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FAQs

Quick answers about what FlickRatings does, how titles are curated, and what the labels mean.

For fans
FlickRatings is a non-commercial project at the moment. Use it for discovery and organization — not as a definitive source of truth. Title metadata, popularity signals, ratings/reviews, OTT availability, and awards data can be incomplete or change over time. We dont guarantee accuracy of the information. Some of the text content is AI-generated, however lists are curated by the editor.
What is FlickRatings? ⌄

FlickRatings is a curated catalogue of movies and TV shows with filters, lists, and search — built to reduce noise and help fans quickly shortlist what to watch next.

The catalogue updated at least annually (and sometimes more often as new metadata is added). You can also use it to keep your own watchlist/shortlist and ratings over time. OTT information is refreshed weekly though we dont guarantee it.

Why should I bother? How is this different? ⌄
  • Less noise: ~25,000 curated titles that matter, not “everything ever filmed on planet Earth.”
  • Better representation: we actively balance genres, vintages, countries, and languages — not just the biggest production markets.
  • Multi dimensional: we dont overemphasis or order titles based on their reviews or ratings. We use many dimensions like views, reviews, popularity, box-office, awards etc. to curate our catalogue and order our lists.
  • OTT availability: for many titles, we show where it’s streaming (by region/provider where available).
  • Quality over quantity: we show the information that helps decision-making, not a trivia encyclopedia.
How are titles rank-ordered? ⌄

Titles are ordered using a curator-built algorithm that blends publicly available signals (popularity, user ratings/reviews, critics ratings/reviews, box office, and major awards in key categories).

The ordering is additionally normalized against a long-running personal ratings/watchlist corpus (2,500+ titles maintained over 25+ years), to keep the results “fan-first.”

This is not meant to be another universal ranking system. It’s an intentionally opinionated ordering designed for discovery, filtering, and shortlisting.

How often does FlickRatings get updated? ⌄

Catalogue is updated at least annually (new title metadata + scoring refresh). Some parts may update more frequently as more metadata sources are added. OTT information is refreshed weekly though we dont guarantee it.

Does catalogue cover latest movies and tv shows?⌄

25K catalogue covers titles until the end of the previous year. The section for latest releases includes titles released in last 24 months to ensure you have up to date information on new releases and where to watch them.

How do you ensure representation across genres, vintages, countries, and languages? ⌄

We aim for proportional representation across major segments, both in the overall catalogue and in top lists. If you think a segment is under-represented (or poorly ordered), send feedback — we’ll review and adjust where it makes sense.

What does “Awards” mean on a title? ⌄

“Awards” is a simplified label based on wins or nominations in selected categories (includes best film/ tv series, direction, writing, documentary, short, animation, foreign language etc. and excludes best actors/actresses/music etc.) across a set of prestigious awards (Oscars, Golden Globes, Emmys, and other major awards — up to ~20). While we have tried best to catalogue this data, we dont guarantee its accuracy.

  • Tier1: at least 10 such wins or nominations
  • Tier2: at least 5 major wins or nominations
  • Tier3: at least 1 major win or nominations
  • -: no major wins or nominations detected in selected categories
What is “watchlist” vs “shortlist”? ⌄

Watchlist = titles you’ve already watched (your history).
Shortlist = titles you want to save for later (your “next watch” candidates).

What is my rating guide? ⌄

  • 1 star — Avoidable: Not worth your time unless you’re completing a filmography or watching for a very specific reason.
  • 2 stars — Just Watchable: Fine for background viewing or if you like the genre/cast, but unlikely to leave an impact.
  • 3 stars — Liked it: Solid and enjoyable—worth watching, and you’ll probably recommend it to the right person.
  • 4 stars — Loved it: Highly recommended—strong craft and emotional payoff; rewatchable and memorable.
  • 5 stars — Nothing better: Top-tier, must-watch classics or personal all-timers—this is the “clear your schedule” level.

How do you define genres?? ⌄

We have curated all titles in 30 genres as below.

  • Action: Fast-paced stories built around fights, chases, stunts, and high stakes. Momentum drives the plot.
  • Adventure: Quests, travel, and exploration power the story. Often set in exciting, unfamiliar places.
  • Animation: Stories told through animated visuals (2D/3D/stop-motion). Can be for kids or adults.
  • Biography: Based on a real person’s life and key events. Focuses on achievements, struggles, and relationships.
  • Comedy: Made to entertain through humor, wit, satire, or absurd situations. Even serious themes stay light in tone.
  • Court-drama: Centered on trials and the justice system. Tension comes from arguments, evidence, and verdicts.
  • Crime: Focuses on criminal acts and consequences—investigation, motives, underworld, or justice. Often overlaps with thriller/mystery.
  • Documentary: Non-fiction storytelling using real footage, interviews, and facts. Aims to inform or explore real subjects.
  • Drama: Character-driven stories with emotional stakes and realistic conflict. Relationships and choices take center stage.
  • Family: Broadly suitable for all ages with gentle conflict and positive themes. Typically avoids explicit content.
  • Fantasy: Magic, myths, and supernatural rules shape the world. Often includes quests, creatures, or epic lore.
  • Film-Noir: Dark, cynical crime tales with moral ambiguity and a fatalistic tone. Often features flawed heroes and shadowy style.
  • Game-Show: Competitive formats where participants play games or answer questions for prizes. Fun comes from rules and pressure.
  • History: Set in real historical periods or based on real events. Emphasizes the time, context, and authenticity.
  • Horror: Designed to scare or unsettle using dread and fear. Threats can be supernatural, psychological, or human.
  • Musical: Songs and music are a key storytelling tool, not background. Characters may sing to express emotion or move the plot.
  • Mystery: A puzzle drives the story—who/what/why. Viewers follow clues toward a reveal.
  • Reality-TV: Unscripted (or loosely structured) shows featuring real people and situations. Drama comes from personalities and real-world stakes.
  • Religion: Focuses on faith, spirituality, religious history, or moral themes. Can be inspirational, philosophical, or culturally rooted.
  • Romance: Love and relationships are the main focus. Emotional connection and conflict drive the plot.
  • Sci-Fi: Speculative stories grounded in science/technology ideas like space, AI, futures, or time travel. Often explores “what if?” themes.
  • Short: Short-form films or episodes, typically under ~40 minutes. Usually focused on one idea or moment.
  • Sports: Built around athletic competition, teams, training, and performance pressure. Often features underdogs, rivals, and discipline.
  • Spy-thriller: Espionage, secrets, and missions with high stakes. Tension comes from deception and double-crosses.
  • Superheroes: Characters with extraordinary powers or tech face outsized threats. Themes often include identity and responsibility.
  • Talk-Show: Host-led interviews and discussions, often about celebrities or current topics. Entertainment comes from conversation and segments.
  • Teen-drama: Coming-of-age stories centered on teenage life—school, friendships, family pressure, identity, and first love. Emotions run high, stakes feel personal.
  • Thriller: Suspense-driven stories designed to keep you on edge. Pacing is tight and danger feels close.
  • War: Shaped by armed conflict and its impact on people and society. Focuses on survival, sacrifice, and consequences.
  • Western: Frontier-era tales with lawlessness, moral codes, and rugged landscapes. Often includes sheriffs, outlaws, and revenge. Rural themes are also included here.

Why dont I see entire cast for the title? ⌄

We believe it is not practically possible to show the entire cast or support staff or multiple directors or writers for any movie or tv title. We have listed the primary cast, director and writer for any title. We are working to ensure most of the primary cast is listed. Please report any missing or inaccurate information.

Where does the data come from? ⌄

We reference publicly available metadata and official APIs where available. This product uses the TMDb API and the OMDb API, but is not endorsed or certified by TMDb or OMDb. Data from IMDB, RottenTomatoes.com, MetaCritic.com, RogerEbert.com is used when available for data validation- none of these provide realtime APIs. Titles are linked to respective links on www.imdb.com for user experience. We dont take responsibility for accuracy of the content. Ordering of the titles is at curator's discretion and any resemblance with any other list is coincidental. Please also refer to the footer disclaimer on the site.

Who created FlickRatings? ⌄

Created by Ravi Agrawal. Visit www.rralists.com.

Can I suggest edits or report an issue? ⌄

Yes — email [email protected].