If you type "123movies" into Google, you will find dozens of sites. This is the first trap. The original 123movies was shut down by the MPA (Motion Picture Association) in 2018 after being declared "the world’s most popular pirate site."
None of these require a "codec download." None of them will steal your credit card.
: Streaming or downloading pirated content is illegal in most jurisdictions and can lead to ISP warnings or fines. Hell’s Kitchen Review - Sarah G. Vincent Views
The search for a is a search born out of convenience, not malice. Most users just want to watch Gordon Ramsay yell, "It’s RAW!" without paying for another subscription.
A tool like uBlock Origin is essential to stop malicious pop-ups.