10+ Best 123movies alternatives in 2025: free and paid options

Online streaming serves as the most preferred method for viewing multimedia content. This is because of websites like 123Movies, which offer an extensive library of films and TV shows. However, after the shutdown of 123Movies, the rising search volume of 123Movies alternatives sheds light on the fact that there is a need for legal options that are safer. 

So, whether you are looking for free t services or are willing to pay for more premium options, this guide will assist you in finding the most trusted and secure 123Movies alternatives catering to your entertainment needs.

Is 123Movies safe and legal for free movies?

123Movies had served as the most popular site for watching films and series online, without any monetary fee. You could access new releases as well as old content without paying or requiring them to sign up. However, while availing services from 123Movies, there are numerous potential dangers that one might overlook.

Risks while using 123Movies:

• Legal issues: One primary concern while using 123Movies is that most videos provided streaming access on the platform have no appropriate licensing. Thus, it can be quite dangerous for users because, in one way or another, they might end up committing copyright infringement, which is considered a crime in a lot of countries.

• Virus or malware: It is no secret that streaming sites like 123Movies face funding problems, so they are forced to rely on advertisements in the form of video pop-ups. These ads do redirect people to unsafe portals, which in turn download viruses to targeted computers.

• Video quality concern: Many illegal streaming sites lack good quality and face audio and video quality challenges, along with constant buffering and broken links. As such, a pleasant movie night can turn into a frustrating nightmare.

Did 123Movies get shut down?

Indeed, the original 123Movies was taken down in 2018. It got taken down due to overwhelming enforcement by film studios and copyright institutions. They called it one of the most “popular illegal streaming webpages” in the world. Since then, many fake or copycat versions have appeared, though they are neither safe nor legal.  

Instead of endangering your device and suffering the consequences of the law, it’s much wiser to turn towards legal options, which I’m going to discuss in the next section.

6 Free and safe 123movies alternatives in 2025

If you would like to stream movies without the hassle of viruses or illegal activities, there are free streaming sites like 123Movies that are completely legal. These sites enable you to watch a variety of movies, TV shows, and documentaries for free. Let’s have a look at them!

1. Popcornflix

Popcornflix offers a diverse collection of movies, ranging from classic, well-known films to lesser-known indie movies. The website has a simple layout and does not require any signup, making it easy to use on smartphones, tablets, and computers. Although, don’t forget that a couple of ads will be shown during the movie. Nonetheless, these ads are not excessively disruptive.

2. Crackle

Sony supports Crackle and offers both modern and classic television shows alongside action and comedy movies. Users can stream without account creation. Everything is categorised and easy to use. However, some titles tend to disappear without notice, so a favourite movie might not be available after some time.

3. Tubi TV

Tubi is perhaps one of the most well-recognised free streaming sites. It features user-generated content, including movies, shows, and live channels. Moreover, searching by genre, such as horror or drama, makes finding something fun. Additionally, the Ads are minimal and do not require any registration.

4. Pluto TV

Pluto TV might feel more “classic” compared to other platforms. It boasts a lot of Live channels and some on-demand content. Moreover, switching between movies, news, and shows has no restrictions. Plus, there is no need to sign up. However, the layout can be overwhelming at first.

5. Peacock

Peacock’s free version offers access to a mix of movies, series, and some specials from NBC, including favorites like The Office and Saturday Night Live. While it’s ad-supported and has a limited library compared to paid plans, it’s a great option for budget-conscious viewers. You can also stream live sports, though premium content is behind the paywall. The interface is smooth, well-organised, and even includes newer available content.

6. Top Documentary Films

Top Documentary Films offers free, ad-supported streaming of a wide range of documentaries across various topics. No subscription is required, and the site features content in categories like history, science, and society. It’s ideal for viewers who enjoy in-depth, educational films.

Thus, all the above-mentioned platforms are safe streaming alternatives to 123Movies, enabling safe and streamlined content access. Simply select one that best suits your taste and start watching.

Available pirated streaming sites similar to 123Movies

Following the shutdown of 123Movies, many similar alternatives have emerged and offer free access to movies and TV shows. While these websites may seem convenient, they can put you in trouble because of their illegality. Let’s check what pirated streaming sites like 123Movies are.

GoMovies

GoMovies is almost like a carbon copy of 123Movies, with new releases and trending series all available for free. But, they are all pirated. GoMovies, at first glance, seems like a nice offer; however, accessing the content on this website can land you in legal trouble for copyright violations. Aside from that, you will be continually exposed to fake play buttons or advertisements that might link to malware.

YesMovies

YesMovies is another illegal platform that hosts pirated materials. Thus, when using YesMovies, you may receive warnings from your internet service provider or law enforcement agencies, depending on local legislation. Moreover, you might encounter pop-ups that can divert you to unwanted webpages.

FMovies

FMovies offers both a decent layout and streaming quality, which adds to its overall popularity. However, the website frequently receives takedown notices, as it operates without the necessary licenses. Like many other sites, FMovies is known to overload its users with malware and fake downloads disguised as legitimate software, which can be uninstalled to undo the supposed damage. 

Putlocker

Using Putlocker can also be risky, as it has been in operation for a long time and is known to frequently change its domain. While offering free access to numerous movies, the site itself is illegal, violating copyrights. To add to these, they’re also notorious for floods of advertisements alongside scams that are intended to steal personal information. 

Soap2day

Soap2day is famous as one of the best alternatives to 123Movies. Based on research, this site has garnered negative notoriety for being blacklisted in multiple countries due to rampant violations of copyright. These violations attract users to click, allowing them to engage in automatic downloads alongside fake virus alerts that can harm your device.

AZMovies

AZMovies boasts an extensive collection of HD movies along with a simplistic interface. Ironically, all of their content is pirated, which places streaming on an illegal pedestal. It poses dangers due to their pop-ups that lure users into unwittingly giving away private information.

Film123movies.com

This attempted to continue the legacy of 123Movies. It is visually appealing and works on a majority of devices, but functions without legal permissions. Simply visiting the site may lead to legal complications for you. The site might also put you at risk of spyware, viruses, or unsafe redirects through your browser.

To summarise, these pirated websites may appear free, however, the upfront risk of compromised devices, legal complications, or stolen data isn’t worth it. Staying safe means sticking to legal, reliable streaming platforms.

6 Paid streaming services as alternatives to 123Movies

If you’re done using risky platforms like 123Movies, switching to a paid streaming service is a good step in the right direction. Such services are legitimate, secure, and provide you with top-notch series and movies without having to deal with pop-ups, viruses, or legal complications. Here are six trustworthy services that you can explore in 2025:

Benefits of subscription streaming services

Now, do remember that subscription services offer a lot of benefits, from their legal perks to the content they offer, thus enhancing the overall viewing experience of the customers. Let’s analyse each of them:

• Quality content: Subscription services offer premium-quality service content. Streaming services, for example, Netflix and Amazon Prime, offer HD, 4K and even HDR content, which ensures clear and immersive viewing experiences. 

• Reliability: The chances of running into loading screens and service slowdowns are no longer an issue with platforms utilising paid subscriptions. Thus, you can trust online subscription services as they are built to support heavy usage.

• Offline viewing capability: Moreover, via a subscription model, the desired content can, in fact, be downloaded for offline viewing. The benefit is greatly appreciated for content in locations in the south where internet access is frequently not available, or is in the countryside during long journeys. 

• Ad-free experience: Furthermore, the majority of subscription services offer an ad-free experience, typically on the upper-tier levels. This allows a user to consume media without disruption, also known as being laden with hysterical exhaustion.

• Safety settings (Parental Controls): In addition, movies and shows have a built-in safety feature, Content Controls, which allow parents to restrict their kids’ access to specific content. Thus, any family member can securely watch the media without hesitation.

Empower your child with safe streaming choices and parental controls

Streaming services can be beneficial or detrimental depending on how you use them. They can provide a lot of useful and entertaining content for your child. However, unsupervised streaming can also lead to harm.   

That’s why, to ensure your child enjoys safe media consumption, many streaming services offer content restrictions and profiles for kids. For instance, Disney+ and Netflix offer kid-friendly profiles that restrict access to inappropriate content. These profiles also feature parental controls, allowing parents to set and customize time limits and control content.  

Moreover, PBS Kids and National Geographic Kids offer content specially tailored for kids’ learning. These services aim to teach children through colourful and engaging educational shows; therefore, streaming can be an educational tool, not just for entertainment.  

Similarly, Amazon Prime Video offers filters and content rating systems, allowing parents to control what their children watch. Each film or series on the service has an age rating, allowing parents to filter out unsuitable content accessible to their child easily.

Pro tip: Use FlashGet Kids

To help ensure that your child is streaming appropriate content, FlashGet Kids, a monitoring application, might be of additional benefit.  This app allows safe streaming for kids without risk of exposure to inappropriate content. For instance;

Its screen mirroring feature allows you to see what kind of platforms your kids are accessing and also what type of content they are streaming on their devices. Moreover, you can also restrict your kids from accessing inappropriate websites using the browser safety feature.

Thus, with the right tools, streaming can be a positive and enriching experience for your family.

Final words

As you can see, there are plenty of safe and legal alternatives to 123Movies. These platforms offer a mix of free content, from entertainment to learning, without the risks associated with pirated sites. By exploring these options, you can enjoy quality streaming while keeping your online experience safe and legal. 

Even better, you have more feature-packed streaming platforms that offer parental controls and content filters. Besides, installing FlashGet Kids allows you to guide your child’s safe media consumption and other such activities. This way, you may permit your child to enjoy streaming while shielding them from inappropriate materials.