Like millions of users, you might be attracted to Letterboxd, the social network for movie fans. Far from traditional platforms, it attracts a passionate community and is experiencing growing success.
“Do you have Letterboxd?” Maybe you’ve already been asked this question at night, especially if you’re a movie fan. It’s the fashionable social network, far from the addictive algorithm and controversies of TikTok, the retouched and standardized posts of Instagram, or even the hatred that spreads on X (formerly Twitter). While a certain weariness hits Internet users, Internet users are looking for alternatives. And Letterboxd appears to be a solid option, which brings together its community around a common passion: cinema.
Letterboxd: a community of passionate movie buffs
Letterboxd was created by developers Matthew Buchanan and Karl von Randow in 2011. Its operation is very simple. When you arrive on the platform, you must create an account, like any good self-respecting social network. Then you can catalog, rate and review the movies you watch. You can also keep a viewing log, create personalized lists or follow the activity of other users to discover new recommendations and compare your opinions.
All films are centralized on the application. Also, once you have finished viewing, whether the work is recent or not, all you have to do is enter its name in the search bar to be able to rate it and leave a comment on it.
Little by little, Letterboxd grew in importance. Unknown to the general public until four years ago, the social network saw its number of subscribers increase from 2 to more than 15 million between 2020 and 2024. Growth which is partly explained by the closure of cinemas during the pandemic , which pushed young cinema enthusiasts to turn more to social networks to be able to pursue their passion. Even celebrities have gotten into it! You can follow on Letterboxd Martin Scorsese, Sean Baker (The Florida Project), Let’s Edit (The Bear), Rachel Senjnott (The Idol) ou encore Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House).
Letterboxd: a friendly social network
Unlike other social networks, whose algorithms are designed to push you to scroll for hours or cultivate a culture of fakery, Letterboxd has managed to create a real feeling of community. So, of course, there is always a typical side of social networks, with the race for likes and subscribers, but the atmosphere remains relatively good-natured.
But Letterboxd isn’t the only such platform gaining popularity. Whether it’s Ravelry for crochet, SensCritique for reviews of films, series and video games, or even Goodreads for book reviews, sites that revolve around a specific passion seem to be finding a second wind. A real breath of fresh air in this gloomy weather!
