Letterboxd is a social networking app that allows users to log, review, and rate movies up to five stars. The app was launched in October 2011 by Matthew Buchanan and Karl von Randow, two web developers and tech entrepreneurs from New Zealand. As of early 2025, the app has gained over 17 million registered users who have logged over 1 billion films on the app. So how does Letterboxd work?
When initially downloading Letterboxd and opening the app, you need to create an account. After you create an account, you pick your top four favorite films that are displayed on your profile, along with a profile picture and a bio. Your profile includes the number of films you’ve watched by logging a film, a diary of all the films you’ve seen and rated (or “logged”) since downloading the app by allowing you to view all of the films and what you rated them out of 5 stars, your watchlist, and your followers, among other things. You can also add films to your watchlist by searching for the film in the search feature.
Letterboxd has many features, including a watchlist and lists. Your watchlist is a curated list of films that you would like to watch. You can add a film to your watchlist by clicking on the film, clicking on the three dots in the top right corner, and selecting the clock icon with a plus button that says “Watchlist.” Lists are a feature on Letterboxd that allow you to make curated lists of films. These lists can be anything from your favorite holiday movies to ranking films from your favorite actor or director. You can make your lists public or private, ranked or not ranked, and allow users to reply with comments. You can also include a description on your lists.
When adding friends and followers that also use the app, you’re able to see their recently watched films and what they rated them, as well as a review if they wrote one. You can also see their recent activity, such as lists they’ve created, reviews they’ve made/liked, films they’ve added to their watchlist, and recent films they’ve watched and rated. You can view all of this by clicking on the lightning bolt icon at the bottom of your screen next to your profile.
William Harvey, junior, has been a user of Letterboxd since 2023. Over text, Harvey said, “My favorite feature [on the app] is probably the ability to log movies I watch in a diary so I can look back and see what I watched and when.” He said he usually leaves a rating after logging a movie instead of writing a review. Harvey said, “My top four favorite films are Blade Runner [1982], Oppenheimer [2023], Inglourious Basterds [2009], and The Wrong Trousers [1993].”
Letterboxd has another feature called Journal, where you can read articles about your favorite films, directors, and actors. You can also find articles with information about behind-the-scenes of filming, interviews with professionals in the film industry, etc.
The app also includes hidden features and secrets. For example, when you log Barbie [2023] and you like the film, the heart is pink instead of the typical orange. Another example is when you log Portrait of a Lady on Fire [2019], instead of rating the film with hearts, you rate it with flames. You’re also able to shuffle your watchlist when you’re not sure of what movie to watch. Along with full-length films, Letterboxd also allows users to log short films and mini-series. Letterboxd also has both a pro and a patron feature that allow users to personalize their profile stats, add backdrops to their profile, reviews, and lists, and choose alternate posters for films.
Ragine Griffin, senior, said over text, “My favorite feature the app offers is the ability to customize personalized lists on whichever films you choose, as well as being able to check others’ lists in their profiles. It definitely tells me more about the person as a whole.” Griffin said she joined the app at the beginning of January this year. Griffin said, “I usually try my best to leave reviews, especially on newer movies. I will occasionally only leave a rating, but only if I have nothing more to say about the film.” She said her top four favorite movies are Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016), La La Land (2016), Beetlejuice (1988), and Rio (2011).
I personally have become a fan of Letterboxd since I downloaded the app towards the end of May last year. Since joining the app, I have logged 88 films and continue to do so every time I watch or rewatch a movie, as well as adding them to lists I’ve created. My top four favorite films are The Sandlot (1993), Scream (1996), (500) Days of Summer (2009), and Dead Poets Society (1989).
You can check out Letterboxd’s Instagram page (@letterboxd), where they post information about new releases, interviews where they ask actors and film professionals their top four favorite films, movie clips, film anniversaries, and keep you updated on new Journal articles, among other things. You can also check out their website at letterboxd.com.
It makes my day better when someone compliments me.
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