Best 123Movies Alternative: 10 Free Streaming Sites

Key Takeaways: These Are the Best 123Movies Alternative Sites (Unofficial)

1. 0123movies — An exact replica of 123Movies with thousands of movies. 
2. Fmovies — A clutter-free and intuitive 123Movies alternative.
3. DoraWatch — An underrated streaming platform with lots of recent blockbusters. 
4. Wmovies — A solid streaming platform with thousands of TV shows and series. 
5. Goojara — An option that works well for mobile devices and has a user forum.

The Best “Official” 123Movie Alternatives

1. Tubi — An advertising-based video on demand (AVOD) platform with over 275,000 movies and TV episodes for free, with dedicated kids and Spanish channels; 
2. Pluto TV — A free AVOD alternative that includes hundreds of live channels and thousands of movies. 
3. Plex — A good AVOD platform for streaming free movies and creating your personal media server. 
4. The Roku Channel — A rotating library of free movies and TV shows ideal for Roku users. 
5. Xumo Play — A service offering free access to classic films, independent movies and lesser-known B-movies. 

Facts & Expert Analysis About Sites Like 123Movies

• How 123Movies met its end: 123Movies launched in 2015 and quickly amassed millions of followers. Its success drew the ire of movie studios, copyright holders and law enforcement. In March 2018, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) took down the site.¹  
• Streaming services and downtimes: Free streaming services often suffer downtimes due to overloaded servers. They are also targets for copyright strikes, domain seizures and internet service provider (ISP) blocks. 
• AVODs, the saving grace: Instead of illegal free streaming sites, I recommend using advertising-based video on demand (AVOD) services. These platforms allow users to watch free content, but they include minimal ads to generate revenue. Examples include Tubi, Plex and Pluto TV. 

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You’d be forgiven for thinking the original 123Movies still exists, given that several mirror sites have emerged promising free, high-quality streams. As a Cloudwards entertainment and VPN writer, I know that many of these spin-offs are plagued by intrusive ads, malware and poor streaming links. The good news is that a reliable 123Movies alternative can help you stream your favorite movies and TV shows for free.   

I tested several free streaming websites based on the qualities that made 123Movies a crowd favorite: no logins, quality streams and a user-friendly interface. I’ve divided my findings into two categories — unofficial sites and free legal alternatives. I’ll disclose the best five websites in each category, leaving you with plenty of options. 

I recommend using official and legal free streaming sites. Unofficial or pirate sites often host copyrighted content and might contain malware. If you use an unofficial site, confirm that it doesn’t violate your country’s laws, and use a good virtual private network (VPN) to protect your internet traffic.  

5 Sites Like 123Movies: Unofficial

The five best unofficial websites that resemble the original 123Movies site are 0123movies, Fmovies, DoraWatch, Wmovies and Goojara. Unofficial sites often suffer downtimes, so I recommend checking out directories like FMHY and Yarrlist. These sites maintain a list of working platforms and are constantly updated. 

1. 0123movies 

There’s barely any difference between 0123movies and 123Movies, except for the URL. 0123movies has a clean interface, big thumbnails and a layout that’s just like the classic 123Movies. I appreciate that it has a constantly updated catalog of movies and TV shows. Most streams have multiple servers, so you can switch when one isn’t responding. 

0123movies doesn’t require registration to use the site. Although it has ads, they are few and far between, so they shouldn’t interrupt your streaming experience. 

2. Fmovies

Fmovies is another 123Movies clone. It has a clutter-free interface with titles categorized under “suggestions,” “latest movies” and “latest TV series.” Finding a movie is easy thanks to its intuitive search button. Plus, you can also filter movies by genre and country. 

Unfortunately, you’ll often have to work through multiple ads to stream movies. Many of the movies I clicked on opened ad redirects, which were distracting. 

3. DoraWatch

DoraWatch is an underrated gem in the streaming industry. It houses a diverse library of content, with particular emphasis on recent releases. I found many trending movies that aren’t readily available on many other streaming sites. Its thumbnails are bold and appealing, making it easy to scroll through movie options. 

This site also offers backup server links so you don’t run out of options when one fails. It serves up occasional ads while you browse, but you can easily swat them out of the way. 

4. Wmovies

Wmovies is a great 123Movies replacement for streaming TV shows and series. Wmovies offers hundreds of TV series, including recently released titles. It also has one of the most intuitive search filters I’ve ever seen. You can search for movies and series by year, country, language and quality.

The streams were smooth, and I didn’t experience any lag or buffering. However, you’ll need to endure a few ads to get your stream. 

5. Goojara

Goojara has an extensive collection of free movies and series. Its interface is a bit dated, but it’s still simple to use. It doesn’t have as many pop-up ads compared to other 123Movies alternatives, although you might see an ad when you click to view a movie. Goojara has a forum where users can comment, chat, request content and flag dead links.

This site is a good pick for streaming enthusiasts who want a mobile-friendly choice. I found the website easy to use and responsive to my Pixel phone. 

5 Best 123Movies Free Legal Alternatives

The best legal 123Movies alternatives are Tubi, Pluto TV, Plex, the Roku Channel and Xumo Play. These licensed services don’t require signups or logins, and they provide high-quality streaming. As advertising-based video on demand (AVOD) platforms, they all come with ads, though you can try using an ad-blocker.

1. Tubi

Tubi is a legal streaming platform that offers over 275,000 movies and TV episodes, with more than 300 exclusive originals. I love that it has a dedicated channel for kids featuring hundreds of cartoons. If you want Spanish movies, you’ll enjoy Tubi’s dedicated page for Spanish content. You can watch Tubi on many devices, including smart TVs and Roku. 

According to Tubi, you can expect an ad every 12 to 15 minutes. In my experience, I streamed for almost 30 minutes without an ad. Unfortunately, Tubi works only in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Latin America, the U.K. and Australia. If you’re in another location, you’ll need a streaming VPN. Bear in mind that using one goes against Tubi TV’s terms of service.  

2. Pluto TV

I recommend Pluto TV for any cord-cutter who misses traditional TV. It offers hundreds of live channels, like CBS News, NBC News Now, CNN and Fox Sports. I could access many on-demand movies and series on my Android smart TV. However, Pluto TV’s interface feels complex, with an annoying floating window that is difficult to remove. 

Pluto TV works in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Latin America. If you’re outside these countries, you can learn how to use a VPN to access Pluto TV.

3. Plex

Plex is a solid choice if you want an extensive streaming library that offers flexible controls. Aside from watching over 600 live channels and 50,000 titles, you can host and organize your media files. I could upload and add movies or music files to my Plex account, then stream them on my Android phone, even when I was away from home. 

Unlike some other streaming services, Plex is available in almost every country in the world. However, Plex interrupts your viewing experience with so many ads. For example, I experienced up to four minutes of consecutive ads while streaming.

4. The Roku Channel

Roku is an excellent choice for Roku device owners or anyone who wants to stream content on their browser or phone for free. It has a rich variety of content, including over 500 live TV channels and a rotating library of popular movies. I discovered many Roku-exclusive originals, such as ‘Die Hart,’ ‘Most Dangerous Game’ and ‘RENO 911!’

What’s more, Roku has a dedicated kids channel with family-friendly shows and movies. The Roku Channel’s major drawback is that it often won’t have the latest blockbusters. 

5. Xumo Play

Xumo Play has lots of indie films and lesser-known B-movies. I like that it offers dedicated sections for Spanish, Asian and Indian (Bollywood) content. Xumo Play is also a good pick for live TV streaming because it has over 300 live channels. The live TV guide is organized and easy to navigate, although it lags occasionally. 

Unfortunately, Xumo Play has pop-up ads. For example, I had to close a couple of ads before accessing a movie I wanted to stream. It’s also available only in the U.S. and Canada. 

Best 123Movies Alternatives: Reddit Reviews

Reddit users often recommend Fmovies, Goojara, Tubi TV, Putlocker, YesMovies and Xumo Play as good 123Movies alternatives. Redditors consistently praise Fmovies as one of the unofficial sites that still works reliably, noting that while it isn’t perfect, it has a great selection of movies and shows.

Putlocker didn’t make our list because the site was unavailable and most of its mirrors are unreliable. YesMovies works and can serve as a good backup choice if the ones on our list don’t suit your taste. 

Does 123Movies Have Mirror Sites? 

Yes, 123Movies has mirror sites, although none of them are official. The MPAA closed down the original 123Movies website in 2018. Since then, lots of mirrors have sprung up, often copying the original name, design and functionality. Examples include 123moviesfree, 123movieshub and w-123movies. 

Risks of Illegal Streaming Sites 

Watching free, illegal streaming sites comes with numerous risks — most notably, legal consequences, privacy and data theft, malware and viruses, and a poor streaming experience. 

• Legal consequences: Streaming copyrighted content without proper licensing is illegal in many countries. Penalties include Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) strikes, fines and even prosecution in extreme cases. 
• Privacy and data theft: Shady free streaming websites might track and collect personal data like your IP address and browser information. Some sites host crypto-mining scripts that silently hijack your device’s processing power. 
• Malware and viruses: Illegal streaming sites can have malicious ads and fake download or play buttons. Clicking them can infect your device with malware, spyware, ransomware and trojans. Some sites are outright scams looking to harvest your personal information. 
• Poor streaming experience: Illegal streaming sites often have low-quality videos, broken links, buffering and frequent redirects. 

How to Watch Free Movies Online Safely

You can watch free movies safely only by using a VPN, an ad blocker or an antivirus software. We also recommend taking safety precautions, such as avoiding clicking on suspicious links or entering personal information. 

• Use a VPN: A VPN hides your actual IP address and encrypts your traffic, anonymizing your online activity. Its ability to change your IP makes it a good option for unblocking geo-restricted streaming sites. I recommend NordVPN, the best VPN provider thanks to its servers in 126 countries, robust security and fast speeds. Read our NordVPN review.
• Use an ad blocker: Ad blockers stop ads and redirects from loading. Many ad blockers, such as Chrome, have built-in ad blocking that you can activate in their settings. For the best results, I recommend using the best ad blockers, such as uBlock Origin.
• Use an antivirus software: An antivirus software, like Bitdefender, provides real-time protection against viruses. Read our roundup of the best antivirus software to learn more. 
• Avoid clicking on suspicious ads or pop-ups: I advise against opening ads and pop-ups that appear while you’re streaming. Close such ads and redirects immediately. 
• Don’t enter personal information: Avoid entering details like your name, email address and credit card information on free streaming platforms. Unknown operators often run these sites, and you never know when your data might be compromised.

Final Thoughts

Although 123Movies is no longer active, several excellent alternatives exist. 0123movies, Fmovies, DoraWatch, Wmovies and Goojara are some unofficial options with thousands of movies. If you want legal platforms, choose from Tubi, Pluto TV, Plex, the Roku Channel or Xumo Play. I recommend using a VPN like NordVPN to protect your internet traffic while streaming. 

Which 123Movies replacement on our list are you considering? Have you faced any challenges while using unofficial streaming platforms? What is your go-to free streaming site? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments section below. As always, thanks for reading. 

FAQ: 123Movies Similar Sites

• What Replaces 123Movies?

  0123movies is the best unofficial replacement for 123Movies, thanks to its identical interface. Tubi is the best legal alternative, offering over 275,000 movies and episodes.

• Is 123Movies Still Working?

  123Movies was taken down by the Motion Picture Association of America in 2018. Although some mirror sites are around, you’ll be better off using 0123movies or Tubi.

• What’s the Best Free Streaming Website?

  Tubi is the best legal free streaming website due to its huge catalog and user-friendly interface.

Sources:

1. Britannica – 123Movies