In short: Key takeaways
- Choose IMDb when you want industry credits, box office trivia, and global 1-to-10 aggregate scores.
- Choose Letterboxd when you want a minimalist 5-star diary and a global feed of public film reviews.
- Choose moviemates.social when you want 10-craft scoring out of 100, Squad Polls, Moviematches, a digital ticket wallet, and zero ads or subscription fees.
| Category | moviemates.social | Letterboxd | IMDb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Social movie nights, 10-craft reviews & cinema wallet | Solo film diary & public community lists | Global film & TV industry database |
| Scoring system | 10 crafts (0 to 100 score + 5-star equivalent) | 0.5 to 5 stars | 1 to 10 stars |
| Friend group matching | Moviematches swiping, Squad Polls & S.R.A | Public follower activity feed | None |
| Cinema ticket wallet | Scans barcodes, saves stubs & loyalty cards | None | None |
| Cinema deal tracker | Live Australian Cheap Tuesday chain guide | None | None |
| Franchise timeline order | Release vs Timeline toggle with WATCH FIRST badge | User-created lists | None |
| Business model | Indie Melbourne project; 100% free, no ads | Freemium with ads; paid Pro/Patron tiers | Amazon subsidiary; ad-supported |
Where IMDb shines (and where it falls short for movie nights)
IMDb has been essential since the 1990s for answering "Where do I know that actor from?" while watching a film on the couch. Its database of cast credits, production crews, and parental guides is unmatched.
However, IMDb is not a social app for your friend group. Its 1-to-10 rating scale is frequently skewed by review-bombing before a film even opens, and it offers no way to compare your taste with mates or vote on what to watch tonight.
Where Letterboxd shines (and why people look for more)
Letterboxd made logging movies stylish. Its poster grids and top-four favourites are beloved by cinephiles who enjoy following public film critics and browsing community lists.
Still, Letterboxd gives you just one star rating per film, puts personal stats and streaming filters behind a paid subscription, and leaves the actual planning of a group movie night stuck in a messy WhatsApp thread.
Why moviemates.social is built for the whole cinema experience
moviemates.social does not try to replace Wikipedia-style trivia; it solves the real-world experience of loving movies with your friends. Before the film, you use Moviematches or Squad Polls to pick a title, check YOURS streaming badges or cheap Tuesday cinema deals, and scan your ticket barcode from MM Wallet at the cinema door.
After the credits roll, you and your mates rate the film craft by craft out of 100, see your Squad Rating Average update live, and share custom review cards to your group chat or Instagram Story.
Frequently asked questions
Can I import both IMDb and Letterboxd ratings into moviemates.social?
Yes. moviemates.social supports direct CSV imports from both Letterboxd and IMDb so you can bring your entire rating history across in under two minutes.
Which app is more accurate for movie ratings: IMDb, Letterboxd, or moviemates.social?
moviemates.social gives the most detailed breakdown because each review scores up to 10 distinct crafts (such as Storyline, Performances, Cinematography, and Soundtrack) for a score out of 100, and calculates a Squad Rating Average solely from friends whose taste you know.
Bringing the Social Magic back to movies.
Rate films across 10 crafts, settle tonight's pick with Group Decisions, keep every cinema stub in your wallet, and spot cheap Tuesday deals across Australia.