If music lovers have Spotify and Apple Music and bookworms have Goodreads, then what do cinephiles have? Letterboxd is among one of the most popular social platforms right now and has amassed over 10 million users as of November 2023. So, how has a New Zealand-based app managed to outperform IMDb and what can you do to create the perfect profile?

Letterboxd, for lesser terms, began as a passion project in 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand, founded by two Kiwi-born film lovers — Matthew Buchanan and Karl von Randow. The idea was simple: create an app where users can list all their favorite movies and movies they wish to see in the future. To Buchanan and Randow’s surprises, their passion project manifested into a multi-million-dollar social platform and has even garnered the likes of Hollywood juggernaut Martin Scorsese, who joined the platform October in 2023 to promote his latest film at the time, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and quickly became the most-followed account on the app.

But how exactly did an app currently run by a team of under 15 people rise to such prominence? Thanks to the rising interest in consuming film as a hobby outside the cinephile community, the golden opportunity for Letterboxd to reach their true potential has finally arrived on the scene.

Like any social media app, you can easily sign up for Letterboxd with an email address and password, as well as customize your own username. However, if you want to get a feel of the app first before fully committing to another account setup, Letterboxd allows you to dive straight into the app and explore all its expansive features as a guest.

On the menu screen, users can view the most popular films at the moment, including the most popular reviews and trending lists. There is also a journal section that highlights articles ranging in a variation of topics from box office reviews to interviews with the filmmakers themselves, a self-titled podcast, and “Year in Reviews.” Furthermore, users can even search for cast members, film crew and production companies behind their favorite films.

Speaking of reviews, as mentioned before, users can submit their own opinions on a film and rate it on a scale of one to five stars. With no filter, users can unleash their inner critic and have the freedom to write the most unhinged reviews if they wanted. In addition, Letterboxd allows users to categorize their favorite films into lists. Some people create lists based on genres, culture, notable producers and even based off the vibes alone. If you’re someone who is a bit indecisive about what to watch, you can literally search up anything and there’s a 100% guarantee that someone already created a list based on your search.

In addition, if you’re interested in watching films outside your usual media bubble, Letterboxd provides a colossal library of movies in over 10 genres, from over 50 countries and territories, including their respective languages. Films like the critically acclaimed “Parasite” produced by South Korean director, Bong Joon-ho, and Brazilian cinematic classic “City of God” are among the most highly rated international films by Letterboxd users.

Claire Meder is a University of Miami junior studying marine biology and ecology and is the current chair for CAC, also known as the Cinematic Arts Commission — a branch of the largest student-run organization, Hurricane Productions, that showcases both mainstream and indie films at the Cosford Cinema on Wednesdays and Saturday nights. As an avid cinephile, it’s without a doubt that she’s also an avid Letterboxd user.

“I do really like using [Letterboxd],” said Meder. “There’s a community, but I don’t really engage with them apart from liking posts and following people.”

Saba Azimipour is a junior studying neuroscience at UM who casually enjoys streaming movies either on her laptop or on the TV. Despite not using Letterboxd frequently, the STEM student likes the general purpose of the app.

“I feel like Letterboxd is a good platform, because I use Goodreads,” says Azimipour. “I haven’t found a mainstream site to find regular people’s reviews on movies where people can go to instead of going to other sources like Rotten Tomatoes.”

In general, if you want to share your love for films or simply want new film recommendations, feel free to check out the wonderful community that is Letterboxd.

words_tamia mclean. design_sal puma & luc bennett.

This article was published in Distraction’s Spring 2024 print issue.

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