers military-grade encryption, IP leak protection, an ad blocker, and a kill switch
- Works on up to 7 devices simultaneously on a single subscription
- Customer support options include live chat, email, and an online knowledge base
- Comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost has specialty servers for uninterrupted streaming on SolarMovie alternatives. Although built for paid services, their benefits extend to free sites too. Transferring streaming data packets is the #1 priority of these special servers to ensure lag-free watch sessions.
While testing, CyberGhost’s optimized servers were 11% faster than their standard counterparts. Regular US servers averaged 85Mbps, a modest 15% drop despite the 7,000-mile distance. At these speeds, you can stream UHD content on many devices at once.
Unfortunately, CyberGhost’s browser extension is just a proxy. However, it’s free and you can’t get full VPN functionality for no cost. If you’re streaming on your web browser, finding a server from the main app takes less than 5 seconds.
With its 2-year + 2 months plan, you get a 83% discount. You can try CyberGhost risk-free with its 45-day money-back guarantee. The live chat support agent approved my refund request 10 minutes after verification, and I got my money back in 5 days.
CyberGhost works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi, Chrome, Firefox, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku, smart TVs, routers, and more.
Editors' Note: CyberGhost VPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
2024 Update! You can subscribe to CyberGhost for as low as $2.19 per month + get an extra 2 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 83%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
3. Private Internet Access — MACE Protects You From Malicious Ads on Free Streaming Sites
Key Features:
- Massive network with 35,000+ connections in 91 countries and servers in all US states
- Has flexible encryption, IP leak protection, split tunneling, and RAM-only servers
- Lets you stream safely on unlimited devices simultaneously
- Consult its online guides for quick answers or contact live chat and email support
- Provides a 30-day money-back window for a risk-free trial
PIA’s MACE protects you from malicious pop-ups on free SolarMovie alternatives. It intercepts ad requests before they can load on your browser. It also blocks trackers that sites use to monitor your online activity and malware from accidental clicks.
Its unlimited-device limit protects all your devices at once. Many VPNs start slowing down or glitching when used on many platforms. PIA had no issues when I used it on 8 devices simultaneously, though I suggest sticking with 3 to avoid speed loss due to internet sharing.
While PIA doesn’t match ExpressVPN’s speeds, its 80Mbps score on distant servers in Canada was enough for streaming MKBHD’s tech reviews in UHD on YouTube. Though that’s largely due to my high baseline, you can switch to 128-bit encryption to prevent speed loss.
Costing just $2.19 a month, PIA’s 2-year + 2 months plan makes it one of the most affordable monthly VPNs. You can try it risk-free with its 30-day money-back policy. After providing my invoice number, live chat support approved my request, and I was reimbursed in a week.
PIA works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, routers, and more.
Editors' Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.
2024 Update! You can subscribe to PIA for as low as $2.19 per month + get an extra 2 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 82%)! This is a limited offer, so grab it now before it's gone! See more information on this offer here!
Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.
3 Easy Steps to Watch Movies on SolarMovie Alternatives
- Get a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN because its Lightway protocol offers blazing-fast speeds for lag-free streaming.
- Connect to a server. Pick a local server or let the VPN auto-find it for you. Nearby servers are faster because your data doesn’t have to travel a long distance.
- That’s it! Sign in or visit your preferred SolarMovie alternative and start streaming.
Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
How I Tested and Ranked the Best VPNs to Use With SolarMovie Alternatives
I considered the following aspects when selecting the best VPNs to use with SolarMovie alternatives:
- Speed — good speeds provide lag-free streams. I picked VPNs that didn’t dip my connections by more than 20% from my baseline levels.
- Server network — global server coverage lets you find a local server anywhere, so you can stream locally available content anonymously.
- Compatibility — you should pick a VPN that works on smart TVs and major platforms like Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, with multiple simultaneous connections.
- Security and privacy — the VPNs on my list include ad and malware blockers that keep you safe from trackers and potential phishing attacks on free streaming sites.
- Money-back policy — a refund guarantee lets you try a VPN risk-free before committing to the purchase. My top picks offer at least 30 days of free usage.
FAQs on SolarMovie Alternatives
Is it legal to watch content on SolarMovie alternatives?
Yes, but only on platforms that distribute legal content, like Pluto TV. Most SolarMovie alternatives are unauthorized and fetch streams externally. Many of these are user-uploaded and violate copyright law. You must never watch copyrighted content.
Is SolarMovie safe to use?
The original SolarMovie shut down in 2016, but many of its mirror sites still exist and aren’t safe. Consider these top SolarMovie alternatives to avoid malware infections, phishing attacks, and online trackers spying on you. I suggest researching a platform and ensuring it only has legally available content before streaming.
Does SolarMovie have proxy and mirror sites?
Yes, but you should consider SolarMovie alternatives. Mirror sites are replicas of an original website that has often been taken down due to legal violations. They aim to keep the site running through a proxy domain even after its closure. However, using a mirror site is akin to streaming on SolarMovie and is punishable by law in some countries.
Why should I use a VPN to use SolarMovie and its alternatives?
Mainly for security and privacy. A reliable VPN from this list encrypts your data and routes it through a different location, masking your location and online activities. Other reasons for using a VPN include:
- Security — shady free streaming sites have malicious pop-up ads that can infect your device. Top VPNs have ad and malware blockers to prevent such attacks.
- Restricted networks — school and work networks often block streaming traffic. A VPN changes your IP address and hides your data to bypass such restrictions.
Why is SolarMovie popular?
SolarMovie is popular due to its extensive media library, no subscription fee, and no sign-ups. However, SolarMovie’s mirror sites aren’t safe and show content illegally. Consider using Tubi TV or another SolarMovie alternative with partnerships with major studios that don’t violate copyrights.
Can I use a free VPN to watch content on SolarMovie alternatives?
Yes, but it’s risky. I suggest using a premium VPN like CyberGhost free for 45 days with its money-back guarantee. Just request your refund before the deadline, and you’ll be fully reimbursed.
Many free VPNs sell your data to third parties and lack the necessary protection. Some can even infect your device with malware. While some free VPNs are safe, they’re constrained by data caps, limited servers, and network congestion.
Get a VPN (That Works) for SolarMovie Alternatives
Finding SolarMovie alternatives takes a mere Google search, but most free streaming sites are malicious, illegal, or don’t work. Finding functional, legal, and safe SolarMovie alternatives took me days. Although these sites are safer than most, you should use a VPN to stay anonymous on free streaming sites, especially those with annoying pop-ups.
Sadly, most VPNs can’t keep you safe on free streaming sites and aren’t cut out for streaming. ExpressVPN is my #1 choice to stream on SolarMovie alternatives due to its blazing-fast speeds, massive server coverage, and an ad and malware blocker. You can try ExpressVPN confidently as it’s backed by a 30-day refund guarantee.
