YTS
How YIFY movies became the best-known name in movie torrents, what really happened to YTS, and where to watch or download films legally today.
This is an information page only. It hosts no files, links to no torrents or piracy sites, and has no connection to YIFY, YTS or any site using those names.
Who were YIFY, and what was YTS?
YIFY was a movie release group that shared films as free torrent downloads, and YTS was the website where those YIFY movies were listed. The group was started in 2010 by a computer science student in New Zealand, and the name later turned out to come from the founder’s own initials.
Unlike streaming sites, it did not play films in the browser. Visitors downloaded torrent files or magnet links and fetched the movie through peer-to-peer software, which meant they were also uploading pieces of it to other users at the same time.
What made YIFY movies so popular
The group built a following on a recognizable house style:
None of these films were licensed, though. Studios, cast and crew were never paid for any of the downloads.
Why YTS was shut down
- 2010YIFY begins releasing films, and its website grows into one of the most visited torrent sites.
- Oct 2015The Motion Picture Association (then the MPAA) files suits in Canada and New Zealand, and the site goes dark without explanation.
- Oct 30, 2015The shutdown is confirmed as permanent, and no new releases appear.
- Nov 2015The MPAA announces it was behind the closure. The founder settles out of court soon after.
By the time it closed, the site was drawing millions of unique visitors a month, making the case one of the largest piracy actions in New Zealand’s history.
Are today’s YTS sites the real YIFY?
No. Almost as soon as the original went offline, new sites picked up both names. Addresses such as YTS.ag and YTS.mx, and the many domains that followed, are run by unrelated operators who have switched addresses repeatedly under legal pressure. Using them carries real risks:
- Torrenting exposes your IP address to everyone sharing the same file, which is how rights holders identify downloaders.
- Users have received copyright notices from internet providers, settlement demands and, in some countries, fines.
- Ads and fake download buttons on these clones can lead to malware, adware or phishing pages.
- Files labeled as YIFY movies may be mislabeled or bundled with harmful software.
Treat any site claiming to be “the official YTS” with suspicion.
Legal alternatives to YIFY and YTS
The things that made these torrents appealing, a big library and offline viewing, are now available legally, and much of it is free.
Download movies legally
If offline viewing is what you liked, buy a digital copy from Apple TV, Prime Video, Google TV or Fandango at Home, which you can download to your devices. Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ also let subscribers download many titles for offline viewing, and Hoopla lets library cardholders download films to watch later.
Stream free with ads
Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel and Plex all stream licensed films at no cost. Their combined catalogs run to many thousands of titles across most genres.
Borrow from your library
Kanopy and Hoopla partner with many public libraries to offer free, ad-free access to classic, independent and documentary films.
Subscribe for the newest releases
Recent hits and original films mostly live on paid services such as Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Paramount+, Peacock and Apple TV. Many have lower-priced plans with ads.
How to know a movie download is legal
Legal downloads come from a store or app run by a known company, such as a digital movie store or a subscription service’s own app. You pay for the title, rent it, or download it inside an app that manages the file for you. You never need a torrent client, a magnet link or a file from an anonymous uploader.
Release timing is another clue. New films usually reach digital stores weeks or months after their run in theaters, so a free download of a movie still in cinemas is almost certainly pirated. Guides such as JustWatch will show you where any title is legally available in your country.
Keep your devices updated, use a trusted antivirus, and avoid running any file you didn’t get from an official store.
YIFY and YTS questions answered
Is YIFY still around?
No. The original YIFY release group and its YTS website closed for good in October 2015. Sites using the YIFY or YTS name today are run by unrelated operators.
Are YTS.mx and other YTS sites the official YIFY?
No. Domains such as YTS.ag, YTS.mx and later YTS addresses appeared after 2015 and have no link to the original YIFY team.
Is downloading YIFY movies illegal?
Downloading or sharing copyrighted films through torrents without permission infringes copyright in most countries. Because torrents upload while they download, users are easy to identify and can receive warnings, fines or legal claims.
Where can I download movies legally instead of YTS?
You can buy digital copies from Apple TV, Prime Video, Google TV or Fandango at Home, use the offline download feature in apps like Netflix and Prime Video, or borrow films through Hoopla with a library card.
What is the best free legal alternative to YIFY?
Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel and Plex stream licensed movies free with ads. Kanopy and Hoopla are free through many public libraries.
Can I download torrents from this page?
No. This page provides information only. It does not host files, torrents or magnet links, and it does not link to any piracy site.
Conclusion for yify-movies.pro
Finding any title is quick and effortless at YTS, so you can go from a vague idea to a full set of details in seconds. The catalog is large and constantly updated, covering every genre from action and comedy to drama and documentary, alongside a deep selection of TV shows.
Each title page gives you the essentials at a glance: a clear synopsis, the cast, ratings and other useful details, all laid out so you can compare and choose with confidence. Search is fast and browsing is easy, whether you are following a genre, a year or a familiar name.
Access is completely free, with no registration and no fees, so you can explore as much as you like. The site works smoothly on any device, from a phone to a laptop to a tablet, and it stays just as simple and responsive wherever you are.
For a catalog this broad and this well organized, YTS is a great place to explore and discover movies and TV shows, and it keeps getting better with every update.
Independent information page. Not affiliated with YIFY, YTS, any site using either name, or any service mentioned here. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.