advantages of movie review sites

IMDb vs. Rotten Tomatoes vs. Metacritic: Which Movie Ratings Site Is Best?

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Thanks to online ratings, it's easier than ever to know whether or not a movie is worth watching. A quick Google search brings up plenty of websites offering their opinions on the latest films.

The three most popular are IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and Metacritic. But how do these sites differ, and which should you trust for information on movies? Here's everything you need to know.

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is a gigantic compendium of movies, TV shows, and video games. Its primary use is to find detailed information about any actor, producer, or piece of media content.

When you pull up a movie, you'll see a synopsis, trailers, photos, a cast list, trivia, and much more. What makes IMDb so useful is its cross-referencing. Upon opening the page for an actor, you'll see their best-known roles. Thus, IMDb is great for those "what else have I seen her in?" moments.

The IMDb mobile app takes this a step further. If you create an account and give ratings to movies and other media, you'll see a You may know them from field on an actor's page if you've rated something they appeared in.

With a free IMDb account, you can also create a Watchlist of movies you want to see. Along with contributing to the 10-point rating scale with other users, IMDb has many other useful features to offer if you're interested.

Pros of IMDb

Unlike the other two sites, IMDb's reviews come solely from users. It only takes a minute to sign up for IMDb and leave a review, so there's little barrier to entry.

Thus, IMDb's biggest strength is that its scores gives you a good idea of what normal consumers think of it. Professional critics have no influence on IMDb scores.

IMDb has a weighted average system to prevent users from rigging the score, but the service doesn't make it clear exactly how this works. Click the review count next to the star icon on any movie's page to see a breakdown of how people rated it.

Below the overall star average, you can see how the ratings break down by a few demographics, including age and gender.

Cons of IMDb

IMDb's biggest problem is that like other platforms, most people only leave reviews if they love or hate a film. Thus, this skews the scores in favor of either fanboys or haters.

People who want to boost a movie's perception will likely rate the movie a 10, while those who didn't like it will give a rating of one. This means you should read a handful of reviews to get a full picture of the movie's quality.

Rotten Tomatoes

Rotten Tomatoes is a trusted source for movie reviews sourced from critics. Every movie uses the "Tomatometer" to score the quality of a film. If the critic liked the movie, a red tomato appears by their review. When they don't like it, you'll see a green splat instead.

As long as 60 percent or more of critics like the movie, it earns an overall Fresh score with a red tomato. If under 60 percent of critics rate the movie favorably, it earns a Rotten score with a green splat.

Meanwhile, a Certified Fresh badge appears next to titles that are of particularly high quality. They must hold at least a 75 percent favorable score after 80 reviews, including at least five from top critics.

Open any movie's page, and you'll see the overall score plus its number of reviews at the top. Click See Score Details for a deeper breakdown. The Critics Consensus , present for most movies, is a great summary of why the movie received its score.

Rotten Tomatoes also providers a user score, shown by the popcorn bucket. When at least 60 percent of users rated it 3.5 stars (out of 5) or higher, it shows a full bucket. A tipped-over bucket represents that under 60 percent of users gave it under 3.5 stars. Since you can use half-star ratings, this is close to the IMDb score.

In 2019, Rotten Tomatoes made some changes to reduce "review bombing" of movies. There's no longer a Want to See percentage, and you'll also see a check next to user reviews where the site has confirmed that the person actually bought a ticket to the movie.

At the bottom of a movie's page, you can read excerpts from the critic reviews, filter by fresh or rotten, or only show top critics. Search for your favorite actors, and you can check the scores of films they appeared in.

Related: Sites Like Rotten Tomatoes to Find Average Ratings and Reviews for Anything

Pros of Rotten Tomatoes

Rotten Tomatoes has the advantage of sourcing its reviews from trusted critics. The Rotten Tomatoes criteria page explains that the site only takes reviews from trusted newspapers, podcasts, and websites. In theory, this means that only the opinions of the most-trusted movie critics influence the Rotten Tomatoes review.

The Top Critic designation lets you filter by the absolute best critics if you prefer. You can't get a more professional opinion than from these folks.

Overall, Rotten Tomatoes does a good job of letting you know at a glance whether or not a movie is worth your time. The easily identifiable icons, overall score, and consensus summary only take a moment to scan.

Cons of Rotten Tomatoes

The biggest issue with Rotten Tomatoes is that it breaks down complex opinions into a Yes or No score. It scores a critic who thought the movie was decent but had some flaws (say, a 59 percent rating) the same as one who thought the movie was absolute garbage (a zero percent score).

You'll notice this with the Average Rating under the score. Take Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle as an example. Of the 232 critic reviews, 177 of them are positive. This gives the movie a score of 76 percent. However, the critics rated the movie an average of 6.2/10---quite a bit under the 76 percent displayed on the page.

This doesn't mean the scores on Rotten Tomatoes are useless, of course. But it's important to remember that there's nuance in individual reviews, and the Fresh/Rotten system effectively turns every rating into a 100 or 0 score.

Metacritic aggregates reviews of movies and TV shows, plus video games and music albums. It's one of the best sites for gamers , but it can give you a good idea on the quality of movies too.

The site collects reviews from many sources and aggregates them into one "metascore" from 0 to 100. It displays a color and one-line indication of quality based on the overall score, with the following used for movies, TV, and albums:

• 81-100: Universal Acclaim (Green)
• 61-80: Generally Favorable Reviews (Green)
• 40-60: Mixed or Average Reviews (Yellow)
• 20-39: Generally Unfavorable Reviews (Red)
• 0-19: Overwhelming Dislike (Red)

Unlike Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic uses a weighted average system. Nobody knows the exact details, but the service assigns more importance to some sources than others. Like the other two sites, Metacritic also includes a separate user score, which does not influence the critic score.

The Pros of Metacritic

Metacritic avoids the Rotten Tomatoes problem of scoring every review as simply "good" or "bad." A review of 50 percent gets mixed in with the rest to create the metascore. Thus, the score you see on Metacritic is closer to the average review, as opposed to the percentage of critics who simply liked the movie on Rotten Tomatoes.

Additionally, among these three sites, Metacritic is the only one to feature full user reviews right next to critic reviews. This makes it easy to compare what the general public thinks compared to the professionals.

The Cons of Metacritic

While it's easy to translate a score from a five-star or 10-point scale, Metacritic's way of translating letter grade is questionable. We can see how this works on the About Metascores page :

While scoring an A as 100 percent makes sense, note the scores for B- and F , for instance. A 67 percent score for a B- seems a bit harsh. In most schools, a score of 67 percent is closer to an F than it is a B- .

And scoring an F as 0 percent seems unfair. Something like 20 percent for an F might be more appropriate. Because every site has different scales for scoring (some might not even use pluses and minuses), this could skew a reviewer's original meaning.

Also, unlike Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic seems to have few public standards. There's no detailed information on where it sources it critics from. Thus, the score potentially doesn't have as much weight behind it as Rotten Tomatoes does.

What Is the Best Movie Rating Website?

So we've now taken a look at IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and Metacritic, and listed their major pros and cons. As you might have guessed, there's no one website that's best for everything.

However, we can recommend each of these sites for different reasons:

• IMDb is great for seeing what general audiences think of a movie. If you don't care what the critics say and want to see what people like yourself thought of a film, then you should use IMDb. Just be aware that fans often skew the vote with 10-star ratings, which may inflate scores somewhat.
• Rotten Tomatoes offers the best overall picture of whether a movie is worth seeing at a glance. If you only trust the opinions of top critics and just want to know if a movie is at least decent, you should use Rotten Tomatoes. While the Fresh/Rotten binary can oversimplify the often complex opinions of critics, it should still help you weed out lousy films.
• Metacritic offers the most balanced aggregate score. If you don't mind which critics' opinions go into the final score and prefer seeing a general average, then you should use Metacritic. Its standards are mostly unknown, but Metacritic makes it easy to compare professional and user reviews side-by-side.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with checking all three of these sites every time you're thinking of seeing a movie. Over time, you should figure out which site's tastes most match yours; then you'll know which is best for you personally.

Personal Taste Still Matters Most

Remember that movie scores aren't everything. All three of these sites don't, for instance, paint an accurate picture of movies that are so bad they're good. Because those movies are objectively terrible, they carry low scores even though they have ironic value.

Plus, it's impossible to sum up complex opinions from dozens of people into a single number. And no matter what the critics or general public think, your preferences might be totally different anyway. There's nothing wrong with enjoying a movie that most people find stupid. So while these sites are helpful, don't take them too seriously.

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5 reasons why movie reviews are important to a movie website.

Movie reviews are of paramount importance, content-wise, for a movie website . Movie reviews should be a movie website’s content foundation upon which all other content is built upon and around. If there is one thing that you should do consistently, it is reviewing in-theater movies. Movie reviews should be your Number One Priority for your movie website. Everything else is secondary to that.

They show that your movie website is current

Table of Contents

Movie reviews keep your movie website current and your viewers happy. Since current movie reviews are the most actively searched for movie reviews, being current on them is a must if you want your website to be relevant in movie website universe.

I have been on plenty of movie websites where the only content is movie reviews , page after page of them. And these movie websites have high page views and have page ranks of 4-6. They only post movie reviews, are spidered heavily, and have high SERPs because of it. What does all this mean to you? Movie reviews are a valuable asset to a movie website.

You are watching the movie industry’s work and critiquing it

If you are not reviewing movies, how can you prove that you are watching movies? Why would a movie studio bother to send you a movie screener for one of their movies if your are not prolific when it comes to writing movie reviews? Writing movie reviews and not simply posting movie pictures or movie trailers on your movie website, shows that you have your priorities in order.

Practice makes perfect

A critical, well spoken literary eye is a rarity amongst movie reviewers. Anyone can write a movie review, but how many can write a compelling review like Roger Ebert? Writing consistently helps you hone your writing skills and if you love movies, you’ll do even more writing than usual. You may not see it immediately but this will help you when it comes to writing more lofty endeavors.

They let people know that you: 1) have something to say, 2.) can write cogent essays.

No matter what people say, movie reviews are short essays, at least the well-thought out ones are. The writer researches them, speaks of the past and present within their borders, and tries to put into words what the director is saying with celluloid. A movie review says that you have an opinion on a film (the one you are reviewing) and enough drive to put pen to paper and write down that opinion and edit it for others to read.

If you do not know the mechanics, here is How to Write a Movie Review .

About the author

Rollo Tomasi

Rollo Tomasi is a Connecticut-based film critic, TV show critic, news, and editorial writer. He will have a MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University in 2025. Rollo has written over 700 film, TV show, short film, Blu-ray, and 4K-Ultra reviews. His reviews are published in IMDb's External Reviews and in Google News. Previously you could find his work at Empire Movies, Blogcritics, and AltFilmGuide. Now you can find his work at FilmBook, ProMovieBlogger, and TrendingAwards.

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Best Sites For Rating Movies: 6 Top Movie Review Websites

Our society has grown to worship movies. This can be seen in the sheer number of movies made each year, some good and some bad. Because there are so many to choose from, finding a good one can be a challenge.

Movies now make up a huge part of the entertainment industry. But with so many choices comes the problem of finding the best ones to watch.

It would take hours upon hours to watch every movie made in a year, and even then you’d likely miss some great ones. So how can we solve this problem?

The answer reviews. Reviews allow us to get an idea of whether or not others liked the movie before we decide if it’s worth watching ourselves.

BEST SITES FOR RATING MOVIES

What are movie review sites.

Movie review sites like IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, and Letterboxd are great places to find out what a movie is all about.

They can also be useful for finding out if your favorite actor has been in other movies you may have missed.

Movie review websites are one of the best ways to learn what critics think of a movie and how they feel about it.

The more information you can gather on a film, the better informed you’ll be when you decide whether to watch it or not.

Movie review sites don’t really have any effect on box office sales, but they can make a huge difference in determining what kind of an impact a movie will have on consumers.

A review helps us determine if others were entertained by a movie before we spend our time and money on it.

Picking a movie to watch can be hard. You have your mood to consider, the weather, and the amount of time you have available.

And who to see it with? But even after all that, one question remains — is it any good?

With sites like Letterboxd, the answer is now as easy as logging into your social media account.

The internet can be an overwhelming place when trying to find a good, reliable movie review site.

With so many sites out there, it’s hard to know which ones are actually worth your time.

With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best movie review sites out there. Not everyone will be for everyone, but each reviewer has something unique to offer that makes it worth checking out.

Best Sites For Rating Movies

If you love the cinema, and you’re constantly looking for the best ways to keep up to date with what’s new and what’s upcoming, then one of these sites is going to be perfect for you.

Below, we’ve gone through some of the most popular movie websites on the internet today and reviewed them, so that you can find out which site is best for your film needs.

Let’s start off with my personal favorite!

Letterboxd is a social network for sharing your taste in film. Keep a watchlist of films you’d like to see, and create lists/collections on any topic. Rate, review, and tag films as you add them. Find and follow friends to see what they’re enjoying.

Keep a diary of your film viewing, check in to films at theaters, and share your thoughts with the world. Search a database of over 2 million films, with filters that can refine your results by anything from decade and genre to personal ratings and reviews.

From Letterboxd themselves: “We’re proud of our place in a burgeoning ecosystem of film-related apps and websites that complement Letterboxd’s focus on social sharing, curation, and discovery.

In that spirit, we offer a range of developer tools to help integrate Letterboxd data into other applications and websites — you can explore these on our developer site.”

My Letterboxd profile can be found here, btw: FilmLifestyle’s Letterboxd profile . Give me a follow!

Try Letterboxd

iCheckMovies

iCheckMovies helps you keep a personal list of movies you have seen and liked. It’s a checklist more than anything else.

The main part of the site is the List, which is essentially a ‘Best Movies Ever’ list, as voted by users. Each movie in the list has been checked by at least 2 users.

The goal of the site is to provide an easy way to create and share your own customized list of favorite movies.

You can compare your lists with friends and explore other people’s lists. iCheckMovies helps you keep a personal list of your favorite movies and shows

• Create your own list of favorites to keep track of what you have seen and liked.
• Discover new movies by browsing lists created by our users.
• Compare your taste with other users and see how many movies you have in common.
• Explore the top-rated, most popular, and most discussed movies by our users.
• Get suggestions for movies and shows to watch based on your taste.

Originally a fan-operated website, the database is owned and operated by IMDb.com, Inc., a subsidiary of Amazon.

IMDb has approximately 4.7 million titles (including episodes) and 8.3 million personalities in its database,  as well as 83 million registered users.

IMDb stands out for its vast collection of film and television information. It’s not just a place for ratings; it’s a comprehensive resource for release dates, cast and crew details, trivia, and forums for discussion.

With user-contributed content and professional critic reviews, IMDb offers a balanced view of a film’s reception. Its integration with Amazon also allows for easy viewing options.

Matt Crawford

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Great guide to the top sites for rating movies.

Thanks, Jaani.

I would like to receive the latest movies before selling them. Thanks

Can’t help you there, Jurugo.

There are many websites that offer movie reviews and ratings, but here are six of the top sites:

Rotten Tomatoes: Rotten Tomatoes is one of the most popular movie review websites. It aggregates reviews from both professional critics and regular movie-goers to provide an overall score for each film.

IMDb: IMDb is a comprehensive database of movies information that also includes user reviews and ratings. Its Top Rated Movies list is based on user ratings, and it’s a great place to find information about upcoming movies.

Metacritic: Like Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic aggregates reviews from critics, but it also assigns a weighted score to each review based on the critic’s track record. The site’s Metascore is often used as a shorthand for a movie’s critical reception.

Letterboxd: Letterboxd is a social media platform for movie lovers that allows users to rate and review films, create watchlists, and follow other users with similar tastes. Its recommendation algorithm is known for being particularly effective.

RogerEbert.com: Roger Ebert was one of the most respected film critics of his time, and his website continues to offer thoughtful and insightful reviews from a team of writers. The site also includes essays, interviews, and other film-related content.

Empire: Empire is a UK-based magazine that covers movies, TV shows, and video games. Its website includes reviews, news, and features, and its annual Empire Awards are highly respected within the industry.

Thanks for the contribution, Rizwan.

Amazing content, thanks for sharing

Thanks, Kelvin.

I think that Toy Story is worth watching than Star wares Where it doesn t have have the force

Fair enough, Joel.

Great content, thanks for sharing

Cheers, Jenny.

great content, thanks for sharing

In India idmb is the best website for movie review after all your content is very informative and best knowledge provides.

Thanks, Hemant.

I have updated my knowledge after reading the information given on your site, thank you so much for such an awesome article.

Thank you for sharing such an informative and well-structured post on movie rating sites. The content was organized in a way that made it easy to navigate and find specific information.

Thanks, Soumen.

Toy Story, in my opinion, is more entertaining to watch than Star Wars because it lacks the force.

I see what you did there!

Great article on movie rating sites!

Thanks, rizwan

Brilliant article

These movie review websites are a lifesaver when it comes to choosing what to watch. Thanks for curating this list!

I’ve been looking for reliable movie review sources, and this article just made my search a whole lot easier. Kudos!

Thanks, Kuliah.

I’ve been looking for reliable movie review sources, and this article just made my search a whole lot easier. Kudos!

Thanks a lot, yousif.

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17+ Best Movie Review and Ratings Sites (List)

In this article, we’re going to provide a list of the top, most reliable  movie review sites  on the internet.

Whether you’re a fan of a certain genre like horror or more into TV reviews than movies, we’re going to bring you a full list of the very best movie review and ratings sites out there in 2024.

First let’s cover some common questions about these movie review sites, film critique, how to make your own reviews, and more.

Let’s dive in!

Everyone’s a critic on everything these days… what’s the best movie review and ratings site out there?

Our list below is meant to be ranked based on credibility, overall popularity, and thoroughness.

Do they have a good ranking system in place to accurately rate movies?

Are they have thorough movie reviews?

Do they cover a wide range of titles?

What do people say about them?

All these questions factor into a site’s credibility.

If the reviews aren’t thorough, then what’s the point in going to that review site? You might as well just go see a movie you’re interested in and get other people’s opinions from your friends, family, and social media instead.

Also, apparently, there are some film critics out there who believe it is their job to tell everyone “how to think” about movies they’ve seen. That’s not always what people want or need from movie reviews sometimes. Each of us has our own individual tastes. We’d like to know which titles we should check out for ourselves! Assuming of course, if we haven’t already seen them.

And while this list isn’t a ranking of which site is the best, it should be pretty clear that our all-around favorite movie review and ratings site would have to be IMDb.

IMDb has it all! They have more titles than anyone else on this list, their rankings are accurate, they have more professional film critics with great credentials who write very thorough movie reviews…

Everybody knows IMDb. Critic or not, if you’re looking for a ton of movie data, IMDb’s got your back!

Who is the best film critic of all time?

Roger Ebert (1942-2013) is probably the most famous film critic of all time.

Most people reading this article have probably heard of his name. On top of that, how many other film critics have you heard of? Probably not a ton.

IMDb has a huge list of professional movie critics who write for them on their site. So, while there are many more great film critics out there… it’s safe to say that Roger Ebert is probably the best ever to do it.

His reviews went beyond just what he thought of a movie but tied it to the bigger picture of where we are in society and other broader perspective matters.

Is there such a thing as a movie reviews app?

There sure is!

Some of the sites below (mainly the big popular ones) have iPhone and Android apps that you can install on your phone and tablet devices for even better movie review access.

Is there anything other than just movie reviews that I can find on these sites?

Many movie review sites contain more than just movies. They cover television , video games , and other related entertainment topics as well.

They also contain movie data like ratings, movie trailers, news articles…

What makes a good movie review?

A good film critique should include all the following:

• start with an opening line that draws the reader in and then introduce your thesis statement (or what you’re trying to express)
• provide background information relevant to the topic at hand
• give examples using quotations from the primary source material (a movie or TV show)
• give a conclusion summarizing everything you’ve covered so far

If your goal is to write great movie reviews for any of these sites below, those are some of the elements you’ll want to keep in mind!

I saw a great movie the other day… can I review it?

Lots of movie review sites allow users to chime in and provide their own reviews.

Movies are a subjective thing, so keep your reviews as accurate and unbiased as possible.

Don’t just give it five stars because you loved it! Think about why you would recommend that people see this movie, what the best parts were, and then write up your review based on those points.

Write an honest review to help others decide whether they should see this film or not.

What do an IMDb score and IMDb ranking mean?

IMDb has two different scores for the movies it reviews.

There is the user score, which is the average of every user review.

The official IMDb score is a composite of all professional reviews of a given movie.

Rankings are then generated from the highest to lowest scores of a movie (often within a specific genre), based on the major professional reviews that have been made.

Best Movie Review and Ratings Sites in 2024

Let’s take a look at the best movie review and ratings sites in 2024.

IMDb is the world’s most popular movie review site and one of the best film sites on the web. It was founded on October 17, 1990 and has been going strong ever since.

IMDb is widely considered the foremost expert in the movie review industry online. With more than 1,200 movie critic reviews per day and about 600 million monthly unique visitors, it’s hard to beat IMDb.

What makes them the best movie review site?

Pros : They have a huge selection of films rated by critics with excellent credentials. With a massive database of more than 250 million titles, this website attracts a wide range of viewers looking to learn about movies they haven’t seen before or rediscover old favorites at home. IMDb also provides links to trailers for most movies, which is great if you want to know what all the hype is about!

Cons : IMDb is larger than any other movie review site on this list and can be difficult to navigate sometimes if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

#2 Rotten Tomatoes

Rotten Tomatoes is one of the most well-known movie review and ratings sites on the web and provides thousands of user reviews posted by everyday viewers just like you.

Rotten Tomatoes is possibly second only to IMDb in terms of how many people visit their site each month (around 60-80 million).

The company contains professional film reviews from hundreds of big publications like Rolling Stone, Variety, and The New Yorker.

They also show what’s hot not only in the film world, but when it comes to TV as well.

What makes them one of the best movie review sites?

Pros : They offer both professional and user reviews – a rare find on large movie review sites.

Rotten Tomatoes is incredibly easy to navigate with dozens of filter options to help visitors pinpoint their favorite genres/artists/theatres, etc. You can also check out your local theaters’ upcoming showtimes directly from the site.

Cons : Some of their scores are slightly inflated compared to IMDB because there is no score ceiling (they go up to 100%). Also, it’s not always easy to tell which critics wrote which reviews.

#3 Fandango

Fandano is one of the leading movie ticket retailers. They also have an official movie review website too, which is updated with fresh reviews daily.

Pros : Fandango offers both their own user reviews as well as professional reviews from recognized critics across America.

Cons : Popular, but not as active as IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes.

#4 The Movie Database

The Movie Database is another notable movie review site for movies released in theaters, despite being based in the UK.

Pros : The TMDb site is filled with user reviews and information on films alike, making it easy to find any film you want by just searching for its title.

Cons : Many users opt for larger sites since any site in the movie and TV review niche is going up against IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes.

#5 Letterboxd

Letterboxd is a lesser-known movie review site, but one that gets rave reviews from its users.

Letterboxd is one of the best movie review sites because they’re all about social media   – which means that visitors have more opportunities to interact with others here than on most other movie review hubs.

Their slogan is “filmstagram” because the site is centered around generating an Instagram -like filter for your movie watching experience—but this means that only people with accounts on the site can leave reviews.

Pros : The interface is sleek and easy to use. The site also lets you keep track of what movies you’ve watched, in case you wanted to go back through your viewing history later on.

Cons : To write a review on Letterboxd, you have to sign up with an email address or Facebook account first. No anonymous reviews are allowed so some users feel limited by this feature.

#6 Metacritic

Metacritic is a website that aggregates reviews for media products (like video games, but also movies and TV shows).

Pros : If you’re interested in finding out what critics across America think about a movie (or game) before you buy it, Metacritic is your best chance at doing so.

Cons : Some users complain that this site puts too much stock into professional reviews compared to user reviews. Also, some movies do not contain enough reviews to generate a quality average score.

#7 IndieWire

IndieWire is more than just a movie review site – it’s also an industry news site.

Pros : The information on IndieWire is continually updated, making it one of the most reliable sources for current movie news. You can access their content free of charge too.

Cons : Most people visit IndieWire looking for the latest industry updates (not reviews), which means that you’re not going to find many (if any) user-generated reviews here like on some other websites. Also, their content is targeted towards professionals or those interested in breaking into showbiz or related fields rather than casual viewers and fans of film/TV alike.

#8 Yahoo! Movies

Yahoo! Movies is one of the most recognizable movie review sites in America.

They provide both their own user reviews as well as professional reviews from credible critics in the industry.

Pros : Yahoo! Movies is easy to navigate and lets you filter search results by type of release (DVD, Blu-ray, etc.). The site also has plenty of trailers for popular upcoming movies that are perfect if you’re trying to get an idea for what’s worth checking out on the big screen soon.

Cons : Like Yahoo in many verticals, it’s not as popular as it once was and is no longer the go-to when it comes to movie reviews.

#9 RogerEbert

RogerEbert is named after possibly the most famous film critic of all time, who wrote for the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in April 2013. In 1975, Ebert became the first film critic to win the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.

Ebert’s brand continues through a dedicated movie reviews and ratings site.

Pros : The site’s design appears very clean, modern, and easy to navigate. Especially for casual users who just want quick notes on new films before heading off to the theatre.

Cons : This site only provides a few user reviews a day, some days none at all. RogerEbert also received criticism from its own readers when it stopped updating their database with films that had less than three stars (for some people, this meant many films Ebert himself reviewed were no longer considered worth seeing).

#10 SlashFilm

SlashFilm is a movie review site that includes photos, trailers, interviews, and other news about upcoming films.

Pros : SlashFilm has thousands of high-quality images to provide an interactive experience for users when searching for movies they might like. They also write several excellent articles each month detailing compelling topics in film/TV (for example, “The Most Underrated Meryl Streep Roles”).

Cons : There aren’t many user reviews available on this website, which could be disappointing for some visitors looking for that feature. SlashFilm is also not updated nearly as often as it should be. Also, their content isn’t focused on up-to-date info like industry news or blog posts, which makes it a less popular choice for film enthusiasts and critics alike.

#11 Moviefone

Moviefone is owned by AOL and is one of the most recognized movie review sites on the web. Like Yahoo!, the site provides both reviews from critics as well as amateur users.

Pros : The design is simple to use and easy on the eyes, which means you can spend more time reading reviews than trying to figure out how a layout works. Moviefone also has a stellar library of high-quality photos for popular movies that will leave you in the mood to watch some good TV.

Cons : The user reviews are too short sometimes – some only have three sentences before being cut off mid-sentence, leaving readers wondering what they missed out on! Additionally, Moviefone only provides the bare minimum of professional reviews from industry professionals. And, like many other movie review sites, their content is sometimes outdated and they don’t offer enough current-event news about what’s happening in Hollywood right now (e.g., “Why Ben Affleck is a Genius”).

#12 Blue-ray

Blue-ray is one of the most accurate movie review sites on the web thanks to its large database of hundreds of industry professionals and critics from around the world.

Pros : Blue-ray has a very sleek layout that’s easy to navigate, which will make casual users feel at home right away. Visitors can also search for reviews by their favorite stars or directors, which is great if you’re looking for insight from a certain critic who watches all Steven Spielberg films.

Cons : This site does not allow users to write reviews, which means it doesn’t have much content in general compared to Hollywood entertainment news websites like IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes. Blue-ray is simply an aggregator that pulls reviews from other movie review sites without actually providing any new content.

#13 What’s on Netflix

What’s on Netflix is a movie review site that offers both professional and amateur reviews of various films.

Pros : This website is great for finding movies you might like to watch online, whether it’s streaming on Netflix or another platform. It also breaks down categories based on film genre (e.g., comedy, drama) to make browsing more efficient.

Cons : What’s on Netflix has a somewhat unappealing layout, making it difficult to navigate when trying to find specific types of movies to watch. Additionally, their content is quite dated compared to other websites with industry news and new blog posts about what’s happening in Hollywood right now.

#14 MyDramaList

MyDramaList is a movie review site that offers both professional and amateur reviews of various films.

Pros : Visitors can write their own reviews on this website, which is great for users who want to share their own personal experiences with certain movies. It’s also very helpful for finding recommendations for family-friendly films or even animated features that are worth checking out.

Cons : This site has an outdated layout, so it might be difficult for some visitors to find what they’re looking for (e.g., specific genres or categories). Moreover, there aren’t many industry news updates here – most content seems to consist of blog posts about upcoming television series instead. If you want detailed industry news like what’s happening in Hollywood, try a website like Rotten Tomatoes or IMDb instead.

#15 Syfy Wire

Syfy Wire, from the SyFy channel, is a movie review site that offers both professional and amateur reviews of various films.

Pros : The layout on this website is very clean and easy to navigate, which will be comforting for site visitors who are looking for family-friendly films they can enjoy with friends and/or their kids.

Cons : This website is mainly comprised of short blurbs about new television shows or actors instead of detailed industry news like what’s happening in Hollywood right now (e.g., box office sales, film festivals). If you’re looking for more than just promotional content, try a different movie review site with more content. Additionally, most user reviews skew towards positive ratings, which isn’t very helpful if you’re looking for impartial insight.

#16 MovieWeb

MovieWeb is another large movie review site, ranked among the top 5,000 most popular websites in America (around 6 million monthly visitors). They provide movie news, TV show updates, and reviews for all genres and types of films.

Pros : MovieWeb is structured cleanly like a blog and dozens of new articles are pumped out each day.

Cons : There aren’t many movie news updates here, which means you might have to search elsewhere if you’re looking for unbiased film industry insight. For example, there are no articles about what’s happening in Hollywood right now (e.g., box office sales) or even new blog posts about upcoming films in 2024.

#17 Taste of Cinema

Taste of Cinema is a movie review site from Russia that contains both user ratings and critic reviews.

Pros : The film list and actor list pages have a lot going on to help you find films and people quickly and easily.

Cons : Its reviews aren’t updated very frequently.

#18 Crave Online

Crave Online is an entertainment news site that has a movie review section.

Pros : This site is updated regularly with fresh content. The reviews here are also written by professional critics, unlike other user-based online platforms.

Cons : Crave Online looks a little outdated and hasn’t been updated in a while.

#19 MoviGuide

MoviGuide is another large movie review platform with its own official app for Android and iOS devices to make finding local theaters easier.

They also have a community forum where people can discuss movies released in theaters recently—and even vote up/down on different titles to influence future reviews.

Pros : It’s easy to find local theaters here. The app also has a cool flashlight-like locator feature where you can turn your phone’s flash on to light up theaters near your location if they’re not visible in the dark.

Cons : Most movie reviews are based off users’ opinions only here, with no official critics’ ratings included. There aren’t any new user reviews either, so it can be hard finding recent films that people have seen.

Pajiba is another large entertainment news hub with a movie section—but their articles mainly focus on newer films that have been released recently in theaters (or even to rent and buy online).

Pros : Pajiba has a lot of user reviews on their site, which is refreshing. Their film news is also updated daily with fresh content to make sure you don’t miss anything important.

Cons : Bad movies get more attention here than good ones do – so it’s hard to find positive opinions about titles that should be considered great. Additionally, their movie section isn’t very detailed compared to other sites like IMDb or Letterboxd. Not all critics’ scores are included either; only users’ ratings are displayed so you’d have to read through many different reviews before finding one from a professional critic.

#21 Top Documentary Films

Top Documentary Films is a movie review hub that contains user and expert reviews for all kinds of documentaries—not just those released in theaters or on TV.

Pros : Their site is fairly simple to navigate with good options for sorting through content (by year, most popular, etc).

Cons : The design isn’t very original and can be slightly hard on the eyes sometimes. The documentary page itself also looks like it hasn’t been updated in a while (with some titles missing and outdated information).

#22 Rateranker

Raterranker is another lesser-known movie review site whose slogan is “your opinion can make a difference.”

Pros : This site gives you access to both professional and user reviews for all movies.

Cons : User ratings are not displayed on this website, which makes it hard for some users to know what they’re getting into before clicking on a movie. It’s also not always easy to tell which critics wrote the reviews listed here.

#23 The Indie Handbook

The Indie Handbook is a movie review site that offers both professional and amateur reviews of various films.

Pros : The site’s design is very minimalist, making it quick and easy to find most movie categories without scrolling too much. Visitors can write their own reviews on this website, which helps if you’re looking for comments from other regular users who have watched certain movies before. It provides great movie recommendations based on user-generated ratings and reviews, making it helpful when browsing the site for film suggestions to watch.

Cons : Movie ratings are not displayed on this website so you’d have to read through actual reviews before figuring out if a certain film is worth watching or not. This can be hard for some users who want to base their decisions off user ratings instead of just personal opinions.

#24 Box Office Mojo

Box Office Mojo is a movie review site that offers both professional and amateur reviews of various films.

Pros : This website can help you find new titles for streaming on Netflix or Amazon Prime if you’re looking for something to watch. It’s also great for learning more about specific actors, directors, producers, etc., which can be helpful if you want to learn more about certain celebrities who have made their mark in the industry.

This is one of the most comprehensive sites for finding information about movies in general, which is great for making decisions when browsing online or visiting a local theater. It’s also helpful for learning more about specific actors, directors, producers, etc., which can be helpful if you want to learn more about certain celebrities who have made their mark in the industry.

What’s also interesting about this site is they disclose how much a movie has made at the box office worldwide so you can be better informed about what films to check out.

Cons : Visitors can write their own reviews on this website, but not many people take advantage of this feature so you might find yourself digging through old content online. Moreover, Box Office Mojo doesn’t provide many industry news updates. If you want detailed industry news like what’s happening in Hollywood, Rotten Tomatoes or IMDb might be a better fit.

#25 Flickchart

Flickchart is a movie review site that offers both professional and amateur reviews of various films.

Pros : This website has an excellent layout with easy-to-read text, so it’s great for casual users who just want to browse content quickly. Flickchart also takes pride in its user-friendly features, such as the ability to save movies and track their progress while creating lists throughout the year. The challenges page allows visitors to view what other people are watching and create their own film lists based on similar titles or genres.

Cons : There aren’t many reviews on this website, which makes it harder for some users to know whether or not a certain movie is worth watching.

#26 Film Junk Fan Reviews

Film Junk Fan Reviews is a movie review site that offers both professional and amateur reviews of various films. What makes them one of the best movie review sites?

Pros : Visitors can post their own reviews on this website, which helps if you want feedback from other regular users who have watched certain movies before. The layout is designed with casual use in mind, making it easy for anyone to find whatever they’re looking for within minutes.

What’s also great about this website is its detailed rankings and film charts so you can easily see what’s trending worldwide and among specific groups like critics and the public.

Cons : This website doesn’t offer very many reviews or overall content compared to other movie review sites on this list, which can make it hard for some users to browse through the material.

#27 Collider Movie Talk

Collider is a movie review and news website that can be found online at collider.com.  It provides in-depth movie coverage from industry experts and critics, with articles about what’s happening in Hollywood right now (e.g., box office sales).

Pros : This website offers detailed analysis of the latest films to hit theaters, which will be helpful for site visitors who want to get up-to-date industry insight before deciding if a film is worth watching or not.

Cons : The layout on this website isn’t very clean, so it might be difficult for some users to find what they’re looking for (e.g., specific genres or categories). Additionally, there aren’t many movie news updates here – most articles consist of blog posts about new TV shows instead. If you want more than just promotional content and industry news updates, try a different movie review site with more content.

#28 Inside The Magic

Inside the Magic is a Disney-focused movie review website that provides detailed analysis from experts and fans alike.  This means they provide unbiased insight for superhero movies, family-friendly films, animated features, sci-fi/fantasy flicks, etc.

Pros : This site has detailed information about upcoming Disney film releases, which will be very helpful for site visitors who are planning to see the newest releases to hit theaters. Inside the Magic also has exclusive interviews with members of the cast and crew, so it’s a great resource for people who have an affinity for Disney stars.

Cons : The layout on this website isn’t very clean or easy-to-browse, so casual users might find themselves searching through content without being able to find what they’re looking for. Viewers should look at other movie review websites instead if they want something that looks more modern and accessible.

#29 Field Guide To Evil

Field Guide to Evil is a horror film review site that provides movie news updates as well as industry insight from critics and fans alike. What makes them one of the best movie review sites?

Pros : This website has a unique layout and design so it’s easy for casual users to find what they’re looking for within minutes. There are also lots of content options for visitors, including archives of recent articles and blog posts.

Cons : Since this site is part of a larger horror film blog, you’ll have to go through several pages if you want more than just movie reviews. Viewers should look at other movie review websites instead if they’re only searching for analysis on new films.

#30 Movies In Movies

Movies in Movies is a movie review website that offers both industry insight from critics and fans as well as information about upcoming releases.  This means visitors can find news updates about Disney films, superhero movies, crime flicks, family-friendly movies, etc.

Pros : This website has a clean and modern layout so it’s easy for casual users to browse through content and find what they’re looking for. There are also lots of content options that aren’t limited to movie reviews (e.g., TV show recaps/news), which will be helpful if viewers want more than just information on new films.

Cons : Since this site only focuses on Disney releases, it might not have as much industry insight as other websites on this list. Viewers should look at other movie review websites instead if they want something with more variety in its content offerings.

Conclusion: Best Movie Review and Ratings Sites

There are tons of movie review websites out there, but only a handful of them can actually provide unbiased insight to casual users.

The best movie review sites in 2024 will be those with clean and easy-to-use layouts so that site visitors aren’t overwhelmed by advertisements.

Viewers who want more than just information on upcoming releases should also consider other website options because not all movie review websites offer the same industry insights (and vice versa).

If you’re looking for one of the best movie review sites, check out any one of these top 5 choices: Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb, Fandango, The Movie Database, and Letterboxd.

In our opinion, IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes represent the top two in the movie review industry.

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Similarities in movie review content by critics and general users impact movie sales, study shows

Published: October 06, 2022

Author: Shannon Roddel

Consumers often read online reviews before seeing a movie at the theater. In 2018, 63 percent of U.S. adults indicated moderate to heavy reliance on online reviews before seeing a movie.

While research has extensively explored the impact of online reviews on movie sales by focusing on review ratings and volume, scholars have less understanding of how similarities in review content by critics and general users impact consumers.

By analyzing movie reviews from Rotten Tomatoes, a film and TV review website, new research from the University of Notre Dame proposes a “topic consistency” measure to capture the degree of overlap between critic and user review content and finds that it does impact movie sales. If both critics and users discuss the same aspects, it will be more memorable and increase the likelihood people will go see a movie.

“ Does Topic Consistency Matter? A Study of Critic and User Reviews in the Movie Industry ” is forthcoming in the Journal of Marketing from Shijie Lu , the Howard J. and Geraldine F. Korth Associate Professor of Marketing at Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business.

The study also shows the association is more prominent with movies that have mediocre review ratings than it is for movies with extreme ratings. It is also stronger when ratings by critics are similar to those of users — for example, when both include mentions of things like plot or acting. “We were surprised to find the content overlap between the two groups is a positive predictor of box office revenue,” Lu said, “whereas the content overlap within each group is not.”

The study examined both critic and user reviews for the movie “La La Land,” each discussing the movie’s award potential.

“This is likely to make a potential moviegoer remember this particular attribute and therefore make them more likely to see the movie in theaters,” Lu said. “On the other hand, if critics and users are discussing totally different aspects of the movie, it will be less memorable and lower the likelihood of seeing a movie.”

The findings can have a positive impact for movie producers and marketing agencies. Lu advises both to expand their attention beyond conventional online review information and actively listen to both professional critics and general consumers.

“ To take advantage of the topic consistency effect, producers should identify similarities and differences between critics’ and everyday moviegoers’ responses and engage with both types of reviewers to find commonalities between reviews,” Lu said. “Those should be leveraged and utilized as a part of the movie’s promotion strategy.”

Also, they can generate the common ground for discussion topics.

“They should introduce a common theme for critics and users to discuss,” Lu said. “We observe that an increase of one standard deviation in topic consistency produces a 4.6 percent increase in box office revenue, all else being equal.”

“Also, t opic-driven promotion can be applied to movie trailers, posters, blogs and TV and online commercials. This will naturally lead critics and users to address the topics in question,” Lu added.

Lu says the concept and measurement of topic consistency could be extended to reviews for other types of products that are difficult to evaluate before use, including cosmetics and book publishing.

Co-authors of the study include Eunsoo Kim from Nanyang Technological University, MengQi (Annie) Ding from Western University and Xin (Shane) Wang from Virginia Tech.

Contact: Shijie Lu,574-631-5883, [email protected]

Favoree's guide to YouTube

8 Best Movie Review Websites in 2024

Elio D’Arrigo

Nowadays movies are more accessible than they have ever been before due to the rise of online streaming, but with this abundance of films at our fingertips , how do we decide what’s worth watching?

Enter movie review websites. These platforms offer insights, critiques, and ratings, helping us make informed choices about our next cinematic adventure .

Whether you’re a casual movie-goer or a die-hard cinephile , a good review can enhance your viewing experience. Let’s dive into some of the best platforms that have reshaped the way we engage with films.

And if you’d like to learn how to write a meaningful and impactful review, check out this article!

Top 8 Sites For Rating Movies in 2024

1. rotten tomatoes.

What It Is: A pioneer in the world of online movie reviews, Rotten Tomatoes aggregates opinions from critics and viewers alike, presenting an overall score.

What Stands Out: The “ Tomatometer ” gives a quick snapshot, showing if a movie is critically acclaimed or not. Plus, audience scores let you gauge public opinion.

What It Is: More than just a database, IMDb is a comprehensive resource for movie details, cast info, and user-generated reviews.

What Stands Out: Beyond reading reviews, you can dive deep into trivia, explore actor filmographies, and even check out box office stats.

3. Metacritic

What It Is: Metacritic offers a unique approach by collecting and averaging scores from top critics, resulting in a single ‘ Metascore. ‘

What Stands Out: By categorizing reviews as “positive,” “mixed,” or “negative,” it provides a well-rounded perspective on a film’s reception. Additionally, Metacritic also platforms game reviews.

4. Letterboxd

What It Is: A social haven for film enthusiasts, Letterboxd is where users log their watched films, share reviews, and interact with a like-minded community.

What Stands Out: It’s not just about reviews ; it’s about sharing your movie journey, discovering hidden gems, and connecting with fellow film lovers.

5. Criticker

What It Is: A community-driven platform where users can rate movies and get personalized recommendations based on their unique tastes.

What Stands Out: Criticker’s “ Taste Compatibility Index ” calculates how closely your movie preferences align with other users, helping you discover films you’re likely to enjoy based on like-minded reviewers.

6. FilmAffinity

What It Is: Tailored for those seeking personalized movie recommendations, FilmAffinity lets users rate films and connects them with similar tastes.

What Stands Out: It’s like having a personalized movie guide, suggesting films based on your preferences and viewing history.

What It Is: The world’s largest video-sharing platform, YouTube hosts a diverse range of content, from movie trailers and reviews to user-generated vlogs and tutorials.

What Stands Out: Beyond official movie channels, countless creators offer unique takes on films, reviews, and cinematic breakdowns, making it a must visit for movie enthusiasts. Check out our recommendations for the best Movie Critics on YouTube!

What It Is: A vast network of communities, Reddit has dedicated forums (subreddits) for virtually every topic, including movies, reviews, and film discussions.

What Stands Out: The platform fosters deep discussions and debates on films, with users sharing insights, recommendations, and even behind-the-scenes details.

Want to try reviewing a YouTube Channel instead?

With the removal of dislikes and the ever increasing dominance of hateful content in recommendations on YouTube it is becoming harder and harder to find good content creators. This is why we created Favoree.io a website that allows you to review the YouTubers that you’re watching all while discovering new quality content!

What It Is: Dubbed as the “ IMDb of YouTube channels, ” Favoree is a platform designed to help users discover high-quality YouTube content. It allows users to explore, rate, and review YouTube channels, making it easier to find meaningful content amidst the vast sea of videos.

What Stands Out: Favoree is committed to excellent curation. Unlike YouTube, which often promotes short-form videos and hides the number of dislikes, Favoree aims to spotlight quality content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: what are some websites for movie reviews.

A: There are several popular websites for movie reviews, including:

• Rotten Tomatoes – Offers aggregated reviews from both critics and viewers, presenting an overall score.
• IMDb – Provides comprehensive movie details, cast information, and user-generated reviews.
• Metacritic – Collects and averages scores from top critics, resulting in a single ‘Metascore.’
• Letterboxd – A social platform where users can log watched films, share reviews, and connect with a film-loving community.
• Criticker – Allows users to rate movies and receive personalized recommendations based on their unique tastes.
• FilmAffinity – Tailored for personalized movie recommendations, connects users with similar tastes.
• YouTube – Offers a wide range of movie-related content, from trailers to reviews to user-generated videos.
• Reddit – A network of communities with dedicated forums for movie reviews and discussions.

Q: How can I write a meaningful movie review?

A: If you want to write a meaningful movie review, consider the following tips:

• Start with an engaging introduction to grab the reader’s attention.
• Provide a brief summary of the movie without giving away crucial plot details.
• Share your opinion on the film’s strengths and weaknesses, supported by specific examples.
• Discuss elements such as cinematography, acting, storytelling, and overall entertainment value.
• Consider the target audience and whether the movie succeeds in meeting their expectations.
• Avoid spoilers, but include enough details to support your analysis.
• Use a clear and concise writing style with proper grammar and punctuation.
• Conclude your review with a final verdict or recommendation.

For more in-depth guidance, check out this article on writing impactful reviews.

Q: Are there any movie review websites that provide personalized recommendations?

A: Yes, there are movie review websites that offer personalized recommendations based on your preferences. Two such platforms are:

• Criticker : This community-driven platform allows users to rate movies and receive personalized recommendations based on their unique tastes. The “Taste Compatibility Index” calculates how closely your movie preferences align with other users, helping you discover films you’re likely to enjoy based on like-minded reviewers.
• FilmAffinity : Tailored for those seeking personalized movie recommendations, FilmAffinity lets users rate films and connects them with similar tastes. It suggests films based on your preferences and viewing history, acting as a personalized movie guide.

Q: Where can I find insightful YouTube video reviews and content about movies?

A: YouTube is a great platform for finding insightful video reviews and content about movies. Here are some recommendations:

• Check out our article on the best Movie Critics on YouTube for a curated list of channels dedicated to movie reviews, cinematic breakdowns, and unique takes on films.
• Explore YouTube’s official movie channels for trailers, behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews.
• Browse the vast range of user-generated content on YouTube, including vlogs, discussions, and tutorials related to movies.
• Engage with the YouTube community by leaving comments, participating in discussions, and subscribing to channels that align with your interests.

Have more questions? Feel free to ask on our Discord !

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Create the Best Movie Review Website with Strikingly

Are you a movie enthusiast passionate about sharing your thoughts on the latest blockbusters and indie flicks? If so, creating a movie review website is the perfect way to showcase your love for cinema and connect with fellow film buffs. Whether you're a seasoned critic or just getting started, having your platform to express your opinions can be incredibly rewarding.

Why You Need a Movie Review Website

In the golden age of instant information, navigating the endless ocean of movies can feel overwhelming. Trailers blur, recommendations get lost, and choosing the right film becomes a stressful gamble. Fear not, cinephile! A personal movie review website can be your cinematic compass, guiding you towards experiences you'll cherish and saving you from duds that leave you muttering, "What did I just watch?" Here's why you need one:

• Curate Your Own Film Festival. Gone are the days of relying on random suggestions or generic reviews. You become the curator of your website, crafting a personalized library of movies you've seen and loved (or, perhaps, hilariously loathed). Categorize by genre, director, hidden gems – the possibilities are endless! This transforms movie browsing into a delightful exploration of your unique taste.
• Sharpen Your Critical Eye. Writing reviews, even informal ones, forces you to analyze what truly resonated (or flopped) in a film. You'll delve into aspects like cinematography , storytelling, and character development, honing your critical skills and appreciating movies more deeply. This newfound awareness elevates your movie-watching experience from passive entertainment to active engagement.
• Discover Your Tribe. Share your website with friends, family, or even the wider internet. You'll connect with fellow cinephiles who share your passions, sparking lively discussions and recommendations. Imagine the joy of finding someone who raves about your favorite obscure foreign film or the satisfaction of helping others discover hidden cinematic treasures.
• Unleash Your Inner Critic (or Comedian). Let your personality shine! Your website isn't just a sterile review platform; it's your space to express your unique voice. Inject humor, insightful analysis, or even wild interpretations. Who knows, you might become the next Ebert, the wittiest critic on the block, or the curator with the most delightfully eccentric taste.
• Leave a Legacy of Taste. Imagine years down the line, revisiting your website. It becomes a nostalgic journey through your cinematic past, reminding you of hidden gems you'd forgotten, sparking fond memories of shared movie nights, and showcasing the evolution of your taste. It's a personal archive of your moviegoing adventures, a testament to your love for the silver screen.

Create your movie review website today and unlock a world of personalized cinematic exploration, critical growth, and vibrant community. Remember, it's not just about the movies you watch. It's about the journey you create around them.

Benefits of Using Strikingly

Building your movie review website can be exciting, but navigating the technical aspects can take the shine off your cinematic passion. That's where Strikingly comes in, offering a platform specifically designed to help you create a stunning and functional website without the coding woes. Here's how Strikingly empowers your movie review dreams:

• Effortless Creation, Effortless Expression. Strikingly boasts a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, making website building intuitive even for beginners. No coding knowledge required! Focus on expressing your unique voice and curating your reviews while Strikingly handles the technical grunt work.
• Visually Captivating. Movies are a visual medium, and your website should reflect that. Strikingly offers many stunning templates for showcasing movies, complete with customizable layouts, color palettes, and fonts. Make your website visually engaging and a treat for cinephile eyes.
• Mobile-First Magic. In today's mobile-driven world, having a website that looks and functions flawlessly on smartphones and tablets is crucial. Strikingly ensures your website is responsive and optimized for any device, guaranteeing your reviews reach moviegoers wherever they are.
• Content is King (and Queen). Strikingly isn't just about looks; it empowers your content creation. Add detailed reviews, insightful analyses, and even video clips with ease. Embed trailers, integrate social media feeds, and create engaging blog posts to keep your audience coming back for more.
• SEO Smarts. Want your website to be discovered by fellow movie enthusiasts? Strikingly incorporates built-in SEO tools to help your website rank higher in search engine results. Share your movie haven with the world and connect with a wider audience.
• Affordable Allure . Building a website shouldn't break the bank. Strikingly offers various pricing plans catering to different needs and budgets, ensuring you get the desired features without overspending.
• Community Connection. Strikingly integrates seamlessly with social media platforms, allowing you to share your reviews and connect with other film fanatics. Foster discussions, engage in debates, and build a vibrant online community around your shared love for movies.
• Always Evolving. Strikingly is constantly updating and adding new features, ensuring your website stays fresh and relevant. New templates, design options, and functionalities are regularly introduced, keeping your site at the forefront of online movie reviewing.

If you're ready to learn how to create a movie review website that reflects your passion and connects you with fellow cinephiles, Strikingly is the perfect platform for light, camera, and action!

Top Movie Review Websites

Before building your movie review website, exploring some of the top platforms in this niche is helpful . Websites like Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb, and Letterboxd have set the standard for comprehensive movie reviews and user engagement. Studying these successful models gives you valuable insights into what makes a great movie review website .

Choosing the Right Movie Review Website Platform

Strikingly Kickstart Program

Choosing the right platform is crucial when creating a movie review website. Factors to consider include ease of use, customizable templates, and user-friendly features. With so many options, finding the perfect fit for your needs can be overwhelming. However, Strikingly stands out as the best website builder for movie reviews. Its intuitive interface and extensive design options make it a top choice for movie enthusiasts looking to share their passion with the world.

Factors to Consider

When selecting a platform to create a movie review website, it's important to consider factors such as ease of use, customization options, and user engagement features. You want a platform that allows you to showcase your content in an appealing way while making it easy for readers to navigate and interact with your site. Additionally, mobile responsiveness and SEO capabilities are essential for reaching a wider audience.

Strikingly: The Best Website Builder for Movie Reviews

Strikingly offers various features specifically tailored for creating engaging movie review websites. Its drag-and-drop editor makes customization a breeze, allowing you to personalize your site without any coding knowledge. With its built-in social media integration and user-friendly interface, Strikingly enables you to connect with readers and build a community around your love for movies.

Key Features to Look for in a Website Builder

When evaluating website builders for your movie review site, look for key features such as customizable templates, multimedia integration capabilities, SEO tools, and mobile responsiveness. These elements are crucial in ensuring your content is visually appealing, easily accessible across devices, and optimized for search engines.

Given these considerations, Strikingly is clearly the ultimate solution for anyone looking to create a captivating, unique movie review website .

Designing Your Movie Review Websites

Movie Trailer Template from Strikingly

When it comes to creating a movie review website, the design is crucial in attracting and retaining visitors. With Strikingly's customizable templates, you can easily create a visually appealing website that reflects your passion for movies. Whether you want a sleek and modern look or a fun and colorful theme, Strikingly offers a wide range of options to suit your style.

Customizing Templates on Strikingly

Strikingly's user-friendly platform allows you to customize templates with ease. You can effortlessly change colors, fonts, and layout to match your branding or personal preferences. With just a few clicks, you can transform a generic template into a unique movie review website that stands out from the crowd.

Incorporating User-Friendly Features

In addition to aesthetic appeal, user-friendly features are essential for keeping visitors engaged. Strikingly offers intuitive tools such as drag-and-drop editors, mobile-responsive design, and seamless navigation to ensure users have a smooth and enjoyable experience while browsing your movie reviews.

Enhancing User Experience

To take your movie review website to the next level, enhance user experience through interactive elements such as rating systems, comment sections, and personalized recommendations. With Strikingly's built-in features and third-party integrations, you can create an immersive environment that keeps visitors returning for more.

Creating Engaging Content

Strikingly website on a mobile device, writing compelling movie reviews.

When creating movie review websites, the key to engaging your audience lies in writing compelling movie reviews. Your reviews should be insightful, entertaining, and informative, providing readers with a clear understanding of the film's strengths and weaknesses. Use descriptive language and share your personal opinion to make your reviews stand out from the crowd.

Adding Multimedia Content

To enhance the user experience on your movie review website, consider adding multimedia content such as trailers, behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with filmmakers and actors. Including visuals and videos can make your website more dynamic and engaging, keeping visitors coming back for more movie-related content.

Utilizing SEO Strategies

To drive traffic to your movie review website, you must effectively utilize SEO strategies . Incorporate relevant keywords into your content, optimize meta   descriptions and title tags, and create high-quality backlinks to improve your website's search engine ranking. By implementing these SEO tactics, you can increase visibility and attract more site visitors .

With these tips in mind, you're on your way to creating engaging content for your movie review website that will keep users coming back for more insightful reviews and multimedia content.

Building a Community

Strikingly Social Feeds Section

Building a community around your movie review website is crucial for its success. Interacting with readers is a great way to foster engagement and loyalty. Respond to comments, conduct polls, and ask for feedback on social media to create a sense of community among your audience.

Interacting with Readers

Engage with your readers by responding to their comments and feedback on your movie reviews. Ask questions at the end of your articles to encourage discussion, and make sure to respond promptly when readers reach out to you. Building a rapport with your audience will keep them coming back for more.

Social Media Integration

Utilize social media platforms to promote your movie review website and interact with your audience. Share your latest reviews, engage in conversations about trending movies, and create polls or Q&A sessions to encourage participation from your followers. Social media integration is key to building a strong community around your website.

Encouraging User Contributions

Encourage user contributions by allowing guest posts or submissions from aspiring writers and movie enthusiasts. This adds diversity to your content and fosters a sense of belonging within the community. User-generated content can also help attract new visitors and expand the reach of your movie review websites.

Monetizing Your Website

Now that you have created a stunning movie review website, it's time to explore monetization opportunities. One of the most common ways to generate income is through advertising and sponsorship opportunities. By partnering with brands and businesses related to the film industry, you can showcase their products or services on your website in exchange for payment or other benefits.

Advertising and Sponsorship Opportunities

You can also explore affiliate marketing, where you earn a commission for promoting products or services from other websites. By strategically placing affiliate links within your movie reviews or blog posts, you can earn passive income whenever your readers purchase through those links.

Affiliate Marketing

Another way to monetize your movie review website is by creating premium content. This could include exclusive interviews with filmmakers, behind-the-scenes footage, or in-depth analysis of classic films. By offering this premium content to your audience for a subscription fee, you can generate recurring revenue while providing additional value to your loyal readers.

Creating Premium Content

Consider offering exclusive, subscriber-only content to transform your movie review websites into a money-making machine. This could include in-depth analyses, early access to reviews, interviews with directors and actors, bonus footage, or ad-free browsing. Tailor your premium packages to cater to different fan levels, like a casual "popcorn enthusiast" tier offering early access, while a "cinephile connoisseur" tier grants exclusive interviews and director's commentary. Remember, quality and value are key; ensure your premium content is truly unique and insightful to entice viewers to open their wallets for that coveted insider scoop.

Launch Your Movie Review Website Today

Ready to share your love for movies with the world? With Strikingly , you can create a stunning movie review website in just a few simple steps. Don't wait any longer - launch your platform and start sharing your thoughts on the latest blockbusters and hidden gems today!

Creating movie review websites is not just about sharing your opinions - it's about connecting with other film enthusiasts, sparking discussions, and discovering new perspectives. By taking this step, you're not just elevating your passion for movies but also joining a vibrant community of like-minded individuals who share your love for cinema.

Strikingly: Your Ultimate Movie Review Website Solution

Strikingly offers everything you need to make a movie review website that stands out from the rest. With customizable templates, user-friendly features, and powerful SEO tools, you can easily attract an audience and keep them coming back for more. You can turn your hobby into a rewarding venture with monetization options such as advertising, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing .

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Every Movie Theater vs. Streaming Release Is Riddled With Pros and Cons

On some level, every new major hollywood movie release feels like a roll of the dice..

In Greek mythology, Hecate was the goddess of intuition who possessed three-way perspective that allowed her to bridge the gaps between past, present and future. She was particularly useful at crossroads, as she could discern origins and determine where each of the two paths would lead. Yet even Hecate, with her third sight and intuition, would be left dazed and dizzied by the dilemmas facing the entertainment industry today.

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Though the United States has largely emerged from the grip of the coronavirus pandemic, the industry issues raised by the unprecedented circumstances continue to engulf studios. The major Hollywood entities are now caught in a schism between traditional theatrical moviemaking and streaming video on demand (SVOD). Old school versus new with pros and cons aplenty.

Should studios relinquish the high-upside revenues of theatrical and go all in on streaming, the apple of Wall Street’s eye? Can SVOD replicate the financial success of a box office hit?

To better understand the multifaceted strategic choices studios must now make, we looked at the film industry’s shrinking theatrical windows, the divide between theatrical and streaming intellectual property, and the value of streaming subscriptions versus box office totals. This highlighted the conflicting approaches studios are taking to maximize the value of their IP in a landscape fraught with challenges and uncertainty.

Shrinking the theatrical window

With movie theaters largely shuttered during the majority of 2020, studios began releasing films directly to consumers via premium video on demand (PVOD) and various streaming platforms. This expedited the collapse of exhibitor’s outmoded exclusive window requirements. Hollywood has now shifted from a 60-90 day exclusive theatrical window where films didn’t arrive on SVOD platforms until roughly seven months after release to movies being rerouted to streaming after 45 days or less in theaters. It’s as seismic of a shift as Chuck Berry pioneering rock n’ roll music.

“So far, I see little evidence that the shattered theatrical windows are impacting box office performances of movies that were universally expected to be successful pre-pandemic and are currently pretty successful,” Scott Mendelson , box office analyst at Forbes , told Observer. Both  A Quiet Place Part II  (which has grossed $146 domestic since its Memorial Day Weekend debut) and F9  ($122 million since opening June 25) are performing relatively in line with his pre-COVID estimates.

“Right now, they love to double dip by getting their box office profits and an SVOD bang. But studios are increasingly realizing that shorter theatrical windows lead to bigger SVOD bangs.”

Most major blockbuster titles earn the majority of their gross within the first 38 days of release, which falls in line with the new windows. Current consumer behavior, which still exists within a vacuum of abnormality to a certain degree, seems to imply that the theatrical window for pre-determined successful features doesn’t appear to be affected by streaming, Mendelson argues. We’ll know more when Marvel’s Black Widow   opens day-and-date in theaters and via Disney+ Premier Access ($30) July 9. But not every feature film has the benefit of a pre-established branded safety net.

Despite the optimism tentpoles such as Godzilla vs. Kong , A Quiet Place Part II  and  F9  have brought to executives hoping for a return to traditional distribution, the box office hasn’t rebounded as quickly as the national economy. Domestic ticket sales year-to-date in 2021 ($1.15 billion) are still 38% behind the same span in 2020 ($1.86 billion), per Comscore. The inconsistency is an added incentive for studios to hustle certain films into their streaming libraries. This is especially true with eight major SVOD combatants currently crowding the marketplace.

“Every studio recognizes that movies are important drivers of SVOD,” Rich Greenfield , partner at technology, media and telecommunications research firm LightShed, told Observer. “Right now, they love to double dip by getting their box office profits and an SVOD bang. But studios are increasingly realizing that shorter theatrical windows lead to bigger SVOD bangs.”

With streaming accessibility just a hop, skip, and a jump away, the entertainment industry is emphasizing direct-to-consumer models more and more. There’s a reason the major entertainment conglomerates have undergone significant restructures over the last year.

Deciding between the theater and the couch

Hollywood is running out of consistent big bucks franchises as the potential for IP to become a consistent blockbuster continues to narrow and diminish. Mid-budget fare, star-driven vehicles and original concepts have also faced increasing box office challenges over the last 15 years. If you thought the barren wasteland depicted in Mad Max : Fury Road  was desolate and hopeless, take a gander at the entertainment industry’s thinning margins.

“Right now, Hollywood is in the same conundrum it was in two years ago,” Mendelson said. “Outside of Marvel and DC, there’s only about half a dozen big theatrical megabucks franchises.”

There’s only so much value that can be squeezed at the moment. Mendelson points to a best case scenario for an original film like Edgar Wright ’s Baby Driver , which earned $227 million worldwide against a production budget of $40 million (discounting marketing) in 2017. With theatrical releases growing riskier and costlier, studios are questioning whether similar smaller-scale films can pull the same profit on PVOD, where the studios generally keep 80% of the revenue as opposed to the standard 50% split with exhibitors.

“Hollywood is in the same conundrum it was in two years ago. Outside of Marvel and DC, there’s only about half a dozen big theatrical megabucks franchises.”

Universal earned more than $500 million in 2020 in PVOD revenue from 10 films, yet  Trolls World Tour accounted for roughly one-fifth of that total. The film surpassed Avengers: Endgame as the highest grossing PVOD title in history with north of $100 million. Yet Endgame generated $800 million in theatrical profits alone. The 10 most profitable films across 2018 and 2019 all yielded returns of at least $400 million to their respective studios. That doesn’t even account for revenue generated from secondary windows such as EST, VOD, DVD and Blu-Ray, and eventual SVOD sales. ( Endgame earned an estimated $107 million in domestic home market performance, per The Numbers.)

Streaming simply cannot generate the same per picture profitability as a hit blockbuster first released in theaters.

SVOD is being championed as a way to circumvent the challenges of theatrical and, to an extent, it absolutely can. Paramount’s would-be franchise starter Without Remorse  is a safer dice roll on Amazon than it is in multiplexes as a new-to-screen concept. Yet streaming platforms still sell themselves to consumers by promoting their collections of theatrical films. For example, Netflix (NFLX) thrives on pictures that were hits a decade ago or were box office bombs in theaters that audiences are now catching up on. Meanwhile, SVOD-only films lack staying power with the average movie losing 63% viewership per day from week one to week two, according Entertainment Strategy Guy . This telling chart from Ampere Analysis via WSJ speaks volumes about the minimal footprint left by streaming exclusive features.

Netflix and Sony recently agreed to a lucrative new licensing deal , with the latter reportedly receiving $1 billion over four years in the pact. The deal suggests that t heatrical Pay-One features, which migrate to streaming after leaving theaters, must be valuable to Netflix. It provides the streamer with a steady pipeline of movies that receive prestigious theatrical rollouts and provides Sony with a financial cushion that enables the studio to continue taking bets on movies like Baby Driver  and Quentin Tarantino ’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood . In that way, the relationship between streaming and theatrical can be extremely additive, to say nothing of the cross-platform opportunities for shared continuities such as Star Wars .

“I’m of the opinion that Netflix has done just fine with crappy IP.”

At the same time, Netflix spent $469 million to acquire Rian Johnson’s Knives Out  franchise , which earned more than $300 million worldwide in its first outing. This removed a new and viable original franchise from multiplexes. Despite the roadblocks and uncertainty of theatrical moviegoing, the streaming powers that be recognize a valuable trickle down effect.

This is one reason why David Offenberg , Associate Professor of Entertainment Finance in LMU’s College of Business Administration, doesn’t believe Netflix’s lack of in-house IP is as concerning in the short-term as others might argue.

“I’m of the opinion that Netflix has done just fine with crappy IP,” Offenberg told Observer. “They’ve got so many movies with so many big stars that are coming from Sony, Lionsgate, etc. that I’m just not convinced they need to have the IP that Disney has to be successful.”

By the same token, it’s not as if studios always need a movie theater to create a phenomenon.

“ The Mandalorian  is the biggest breakthrough content franchise over the last few years,” Greenfield said. “It’s done more to help the value of the  Star Wars  brand than any of the recent movies without ever hitting theaters.”

We’re seeing examples of both symbiotic relationships between platforms and antagonistic swipes. It’s a constant struggle of protecting against the downside and swinging for the fences.

Streaming subscriptions vs. box office totals

The tug-of-war between streaming and theatrical should be its own Olympic event. The prospective benefits and pitfalls of each provide enough juicy drama-filled subplots to match an entire season of  This Is Us . In the current climate, true value depends on the goals of a given studio.

“I think a successful theatrical run will always make more money on a bit by bit basis,” Mendelson said. “By default, raw revenue earned is more valuable than the perception of success in terms of high viewership on a streaming platform.”

Mendelson points to Eddie Murphy’s  Coming 2 America , which garnered 41.6 million hours-watched in its first month of availability, per Nielsen data. Yet the impressive run did not net Paramount any additional money for selling the film to Amazon nor did Prime Video generate additional money outside of subscriptions. “The buck stops here in terms of revenue,” Mendelson surmised.

Despite theatrical ticket sales steadily declining in the U.S. since 2002, per The Numbers , the industry generated at least $10 billion in annual domestic ticket sales from 2009-2019. Worldwide box office totals have hovered around $40 billion in recent non-pandemic years. When healthy, there’s enough money to be made that even Gordon Gekko would be satiated.

But according to a forecast from Lightshed Partners , SVOD subscribers will nearly double from roughly 650 million worldwide at the end of 2020 to 1.25 billion by the end of 2024. By 2025, SVOD services are projected to generate $85 billion in global revenues, per  The Wall Street Journal .

In a vacuum, streaming can’t replicate the immediate cash infusion of a box office hit such as  Frozen II , which delivered Disney nearly $600 million in theatrical profit in 2019 as well as an estimated $80-plus million in domestic home market sales. But subscriptions represent monthly recurring revenue, which can be more valuable than a box office one-off. In December, analytical firm MoffettNathanson estimated that Warner Bros.’ decision to open its entire 2021 film slate day-and-date on HBO Max and in theaters would cost the company $1.2 billion in revenue for the year. With HBO Max’s monthly average revenue per user (ARPU) approaching $12 (~$144 in annual ARPU), the streamer would need to add 8.3 million new subscribers this year to cover the loss. As of late April , HBO Max was on pace for more than 11 million new subs in 2021.

Wall Street fawns over recurring revenue. For example, Netflix is valued at ≈ 9X annual revenue. If HBO Max adds 11 million subs at $144 /year, it could potentially represent added company value of as much as $14 billion. (The WarnerMedia and Discovery merger changes the equation and implies that AT&T was conceding its entertainment ambitions). 

M.G. Siegler, General Partner at Google Ventures, said at the time: “Essentially, [WarnerMedia CEO Jason] Kilar is saying the long-term value of HBO Max subscribers is worth more than the box office revenue of not just one of these movies but all of these movies. And if successful, he’s not wrong! But it’s an insanely risky bet to make right now. It totally upends the business.”

Greenfield points out that Netflix generated more revenue in 2019 ($20 billion) than the combined Disney and Warner Bros. film studios ($19 billion). Individual film titles may be devalued in a move to streaming, but they also become key additions to a collective library which can become its own ecosystem.

“You’ll reach more consumers every time,” Greenfield said of streaming. “The subscription business is a better business.”

Perhaps it’s telling that over the last 18 months, nearly every major studio is jockeying for position to be the next Netflix while Netflix isn’t in any rush to become the next dominant theatrical studio.

“I think beyond more cinemas carrying Netflix’s titles seven days in advance of the Netflix drop, the pandemic hasn’t changed much for them,” Kasey Moore, editor-in-chief of What’s on Netflix, told Observer.

Should studios emphasize their streaming services or theatrical studios? The more holistic and cynical answer may be to opt for whichever strategy Wall Street deems most valuable. It’s simply a matter of internal ambition, which varies from studio to studio.

“Stock price,” Offenberg said when asked which medium should receive top billing. “That’s the reality from the CEO’s perspective. The most important thing to them is keeping investors happy.”

In the current marketplace, Wall Street is enamored with the long-term upside of SVOD. With theme parks closed, cruise ships anchored, and movie theaters shuttered in the pandemic, The Walt Disney Company (DIS) lost billions of dollars in 2020. Yet the company’s share price soared 70% to all time highs because of the explosive growth of Disney+.

For a media CEO of today, it doesn’t matter how many subscribers you have or how many Oscars your studio won, Offenberg argues. What matters most is if the stock price is okay and if the company can stay in business. Right now, as entertainment media conglomerates attempt to appease the whims of investors , that means focusing on streaming whether it’s fair or not.

Maximizing the value of IP

All this leads us to Hollywood’s primary quarry: maximizing the value of IP. Offenberg notes that, historically, studios have gone about this in two ways: price discrimination and ancillary revenues.

Price discrimination can be broken up into tiers with super fans paying a premium to see a film on opening night, a casual fan waiting for a reduced price matinee, and a passive fan waiting until the film comes out on cable. Ancillary revenue covers brand expansion efforts such as toys, merchandise, games, Broadway musicals, etc. All of that still exists. We know studios still value this approach since none of them have permanently given up on theatrical, which is critical for price discrimination.

But on a macro level, studios now face a fork in the road: do they support the theatrical experience or their streaming service (or even throw their weight behind cable channels, which still generate large revenues but are decaying)? If a studio decides that direct-to-consumer business is going to be its top priority, as former Disney CEO Bob Iger said the company would do in 2018 , it’s going to need “scale, scale, scale.”

“If you don’t have scale, no one’s watching,” Offenberg said. “Without scale, you can’t compete and you can’t put yourself in that bundle of services that consumers remain subscribed too.” Netflix has scale—which can roughly be defined as the point at which a streamer is reasonably cash flow positive on a consistent basis—thus their churn is low. That’s what every streamer is chasing.

Netflix is the only major streaming service that has reached scale and is generating cash off of its streaming service. All the other major SVOD players are costing their parent companies money (Disney expects Disney+ to reach profitability in 2024; WarnerMedia projected HBO Max to hit that mark in 2024 or 2025 prior to merger). With the FTC and DOJ expected to regulate monopolies more stringently in the digital era, acquisitions are going to become increasingly difficult. Any thoughts that NBCUniversal, ViacomCBS or Lionsgate might have had about joining forces are clouded. If you can’t consolidate and you can’t create organic growth to reach scale through internal means, your streaming service will fold.

“Competing with Netflix, Amazon, Apple, and Disney is not easy,” Greenfield said. “I’m actually shocked how many are even trying to.” Sony Pictures surveyed the landscape and opted to become a content arms dealer raking in lucrative licensing revenue rather than try and play in the same sandbox.

So what’s the right choice?

Reprogramming consumers out of the habit of watching filmed entertainment at home is going to be incredibly expensive, time consuming, and difficult for studios. The pandemic has conditioned audiences to expect immediate gratification. In 2021, consumers practically demand to be able to watch anything, anywhere, at any time. Regardless of which path the major studios opt to take as the world continues opening up, providing flexible access to your programming is key to navigating this new normal.

If a studio opts to prioritize SVOD above all else, it is signaling a desire to intentionally disrupt its legacy media business and endure a significant financial squeeze in the short-term in an effort to gain long-term financial security through scaled streaming. This is a Herculean effort of difficulty given the enormous investment needed to compete . Few services will survive the gauntlet . Those that do will be in a position to generate massive annual revenues.

If a studio decides to continue hedging its bets or forgo in-house streaming all together, it’s a sign that the company is willing to gamble on a decaying business model that still boasts high upside on a film-by-film basis and as a sought after arms dealer. It’s not always quite as costly as a multi-billion dollar pivot to streaming, but it may also lower a studio’s ceiling in the long-term.

Not even Hecate would know what is going to happen next. 

• SEE ALSO : Will Keen On Playing Vladimir Putin On Broadway in ‘Patriots’

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‘despicable me 4’ review: gru’s family grows in illumination animation that serves up familiar antics.

Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig are joined by Joey King, Stephen Colbert and Chloe Fineman in the latest franchise installment, co-written by Mike White.

By Lovia Gyarkye

Lovia Gyarkye

Arts & Culture Critic

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In Despicable Me 4 , the latest installment of Illumination Studio’s popular franchise, Gru (a winning Steve Carell) confronts the subtle villainy of suburban life. There’s something about the charmed aesthetics of Mayflower that doesn’t sit right. Maybe it’s the near-identical cottage-style homes, all painted the same shade of eggshell white and retrofitted with pristine pools; or perhaps it’s the residents, a wealthy and entitled bunch bent on excluding the unfamiliar. Whatever the reason, the vibes are certainly off. 

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Despicable Me 4 begins with an exciting confrontation (courtesy of slick angles and tense music by composer Heitor Pereira) between Gru and a new villain, Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell). The pair’s history goes back to when they were students at Lycee Pas Bon, the premier institution for aspiring bad guys. They meet again at their school reunion, which, no matter the length of your rap sheet, is still fraught with aged tensions, awkward exchanges and not-so-subtle competitive small talk.

At the soirée, Maxime, a cockroach obsessive, unveils his new invention, a device that endows him with qualities of the near-indestructible vermin. Gru, newly reinstated to the Anti-Villain League after the shenanigans of Despicable Me 3 , only attended the reunion to arrest Maxime, which he does after the latter’s dramatic presentation. 

The new identities are a tough sell and some of the most winning moments in Despicable Me 4 detail the family’s attempts to fit into Mayflower. Gru swaps out his signature dark garb and scarf for khakis and pink polo shirts. He’s now a part-time solar power salesman and stay-at-home dad. Lucy becomes a world-class beautician, working in the stuffy salon on Main Street. Margo attends a new junior high school, where popular girl Poppy (an excellent Joey King) reigns supreme. Meanwhile, Agnes and Edith attend a karate program run by a menacing instructor (Brad Ableson). That endeavor makes for some inventive sequences, including a surprisingly high-stakes supermarket chase involving Lucy and the girls. 

The cast delivers engaging voice performances, with Carell and King leading the pack. As Gru, Carell retains the villain’s signature irritability while also touching on the vulnerable enthusiasm of raising his new infant. Trying to bond with Gru Jr., who rejects his paternal affection, becomes top priority for this dad. The other mission is to befriend the country-club family next door, who seemingly want nothing to do with their neighbors. Perry (Stephen Colbert) treats Gru with cutting disdain, and through their interactions the subtle cruelty of this suburb is evident. Patsy (Chloe Fineman) is friendlier, and even invites Gru and Lucy to the country club for drinks and tennis. 

While the Grus adjust to a quiet life, Maxime hunts for them. He and his wife get into their own frenzied adventures, but this part of the narrative feels underdeveloped at times. Maxime plans to abduct Gru Jr. as payback, which is a far cry from the early threats of extermination, but still evil. Running a brisk 95 minutes, Despicable Me 4 doesn’t leave enough time for Maxime to enact his plans in a way that packs an emotional punch.

The fate of the Minions offers some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments and impressively detailed animation. Silas enlists the gaggle of yellow beings to train as the AVL’s top agents. A select group of them undergo an experimental treatment that turns them into super Minions. Their training sequences — both at AVL headquarters and in the city — stick to the tradition of Illumination animators having fun with the Loony Tunes-style bits. They also end up, somewhat ironically, grounding Despicable Me 4 , which can get dizzying with its twists and turns. When in doubt of direction, just trust the Minions.

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The Pros and Cons of Movie Streaming Sites

This is an estimated reading time to let you know how long it will take you to read all the content on this particular PrivacySavvy.com page. However, it has a sneak peek, easy guide steps, and/or a quick list providing quick in-page navigations and easily-found answers if desired.

Read this article to learn the advantages and disadvantages of movie streaming websites.

Streaming makes enjoying movies and series easier (and cost-effective), but can we truly say it is worth it? What are the pros and cons to know? In this article, we dive into the details and spare no information pixel. Streaming sites have almost replaced traditional modes of enjoying movies and series, but not completely. As such, if you cannot access streaming platforms in your location or the prices are too steep for you, you have alternatives to turn to.

Without any doubt, streaming sites are the new movie theaters. You can’t beat the convenience and cost. They’ve got a huge range of latest and vintage movies and shows to pick from. But we know nothing is perfect. With all those benefits, there must be some downsides, too, right? In this article, we’ll weigh if streaming on these sites merits your time and dough.

What is a movie streaming site?

Movie streaming websites are truly a gift to consumers. A movie streaming site is an online place to watch your favorite TV shows and movies . These sites have various free movies and TV shows , ranging from classic flicks to documentaries, animation, and popular films.

You can easily access and stream them on your phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV – whether you’re out and about, kicking back on the couch, or just on a work break. Streaming platforms often have a diverse and organized library, which helps you find movies and TV series quickly. Also, some of these platforms have applications to let you stream your favorite content at your fingertips.

Some sites have search bars for users to input the exact content they want to watch. Others feature personal recommendations based on previous watches or likes.

Popular and legal services

Pros and cons of movie streaming sites — Brief overview

• Have a huge, diverse range of stuff to choose from
• Cheaper than old-school cable or satellite TV
• You can enjoy streaming pretty much anywhere and on any device
• While these platforms offer lots of options, video can be low quality
• May exhibit poor performance if your internet connection isn’t fast enough
• Limited by location and only work in certain areas
• Some platforms have ads to make money, which can be annoying and unavoidable

Advantages of movie streaming sites – Detailed analysis

Diverse collection.

Streaming sites give users way more options . With just a few clicks, you can find different genres from different times, even new, popular releases. Whether you’re into action, comedy, documentaries, or westerns – you can find stuff you like. Some services even make original, high-quality content in different genres, so there’s quality stuff for every user .

Budget-friendly

Going to the movies can cost you some money. In addition, you pay for limited channels with cable TV, and you can only see a couple of flicks in one day since cable doesn’t have them all. With streaming platforms, you can save a ton of money and get great entertainment value .

One monthly fee gives you access to a huge collection of movies, TV, documentaries, award shows, and sports. Streaming sites are cheaper than cable, and you can watch multiple movies daily .

Ease of use

The user-friendly nature of streaming sites is a big perk of streaming. You can just click and get extensive content from the comfort of your home . Unlike the theater, now you can get the full experience hassle-free. Plus, you can watch your faves anytime instead of waiting for new seasons or sequels.

Some other benefits of streaming sites

• Quick viewing: Regular TV viewers must wait for releases, but streamers can watch movies and shows right after release, whenever and wherever they come out.
• Versatility: Streaming sites aren’t just easy to use; they are versatile. They let you access stuff from any device. You don’t need to sit at home – you can take it on the go with your phone, laptop, or tablet. The awesome level of flexibility is what sets streaming apart from other media.
• Intuitive user interface: These platforms are designed to make users comfortable as they scroll and choose what to watch while eating. Because of this, these sites are often smooth, easy to use, and intuitive. With such a huge collection of stuff, it makes sense for this to be a key factor in designing streaming platforms. Moreover, if you are struggling to find a particular movie, TV show, or document, most apps have a search function that allows you to find just what you need.
• Always ready viewing: You no longer have to wait; you can watch anything, anywhere, anytime. Unlike regular TV scheduling, which has viewers waiting for certain times to watch their favorite movies and shows, streaming lets you take the wheel.

Cons of movie streaming sites – Detailed analysis

Poor quality.

Video quality is an important part of the overall enjoyment of the streaming experience. It should be watchable if you want to watch anything anywhere . If the video quality is low, you’ll get minimal satisfaction and experience, which would be frustrating. While some platforms have excellent quality, this isn’t the case across the board .

It is possible that your internet connection can impact clarity, so ensure it is strong before blaming the site .

Besides, some old content video quality is separate from the platform’s efforts or your internet strength; these are the classics from the pre-streaming era. They’ll be shown in their original form, maybe with some touch-ups, but they won’t look as good as the new stuff.

But if none of these can be traced to your video quality issue, you are encouraged to make an official complaint through their websites for prompt resolution.

Limited availability

Streaming platforms often operate with licenses, which may not apply to many locations for different reasons. This is not a case of discrimination but exclusion because certain areas are not included in the licensing agreement . It can result from low viewership data from that area as well.

When this happens, the location can either be excluded from a service or have a much different, much leaner catalog of content to choose from, which can be such a hassle, often leading to users subscribing to multiple platforms at the same time just to get a full package of content .

The practice is not sustainable; it is expensive, and frankly, it can be very inconvenient having to switch between subscriptions.

Ads are here to stay, as much as we hate them. And one place they’ve made their homes is streaming websites. These movie streaming sites use the ads as a form of revenue generation and so will include them often in their sites and even in-built players .

These ads cause inconvenience and can be frequent and unending, too . The viewing experience should be smooth and undisturbed, but ads make sure this is impossible. They can be invasive, repetitive and can even suck out the fun of the content you need to watch. Ads can sometimes make you wait long minutes before you can access the movies or shows you want, and they are not skippable.

Should you use them?

After a thorough investigation, considering the facts, the pros and cons, is it worth it? That is the question. From our perspective, movie streaming websites present more good than bad, but this can differ from place to place .

For example, in areas where you cannot access a certain service or content, you would need to get a VPN to access it — this is a hassle and extra cost, but it is the only way and can be worth it, too. Depending on your priorities, you may need to consider if these pros outweigh the cons for you and where you live .

If they do not align with your needs, then it would be a misstep to subscribe to any of them. But then you can also research to ascertain which streaming sites work in your region to avoid making any mistakes.

Alternatives to movie streaming sites

We have established that movie streaming sites are a great invention and have made life much easier for the everyday consumer, but what if it isn’t? What if your location is restricted from accessing a particular service? 

Well, we asked these questions, too, and came up with solutions and alternatives you can rely on if streaming does not work for you.

• Physical media: You can always rely on physical copies when everything fails. You can still find DVD releases of your favorite movies and shows. They usually come in Blu-Ray or DVD formats.
• Local cinemas: Stretch your legs, grab your friends, and get popcorn. Head on to your local cinemas and enjoy your pick of the latest movies. You may not have the convenience of your couch, but the theater’s sound, lighting, and feel are next to none, and you may enjoy the movie more.
• Subscription channels: Cable television used to be the source of premium entertainment, so if you can’t access the streaming option, you can always get a subscription. These premium plans let you enjoy on-demand entertainment, which means you can watch anything you wish, whenever you want.
• Rental services: If you can’t purchase the physical copies, you can also rely on rental services like Redbox. They have kiosks in different locations that you can access and serve as a great alternative to streaming. They don’t cost as much, and you don’t need the internet.
• Library loans: Don’t forget your local library! Many let members access a free catalog of TV and movies, but they must be returned. While the selection may not be as big as a streaming site, it’s a budget-friendly, reliable way to watch movies.
• Digital stores: Places like Amazon and iTunes let you download shows and flicks for a fee, rent, or buy; then you can watch without a streaming subscription. It’s great for people who like storing stuff on a device.

Streaming sites have become almost synonymous with movies themselves, and they don’t seem to be going anywhere fast. But can you trust them? Can you use them the way you want? Do they work where you are? And can you afford them? These are the questions you should find answers to before reaching a decision.

In conclusion, streaming has more positives than negatives . You must find the one that best matches your tastes, location, and budget.

These sites often have such a massive catalog that covering it all would be impossible . It’s an unprecedented marvel you can get in on too. But if you can’t due to location limits, try the alternatives mentioned here.

Streaming has a lot of pros, but the most important one is that it lets the user customize their viewing experience. You can curate your broadcasting network filled with channels, movies, and endless hours of fun for a small fee.

Not particularly, but on average, yes. TV does not always offer on-demand entertainment, while streaming always does. The clarity of video depends on the type of device for TV, but streaming just needs good internet. And while TV has a good catalog, streaming lets you choose your unique catalog.

You do not need cables, just your device, a good internet connection, and a subscription to your chosen streaming platform. WiFi has replaced many wires and lets you freely set up your viewing rig.

Yes, but these limitations are not entirely its fault. They are thus:

1. Needs high internet speed.

2. Buffering and ads can be frustrating.

3. You may need to upgrade devices.

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Eddie murphy recalls a joke at his expense from ‘snl’ and calls it “racist”.

• ‘A Family Affair’ Review: Nicole Kidman & Zac Efron Find Each Other In Smart, Funny Rom-Com Where Age Is Just A Number

By Pete Hammond

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Awards Columnist/Chief Film Critic

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Netflix actually is using that original title in its ad line for the film, calling it “A MotherF*&#er of a Love Story,” and that says it all. Coming on the heels of Amazon’s rom-com The Idea of You — in which a fortysomething single mom (Anne Hathaway) finds unexpected love with a 24-year-old rock superstar played by (Nicholas Galitzine) when she chaperones her teenage daughter to his group’s concert, A Family Affair also finds plenty of mileage in a similar setup.

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Nicole Kidman plays Brooke Harwood, a famous author enduring a lull in her career when into her life comes a much-younger man, thritysomething action-movie star Chris Cole ( Zac Efron ), who also is the somewhat obnoxious and demanding boss to Brooke’s daughter Zara. She’s at a frustrating point in her career, still forced to cater to Cole’s every whim as his assistant and failing to move up the ladder to associate producer as he had promised she might. Instead he’s constantly threatening to fire her on the days she isn’t threatening to quit. Life, however, is about to get very complicated when sparks fly after a chance encounter between Chris and Zara’s mother, with whom she still lives at home.

Screenwriter Carrie Solomon was just about the age of Zara when she got the inspiration to write a script about the older woman/younger man romance, a flip of the usual Hollywood menu of older man/younger woman that long has been favored in the movies, or in scandalous real-life couplings like the recent May December was inspired by. Significantly she has set the film during the Christmas season, but this isn’t what you would call a “Christmas movie” so it doesn’t seem glaringly out of place in June where it is being released.

Casting in these rom-coms is crucial, and fortunately Kidman and Efron had a head start as they were cinematically involved in the very different pic, Lee Daniels’ 2012 drama The Paperboy. Here you instantly believe the chemistry despite the 21-year age difference between the two stars. How refreshing it is as well to see Kidman, very appealing here, in a rare romantic comedy role, one she clearly is relishing but also one she credibly grounds in reality. We must believe this conceited movie star, always catered to, can be legitimately attracted to his long-suffering assistant’s mother — and vice versa — and the stars make us buy it.

As for Efron, his comic timing is right on the money, especially in his work relationship with Zara, the pair playing off each other in time-honored screwball-comedy fashion. King is simply terrific here, proving she has the same impressive chops for comedy, even in some slapstick moments, as she does for more tortured dramatic roles like The Act and the current We Were the Lucky Ones.

Adding nicely to the mix is the ever-reliable Kathy Bates , turning up often these days in supporting roles, this one as Brooke’s mother-in-law and editor who offers sage advice not just to Brooke but also her own granddaughter. A game Liza Koshy gets the more standard best-friend role to Zara but doesn’t get much of a chance to run with it.

Director Richard LaGravenese, best known for his screenplays including The Horse Whisperer, The Fisher King, The Bridges of Madison County, and so many others, here has one of his best efforts as director. He expertly navigates the comic beats of this situation, effectively balancing the more emotional moments as well. He and Solomon are not reinventing the rom-com wheel but have delivered a bright and sophisticated entertainment for adults looking for the kind of grownup movie that increasingly is rare — outside of streamers, at least, which is exactly where, like The Idea of You, audiences are going to have to find this one. Seek it out.

Producers are Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum.

Title: A Family Affair Distributor: Netflix Release date: June 28, 2024 Director: Richard LaGravenese Screenwriter: Carrie Solomon Cast: Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, Joey King , Kathy Bates, Liza Koshy Running time: 1 hr, 51 mins

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Blue Lock: Episode Nagi Review

The popular soccer anime, seen from a fresh perspective..

The first thing you should know about Blue Lock: Episode Nagi is that it’s halfway between a recap movie and a side story. We've come a long way from the dozens of standalone, non-canon features based on popular anime like Dragon Ball and Naruto, but Episode Nagi isn't an essential next chapter in an ongoing series like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train or Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle . Instead, it's set before and during the events of the first season of Blue Lock, the popular, ludicrous, and thrilling soccer anime about a Squid Game -like competition/training program intended to create the world's best forward striker.

The focus is on the titular Seishiro Nagi, a standout character from Season 1, and his best friend, Reo Mikage. This means that Episode Nagi repeats a lot of the structure, and even plenty of scenes, from Season 1. But make no mistake: This is no mere recap or compilation film. It’s not even another Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - To the Hashira Training situation, providing a sneak peek at upcoming episodes following a whole lot of recap. Instead, it primarily consists of new material showing Nagi and Reo's first meeting and blossoming friendship in the lead-up to them joining the Blue Lock program, and their experience with the first couple of rounds of eliminations. What Tom Stoppard’s dark comedy Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is to Hamlet, Episode Nagi is to Blue Lock, as we explore some of the events of Season 1 reframed from Nagi and Reo’s point of view – which reveals their own trials and tribulations.

Blue Lock: Episode Nagi Gallery

Much like the recent Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle, the emotional crux of Episode Nagi is the protagonist's complete indifference toward sports, and the question of whether he'll be able to learn to love them. When we first meet Nagi, he only cares about video games. His life revolves around making the least amount of effort because otherwise everything is a hassle to him – like eating, which leads to brushing his teeth, which is a waste of time. The attitude could become rather annoying rather quickly, but voice actor Nobunaga Shimazaki gives Nagi enough of an innocent charm to make him funny and never irritating. Indeed, it's easy to root for Nagi – to relate when he tries to leave Blue Lock the moment they tell him he can't use his phone, or when he learns he'll spend all his time in the program training (and only training).

It’s also easy to root for him as he slowly opens up to Reo, who starts out as a rich kid pushing Nagi to be his soccer teammate and becomes a true friend. What was a mostly one-note character on the show now gets as much depth as the first season's main character, Yoichi Isagi. That alone makes Episode Nagi an essential addition to the overall Blue Lock experience.

What is the best sports anime?

Though there are times when the first season's wonky CGI rears its ugly head – particularly during previously seen scenes like the match between Team V and Team Z – Episode Nagi takes advantage of its bigger budget to deliver some thrilling 2D animation. The matches are fast-paced, detailed, and exhilarating, with a good blend of actual soccer skills and over-the-top superpowers. Particularly great is the visualization of the characters' auras as their egos awakens alongside their talent: Isagi's spatial awareness appearing as puzzle pieces falling into place, or Nagi's ability to kill a ball's momentum with one touch represented by a grim reaper.

Unfortunately, the feature-length format leads to some bizarre choices, like cramming all translations into two subtitle lines – meaning every time there’s text on screen, it’s translated alongside dialogue, which goes by so fast that it's easy to miss out on a lot of information. And despite devoting most of its runtime to new material , the last 10 of Episode Nagi nearly ruin what comes before. While a natural and effective climax arrives when Nagi teams up with Isagi, the film keeps going, condensing the remaining 12 episodes of Season 1 into a single montage that comes across as forced and clunky. It rushes past a face-off between Reo and Nagi, which runs counter to everything Episode Nagi has shown us up to that point. My advice: Leave the theater when the montage starts and rewatch the show on your own.

Blue Lock: Episode Nagi is an inventive way of recapping the story of the first season of Blue Lock without just repeating the same old scenes. Instead, we get a poignant side story that deepens one of the show's characters, and makes the Blue Lock program feel larger by showcasing the perspective of players other than protagonist Yoichi Isagi.

More Reviews by Rafael Motamayor

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More From Forbes

This is what makes a great movie review, according to a veteran film critic.

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How do I write a great film review? originally appeared on Quora : the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world .

Answer by Thelma Adams , Novelist & film critic, on Quora :

How do I write a great film review?

Be bold. Be honest. Be immersed in movie culture — but don’t write for other critics.

The first step is seeing the movie — really seeing it. This photo is an image of Julianne Moore breaking out in Robert Altman’s   Short Cuts , the first movie I reviewed as a professional critic for the   New York Post   in 1993.

For me, seeing the movie is an act of immersion. That means ignoring the opinions of others before I enter the cinema. I open my eyes, my heart, my brain and try to enter the movie world without baggage. You’d be surprised how challenging that can be when a person is seeing 300 movies per year, or is pregnant or has a sick child at home or all the frailties to which humans are subject.

Then,   be bold . Your strong unique voice carries the review — and must always engage the reader. It is generally easier to review a movie that you   love , like   Roma , or   hate , harnessing passion than to assess a middle of the road movie, a sequel of a reboot.

You should include   a synopsis . Having honed my craft at the   Post , where language was snappy and pitched at a third-grade reading level, I try to get even the most convoluted plot into a single paragraph. Again, using my   Roma   review as an example, I squeezed the layered narrative into two lengthy and detail-packed sentences that also include the who, what, where and the primary actors playing the main roles.

Then you have the leeway to cover the film in a variety of ways: the script, the cinematography, the actors, the direction, the editing, the music and the special effects. All those parts that Oscar recognizes. It is unlikely that you will be able to cover the full range but the ultimate question is: how does the movie hang together? And, if it doesn’t, why not? What elements are the culprits: is the script limp, the dialog as soggy as Corn Flakes, the action too reliant on computerized special effects?

As a professional, the ways the review can be navigated depend on your publication and audience. How many words do you have: 150 or 800? That makes a big difference.

I like to write personal criticism that relies on a first-person narrative voice, something I did for years at the   Post , less so at   Us Weekly , and again at   Yahoo Movies  and the   Observer . In this way, the writer is able to address biases and clarify them for readers.

I championed the work of female directors, female-driven movies — including foreign movies like Michelle Yeoh’s   The Heroic Trio   — while exposing sexism and bias. That was and is my beat and my perspective.

It followed from my strong voice — since I’m a female film critic, I see movies in that way, looking at the portrayal of women and raising up women directors and actresses in leading roles beyond wife, mother and girlfriend.

Rather than that perspective limiting me, it actually opens me up to a more inclusive perspective. I still love male-driven action movies like   Mission Impossible — Fallout , but I make a special place for movies like the female-directed French horror movie   Raw .

Throughout, I follow the general format: express and support an opinion, include a synopsis, address the movie’s key elements, possibly put it in the context of similar movies. Ensure that the conclusion gives readers a sense not only if I like the film but, if they don’t share my biases, if they would like it, too.

Film criticism, when done right, is an art in and of itself. And, with the internet, it’s available to anyone who loves movies, has a strong opinion and a desire to be heard.

This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter , Facebook , and Google+ . More questions:

• Movies : How do you analyse a film?
• Writing : How does being a film critic influence your fiction writing, and vice versa?
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Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, black writers week, movie critics: pros and cons.

Nathan Lee.

Yesterday, Nathan Lee sent out an e-mail to colleagues in which he announced:

In great Village Voice tradition, I was abruptly laid off today for "economic reasons." My employment at the paper ends immediately: someone else, alas, will be tasked with specifying the precise shade of periwinkle frosting atop the cupcakes in " My Blueberry Nights ." And so I am, as they say, "looking for work," though presumably not as a staff film critic as such jobs no longer appear to exist.

On certain homophobic but ostensibly (and patronizingly) pro-gay reactions to " Brokeback Mountain ": "If I hear one more straight critic complain that 'Brokeback Mountain' isn't particularly gay, I'm gonna spit on my hand, lube up my c---, and f--- him in the b---." On " Transformers ": "Director Michael Bay never met a rhetorical apocalypse he didn't love. Dude could film a round of Jenga with greater shock and awe than the collapse of the World Trade Center. There are mini-robots hiding inside his mega-robots. His lens flares have lens flares. He evidently controls the magic hour at a flick of a switch, and flips it willy-nilly for 'poetic effect.' In what may constitute the zaniest authorial signature in contemporary cinema, he has a habit of arresting an action set piece in order to indulge outlandishly backlit, monumentally pointless romantic interludes." On " Zodiac : "... 'Zodiac' is the most information-packed procedural since 'JFK,' though far more restrained when it comes to theorizing.... The result is an orgy of empiricism, a monumental geek fest of fact-checking, speculation, deduction, code breaking, note taking, forensics, graphology, fingerprint analysis, warrant wrangling, witness testimony, phone calls, news reports. 'I felt like I was stuck in a filing cabinet for three hours,' complained one viewer. Exactly!" On " "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry ": "Tremendously savvy in its stupid way, 'I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry' is as eloquent as 'Brokeback Mountain,' and even more radical. 'The gay cowboy movie' liberated desires latent in the classic western, and made them palpable (and palatable) by channeling them into the strictures of another genre, romantic tragedy. Progressive values were advanced by a retreat to a traditional mode of storytelling, the love that dare not speak its name rendered intelligible through the universal language of the upscale weepy. [...]

"Gay themes won't deter the [Adam] Sandler cult, who can rely on their man not to be a fag. And that, precisely, is the canny maneuver here. Our p---y-loving men's men are New York City firefighters to boot, the very embodiment of all-American heroism (and object of gay fetishism). Sandler's womanizing bachelor Chuck Levine reluctantly agrees to play the homo husband of his buddy Larry Valentine to help secure pension benefits for Larry's kids—one of whom, a flaming little 'mo named Eric (Cole Morgan), likes to practice numbers from Pippin' in an outfit inspired by 'Flashdance.' Oh, snap! Chuck and Larry is the first movie to effectively hijack that all-purpose justification for right-wing bigotry, 'protecting the children,' and redeploy it as a weapon of the homosexual intifada." On " Chop Shop ": "You come away from 'Chop Shop' with a mood, the voluptuous sum of its fine-tuned parts: the way a rundown patch of Queens is always flooded with mud, no matter how recently it rained; the frightful gusto of a junkyard pit bull gnawing on his favorite toy, a giant steel car jack; flocks of pigeons, rice and beans, a plastic-wrapped sneaker sample and castaway flip-flop floating down a rain-slicked street; hot dogs marinated in lighter fluid, smoking from a sidewalk BBQ; the huge, muffled, incantatory chant of "LET'S GO, METS!" that spills out into the parking lot of Shea Stadium, where a 12-year-old boy, dodging the eye of security, pries off hubcaps with a screwdriver. [...] "All this is imagined by Ramin Bahrani , the acclaimed writer-director of " Man Push Cart " (2006), though 'Chop Shop' derives much of its value from the sense of being found, not made."

In a thread at girish 's a few weeks back, I commented that nearly all of the movie criticism I read these days is in books or on the web -- written by movie bloggers or by paid critics (I'm trying to avoid using the word "professional" in this context) writing for print publications. It wasn't long ago that you couldn't read what other critics were saying outside your own town, unless you subscribed to number of nationally available papers and magazine by mail, and that could be pretty expensive. Papers could always run syndicated reviews off the wires, but their editorship and/or readership preferred original writing, local perspectives, and in-house accountability.

Matt Zoller Seitz speaks for a lot of us when he writes at The House Next Door :

I find these days that I'm more likely to find lively writing and original viewpoints on blogs than in print outlets. At the same time, though, it's important to acknowledge that the idea of criticism-as-profession (as opposed to vocation or hobby) has a lot of merit. There's no way that a blogger who isn't independently wealthy can cover the full spectrum of current releases as diligently as somebody who's getting paid to do it, much less be able to get newsworthy film people on the phone for thinkpieces, features, obituaries and the like, or cover local, regional, national or international film festivals, as film critics for large and even medium-sized papers have traditionally been encouraged to do (depending on the outlet). What we're seeing here is the passing of a notable and vibrant phase of movie writing. It'll be replaced by something else, yes, but something very different. I think we're fast approaching the point where criticism will become, for the most part, a devotion rather than a job.

Not that one excuses the other, that's just the way it is and the way it has always been, though the average level of competence and watchability in movies seems to have declined noticeably since the mid-1990s or so. Or maybe it's my patience that has declined. But while the best movies seem as great as ever, and the horrible ones just as horrible, the mediocrity bar has fallen pretty low. It seems to me a movie used to have to be significantly better before it could be considered mediocre. (And I've always been somewhat hyper-averse to cinematic ineptitude , deriving little or no pleasure from badness for its own sake.)

In the twilight of what Matt calls "the era of newspapers and magazines" (and network television broadcasting, too), the relationship between art/entertainment and "the press" is changing. Arts criticism in general-circulation newspapers and magazines is a centuries-old tradition, because the arts were considered to be matters of cultural significance. Reviews were often a form of journalistic analysis, reporting on an event that had taken place because the event itself was considered worthy of coverage.

Lee: Eye wide open.

Mainstream movie (and television) reviewing grew out of that tradition. A metropolitan daily newspaper had a music critic (and, later, a pop music critic, maybe a jazz critic), a theater critic, a book critic, a dance critic, a visual arts critic (painting, sculpture)... They would review performances or exhibitions regardless of whether their readers would later have an opportunity to experience the works for themselves. Because film and television were pre-recorded (as they used to say), the custom eventually became to provide the critic with an opportunity to see the "show" before it became available to the general public, so that the review could appear on the day of its premiere. This, too, wasn't all that far removed from the showbiz ritual of reviewing the opening night of Broadway shows for the next morning's paper.

From the Vienna newspaper Der Freimütige , September 11, 1806: "Recently there was given the overture to Beethoven's opera 'Fidelio,' and all impartial musicians and music lovers were in perfect agreement that never was anything as incoherent, shrill, chaotic and ear-splitting produced in music. The most piercing dissonances clash in a really atrocious harmony, and a few puny ideas only increase the disagreeable and deafening effect." (Thanks to Nicholas Slonimsky's invaluable " Lexicon of Musical Invective .")

What has changed? The expectations of the audience, for one thing. The more people have become accustomed to approaching art and entertainment as consumers (trying to get the optimal return on their investment of leisure time and money), the more they've come to think of reviews as buying guides. (And DVDs have made paramount the idea of movies or TV shows as not only products, but possessions that take up shelf space in your life.)

At the same time (and probably as a consequence), criticism itself has been subjected to cost-benefit analysis. I assume that's why some reviewers have been up in arms about the studios realizing they had nothing to gain by screening certain films in advance. Then it's up to the publications to make the call: Is it worth sending someone to see a movie once it opens, so that the review can run over the weekend or early the next week? (In most cases, personally, I don't think so. Unless it proves to be something out of the ordinary, why give it undue attention? Why not just wait to review the DVD release, when there's less time pressure?) Reviews used to represent the first independent evaluations of a movie outside the studio's marketing apparatus. If that is still true, how much does it matter -- to readers, or to the publications who are trying to sell advertising? I don't know.

From my experience as an art-house exhibitor in the '80s, I can say that good reviews could sometimes help get ticket-buyers in the door on opening weekend -- but only if they made the movies sound like something enough people wanted to see. Films that don't have huge ad budgets rely on reviews to reach their potential audience. After Friday's entertainment section was in the recycling bin, though, only word-of-mouth (and more advertising, highlighting the good review quotes) can keep it going.

When people say that a big Hollywood release is "critic-proof," I think they're assuming the critics have a lot more power than they really do. " Transformers ," for example, isn't so much "critic-proof" as "critic-irrelevant." By opening day, when people read the reviews of "Transformers," most of them have already decided whether they're going to see it or not. They may read the review for its entertainment value, or to give them an idea of what to expect (hey, if you can talk about the movie before anybody's seen it, you may have even more cultural currency ), but they already know they're going to see it. That's about the only social aspect of moviegoing that's left -- being able to talk about a movie when the ads are still on TV and all over the web. (Even if you never set foot in a theater and simply watched a bittorrent download.)

I've always thought that the "influence" of reviews on box office returns was greatly overestimated. More significantly, I never really understood why people would expect there to be any correlation between the two. A movie succeeds or fails because of three things: 1) the expectations created by the marketing campaign; 2) whether those expectations are persuasive enough to get people to fork over their time and money, rather than spend it on something else; 3) whether people feel they got their time and money's worth. A movie's success in theaters used to depend on word-of-mouth, which might even have a chance of overcoming a bad marketing campaign. That's no longer the case because movies open on so many screens. If they don't hit right away, they're replaced by the next ad campaign. Word-of-mouth doesn't really figure into the equation until the DVD release.

So, why do people read movie reviews anymore (assuming, of course, that they do)? As the founding editor of RogerEbert.com I can tell you that a lot of people still read Roger for guidance and suggestions -- but a lot of them also read him because they enjoy reading HIM . Some of the most popular reviews are also some of the most negative ones, and I'm pretty sure it's not because there were so many people anticipating " Basic Instinct 2 " and dying to know whether Roger thought it was any good. (Would people have bought two Ebert anthologies, called "I Hated, Hated, HATED This Movie" and "Your Movie Sucks," if they were only interested in recommendations?)

Nathan Lee says the Voice cut him loose "for economic reasons." We can only assume we know (or someone at Village Voice Media knows) what that means. Is the Voice , which already shares reviews and reviewers with some of its other publications such as the L.A.Weekly , going to scale back its film coverage? Or just rely more on in-house syndication and freelancers? Did they determine that advertising sales were not sufficient to cover the salaries of two staff movie critics (J. Hoberman remains)? Did they feel that having a critical voice identified with the Village Voice was no longer something of value -- to the readers or the bottom line?

I'm afraid that the demise of writing and reporting for newspapers and magazines may be attributable to nothing so much as a self-fulfilling prophecy. Once readers start feeling that a publication offers no particular personality, that one review or reviewer is interchangeable with any other, then the next step is inevitable: They realize there's no reason to pick up that particular publication. The web has more than its share of ignorant, inarticulate movie bloggers -- but it also offers strong, distinctive personalities and points of view. I'm overwhelmed by how many smart, vigorous, thoughtful ones I find, simply by jumping from one blogroll to another (and I add new ones to my right column whenever I can).

In print, I still read the New York Times because A.O. Scott and Manohla Dargis (and Matt Zoller Seitz) mean a lot to me. And because I can get it delivered to my doorstep (not inexpensively) and I like the smell of the newsprint while I'm drinking my coffee. The bottom-liners and quantifiers are never going to understand how to weigh any of those things, and it may be the death of them.

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From Netflix to HBO Max to Disney+: The best streaming sites for movies

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Table of Contents

Most of us have our go-to movie streaming service — the one that's been inserted into our monthly budget alongside obviously comparable essentials like groceries and rent. But whether your service of choice is Netflix or Hulu, ol' reliable probably doesn't have every single film you want to watch, especially when titles are constantly flip-flopping on which service they call home.

To understand why, exactly, the “To Watch” list in your Letterboxd needs to bend to the will of whatever streaming service decides to play host to a particular movie, let’s roll things back to 2018 for a second. That’s the year that Wired marks as the start of the streaming wars, and it’s also the year that the internet had a complete meltdown over Friends potentially leaving Netflix — long before equally panic-stricken stans had to overcome The Office 's havoc-wreaking departure as well.

Since then, the streaming service market has been an ever-evolving clusterfuck of new streamers rolling out one after the other: Disney+ in 2019, HBO Max and Peacock in 2020, and then the full-fledged metamorphosis of CBS All Access into the far more epic Paramount+ in 2021. (Not to mention a myriad of niche platforms that were also introduced in the past few years.)

But why can’t they all get along and let us have one big, happy streaming service? Well, like everything else, it’s all about the Benjamins, baby.

More and more networks and media conglomerates are deciding that they want the rights to their own stuff rather than letting Netflix and Hulu rake in the subscription fees. Fair enough. But for the viewer, keeping track of which libraries are worth yet another $7 to $15 per month often leads to shamelessly begging an acquaintance for their password. (Although caps on maximum simultaneous streams have made this tactic a lot more difficult to pull off.)

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Until it gets that ^ easy, we're here to break down the advantages and disadvantages of each app — both generally and for specific fandoms.

What should you look for in a movie streaming service?

Obviously, the number of movies (and whether those movies actually pique your interest) is a given piece of criteria when choosing the right movie streaming site (or sites) for you. A close second to that is the price of the service, of course. In addition, considering some other key factors can help set similar platforms apart.

Concurrent stream allowance: Despite a few platforms threatening to crack down on password sharing in recent years, pretty much every mainstream streaming service allows at least two streams at once. This means that a handful of people on different devices or in different households can use the same login info and watch at the same time. Large families or friend groups who plan to share an account should probably opt for a service that allows at least three devices streaming at once, or seek a service that offers an "unlimited streams" add-on for an additional cost.

Free trials: It's always nice to preview a service before you make a monetary commitment. Most movie streaming services offer a free week (or maybe even a month with some more generous platforms) wherein you can browse the full library, test the 4K or HDR upscaling (if you care about that), and get an overall idea of how smoothly or laggily the interface runs.

4K and HDR support: People who have gotten used to binge-watching in regular HD on the TV they've had since college probably don't care much about higher resolution viewing. Others can't focus on anything but the indistinguishable blobs. The latter group of people will have to be pickier about the apps they pay for — because while 4K TVs are common nowadays, content available to stream in 4K isn't, yet . For instance, Netflix only unlocks 4K and HDR upscaling if you bump your plan to the most expensive one, and HBO Max only offers it for certain movies. Higher-quality viewing will require a certain internet speed, too.

Compatible devices: No one's gonna pay for a movie streaming service that's impossible to access on their smart TV (or on the streaming device they use to access streaming apps on their TV). As new services have launched, some have had issues playing nicely with streaming devices like Fire TV and Roku for a period of time, but the bugs tend to shake out in a month or so. As it stands now, it should be safe to assume that each movie streaming site we’ve listed below is compatible with the interface of most big-brand TVs, the main mobile operating systems (iOS and Android), top streaming media players (Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV), and gaming consoles (Playstation and Xbox).

How do I stream outside the US?

Signing up for a VPN can open the door to a plethora of international shows and films that aren't available in America. VPNs essentially allow you to make up your own internet rules by carving out a personal security tunnel in which you browse, stream, or game the way you normally would.

That security tunnel paves the way for location spoofing and getting around location-based roadblocks or censors. All decent VPNs offer a wide selection of servers based in multiple geographic locations. Picking one of those essentially tricks your ISP into thinking your device is based there, maneuvering around geoblocks and opening the door to international content, like another country's Netflix library.

The case against pirated movie websites

VPNs and cybersecurity go hand in hand. When framing cybersecurity around movies, the conversation naturally leads to pirated movie sites. We've all used them, and admittedly, they've saved all of our asses once or twice when we couldn't find the movie we wanted anywhere else. But they're not as instantaneous as we give them credit for — not when you have to "X" out of five (usually very graphic) pop-up ads before the movie starts, plus each time you need to pause or fast forward. Not only does the experience just suck, but a misdirected click on an infected ad could get you sent to a website with malware waiting in the wings.

Malware spreading is much more likely if you actually download the movie or a whole app rather than watching in a browser, but you still need to take precautions if you go down this slippery slope. Antivirus software is the obvious first line of defense here (and yes, Macs need to be armed with antivirus too), but that doesn't help with the clunky interface or volatility of these sites. Stuff freezes, audio stops working, and people's words don't match the motions of their mouths. Most pirated movie sites are shut down eventually, too, and/or frequently have to change their domain name to stay up and running. It's just not a reliable setup, especially with free apps like Tubi and Documentary+ out there.

What about premium movie channels?

Not keen on just rolling over and letting the biggest streaming platforms — like Netflix and Disney+ — run the streaming game, premium cable channels like HBO, Showtime, STARZ, and EPIX are now offering streaming apps of their own so subscribers don't need to be tied to a cable contract to access their blockbuster lineups. After all, it's way easier to control your month-to-month subscription to premium channels when it's squarely in your hands, not your cable company's.

They're all certainly worthy additions to your rotation of movie streaming services. But so far, only HBO Max is creating content — Max Originals — that is exclusive to app subscribers. The others provide all the same movies and shows as you'd get when you sign up with your cable provider (which is nothing to sneeze at!), but offer no extra content ... yet.

Also keep in mind that you can subscribe to many of these premium channels as add-ons via other streaming platforms, like Hulu and Amazon Prime. In most cases, you won't get a special discount or anything, but bundling them is incredibly convenient, and it's definitely something to consider if the thought of juggling a half-dozen (or more) streaming service subscriptions is getting a little overwhelming.

What’s the difference between movie streaming services and live TV services?

We’ve already established that there are a ton of streaming services out there, but cutting the cord with your cable company often requires at least a two-pronged approach to get the shows and movies you love. Many streaming services have a mix of both television series and films, but most really stand out for one more than the other — and only a small handful will hook you up with the live TV you’ve grown so accustomed to through traditional cable.

Platforms like Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV offer an assortment of live channels for a costly monthly fee. While these are clutch for catching sports, TV shows, or the news as it airs, a live TV streaming service is probably not a necessary investment for those who are more interested in watching movies. And for you, dear cinephile, we present our roundup of the best movie streaming sites that you should consider adding to your lineup of subscriptions.

The Best, Period

Death, taxes, and Netflix. We're at the point where access to Netflix (whether through your own login or someone else's) is so ubiquitous, the app barely requires explanation. But to sum up the ins and outs for those who have yet to hop on the bandwagon, it's the first place to check for that random movie you've been itching to watch, plus a good number of the most popular Netflix Originals you've been hearing about around the proverbial water cooler. 

A respectable subscription price gets you access to over 3,000 movie titles, including Django Unchained , The Conjuring (1 and 2), Shrek , and Midnight in Paris , the range of which showcase the unmatched variety and relevance of Netflix’s lineup. This is only amplified by critically-acclaimed Netflix originals like Beasts of No Nation , Da 5 Bloods , Marriage Story and Roma , as well as fun titles like To All the Boys I've Loved Before and The Kissing Booth (and all of their many sequels).

• Lots of broad and specific categories alike to search by
• Easy to make separate accounts for each user
• App is clean, straightforward, and easy to use
• Tons of original films
• Has app for Facebook Portal and Windows 10
• No free trial
• Stingy with number of concurrent streams
• Have to pay extra for HD and UHD
• Price: $9.99/month for Basic, $15.49/month for Standard, or $19.99/month for Premium
• Free trial: None
• Max simultaneous streams: 1 with Basic, 2 with Standard, or 4 with Premium

Best For Disney, Marvel, And Star Wars

It took forever for us to get a streaming service with all things Disney in one damn place. But Disney+ proved that it was a force to be reckoned with when it sucked in 10 million subscribers within 24 hours of launch .

Let's not kid here: It's hard to beat the streaming platform that's home to all of the Star Wars movies and all of the Marvel movies. (Not to mention their buzzworthy spin-offs, like The Mandalorian and WandaVision .) Even for people who have never seen a single movie from either franchise, Disney+ is worth the cost for the pure nostalgia. With all the classic Disney princess movies and Pixar favorites, plus throwbacks like Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, and Home Alone , it's a must-have, family-friendly favorite. The only part that's not such a fairytale is the absence of a free trial.

• Rare vault titles from the 1940s and on
• Lots of original content, including Star Wars and Marvel spinoffs
• Has old Disney Channel original movies and shows
• Family-friendly
• Categorization and search could be better
• Tries to force you to sign up for the Hulu + ESPN bundle
• App is laggy on Vizio TVs
• Price: $7.99/month or $79.99/year
• Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu Bundle: $13.99/month with ads, $19.99/month without ads
• Max simultaneous streams: 4

Best For Theatrical Releases At Home

HBO Max launched in May 2020 — over 10 years after Netflix moved to streaming. But with HBO Max's announcement that it would host each new release of the entire Warner Bros. 2021 lineup on the same day the movies were slated to hit theaters, it quickly secured a stronghold on the market. Godzilla vs. Kong , The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It , and Space Jam: A New Legacy are just a few highly-awaited titles that have us sold. 

The streaming service essentially combines the libraries of its predecessors, ending the confusion of HBO GO vs. HBO NOW. And while the same-day-streaming perk didn't last forever (Cineworld signed a multi-year deal with Warner Bros. to exclusively show its movies in U.S. theaters starting in 2022), the gap between theatrical release and streaming platform debut is just 45 days.

Plus, HBO Max is still home to a blockbuster rotation of over 1,300 hit films to compete with Netflix and friends, including Max Originals like Zack Snyder’s Justice League and Roald Dahl’s The Witches , and popular movies that are not HBO titles like The King of Staten Island and Suicide Squad . 

And yes, the HBO Max app is finally supported everywhere — including both Fire TV and Roku devices — so everyone can stream wherever they want.

• Has all Warner Bros. 2021 movies
• Exclusive streaming rights in North America to almost every Studio Ghibli movie
• Great original series
• Interface is easy to navigate and looks great
• Amazing variety of titles, including lots for children
• No 4K/HDR support
• Monthly cost is double the cost of multiple competitors
• Price: $9.99/month or $99.99/year with ads, or $14.99/month or $149.99/year ad-free and with same-day releases
• Max simultaneous streams: 3

Best For Amazon Regulars

The frequently-Googled question "Is Amazon Prime worth it?" seems like a "duh" moment when you consider that fast and free shipping also comes with fast and free access to one of the best streaming libraries on the market. Amazon Prime Video streaming is simply an included perk of a Prime account if you already have one. However, it can also be purchased on its own for those on a budget, albeit without all of the myriad perks that make Prime so great.

While Prime Video members still have to pay to rent some titles (like ones still in theaters or freshly released), over 21,000 films are completely free. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm , Selah and the Spades , The Tomorrow War, and Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse are just a few of them. (Pause to ogle Michael B. Jordan.) The most annoying part, however, is that free and paid titles are mixed together, and the browsing function can be generally chaotic and even misleading. But your patience will ultimately be rewarded.

• Prime membership also includes free shipping and other Amazon perks
• Tons of free movies, many of which are recent and relevant
• Longest free trial by far
• Free titles and paid rentals are listed together
• Search feature brings up a lot of static
• Price: $14.99/month or $139/year as part of Amazon Prime, or $8.99/month for Prime Video alone
• Free trial: 30 days

Best For Big Blockbusters

One of the OG cable networks to bring blockbuster hits straight into your home, Showtime now has an ad-free streaming app so you can stream popular movies, original series, and riveting documentaries anywhere your favorite streaming device has a WiFi connection — no cables or contracts required.

Showtime is home to several original series that alone make the service worth the price of subscription, but movie lovers in particular, will enjoy the well-curated and varied selection of new and classic hits currently on offer, including Footloose , Midsommar , Minari , and Sophie's Choice .

With over 500 movies available at any given time — one of the largest offerings from the premium cable lineup — and a rotation of top-tier hits always being refreshed, Showtime is a trusty addition to your streaming roster.

• Widely compatible with lots of streaming devices
• Top-notch original series
• Vast movie selection
• Pricey for the amount of content
• Price: $10.99/month
• Free trial: 7 days

Best Combo of Movies and Live TV

Hulu is forever the service that gets compared directly to Netflix and, more recently, has had to compete with HBO Max, Peacock, and others as the best Netflix alternative. But it has held its own despite the competition over the past few years.

Though probably more sought out for its TV selection (including episodes of shows like SNL and The Bachelor becoming available the day after they air), Hulu has still amassed a formidable library of movies. There are blockbusters like Deadpool and The Hunger Games , more recent releases like 2022 Oscar-nominated Spencer and 2020 Best Picture winner Nomadland , and originals like No Exit and The United States vs. Billie Holiday .

• Lots of award-nominated recent releases
• Making more originals by the year
• Live TV add-on
• Amazing TV show selection, including recently aired stuff
• Nintendo Switch app
• Lots of movies only available with Starz or Showtime add-on
• TV app feels less intuitive than Netflix
• Simply has fewer movies than Netflix
• Price: $6.99/month or $12.99/month for no ads ($1.99/month for students with ads)
• Hulu + Live TV now with Disney+ and ESPN+: $69.99/month with ads, $75.99/month without ads
• Free trial: 30 days for Hulu, but just 7 days for Hulu + Live TV with Disney+ and ESPN+ bundle
• Max simultaneous streams: 2 (unless you upgrade to the Unlimited Screens Add-On)

Best For Horror

The horror junkies reading this have likely already plowed through Netflix or Hulu's hit-or-miss horror section. When that happens, it's time to pay for Shudder and its macabre medley of classics from the 1970s to now, including a hefty collection of terrifying international films ( The Wailing ) and other exclusive gems ( The Dark and the Wicked ) that didn't quite make it to the mainstream.

Traditional movie categorization doesn't exactly apply to a streaming app where just one genre is the focus, but Shudder's curation is on point. Slashics, Zombie Jamboree, Trapped, and Serial Killers are just a few of the ultra-specific subgenres that streamline the search process. Shudder also deserves kudos for its original films: Host and Revenge have quickly become cult favorites.

• Super specific subgenres for any mood
• Shudder originals are SO GOOD
• Non-stop streaming of handpicked movies on Shudder TV
• Very affordable
• Only one device can watch at a time
• App not available on Samsung or Vizio smart TV platform
• Some movies aren't even available in 1080p
• Price: $5.99/month or $56.99/year
• Max simultaneous streams: 1

Best For Universal Pictures and Dreamworks Content

Contrary to popular belief, there's more to watch on Peacock than just The Office ! In a move far more generous than competing apps can claim, roughly two-thirds of Peacock's content is free (albeit ad-supported), including shows, movies, news, sports, and even most Peacock Originals.

A paid account, however, gets rid of ads on all the content and unlocks access to a few exclusive movies (like The Boss Baby: Family Business and 10 Things We Should Do Before We Break Up ). Still, the real draw of Peacock Premium is less about the movies — since most are already free — and more about unlocking access to live sports and every episode of new and old TV favorites. 

That said, Peacock grants you access to huge blockbusters, including all films in the John Wick , Harry Potter, and The Godfather collections. The premium spread may not be as vast as apps with a movie count in the thousands, but the value is in the small price you pay — if anything at all.

• 92% of movies are free — and actually good
• Both paid tiers are decently priced
• Live and next-day access to some NBC content
• Fewer customizable profile features than Netflix or Hulu
• App setup is tricky to navigate at times
• Price: Free for some content, $4.99/month for Premium with ads, $9.99/month for ad-free Premium

Best Rental Service

Being an adult means keeping track of where your money goes and all the endless bills that stack up — including monthly streaming services that accumulate over time, even when you’re not using them. Vudu offers a clutch on-demand alternative when there's no room in the budget to squeeze another auto-renewing streaming subscription into your ever-growing roster.

Like your typical rental service, you'll only pay for movies you care about — but this library isn't the typical obscure, early-2000s spread you're picturing. In the past, it's been a place to catch Oscar and Golden Globe nominees before they're streaming elsewhere. (Most of the latest movies released go for $19.99.) And the sale section is far more relevant than Walmart's $5 DVD bin, too. Recent deals have included Spider-Man: Far From Home , Aquaman , It: Chapter Two and This is the End .

One major note: You have 30 days from the time of the rental to rewatch your movie, but the grace period requires you to watch the movie from start to finish within 24 hours, so only pull the trigger when you know you have a few hours free in the next day.

• Offers free movies (with ads)
• Lots of ways to search or sort by genre
• Access to films fresh out of theaters
• Relevant curation like a section for Black History Month
• Free section isn't too shabby
• Once you start a movie, you only have 24 hours to finish it
• Price: Rentals range from $1.99 to $19.99, plus free movies
• Free trial: None, but get 30% off first rental or purchase

Best Entirely Free Library

The fact that Tubi is totally free is reason enough to keep it in your streaming arsenal. But it won't be one of those free movie streaming platforms that you scroll through every few months just to find that the titles haven't gotten any less D-list. Tubi is home to so many underrated hidden gems, as well as popular titles that may be hard to find for free elsewhere like Pearl Harbor , Gone in 60 Seconds , True Lies, and multiple Rob Zombie films.

Anyone considering a free streaming app probably isn't expecting luxurious streaming features. If you care about HD streaming or the ability to download movies to watch offline, Tubi may not be your top choice. But hey, free's free.

• Genres are super specific and organized well
• Lots of decent titles for free
• Library is frequently updated
• Not the spot for new releases
• 720p resolution cap
• Ads, but that's expected
• Price: Free
• Free trial: N/A
• Max simultaneous streams: N/A

Best For Star-Studded Originals

Apple likes to carve their own path in everything they do, and their premium streaming service is certainly no exception. Unlike other movie streaming sites that have their own original programming alongside a vast library of acquired content, Apple TV+ is comprised mainly of original programming. That nips the opportunity to hunt down big blockbusters that you may have had a hankering for, but it's a fun spot to try out buzzed-about gems (usually with lots of star power) if you've exhausted your streaming options elsewhere.

Apple TV+ hosts many fresh series that steal the spotlight, but their exclusive films and documentaries deserve just as much attention. Both Beastie Boys and Billie Eilish documentaries are there, as well as several films tied to huge, A-list names like Greyhound (Tom Hanks), The Banker (Anthony Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson), Palmer (Justin Timberlake), and Cherry (Tom Holland). It’s also home to family-friendly classics, including all of the Peanuts holiday specials.

On top of all that, six simultaneous streams (that’s double what most services allow) and HDR support are rare instances of Apple being more generous than they have to be.

• Original films get great reviews
• Won't destroy your wallet
• Many concurrent streams allowed
• 4K, HDR, and Dolby Atmos support
• Library of only original content isn't competitive with other libraries
• Not available on Android
• Price: $4.99/month
• Max simultaneous streams: 6

Best For Niche Award Winners

If your confidence in the film you’re about to watch instantly skyrockets when you see the Sundance stamp of approval before the opening credits, then Sundance Now should be at the top of your movie streaming roster. The app brings together all of the best award winners in addition to new original content from independent and foreign artists, including Lady Macbeth , We Need to Talk About Kevin , and Fargo .

However, a max resolution of 720p seems like an odd way to entice the cinephiles who would be drawn to the Sundance app in the first place. But the unlimited allowance of people who can watch at once softens the blow of the just-kind-of-average streaming quality.

• No limit on number of devices streaming at once
• Great for true crime fans
• Original dramas, thrillers, and independent films
• Movies load slowly sometimes
• Content library might be *too* niche
• No high-res or 4K support
• Price: $6.99/month or $59.99/year
• Max simultaneous streams: Unlimited

Best For Everyone in the Family

Formerly known as CBS All Access — a small, niche streaming service with just a few dozen movies — Paramount+ has expanded its library to include the catalogs of even more ViacomCBS properties, including Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, and the Smithsonian Channel. This is great news not only because of the impressive amount of new and old TV series that can now be streamed but also for the breadth of movies covering the varied interests of the entire family.

Paramount+ is home to exclusive releases, such as A Quiet Place Part II and PAW Patrol: The Movie , as well as their own Paramount+ Originals like The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run and Infinite , a sci-fi thriller starring Mark Wahlberg and Chiwetel Ejiofor. And, since the streaming service is home to several Star Trek spinoff series, it's only right that it's also home to movies like Star Trek Beyond and Star Trek Into Darkness .

The streaming website also just exclusively debuted a new Paranormal Activity sequel, Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin , and has a Pet Semetary prequel in the works, so there’s still a lot to get excited about when it comes to this rapidly expanding service.

• Live local news and sports
• Exclusive movie releases
• No 4K or HDR content
• Price: $4.99/month with ads or $9.99/month ad-free

Best For Free Documentaries

If nonfiction is your preferred film-streaming genre, you can now get your fill of gripping and educational documentaries without even signing up for anything. 

Documentary+ opens the door to docs in a wide variety of categories including pop culture, sports, true crime, and nature — all for free. Seriously. No personal info is required to watch, and making an account isn't even an option!

With that kind of unfettered access, it'll take a while for even the most devoted documentary watchers to tear through this robust menu including award winners Night School and Woman on Fire as well as buzzed-about true-crime hits like Cropsey , The Imposter , and Cruel and Unusual .

• Wide range of categories satisfies any and all interests
• Doesn't even require an email or password
• Award-winning and festival titles for free
• Not ad-free, but ads only play at the beginning
• No "continue watching" section
• Max simultaneous streams: Unlimited (no account necessary)

Best For Docuseries

PBS is documentary and docuseries royalty. Whether you don't have cable or always miss new releases when they air, adding the PBS Video streaming app to your arsenal guarantees that you'll always have something new to learn. There is some free content, but most of the classic movies and new releases that you'll care about require a meager sum of money to access. 

Think of the price of a Thirteen Passport as a donation to your local PBS station. A minimum of $5 per month is required to sustain the membership, which opens up on-demand access to the most popular shows and docs like Victoria and Masterpiece .

Bonus: A Membercard also locks in discounts to over 80 museums and theaters near you, so you can double down on your at-home and in-person commitment to knowledge and entertainment.

• Paid membership comes with extras, like discounted museum tickets
• Recent update made it much more accessible to voiceover users
• Payment is actually a donation
• Great supplement if you don't have cable
• App is buggy
• Won't remember your watch progress if you pause and come back later
• Thirteen Passport signup is clunky
• No autoplay feature
• Price: $5/month for Thirteen Passport, some free content

Best For Those Overwhelmed by Choice

The STARZ streaming app boasts all of the premium cable network's original series and well over 100 hit movies available to stream whenever and wherever you want, without committing to a contract. It may not be a whole lot, but it’s all the same content you'd get with STARZ through a cable provider, and it’s all completely on your own terms.

You can stream your favorite movies from today and yesterday, like This Is the End , Bad Boys for Life , There's Something About Mary , Jumanji: The Next Level , and Top Gun . There's a lot for the whole family to choose from, but the generous number of concurrent streams will make it so that no one needs to fight for access to all the best entertainment. Plus, you can download content to watch offline for all those times you can’t hook up to that precious WiFi.

• Can download content to watch later
• Generous simultaneous stream allowance
• Not the largest selection of movies
• Price: $8.99/month

Best For Yesterday’s Hits

With more than 250 movies available at any given time, EPIX is a solid choice for streaming some of the best movies at your leisure. Not only can you stream ad-free content on-demand, but you can also stream movies and TV series as they air on four live channels in the app. Even better, feel free to download content for offline viewing, too!

The premium cable channel plays host to their own buzzworthy original series, and though they may not have the latest movies, they tend to acquire relatively recent titles spanning all genres, from Skyfall to Bill & Ted Face the Music to Arrival . They're not completely upfront about the exact number of simultaneous streams they allow, but they do say that subscribers can watch on multiple devices at once. However, if you get EPIX as a premium add-on with another service — like Amazon Prime or Hulu — you'll be subject to that streaming service's concurrent stream limit anyway.

• Good variety of genres
• Curated collections make it easy to find a film to fit your mood
• Low price relative to competitors
• Have to wait for recent blockbusters
• Unclear on simultaneous streams
• Price: $5.99/month
• Max simultaneous streams: "Multiple"

Topics Amazon Prime Video Disney+ Film Hulu Netflix Streaming

Leah Stodart is a Philadelphia-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable where she covers essential home tech like vacuums and TVs as well as sustainable swaps and travel. Her ever-growing experience in these categories comes in clutch when making recommendations on how to spend your money during shopping holidays like Black Friday, which Leah has been covering for Mashable since 2017.

Leah graduated from Penn State University in 2016 with dual degrees in Sociology and Media Studies. When she's not writing about shopping (or shopping online for herself), she's almost definitely watching a horror movie, "RuPaul's Drag Race," or "The Office." You can follow her on X at @notleah or email her at [email protected] .

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10 Best Ways To Get Paid To Review Movies

If you're a bit of a movie aficionado, you might be looking to turn your passion for movies into a new income stream.

Making money from reviewing movies might sound like the dream side hustle idea for many. But, the great news is there are plenty of ways to get paid to review movies.

So, if you're ready to turn your movie and TV viewing time into a new way to make money online , this is the post for you.

Want more ways to make money? Checkout :

• Branded Surveys : Share your opinion to get gift cards and cash!
• Freecash : Another fun way to earn free PayPal cash and gift cards.

How To Get Paid To Review Movies

Table of Contents

1. Start A Movie Review Blog

In my opinion, the best way to get paid for movie reviews is to start your own movie review blog .

I'm a bit biased here since blogging is how I make the bulk of my income, but I truly think that a blog is the most versatile way to make money writing reviews .

For example, WebMonkey made $92,000 in 2021 , and this income came from numerous income streams. And in 2022, I made $272,000 with WebMonkey :

The two main sources were running Mediavine ads and through affiliate marketing. And these days, the blog makes $500 a day from just Mediavine alone, and this is largely autopilot income . My video above explains exactly how I started my blog and scaled this income source.

Now in terms of making money with a movie review blog, titans like IMDB are obviously dominating the market. However, independent film critics have also found success by writing movie reviews for money .

For example, Leonard Maltin's movie review blog is a perfect example.

On his blog, Maltin writes various movie reviews or cinema-related content. And, he has a Patreon that his readers can subscribe to if they want early-access to content and to unlock some exclusive content as well.

And this is just one example.

Nothing stops you from starting a niche blog that talks about movies but also filmography, or things like creating a perfect home theater where you plug a lot of Amazon affiliate links.

And the best part is that blogging doesn't have to be super expensive. I started WebMonkey with a cheap domain name and simple WordPress hosting. You can find incredibly affordable hosting and domains with a company like SiteGround and pay less than a cup of coffee or two per month.

And you never know where a blog can take you; I've been blogging for four years and it's now my full-time job and makes $10,000 a month or more.

2. Start A Movie Review YouTube Channel

Like blogging, another way to get paid to review movies is to start a movie review YouTube channel.

YouTubers do this all the time for music reviews or movie reviews, and if you gain a following, you can certainly make money on YouTube . I mean, I started my channel in 2020, and these days, it makes around $1,000 per month, and that's mostly passive income !

The thing with YouTube is that you can't show copyrighted content, so reviewing movies usually follows a reaction format or opinion format where you just talk about a movie.

That said, there are plenty of popular movie review channels out there. For example, movie review YouTuber Jeremy Jahns has over 1.8 million subscribers, and pretty much all of his movie review videos get hundreds of thousands of views!

Jahns does straight up movie reviews and also covers things like trailers and TV shows, so you have a lot of options.

And like blogging, YouTube isn't incredibly expensive to start either. For example, here is my budget YouTube setup that I used to grow my own channel to 10,000+ subscribers:

• Sony A6000 Camera   – $495.
• Audio-Technica AT2005 USB Microphone  – $80.
• Joby GorillaPod Tripod  – $15.

Extra Reading – Blog vs YouTube – Which Option Is Best?

3. AnimationArena

If you want to make money as a freelance writer , another way to get paid to write movie reviews is to write for AnimationArena.

This site pays you for writing movie reviews as well as comic book and video game reviews.

You don't need previous experience, and reviews are at least 550 words and are supposed to be casual in style .

AnimationArena pays $15 USD per review and asks for a max of 10 reviews per month.

This is a pretty quick $150 if you write 10 reviews per month. To get started, you just email two writing samples to [email protected] with “Writing for Animation Arena” in the subject line.

4. Start A Medium Blog

If you want to make money with creative writing or start a movie review blog a bit faster, you can always try making money on Medium .

Medium is a free blogging platform where you get paid when premium Medium members read your content.

I've also been blogging on Medium, on and off, for the last few years. At one point, I was making $1,000+ from my Medium work :

However, you can start your own Medium profile for free and write whatever you feel like. If you build an audience over time, it's definitely possible to turn sites like Medium into a decent income stream on the side as well.

Extra Reading – 7 Ways To Get Paid To Watch Netflix .

5. ScreenRant

Like AnimationArena, you can also get paid for writing movie reviews by writing for ScreenRant.

ScreenRant is looking for writers who can write “in-depth, premium content” about movies, TV shows, news, and gaming. You get an author bio/credit and you get paid. However, ScreenRant doesn't state how much you get paid for writing movie reviews.

You apply by submitting the topic(s) you want to write about and explain what previous writing experience you have as well.

6. Taste Of Cinema

Another way you can make money writing movie reviews is to write for Taste of Cinema.

This movie review site is always looking for contributor writers. And, there are two compensation models you can choose from:

• Promotion : Promote your company, author profile, book, or social media accounts in your author bio.
• Payment : Get paid for your movie reviews depending on how many clicks your articles get.

Unfortunately, Taste of Cinema doesn't have information on its rates. And honestly, pay-per-click models are usually pretty low in the world of freelance writing.

But if you just want to write movie reviews for money as a fun side hustle, you can always try out Taste of Cinema to see if you like it.

7. Cineaste

According to its website, Cineaste is “America's leading magazine on the art and politics of the cinema.”

This quarterly publication began in 1967, and it's looking for writers who can cover in-depth topics about Hollywood and film.

This includes writing in-depth pieces, interviews, and film reviews. Many of these pieces range from 1,000 to 4,000+ words, and there's a serious editorial team behind the scenes.

Here's how much Cineaste pays for different types of movie and film reviews :

• Short Takes : $18.
• Book & DVD Reviews : $36.
• Film Reviews, Short Articles, & Sidebar Interviews : $45.
• Feature Articles & Interviews : $$90.

This is one of the higher-paying movie review gigs, although articles require much more work and the quality standard is higher.

But if you want to write for a movie review magazine, you can definitely apply to Cineaste .

Bustle is an American women's magazine that began in 2013. These days, it's an absolutely massive publication you're probably familiar with.

And the great news is that Bustle covers movies and entertainment news, and you can pitch freelance writing ideas to the editorial team.

Here's what you include in your article pitch :

• A few sentences about your writing background
• A sample headline
• A 2-3 sentence summary of the article
• Sources you know that pertain to the article
• Why the story is relevant and a good fit for Bustle
• Any plans for photos if you want to include some

The fact you can set your freelance writing rate is a perk of writing movie reviews for cash with Bustle.

Granted, you're not guaranteed to get the rate you're asking for, but Bustle is a massive website, so it has the potential to turn into a more regular gig if the team likes your work.

9. Get A Job Reviewing Movies

One of the more straightforward ways to get paid for movie reviews is to get a movie reviewer job.

Searching on remote job sites or regular job boards is a great way to start your job search. For example, if you search for movie review jobs on Indeed, you find scores of different remote and in-person job openings.

Many listings include salary information as well, or how many articles you have to publish. Plus, you can find full- and part-time work, so this is ideal if you're looking for something a bit more serious.

Our post on Netflix tagger jobs also covers some ways you can get started with this kind of editorial role.

Extra Reading – The Best Jobs That Pay $5,000 Per Month .

10. Cracked

Cracked is another massively popular online publication that covers topics like entertainment, TV shows, movies, and music.

Now, Cracked is definitely on the more premium side, so it's not the type of movie review writing job that accepts everyone.

However, you can still apply to write for the site. Cracked pays between $100 to $250 depending on article length and how many pieces you've written .

Cracked is also quite humorous, so take a look at some published pieces to see if your writing style matches up well!

How Much Money Can You Make Writing Movie Reviews?

How much you get paid for your movie reviews depends on several factors, including:

• The publications you write for
• How often you write
• Your previous experience
• If you run your own music review blog or YouTube channel

Top movie critics can make six figures, and the most popular movie review blogs or YouTube channels can make millions. However, many movie review writer jobs only pay $10 to $100 per article, with $100 being on the higher side .

Ultimately, it's possible to make decent money in this space, but it's competitive and requires building up your portfolio!

Extra Reading – The Best Free Online Jobs That Pay Daily .

Tips For Getting Started

Now that you know how to get paid for movie reviews, here are some tips you can keep in mind to help turn your hobby into a new income stream :

• Set Realistic Expectations : Set an income goal you want to make as a movie reviewer and then work towards that goal over time.
• Try Branching Out On Your Own : I think the two methods to get paid for movie reviews with the highest income potential are blogging and YouTube. So, don't be afraid to start your own thing!
• Hone Your Craft : As a freelance writer, I can confidently say that writing for money is an endless process of self-improvement. Take pride in your work and find ways to improve your movie reviews while landing better and better clients.

Extra Reading – How To Get Paid For Amazon Reviews .

Final Thoughts

I hope this list of ways to make money from movie reviews helps you turn your film hobby into a new income stream.

Again, there are plenty of options out there, so don't be afraid to dabble with a few ideas on the side as you improve your writing.

This could mean starting a movie review blog with WordPress, your own YouTube channel, or freelance writing. Whatever the case, all of these are fun side hustles that you can use to potentially make money with your cinema hobby.

And who knows; you might be making a full-time income writing Blockbuster movie reviews in the future!

Looking for other ways to make extra money? Checkout :

• How To Make Money Writing Short Stories .
• How To Get Paid To Review Products .
• The Best Ways To Make Quick Money In A Day .

Tom is a full-time blogger and freelance writer with a passion for side hustling, passive income, and making money online. His work has appeared on dozens of personal finance websites like Money Crashers, The College Investor, Forbes, and more.

Tom also founded the blog This Online World - a finance site dedicated to helping people make money online - in 2018. After 6 years, that site merged with WebMonkey, with the goal of helping even more people earn their first dollar of online income.

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API Changes, spez, etc. You know the drill. We'll be back when other people are coming back online. Go watch some movies in the meantime. For more information see /r/ModCoord.

Which websites/apps are best for rating movies?

I have used Criticker for many years and I appreciate how accurate its predictions are based on my previous ratings.

I understand Letterboxd is one of the most popular movie review/rating sites out there, and that it has a strong community.

I recently learned about Trakt and have heard this is a must try as well.

I mostly want to track movies, and maybe TV shows. A top priority for me is that the website predicts movies that I will enjoy based on previous reviews.

What are some other pros and cons for these three options and what others should I be considering?

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Martin Mull, Comic Actor Who Rose to Fame on ‘Mary Hartman,’ Dies at 80

Mr. Mull, who was also an artist and a musician, had a long list of credits that included the sitcoms “Roseanne” and “Veep.”

By Trip Gabriel and Orlando Mayorquín

Martin Mull, the deadpan comic actor, singer-songwriter and artist who won widespread attention in the 1970s on television shows like “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” and “Fernwood 2-Night” and remained active in television and film over the next half-century, died on Thursday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 80.

His wife, Wendy Mull, confirmed the death. No cause was given.

Mr. Mull, a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, broke into show business as a singer and songwriter with a satirical bent. He embodied the hip, cerebral humor that ran through the anti-establishment comedy of the 1970s and ’80s.

His persona — both the way he presented himself when he performed music and, later, the kind of roles he usually played in movies and on television — was droll, understated and often sardonic. Much like Steve Martin, with whom he was sometimes compared, he presented an outwardly buttoned-down image that belied an often absurdist sense of humor.

Mr. Mull’s first acting role was on “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,” Norman Lear’s satire of soap operas, which debuted in 1976. He was cast in the supporting role of Garth Gimble, a domestic abuser who meets his demise by being impaled on an aluminum Christmas tree.

The next year he starred in the show’s spinoff, “Fernwood 2-Night,” a parody of talk shows. He played the show’s host, Barth Gimble, Garth’s twin brother.

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