themoviedb.org
Many people think the first movie and TV database site that comes to mind is IMDb. It is without a doubt the most popular source for information about movies and TV series, with features like reading and leaving reviews, learning about new releases, and finding out more about actors and films. Some people would say that IMDb is essentially the Wikipedia of movie and TV information.
But what if I told you that there was a site that offered everything that IMDb offered, and then some? That is exactly what The Movie Database is. It not only has a nearly comprehensive movie database, but it also includes social media elements and free streaming. If someone you knew said that they were going to create a site that was to be in direct competition with IMDb, you would probably say they were nuts, right? Well, The Movie Database is proof that IMDb is not the be-all, end-all of movie archives - this site is the answer to all of IMDb's shortcomings.
This, according to me, could have been enough: the improved look and usability of The Movie Database. But it exceeds all expectations! It makes everything seem so much better than what I thought a media database could be.
According to a growing number of film and television fans, The Movie Database is the single best movie database on the web. It may come off as a bit of a cocky move at first, but it seems as if they have earned the right to call themselves the movie database? This site has the potential to unseat IMDb in popularity. And, personally, I am rooting for them to do just that.
One of the site's most unique and useful features is that it is community-oriented. IMDb never did take advantage of this, which I find to be a missed opportunity. Anyone who has read a few of my reviews knows by now that I am a huge fan of when sites incorporate elements of social media. I think that it is the very nature of the internet to be collaborative and communal. So, if your site is not embracing that very human element of the web, as far as I'm concerned, no matter what category your site falls under, you are more than likely going to be superseded by a site that does.
I also love the fact that The Movie Database has chosen to embrace streaming full-length movies and television shows. Unlike when I first visited the site, there is a section entitled "Free to Watch." However, clicking on a movie will not enable you to stream that movie directly on The Movie Database. Instead, the site informs you of which streaming services have it available, as well as a comprehensive list of where to rent or buy it.
Nevertheless, IMDb still reigns supreme as the online movie database of choice. And while these new features may have some fans excited, they can easily be overshadowed by IMDb's many strengths. In nearly every area for evaluation, IMDb is clearly the superior database. But will this site be enough to convert you?
There is only one way to find out which movies are the best? Let us delve into The Movie Database and take a closer look at everything that the site has to offer, where it excels, where it falls short, and what you can expect from it. Without further ado, allow me to introduce you to The Movie Database.
History
In 2008, Travis Bell created the Movie Database project with the intention of just collecting and archiving movie posters. However, this soon became an ambitious undertaking as The Movie Database grew in scope. By the end of the 2010s, it had become a competing resource to IMDb, which was available on Kodi media center applications.
In 2010, Bell sold The Movie Database to Fan TV. However, the agreement explicitly stated that Bell would continue managing the site. Over the last 12 years, The Movie Database has grown exponentially, and at the start of 2015, it contained 234,000 films and 583,000 people. By now in 2020 I wouldn't be surprised if those numbers hadn't come close to doubling.
Design
The design of The Movie Database was strikingly different from the cluttered and outdated design of IMDb. I appreciated the clean, intuitive, sleek look of The Movie Database and found it to be much easier to use.
I think the website's design would be best described as resembling a premium streaming service. It is well-organized and titles are easy to browse. The Movie Database would be an excellent resource for learning about films, TV shows, and celebrities, as well as discovering new ones.
Browsing the site offers many different ways to find content. Click one of the sparse site menu options (movies, TV, or more), or scroll down the home page and browse by genre and category. The Movie Database allows you to find titles by what is popular, free to watch, latest trailers, and trending.
Another design element I enjoy is the fact that each section has an intuitive selection of tabs to filter by content type (movies or TV, for example, while other sections let you automatically filter by Rent, Buy, in Theaters, etc.). This website is fantastic in terms of how it is structured and organized.
Content and Features
This website, The Movie Database, allows you to browse movies and TV shows. Each of these comes with a cast list, reviews, trailers, movie posters, community discussions, a user score, and recommendations. This site is everything I want IMDb to be.
The site's content is peer-reviewed and this leads to a very involved, engaged, and passionate userbase of film and TV buffs. Users can suggest edits to clarify or correct information, leave reviews, and discuss titles. This creates a quasi-subreddit for fans (or haters, I suppose) of every movie, show, and figure on the site. Members of The Movie Database are incentivized by having the chance to appear on the site's leaderboard.
The Movie Database is an online resource that offers a variety of ways to access and enjoy movies and television shows. It has a film database as well as forums and mobile apps for streaming content.
Mobile and Desktop Experience
I believe that the site's lack of an app is a disappointment, as it would be exceptionally well designed. However given that there is no app available, perfection cannot be claimed.
Despite some potential problems, the site is extremely well-suited for mobile devices. So, you should not experience any difficulty if you want to browse this vast site on your smartphone or tablet. However, of course, it is always preferable, especially for a site of this magnitude, to have a dedicated mobile app?here's to hoping they develop one soon!
Suggestions that I have for The Movie Database
I think that developing an app would be the best suggestion for this site. Otherwise, I really like The Movie Database, and I think you should stop reading this review now and go check it out!
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