Every app has its own niche–Instagram captures life’s flashiest moments, X sparks fiery debates, and Tiktok reinvents entertainment through short-form videos. Letterboxd has made its niche as the ultimate haven for those whose love for cinema goes beyond casual viewership. On Letterboxd, every movie is a canvas for movie lovers committed to analyzing and appreciating the true art of film.
What started as a passion project led by two web designers from Auckland, New Zealand, grew into a social network with 14 million users as of June 2024. Launched in 2011, Karl Von Randow and Matthew Buchanan came up with the idea to create an app for people to share their thoughts on movies of every genre and language. Buchanan and Von Randow, both film enthusiasts, felt there wasn’t a proper space online for movie lovers to come together, and from that sentiment, Letterboxd was born They focused on modeling a platform where users could not only rate movies and share their opinions but also interact with a community that shares the same passion. The founder’s vision shaped Letterboxd into a unique blend of personal film diaries and social networking.
Letterboxd is a vibrant community for fellow cinephiles to break down and rate movies they’ve watched. Many users share opinions on various movies while engaging with others. Its community-driven model is at the center of its appeal, fueling in-depth discussions. In the past few years, Letterboxd has rapidly evolved into one of the most influential and engaging social platforms for cinephiles, film critics, and casual moviegoers. Not only has it brought people together, but it has also revitalized film discussion. Letterboxd transforms film journaling from passive viewing to active discussion with a modern twist. On the app store, it boasts a 4.8/5 average rating from around 87,200 user reviews, highlighting its widespread popularity.
The platform’s simple design and enthralling social aspects have made it easy for users to share their tastes and recommendations. Maryam Munshi, a junior at Poolesville High School and avid movie viewer, discovered Letterboxd while searching for movie ratings. She fell in love with the app’s interactive content and watchlist feature that broadened her movie expertise.
Munshi explains that her viewing habits have evolved since using Letterboxd. “I used to watch movies more passively, but Letterboxd has intensified my passion for movies and made me a more critical film watcher” she said. She believes the app has altered how people discuss movies. “I think people have become much more critical—they now notice intricate filming techniques and look for areas of improvement in reviews, rather than just leaving the typical one-liner jokes.”
She feels that Letterboxd has encouraged a deeper level of discussion by movie lovers worldwide. Now, people can dive deeper into hidden meanings and different interpretations. Users evaluate films beyond their surface level of entertainment, analyzing storytelling, directing, and production details
Arav Giragani, a junior at Poolesville highschool, is a fellow film enthusiast and close friend of Munshi, discovered Letterboxd through his TikTok account. What initially caught his attention was an Letterboxd red carpet interview, where actors shared their “top four movies,” a feature on the app that allows users to showcase their personal favorites. He downloaded the app in early 2024, going by the handle “@Shrimpptempuraa.” It didn’t take long for his discovery to grow into an obsession—he soon found himself regularly updating his movie diary and logging the films he watched.
“The rating system, reviews, and lists made it feel more interactive than just keeping a notes app list,” he said. For Giragani, the app is more than a movie tracker, but a gateway into a broader film horizon. He credits Letterboxd for pushing his taste beyond mainstream blockbusters to foreign films and indie gems. “Instead of just passively watching whatever is trending, I’m more intentional about what I choose, and that’s made my film-watching experience way more rewarding,” he said.
His top four films— including old favorites Legally Blonde and Black Swan, along with Network and Incendies, which he found through Letterboxd—have broadened his appreciation for all kinds of movies and transformed the way he and his friends discuss movies. “Now, instead of just debating if a movie was good or bad, we’re all more informed and enthusiastic about exploring the layers and subtleties in each film.” Arav sees the social network as a space for insight and connection to come together to enhance the movie watching experience.
Written by Ayza Siddiqi
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons