123Movies is one of the most popular movie streaming sites on the internet. It offers a huge collection of movies and TV shows across different genres and languages, all for free. You don’t need to sign up or register to use 123Movies, which makes it very convenient and easy to use.
However, 123Movies is not a legal site. It hosts pirated content that violates the copyright laws of the US and other countries. Therefore, it is often blocked by ISPs or governments, forcing it to change its domain name frequently. This can affect its performance and stability. Moreover, 123Movies has a lot of ads and pop-ups that can slow down your browser and expose you to malware or viruses.
So, is 123Movies illegal in the US and what are the risks of using it? In this article, we will answer these questions and show you some legal and safe alternatives to 123Movies.
Is 123Movies Illegal in the US?
The answer is yes, 123Movies is illegal in the US. According to the US law, streaming or downloading copyrighted movies and shows without permission is a form of piracy, which is a criminal offense. The penalties for piracy can vary depending on the severity of the case, but they can include hefty fines, jail time, or both.
The US authorities have been cracking down on piracy websites for years, and 123Movies is no exception. In 2018, the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) labeled 123Movies as the world’s most popular illegal site, with nearly 100 million users. The MPAA also collaborated with the Vietnamese authorities to shut down the original 123Movies site, as it was based in Vietnam.
However, 123Movies remained a huge name, which resulted in other unofficial streaming websites creating its clone and using it to promote themselves. Today, the official 123Movies site doesn’t work, but you can find dozens of 123Movies duplicate sites that people commonly call ‘mirror’ sites. Some of the 123Movies alternatives (mirror sites) include:
- 123Movies.net
- 123Movies.co
- 123Movies.to
- 123Movies.gs
- 123Movies.ru
One thing to note: while we listed out a few of the most popular sites, we are, by no means, suggesting you participate in illegal streaming activities. The legality of that may differ from country to country.
What Are the Risks of Using 123Movies?
Using 123Movies is not only illegal, but also risky. The risks of using 123Movies include:
Legal trouble: As mentioned above, using 123Movies can get you in trouble with the law, as it is considered piracy. You can face legal action from the copyright holders, the ISPs, or the government. You can also be sued for damages or lose your internet access.
Malware infection: 123Movies and its mirror sites are full of ads and pop-ups that can be malicious. Clicking on such an ad or pop-up can take you to a harmful third-party website that can infect your device with malware or viruses. Malware can damage your device, steal your data, or compromise your security.
Data breach: 123Movies and its mirror sites are not secure or encrypted. They can expose your IP address, location, browsing history, and other personal information to hackers, trackers, or advertisers. This can lead to identity theft, fraud, or spam.
What Are the Alternatives to 123Movies?
If you want to watch movies online in a legal, safe, and high-quality way, you should avoid 123Movies and its mirror sites. Instead, you should use some of the legal and safe alternatives to 123Movies, such as:
Amazon Prime Video: Amazon Prime Video is a premium streaming service that offers thousands of movies and TV shows, including exclusive originals, in HD and 4K quality. You can also download the content and watch it offline on your device.
(Amazon Prime Video requires a monthly subscription fee of $12.99, but you can get it for free with BigCashWeb. BigCashWeb is a website that allows you to earn free gift cards and rewards by completing simple tasks, such as watching videos, playing games, taking surveys, and more. With BigCashWeb, you can get a free Amazon gift card worth $25, which you can use to get a free Amazon Prime membership for two months. That means you can watch movies and shows on Amazon Prime Video for free for two months. How awesome is that?)
Netflix: Netflix is the most popular streaming service in the world, with over 200 million subscribers. It has a huge library of movies and TV shows, including original content, documentaries, and foreign films. You can watch them on any device, such as your computer, smartphone, tablet, or smart TV. Netflix also has a download feature that lets you watch content offline. Netflix has different plans and prices, ranging from $8.99 to $17.99 per month, depending on the quality and number of screens you want.
Hulu: Hulu is another popular streaming service that offers a variety of movies and TV shows, including original content, live TV, and sports. You can watch them on any device, such as your computer, smartphone, tablet, or smart TV. Hulu also has a download feature that lets you watch content offline. Hulu has different plans and prices, ranging from $5.99 to $64.99 per month, depending on the ads and live TV options you want.
Disney+: Disney+ is a streaming service that offers content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more. You can watch movies and TV shows, including exclusive originals, in HD and 4K quality. You can also download the content and watch it offline on your device. Disney+ supports up to four simultaneous streams and seven profiles per account. Disney+ costs $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year. You can also bundle it with Hulu and ESPN+ for $12.99 per month.
YouTube: YouTube is the largest video-sharing platform in the world, with over 2 billion users. You can watch and upload videos of various categories, such as music, comedy, education, gaming, and more. You can also watch some movies and TV shows for free or with a rental or purchase fee. YouTube is free to use, but you can also subscribe to YouTube Premium for $11.99 per month, which gives you ad-free and offline viewing, as well as access to YouTube Music and YouTube Originals.
These are some of the best alternatives to 123Movies that you can use to watch movies online in a legal, safe, and high-quality way. However, you should be aware that some of these services may not be available or accessible in your country or region. In that case, you can use a VPN to unblock them and enjoy their content. A VPN is a service that encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address and location from the authorities. This way, you can bypass the geo-restrictions and access any streaming service you want.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. We do not endorse or promote any illegal or unethical activities, such as using pirated content, hacking, or malware. We are not responsible for any damages or losses that may result from following the tips or suggestions in this article. Use them at your own risk.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you why 123Movies is illegal in the US and what are the risks of using it. We have also shown you some of the best alternatives to 123Movies that you can use to watch movies online in a legal, safe, and high-quality way. We have also introduced you to BigCashWeb, a website that lets you earn free gift cards and rewards by completing simple tasks. By using these platforms, you can enjoy watching movies online without any hassle. Whether you prefer free or paid streaming services, you can find the best option for your needs and preferences. Don’t miss this opportunity to watch movies online for free or at a low cost. Sign up for BigCashWeb and start earning today!
FAQs:
1. Is 123Movies safe in USA? Can 123Movies harm my phone or computer?
Yes, many 123Movies clone movie sites host content in a way that can expose you to malware and virus infection. The site might have malicious ad links that trick you into providing personal information through phishing attacks or downloading malicious software.
2. What is 123Movies called now?
The original name, and URL, was 123movies.to, which changed to other domains including 123movies.is before redirecting to gomovies.to and later gomovies.is.
3. Can you watch 123Movies legally?
Although the original 123Movies website shut down in 2018, many mirror sites also provide free access to a large number of titles. But such platforms aren’t official and usually distribute pirated content, which is illegal in most parts of the world.
