Is GYAO Closed Down? Recommended Free Movie Alternative Sites to GYAO!

GYAO was a popular Japanese video-on-demand service that offered free and premium content, including movies, TV shows, and original programming. However, in recent years, the service has shut down, leaving many users searching for alternatives. This article explain what GYAO was, why it ended, whether you can still access its content, and the best free alternatives available today.

What is GYAO?

GYAO (pronounced “gyao”) was launched in April 2005 by Yahoo! Japan as a free streaming platform. It was one of the earliest legal streaming services in Japan, offering ad-supported movies, TV dramas, anime, and music videos.

In 2019, GYAO! was rebranded under Yahoo! Japan’s media division and later merged with LINE’s video service (LINE TV) in 2021. This merger led to the gradual phasing out of GYAO as content was integrated into LINE’s platform.

GYAO provided services:

Free ad-supported movies & TV shows (both Japanese and international)
Original web dramas & exclusive content
Anime & music videos
Premium subscription options (GYAO! Store for rentals/purchases)

The platform was widely used in Japan but had limited international availability.

Why Did GYAO End?

The first reason is that Yahoo! Japan and LINE (a major messaging app in Japan) merged their services, leading to the discontinuation of GYAO in favor of LINE’s video platform. Moreover, as the global streaming market becomes increasingly competitive, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+, making it difficult for regional services like GYAO to compete.

The most important reason is the Licensing Issues, maintaining rights for free streaming became costly, leading to a shift toward paid models.

The closure of GYAO has a great impact on users. Existing GYAO users were redirected to LINE TV (now LINE Yahoo!). Some free content remained, but much of it required a subscription. Also, international users lost access entirely.

Can You Still Watch GYAO After Distribution Ends?

Yes, some GYAO-exclusive shows may still be available on Yahoo! Japan’s video section or LINE Yahoo!. You can still access to these contents via your Yahoo account. Morever, a few clips and older content might be found on YouTube or Internet Archive, but most are no longer officially available.

So, since GYAO is defunct, users must rely on alternative platforms for free movies and TV shows.

Recommended Free Movie Alternative Sites to GYAO

1. Tubi TV Japan

Tubi TV is a free, ad-supported streaming service with a growing library of Japanese and international films. It offers Hollywood classics, indie films, and niche genres. The platform is legal and does not require registration, though creating an account allows for personalized recommendations. Tubi’s interface is user-friendly, with categories like “Recently Added” and “Popular Now.” While its Japanese content is limited compared to GYAO, it’s a solid option for foreign films.

2. Crackle (by Sony)

Crackle, owned by Sony, provides free movies and TV shows, including some Japanese titles. It features a mix of Hollywood blockbusters, cult classics, and original series. Crackle’s ad-supported model ensures free access, and the service is available on multiple devices. While its Japan-specific content isn’t extensive, it’s a good alternative for English-language films and dramas.

3. Niconico Douga

Niconico, Japan’s popular video-sharing site, has a “Niconico Channel” section with free movies, including classics and indie films. Some content requires a premium account, but free users can still access a variety of films.

How to Keep Free Movies from Sites like GYAO Permanently?

The closure of GYAO reminds us that online streaming videos are at risk of disappearing or becoming inaccessible at any time. Therefore, the best way is to download them to our devices in advance so that you can own these videos forever. Here, I would like to recommend a software called “iDownerGo Video Downloader“.

With iDownerGo Video Downloader, you can download GYAO videos permanently and save in MP4/MKV up to 1080p Full HD, so you can enjoy moive on any devices and have a better viewing experience. What’s more, iDownerGo Video Downloader works with 10,000+ video/music streaming sites, such as YouTube, Netlix, U-NEXT, Niconico, Facebook, and more.

How to Download Videos from Any Site Like GYAO?

Step 3 Go to YouTube website, play the video you like, and the download button will appear, just click on it.

Step 4 Download process will start automatically and the video will be saved to your device.

Conclusion

GYAO was a beloved free streaming service in Japan, but due to industry changes, it was discontinued and merged into LINE Yahoo!. While you can no longer access GYAO’s original library, several excellent free alternatives exist, such as Tubi, Crackle and Niconico Douga, depending on your preferences.

For those who want to keep free movie permanently, you can download and save them to your devices with the help of iDownerGo Video Downloader.