Top 10 123Movies Alternatives 2024: Watch Movies & Shows
123Movies’ shutdown has led to countless free streaming alternatives. Its mirror sites are unsafe, while other alternatives have limited content and intrusive pop-ups. The safe ones are either geo-restricted to certain countries or illegal due to copyright violations.
After extensive research, I’ve picked the best 123Movies alternatives. Many of them are free and legal but have ads. While these sites are safe, you should use a VPN to stay safe from snoopers, hackers, and potential phishing attempts.
I recommend ExpressVPN after testing 20 leading brands. Its Lightway protocol offers fast speeds for lag-free streaming while protecting you with quantum-resistant technology. You can try it confidently as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Why Should I Use 123Movies Alternatives?
Although it’s best to use paid platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video to avoid legal issues, 123Movies alternatives are better for casual streaming. Here’s why they’re worth it:
- Free of cost — you don’t have to pay anything to watch a movie on 123Movies alternatives, unlike subscription-based services.
- Content availability — you might find a movie or show on a 123Movies alternative unavailable on your Netflix or Hulu home library.
- Streaming quality — unlike many other free streaming sites, the ones I’ve picked provide high-quality streaming (at least 720p).
- Safety — there are a lot of other 123Movies mirror sites, but most have pop-up ads, broken links, and hidden malware.
The Best 123Movies Alternatives in 2024
Tubi TV
With over 20,000 titles, Tubi TV’s collection is on par with big names like Netflix. It only works in the US and has partnerships with Paramount, MGM, and Lionsgate. You can type a specific movie or show in the search bar or go through content categories from the ‘Browse’ button.
I didn’t have to sign up to watch content, but doing so lets you build a watchlist and continue watching where you left off. Since it’s free, Tubi has non-skippable ads every 15 to 20 minutes. They didn’t disrupt my streaming too much, as I could just mute them.
Pluto TV
Available only in the US, Pluto TV has 250+ live channels and over 100,000 hours of on-demand content. Pluto includes live channels like CBS, Comedy Central, and CNN. You can choose a category in the live TV section and pick a channel you want to tune in to.
Pluto TV doesn’t require signing up to stream, though this enables content personalization and lets you favorite your channels. My US colleague got ads every 10 minutes while streaming The Wolf of Wall Street on Pluto — not too good, but acceptable for a free streaming service.
Crackle
Crackle is free and legal and has over 700 movies and 100 TV shows. It’s a Sony-owned platform that only works in the US. You can find over 40 original movies and TV series unique to the platform.
With a Netflix-like interface, finding your favorite content is super simple on the platform. You don’t have to sign in to stream and can easily search for a title or browse content categories on Crackle. My US team reported seeing 5 half-minute ad breaks per hour of streaming.
Freevee
Owned by Amazon, Freevee is the free version of Amazon Prime Video. It shares the same user-friendly interface, with live TV and 9,000+ titles divided into categories. You’ll occasionally find some content from Prime Video as a bonus if you haven’t subscribed to it.
For now, Freevee is only available in the US due to licensing restrictions. On average, my team reported 6 to 7 minutes of ads per hour of playback, with a 30-second in the beginning. Unlike Tubi or Pluto TV, you must sign in to your Amazon account to stream on Freevee.
Popcornflix
With 3,000+ movies and over 1,500+ series, Popcornflix includes original productions like Cossacks and Virtually Heroes. The content categories are available inside the ‘Movies’ or ‘Series’ tabs. The only catch is it’s not available outside the US, Canada, and Ireland.
Alternatively, you can search for a specific title from the home page. While free, you’ll get ads while streaming Popcornflix like broadcast TV. However, you can disable ad personalization from the Settings menu for privacy.
Plex
Plex is the most accessible free streaming service and works nearly everywhere. It has over 50,000 on-demand movies and shows, with 250+ live-streaming channels. This diverse collection is backed by partnerships with Lionsgate, MGM, and Warner Brothers.
It also works as a media server to create your personalized streaming hub that’s accessible anywhere. The ads are annoying, but Plex is fine for occasional streaming. Its paid version includes offline downloads, advanced music features through Tidal, and DVR for live TV.
Putlocker
You can find tens of thousands of free movies and TV shows on Putlocker. However, the platform is unofficial and unregulated, so you must ensure you don’t break copyright. I recommend sticking to public domain content to stay out of legal trouble.
A simple search is all it takes to find a title on Putlocker. To browse content categories, click the 3 vertical lines and click on ‘Movies’ or ‘Series.’ There aren’t any in-stream ads, but you’ll have to close a lot of annoying and unexpected pop-ups to start watching on Putlocker.
SolarMovie
Like Putlocker, SolarMovie is unofficial and has some copyrighted content. I was surprised that it supports 1080p high-quality streaming for some titles, though banner ads were annoying. After searching for a title, you’ll see its summary, IMDb rating, cast, duration, and other details.
You don’t need to sign in to stream on SolarMovie. I didn’t get buffering while streaming The House I Live In, but you can try another movie server if the current one isn’t working. I couldn’t find subtitles, but that wasn’t a dealbreaker due to high-quality uploads on SolarMovie
Flixtor
While not my #1 choice for free streaming, Flixtor is a good backup site. It only has 3,000 movies, but you can easily find popular public-domain movies. However, finding a working link might take some time. Many titles are camera-recorded and aren’t worth watching due to poor quality.
Most countries block Flixtor, as it distributes copyrighted content without consent. So, adhering to copyright laws is solely your responsibility. You’ll get a 30-second ad, prompting you to upgrade to the paid plan for ad-free streaming. You can try Flixtor here.
MoviesJoy
MoviesJoy is another unauthorized site, so you should be careful when streaming. That said, you can watch public domain content up to 1080p. MoviesJoy also has subtitles in multiple languages and an APK file to install the app on Android devices.
Surprisingly, MoviesJoy doesn’t have any in-stream ads. If the pop-up ads are too annoying, just use a VPN with an ad blocker to eliminate them and anonymize your watch sessions. The interface has a large center search bar to search specific titles. Click here to visit MoviesJoy.
The Best VPNs to Watch Movies on 123Movies Alternatives
1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN to Use With 123Movies Alternatives
Key Features:
- 3,000+ servers in 105 countries and 20+ locations across the US
- Has post-quantum protection, military-grade encryption, private DNS, and leak protection
- Protects up to 8 devices simultaneously on a single subscription
- Support options include 24/7 live chat, email, and a detailed knowledge base
- Backs up your purchase with a 30-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN is my #1 pick for 123Movies alternatives. Its proprietary Lightway protocol is the fastest across the industry. In addition, ExpressVPN offers military-grade encryption and protects you from malicious ads and annoying pop-ups on free streaming sites.
The Lightway protocol uses a small codebase to reduce the computational load required for data transfer — this makes the traffic flow from and to your device more efficient. Even on distant US servers, ExpressVPN didn’t dip my speeds by more than 6%. Meanwhile, local and nearby servers yielded near-baseline speeds.
With 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, ExpressVPN offers global coverage to stream securely anywhere on 123Movies alternatives. It has several servers in 20+ locations in the US, and each one is obfuscated and can’t be identified by anti-VPN detectors so you can stream freely, even on restricted networks.
A small downside of ExpressVPN is its premium price tag. However, my tests convinced me that ExpressVPN is worth every penny. You get the best-ranking VPN in 2024, with fast speeds and military-grade protection — just for a small extra cost.
I suggest ExpressVPN’s 1-year + 3 months plan to get a 49% discount. You can try it confidently as it’s backed by a 30-day refund guarantee. I got my money back in just 3 days after asking for it via live chat. The support agent processed my request without questions.
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.
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 — Specialty Servers Prioritize Streaming Traffic for Lag-Free Watching
Key Features:
- Has 11,800+ servers in 100 countries with streaming-optimized servers in 20+ countries
- Ensures secure streaming with military-grade encryption, IP address leak protection, an ad blocker, and a kill switch
- Supports 7 simultaneous connections for multi-device streaming
- Troubleshoot via live chat, email, or consult its online knowledge base
- Lets you try it risk-free with its 45-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost’s optimized servers are built for smooth streams. Although you won’t find a server for free streaming sites like Crackle or Tubi, one for another service will work just as well. For instance, you can use an optimized server for Amazon Prime Video for Freevee.
In my tests, CyberGhost’s optimized servers were 9% faster than regular ones. However, even the standard connections yielded 84Mbps in distant US locations — this is enough to stream UHD content on multiple devices simultaneously.
CyberGhost has good coverage, but its network spread is slightly behind ExpressVPN’s. However, CyberGhost works with all free streaming sites. Its 2,100+ US servers let you switch to another IP address if one doesn’t work, though this never happened with me.
Its 2-year + 2 months plan offers a 83% discount. You can try CyberGhost risk-free with its 45-day money-back policy. I submitted my refund request via live chat. Approval took less than 10 minutes, and I was reimbursed in 5 working 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.
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 Blocks Pop-Ups on Free Streaming Sites
Key Features:
- Has servers in all US states with 35,000+ connections in 91 countries
- Includes flexible encryption, split tunneling, IP address leak protection, and RAM-only servers
- Lets you stream securely on unlimited devices simultaneously
- Fast support with live chat, email, and detailed online guides
- Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee
PIA’s MACE blocks annoying pop-ups on 123Movies alternatives. Free streaming sites are packed with such ads, many of which can infect your device. MACE prevents them from loading in the first place, putting you out of harm’s way due to accidental clicks.
Using PIA on an extra device won’t log out of others, as it supports unlimited simultaneous connections. I used it on 8 devices at once without the apps glitching. In contrast, many VPNs slow down or crash when you approach their connection limits.
A small downside of PIA is that it’s comparatively slower than ExpressVPN on distant servers. However, a 20% drop didn’t affect me much due to my fast baseline speeds. If your internet’s slow, you can reduce encryption to 128-bit, improving connections by almost 10%.
Not only is it one of the most affordable monthly VPNs, PIA’s 2-year + 2 months plan costs just $2.19 per month. You can try it risk-free for 30 days with its refund guarantee. After verifying my invoice number, the live chat support agent approved my request, and I got my money back in a week.
PIA works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, routers, and more.
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!
3 Easy Steps to Watch Movies on 123Movies Alternatives
- Get a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN because it’s the most well-rounded VPN in terms of speed, server coverage, security, and privacy.
- Connect to a server. Pick a local server from the list, or let the VPN find one for you automatically. This will change your IP address and encrypt your traffic.
- That’s it! You can now visit or sign in to your free streaming platform and start watching your favorite shows.
How I Tested and Ranked the Best VPNs to Use With 123Movies Alternatives
To find the best VPNs to stream on 123Movies alternatives, I had to find a balance of speed and security. I judged every contender on the following criteria:
- Speed — most VPNs slow down speeds due to encryption. I ran extensive speed tests to ensure my top picks maintained near-baseline speeds, even on distant servers.
- Global coverage — a good server spread provides nearby servers no matter where you are. Nearby servers are faster and better for lag-free streams.
- Ease of use — you should pick a beginner-friendly VPN that works on smart TVs and other streaming devices and can protect multiple devices simultaneously.
- Ad and malware protection — besides military-grade encryption and leak protection, I prioritized VPNs that block ads and malicious pop-ups on free streaming sites.
- Refund guarantee — lets you try the service risk-free. The VPNs on my list provide a window of at least 30 days.
FAQs on 123Movies Alternatives
Is it legal to watch content on 123Movies alternatives?
Are free streaming sites safe to use?
Why has 123Movies shut down?
How can I unblock 123Movies alternatives?
What’s the best 123Movies alternative?
Does 123Movies have proxy and mirror sites?
Why should I use a VPN on 123Movies alternatives?
Can I use a free VPN to watch content on 123Movies alternatives?
Yes, but it’s risky. Instead of free VPNs, you can use a premium brand like CyberGhost. It gives you a 45-day window to try completely free. Before your money-back period ends, request a refund via live chat or email support, and you’ll be reimbursed.
Most free VPNs aren’t safe and sell your data to third parties. The worst among them can even infect your device with malware. I found a few free but safe VPNs, but they have constraints like limited servers, congested networks, and data caps.
Get a VPN (That Works) for 123Movies Alternatives
With so many free streaming sites out there, the chances you’ll go to the wrong one and infect your device are pretty high. There are very few free and legal 123Movies alternatives, but I found them after much research. However, you should still use a VPN to protect yourself from malicious ads and potential phishing attempts.
Unfortunately, most VPNs can’t protect you well enough and provide fast speeds simultaneously. After extensive testing, ExpressVPN is my #1 choice to stream on 123Movies alternatives. It provides blazing-fast speeds and military-grade protection. You can try ExpressVPN confidently as it’s backed by a 30-day refund guarantee.
