Raven Wu
Updated on: November 25, 2024
Fact-checked by Eric Goldstein
Short on time? Here’s the best free & legal 123Movies alternative in 2024:
- YouTube. There are multiple channels on YouTube where you can watch full movies for free, and these channels are available to users from anywhere in the world. YouTube Movies also has a large catalog of movies that you can stream for free if you live in the US.
123Movies, and sites like it that offer pirated content, isn’t a good option for streaming. These sites often go down unexpectedly, have lots of broken links and poor-quality videos, or, in a worst-case scenario, contain viruses and malware. Using 123Movies and similar torrent sites may also get you in legal trouble because they host and link to copyrighted content without permission from the copyright holders.
So, I created this list of the 5 best free and legal 123Movies alternatives to save you the time and headache of looking for a good and legal free movie streaming site yourself. I evaluated each site based on its library size, how frequently it’s updated, its search and filtering functions, ease of use, and more.
Pro Tip: Using a VPN (like ExpressVPN) can help protect your data and devices while streaming online. All good VPNs also have large server networks and can access the streaming platforms on this list. The VPNs we recommend don’t keep logs of what you do online, so you’re responsible for following all applicable regulations. None of us at SafetyDetectives condone copyright infringement.
Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
7 Best Free & Legal 123Movies Alternatives in 2024
1. YouTube
YouTube is my favorite free alternative to 123Movies. There are a ton of channels where you can watch full movies at no cost (but they include ads), like Public Domain Films, Cult Cinema Classics, Korean Classic Films, Mosfilm, PizzaFlix, Popcornflix, and more. You can also find a lot of free films on YouTube Movies if you live in the US (it’s not available in other countries due to licensing restrictions).
YouTube is pretty secure, but it’s not the most private. While it doesn’t sell your data, it does use your data and activity to target you with ads and recommend relevant videos. That said, you can opt out of all this in your account settings. YouTube is owned by Google, which collects your data, including all of the videos you watch on YouTube.
2. Crackle
Crackle is a great 123Movies alternative for people living in the US (it doesn’t currently serve users in any other locations). It has a large and diverse library of movies and TV shows from just about every genre, from action to romance. The site’s design is sleek and professional and easy to navigate. That said, you’ll have to deal with the occasional in-stream ad, and it doesn’t offer in-depth filtering options beyond selecting the genre.
Creating an account on Crackle is completely optional, so you don’t have to provide the site with any personal information if you don’t want to. However, having an account does let you use its parental controls, build a watchlist, and save your watch progress.
Crackle does collect some personal information, including your IP address and your activities on the site, and this information may be shared with third parties (like advertisers).
3. Vudu
Vudu lets you buy and rent movies, but it also has a sizable catalog of free content — so long as you don’t mind a few ads. However, this site is only available in the US.
One thing I particularly like about Vudu is its filtering function. You can filter by genre, cost, and type (movies or TV) and even by its rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The site lets you set multiple filters at the same time, too, and it’s pretty cool that you can sort the results by popularity and release date as well.
Unlike Crackle, Vudu does require you to create an account, even if you’re watching for free, so you will at least have to give the site an email address. According to its privacy policy, this and any other personal information the site collects may be shared with related companies and other third parties.
4. Tubi
Tubi is a great way to stream a lot of popular movies and TV shows for free. However, like most of the other 123Movies alternatives on this list, it’s restricted to US users.
While many of Tubi’s offerings are slightly dated titles, it also hosts content from as recent as the current year. Its library isn’t just full of obscure movies and TV shows, either — you can find relatively popular films.
You don’t need to sign up to stream on Tubi, but the site does still collect some personal information, such as your activity on the site and your IP address. Plus, any information it collects may be shared with third-party advertisers and business partners.
5. Pluto TV
Pluto TV offers free live and on demand content for people in the US, so you can opt for a more traditional TV experience by picking one of its live channels, or searching for a particular title yourself.
Its library includes slightly dated but popular titles like The Wolf of Wall Street and Anchorman, as well as old classics like Indiana Jones and Top Gun.
Pluto TV doesn’t require you to create an account. However, it still collects some personal information automatically, like how you use the service, your preferences, how you interact with the site’s content, your IP address, and more. Plus, it may share this information with other companies in the Paramount family, business partners, and advertisers.
6. SBS On Demand
SBS On Demand hosts a wide variety of free movies and TV series, but most of its content is only available to people living in Australia.
The content on SBS On Demand spans several languages, all subtitled in English, and you can even find a lot of content that offers subtitles in Mandarin. Registration is required, but it’s a small step for access to a wide array of content. SBS On Demand collects data to personalize your experience on the platform, and its privacy policy also says it might share the data it collects with third parties it works with for advertising and other purposes.
7. Rakuten TV
Rakuten TV is a solid choice for those in Europe looking for free and rentable HD movies. Its free ad-supported section offers a variety of genres, focusing mainly on Rakuten originals and some interesting documentaries.
The platform is user-friendly, making it easy to jump right into watching without having to create an account, so you don’t have to share any information with the platform. However, users should be mindful that, as part of using the service, Rakuten TV gathers some personal data to tailor content recommendations.
Is 123Movies Legal?
123Movies is an illegal site that hosts and links media content without obtaining permission from the copyright holders. As a result, the site and its various copies have been subject to legal action in the past and have been shut down or blocked in numerous countries due to copyright infringement allegations.
This also means that using 123Movies (and similar streaming pirating sites) poses legal risks, even if you’re just watching and not sharing or profiting off of pirated content.
The consequences for participating in copyright infringement vary depending on the country. Some countries are stricter than others when it comes to enforcing copyright laws, and in others, it’s entirely legal to download or stream a pirated movie so long as it’s for personal use.
Why You Need a VPN for Legal Streaming Sites Like 123 Movies
When it comes to streaming sites like 123movies, having a VPN can be highly beneficial for a few key reasons.
Firstly, a VPN encrypts your internet connection and changes your IP address, which helps maintain your privacy and anonymity while streaming on platforms like 123movies. A VPN with good streaming support also makes it possible to access streaming services from any location.
Additionally, using a VPN can protect you from potential malware and viruses commonly found on such streaming websites. These threats can pose risks to your device and personal data, but a VPN acts as a shield against them, adding an extra layer of security.
The VPNs I recommend offer strong security features to safeguard your data and ensure a secure streaming experience. They often include additional features like ad blocking and protection from accessing malicious links, which further enhance your online security while using streaming sites like 123movies.
Quick summary of the best VPNs for streaming legal sites like 123Movies:
- 1. 🥇ExpressVPN — Best VPN for streaming on free & legal 123Movies alternatives.
- 2. 🥈Private Internet Access — Great VPN for free & legal streaming sites (good privacy tools).
- 3. 🥉CyberGhost VPN — Easy-to-use VPN for legal free streaming movie sites.
Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free 123Movie alternative site?
The best legal free movie site that’s like 123Movies is YouTube. There are a number of channels on the platform where you can watch full movies for free, and YouTube Movies, which is available to users in the US, also has a large catalog of free films.
Are free movie sites safe to use?
Legal movie sites are safe but illegal ones are risky, at best. Sites that host illegal files often lack the security measures necessary to protect users from malware, phishing scams, and intrusive ads. However, you can make your experience safer by only using legal and reputable sites, like YouTube and Rakuten TV. In addition, you can safeguard your streaming by getting a good VPN to encrypt your internet connection and hide your online activity from prying eyes, and practicing safe browsing habits.
Where can I watch 123Movies for free?
There are a lot of free movie and TV show streaming sites like 123Movies on the internet. But not all of them are good or safe. You can check out my top 7 best free movie streaming sites by clicking on the link and see why I prefer them over streaming sites that pirate copyrighted movies on the web.
Are streaming sites like 123Movies legal?
The legality of free streaming sites like 123Movies is a gray area and mostly depends on copyright laws in your location. 123Movies-like sites may show copyrighted content without approval from the copyright owners, which is why they frequently face legal challenges and are taken down, only to reappear under different domain names.
Although in most countries laws dictate that it’s the site operators who are on the receiving end of legal action, some countries fine and even charge individuals caught streaming or downloading from these sites. To avoid legal issues, it’s important to be aware of the copyright status of the content you’re streaming and ensure that it’s legal to watch in your area.
