Letterboxd is a social network for logging, sharing, and discussing movies. It shares the same concept as Goodreads, but a public diary for movies instead of books. Letterboxd allows users to keep track of movies while giving them a 5-star rating. Reviews are taken to a whole new level on Letterboxd, a race to win the status of leaving the most ridiculous and clever one-liner under the newest movie, unless you’re lucky enough to run into the more popular users who leave detailed critiques long enough for magazines. There is no better feeling than watching a movie and finding reviews that perfectly sum up your viewing experience into hilarious reviews. 

  Web designers Matthew Buchanan and Karl von Randow founded Letterboxd in 2011. Since then, the social-media-like app has amassed more than 15 million users, up from just under 2 million in 2020. Half of its massive audience is under 35, with more than half between the ages of 16 and 24. The app is named after Letterboxing, a technique used to preserve a movie’s original aspect ratio. 

   Letterboxd has successfully and permanently shifted the way film is consumed. Rather than bingeing endless sequels, users aim to track down truly authentic movies that are considered cinematic masterpieces, not for the ‘nepo baby’ lead actor, but for the underrated niche classic movies with an unfamiliar cast. 

 “What sets Letterboxd apart from other platforms is the unique way its interface prompts users to interact with its store of data, which encourages them to look throughout film history rather than channeling their attention exclusively toward the new. The app has become known for “gamifying” the film-watching experience, turning casual viewers into fierce consumers with its checkbox-ticking logs and extensive lists,” wrote Cultured Magazine on the impact of Letterboxd on the film industry. 

  Forget using simple Google searches for rabbit holes, a deep dive into classic film history on Letterboxd is unmatched. Within a movie’s description, the genre, cast, crew, reviews, and ratings are included directly. There are even additional tabs that lead to friend activity and linked interviews or articles related to the movie. Film lovers also have the chance to display their top 4 favorite films on their profile page.

  Letterboxd interviews have recently become what celebrities look forward to the most at any red-carpet event. Their signature ‘Four Favorites’ needs no introduction. Celebrities are put on the spot and have to assemble their top four favorite movies of all time. Julia Roberts chose “Now, Voyage¨, “Milo and Otis”, “The Fall”, and “The Triplets of Belleville”. If you aren’t familiar with any of these, then you aren’t alone. The nature of Letterboxd encourages users to discover new movies and challenge themselves to embrace unfamiliar films, as they might uncover underrated gems. 

  A Letterboxd account is the best modern way to keep track of your film taste. The app allows users to create lists, leave reviews, and interact with other users with similar tastes. It’s a casual, fun, and interactive platform that encourages discussion and discovery. It is the ultimate platform for connecting with another cinephile. 

Here are a few clever reviews!