12 Best Free Illegal Movie Websites: Free Streaming Sites

Free illegal movie websites are everywhere, but finding a safe, functional and high-quality option is a challenge. Many sites suffer from downtime, are riddled with malware and offer poor streaming qualities. As a Cloudwards entertainment writer, I spent several days testing and reviewing free movie websites, and I’ll share my findings with you. 

To find the best options, I looked at each site’s content library, ease of use and streaming quality. Although the websites on this list are currently working, authorities can close them down without warning, which is why I’ve included 12 options; I also added a few legal options to consider. Most importantly, I’ll show you how to use the best VPN for streaming to keep you secure on these sites. 

The 12 Best Free Illegal Movie Sites

From my tests, the best free illegal movie websites include Cineby, DoraWatch, Goojara, Boredflix and Fmovies. In this section, I’ll share 12 of the best free illegal movie sites, highlighting their features and working URLs. Note that all these sites provide free access without requiring you to sign up or register. 

1. Cineby — Best for Streaming High-Quality Movies Ad-Free 

Cineby is a streaming lover’s dream. It offers thousands of movies and TV shows curated from popular streaming services, including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, Max and Apple TV+. I was impressed by its dedicated 4K catalog, which contains over 1,000 movies. The 4K movies play seamlessly without any buffering at all. 

Cineby’s interface is elegant, intuitive and well organized. I loved its “top 10” and “what’s trending today” sections, which can help if you’re unsure what to watch. Cineby is the only free illegal streaming site I found that allows users to stream ad-free. The option to turn off ads is available in the “settings” tab on the top-right of Cineby’s homepage. 

Site URL: www.cineby.app

2. DoraWatch — Easy-to-Use Free Streaming Platform

I recommend DoraWatch if you’re looking for an easy-to-use, free streaming service. Its interface is simple, and there’s a search button to help you find movies. I was impressed that I could open DoraWatch and watch a movie without facing any ads. The ads appeared only when I clicked on video controls, such as pause, captions and settings.

Furthermore, none of DoraWatch’s ad redirects led to automatic downloads on my computer. You’ll typically find four streaming APIs per movie, allowing you to switch when one fails. For example, you can switch to the Vidsrc API if the default Vidfast option can’t open a movie.

Site URL: dorawatch.net 

3. Goojara — Best for Downloading Movies and TV Series

If you’re looking for the latest episode of your favorite TV show, Goojara is an excellent bet. In my testing, I found a massive, constantly updated library of TV shows. The homepage has a list of recently added TV series to help you find episodes easily. Aside from TV shows, Goojara also has thousands of movies you can enjoy.

I was particularly impressed by Goojara’s “download” feature. A “download” button is available when you stream a movie, and it works seamlessly. Unfortunately, most Goojara streams don’t give you the option to switch your streaming quality or add subtitles. 

Site URL: goojara.to

4. Boredflix — Best for Creating Watch Parties

Boredflix has a massive library of movies and TV shows, and I was pleased to see many recent releases featured on its homepage. All its movies have stream ratings that help you find the best quality stream. I like that you can add movies to your watchlists and create a watch party with up to 50 people, but you’ll have to create an account for this.

It also offers flexibility when downloading files, allowing you to select your preferred video quality. You can even download subtitles while you’re at it. What’s more, Boredflix often has anywhere from hundreds to thousands of comments per movie, which can be helpful if you enjoy the community aspect or want to check if streams or downloads work.

Site URL: boredflix.com

5. PopcornMovies — Best for Watching Movie Collections and Sequels

PopcornMovies offers over 70,000 movies and 35,000 TV shows. Many free streaming sites don’t provide data on their content libraries, so this is refreshing to see. Its interface is well organized and intuitive, and you can filter movies based on your favorite streaming site. For example, clicking on “Netflix” opened a page with all the Netflix movies on the site.

I also found PopcornMovies’ collections helpful since they allowed me to stream sequels together. The available collections include ‘John Wick,’ ‘Indiana Jones’ and ‘Home Alone.’ PopcornMovies also lets you watch livestreams like ESPN and HBO Max for free. Note that you’ll have to deal with multiple ads when you click on any video controls while streaming.

Site URL: popcornmovies.org

6. WMovies — A Sleek Streaming Site With Lots of Movies

WMovies is a sleek streaming site that has plenty to watch. I scrolled through a sea of movies and TV shows, and almost all of them were in HD format. I loved that WMovies has intuitive search options beyond simply entering a query into the search bar. You can use its filters to sort content by genre, year, country, language, views and quality.

I noticed that WMovies lets users rate each movie, and you can even sort based on ratings. The streams loaded fast, and I didn’t encounter any buffering. Each stream also has a button for reporting any issues you might encounter while streaming. However, like many of the free sites I reviewed, you’ll face multiple annoying ads while using WMovies. 

Site URL: wmovies.one

7. MappleTV — Best for Streaming on Mobile Devices

MappleTV is another good option that I recommend for streaming on mobile devices. Its interface reminds me a lot of Cineby’s design, which is polished, well laid-out and intuitive. I opened the site on my Google Pixel phone, and it was responsive and easy to navigate. It works just as well as the desktop site.

Most of MappleTV’s movies are in HD, but I was glad to see a fair few in 4K. This makes it a good option if you want high-quality movies only. If you get tired of watching movies and want to take a swing at audiobooks, you’ll love MappleTV’s audiobook library. I found a great selection of audiobooks by popular authors like Stephen King and E.L. James. 

Site URL: mapple.tv

8. 123moviesfree — A Huge Library of Movies and TV Shows

If you loved the original 123Movies, you’ll find that 123moviesfree is a worthy replacement. It looks and feels like 123Movies, with thousands of high-quality free movies and TV shows. However, to access a 123moviesfree stream, you’ll need to get through many ads — I counted seven ads on one occasion. 

Streaming is smooth with 123moviesfree, and I didn’t experience any hiccups. It also provides a download option, although you shouldn’t expect it to work. I tried to download a movie, but the “download” buttons were unresponsive. 123moviesfree also offers a mailing list to provide updates on available movies and TV shows. 

Site URL: 123moviesfree.net 

9. Project Free TV — Best for Finding Movie Links

Project Free TV doesn’t host its own streams, but it does provide links to embedded codes of over 130,000 movies and more than 40,000 series. When you click on a movie on Project Free TV, it opens a list of streaming links. The upside of this approach is that you can access numerous options and switch links if any of them falter.

However, having to sift through different links also means you could end up on shady websites. Fortunately, I noticed that Project Free TV has links to hard-to-find TV series, so you might just find the series you love there. If you’re an Android user, you can download and install Project Free TV’s Android APK. 

Site URL: projectfreetv.sx

10. RidoMovies — Good Option for Finding Recent Netflix Releases

Consider RidoMovies if you’re looking for a free illegal streaming site with thousands of movies and TV shows. I found many of my favorite movies on the site, even recent Netflix releases. I appreciated that RidoMovies provides a summary of each movie when you hover over it. For many other platforms, I had to click the movie to get a summary. 

RidoMovies also offers Chromecast, which allows you to cast your streams to a smart TV. It worked well on my TCL Android smart TV when I tried it. RidoMovies also has dedicated pages for movies from popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Max, Apple, Paramount+ and Peacock. 

Site URL: ridomovies.tv

11. PressPlay — Best for Binge-Watching TV Series

PressPlay has a rich variety of recent blockbuster movies, B-movies and classics. I also discovered lots of series, especially those from Netflix and Prime Video. I enjoyed binge-watching series thanks to its “next ep” feature, which let me move to the next episode without complications. 

I loved the Google Cast feature since it allowed me to cast movies to my smart TV. PressPlay is also good for international users because its website is available in different languages, including English, Turkish, German, French, Arabic and Japanese. However, it goes without saying that you should expect a fair few ads while using the platform. 

Site URL: pressplay.top

12. Fmovies — A Constantly Updated Library of New Movies

Fmovies is a good pick if you want to watch recent movies and TV shows. I noticed that Fmovies often uploads movies the same day that they appear on legal streaming sites. Many of these movies are in HD, although a handful are in “CAM.” As the name suggests, CAM movies are camera recordings from theaters and are of lower quality.

Fmovies gives users the option to download movies directly. Unfortunately, I noticed that some of the “download” buttons don’t work. In addition, you need to click on a movie four to six times before the stream starts. Each click generates an ad that you have to close. One of my clicks triggered an automatic download of Opera software on my laptop. 

Site URL: fmovies.co

The Best Free Legal Streaming Sites 

13. Tubi — Best Legal Streaming Service

I suggest using Tubi TV if you prefer legal streaming platforms. It has more than 275,000 movies and TV shows, plus over 300 exclusive originals. Unfortunately, you won’t find the latest movie releases from popular platforms like Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video and Hulu. However, you can watch many classic and indie films on Tubi TV.

Tubi TV’s “Español” channel contains lots of Spanish movies. It also has a kids’ channel that features a treasure trove of cartoons. I particularly enjoyed nostalgic gems like ‘Scooby-Doo’ and ‘Baby Shark.’ Note that your Tubi TV movie will be interrupted with ads every 12 to 15 minutes. Plus, Tubi works only in the U.S., the U.K., North America and parts of Latin America. 

Site URL: tubitv.com

14. Plex — Best for Streaming Downloaded Movies on Different Devices

Plex is home to over 50,000 free movies, which are mostly classics and independent films. Many of its movies were released between 2000 and 2015, so don’t expect to see the latest blockbusters. Plex also shows ads during streams every 10 minutes.

Plex’s strong suit is its personal media server. It allows you to organize and stream your personal media collection across different devices. For example, after adding three movies from my computer to my Plex media server, I was able to stream them on my Android phone when I signed into my Plex account.

Site URL: plex.tv

15. The Roku Channel — Best for Anyone Who Owns a Roku Device

I recommend this service to anyone who owns a Roku device since The Roku Channel is built into them. You can stream many classics, independent films and Roku Originals. I was able to watch old movies like ‘Apocalypto’ and ‘RoboCop,’ and my streams were smooth and lag-free.

The Roku Channel is a good pick for parents thanks to its parental controls. It allows you to use a four-digit PIN to restrict playback based on content ratings. Moreover, Roku does have ads, but they are few and far between. You’ll see them every 10 to 15 minutes, which works out to about eight minutes of ads per hour.

Site URL: therokuchannel.roku.com

Are Free Movie Websites Legal?

No, not all free movie websites are legal. Most popular free websites, such as Cineby and 123moviesfree, allow users to stream copyright-protected content without permission. Accessing pirated content might be illegal in your region, and you could suffer legal repercussions. 

However, there are free legal websites, such as Tubi TV, Plex and The Roku Channel. These websites offer thousands of free movies and TV shows, with a few embedded ads. You can access them without signing up, or you can create a free account to unlock features like watchlists and recommendations.

Legal websites usually don’t have the latest movie and TV show releases. 

Why You Need a VPN for Free Movie Streaming

You need a VPN to protect your privacy while you watch movies online. On a free streaming site, you might accidentally stream copyrighted content, which can result in legal consequences. Your internet service provider (ISP) might also monitor your activity on such sites. A VPN masks your online activity, changing your IP address to make you untraceable.

Furthermore, free streaming sites often contain lots of ads and pop-ups. VPNs encrypt your traffic and often include an ad, malware and tracker blocker.

Illegal Streaming Guide: How to Watch Movies for Free With a VPN

To watch a free movie with a VPN, you need to subscribe to a VPN, install it and connect to a server. Here’s a breakdown of the steps using NordVPN — the best VPN for streaming — as an example.  

1. Subscribe to a VPN

   Visit NordVPN’s pricing page, select a plan and enter your credit card details to complete the payment. I suggest purchasing a long-term plan for bigger discounts.

   

2. Download and Install the VPN

   Go to NordVPN’s download page and install the app for your device. Alternatively, open your device’s app store, search for the app and click to install it. 

   

3. Connect to a Server

   Open NordVPN and connect to a VPN server. I recommend connecting to nearby servers since they’re likely to offer the fastest speeds. 

   

4. Start Streaming Securely

   Open your favorite streaming site, look for your desired movie and click to start watching. 

   

The Top 3 VPNs to Watch Free Movies Online

A good VPN for streaming should have fast speeds, strong privacy protections, and ad and malware blocking capabilities. NordVPN is the best VPN for streaming free movies online. Surfshark is an affordable alternative, and ExpressVPN is a beginner-friendly choice.  

Final Thoughts

You can stream movies and TV shows for free on online websites. Based on my testing, Cineby is the best site for streaming free movies. Similar sites include DoraWatch, Goojara, Boredflix and PopcornMovies. If you want sites with proper licensing, consider Tubi TV and Plex. I recommend using a VPN like NordVPN to protect your privacy and reduce security risks.

Have you ever streamed on-demand content on a free streaming site? What was your experience, and which site is your favorite? Which VPN do you prefer for protecting your privacy on streaming sites? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments section below. As always, thanks for reading. 

FAQ: Unblocked Movies

• What Is the Best Free Movie Website?

  Cineby is the best free movie website, with an easy-to-use interface, thousands of movies and TV shows, and high-quality streams.  

• Are Free Movie Websites Illegal?

  Most free movie websites are illegal because their content often violates copyright restrictions. However, there are legal streaming sites, such as Tubi TV, The Roku Channel and Plex. 

• What Is 123Movies Called Now?

  123Movies now has several mirror sites, including 123moviesfree and 0123movies. The original 123Movies site no longer works. 

• Is 123Movies an Illegal Website?

  123Movies no longer exists, but it was an illegal site that had a vast collection of movies and TV shows.