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If you are someone who watches movies obsessively, then you likely already know about Letterboxd, the social app that allows you to log, rate, and review movies. It is a simple app with a great interface, but it is also a cinephile’s best friend.
The platform also features a blog brimming with insightful interviews where Hollywood stars gush about their cinematic obsessions, alongside deep dives into film history. In short, Letterboxd is the destination for anyone who’s serious about their inner film nerd.
As a user, you can create a profile and start reviewing movies. If people like what you have to say, they can like and comment on your review, raising its visibility. If they really like your review, they might follow you to see what else you have to say.
Hollywood Hotspot
Though the user base has grown exponentially since 2020 (12 million followers in 2024, per LA Times), it’s still a relatively niche site. If what you have to say about a movie gains enough traction, they could realistically catch the attention of high-profile American filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and Sean Baker, alongside Hollywood darlings Ayo Edebiri, and Rachel Sennott, who have known Letterboxd profiles. They might even comment on your review.
Allegedly, Margot Robbie was on the app until her profile was “outed” in 2022, though the actress herself has never confirmed nor denied reports. Who knows how many other celebs are potential lurkers obscuring their identity on the profiles.
The social media-IMBd hybrid has also collaborated with industry groups, such as it’s 65 Films to See Before the Age of 15, curated in partnership with the British Film Institute and various critics, teachers, and producers, in case you’re not quite sure what to watch next.
But why is the platform so popular right now? Let’s get into it.
The Memeifcation of Cinema
Letterboxd has carved out a niche in a world where chronically online movie buffs can connect. It doesn’t hurt that the brand behind it has a razor-sharp sense of humor.
The site’s cornerstone “Four Favorites” video interviews let celebrities spill their top films, while one-liner reviews keep things light and funny. User-created watchlists offer iconic film comparisons that spark both laughs and debates. It’s the perfect intersection of film culture and meme culture.
Many of Letterboxd’s users are Gen Z, but the site offers more than just a Twitter-like space and memes. It’s a vibrant community where film lovers connect, share, and engage in thoughtful (and often hilarious) discussions beyond the memes.
Building a Community
Community is at the heart of what makes us human, and while many of our connections now happen online, Letterboxd creates a space where users can form meaningful bonds. Here, people connect over shared movie tastes, sparking conversations with others who’ve watched and reviewed the films they love. It’s more than just a platform—it’s a place for real interaction, debate, and discovery.
Since 2020, it feels like everyone’s life went virtual, and the craving for belonging has only grown. Letterboxd taps into this by fostering communities centered around shared passions—whether it’s an October movie challenge or deep dives into Taylor Swift’s filmography. The more people connect over these common interests, the more the app thrives, with users naturally sharing their discoveries with friends and followers.
When you open Letterboxd, you’re greeted with a feed of trending films each week, plus your friends recent logs. You can follow people who crack you up or offer thoughtful takes on the movies you’re into. Whether you’re posting a witty review or diving deep into a film analysis, Letterboxd is whatever you make of it. That’s the beauty of the platform—it adapts to your vibe.
The Art of Logging Your Life
Letterboxd isn’t the only app that’s grown in popularity for its diary-like format. Platforms like Goodreads and—let’s be honest—TikTok, also let users share their thoughts without the pressure of being professional reviewers. What’s great about these apps is the ability to revisit films or books later, reflecting on how your perspective has shifted over time. It’s like a personal archive of your evolving tastes.
Social media platforms are especially a living document of your life. With Letterboxd, you can pinpoint that time when you were obsessing over rom-coms followed by a hard pivot to horror.
Letterboxd is a beacon of hope for the global film community. Not only are people sharing their thoughts on the latest box office hit (or bomb in Joker: Folie a Deux’s case), but they are talking and meme-ing movies from across the world and time.
If you’re reviewing newer films, with directors and even incognito actors known to lurk on Letterboxd, there’s a decent chance they’ll see what you had to say.
And that’s pretty special.
Related: Camerimage Film Festival Faces Backlash Over Founder’s Controversial Remarks
This article is for informational purposes only. Trendy Matters has no affiliation with any of the brands, including Letterboxd, or people mentioned. The views in this article are that of the author. Neither the author nor Trendy Matters receive a commission through links in this content.
