IMDbs

IMDbs, short for Internet Movie Databases, are online repositories that collect and organize information about films, television programs, and the people who make them. The plural is used because several independent databases exist, though IMDb is the best-known. IMDbs aim to provide a centralized, searchable resource for titles, people, release history, and related media data.

Typical content includes titles, release year and country, genres, cast and crew lists, plot summaries, production and technical credits, poster imagery, trailers, release dates, box-office data, awards, and user-contributed reviews and ratings. Many IMDbs also track related media such as soundtracks, home video releases, and streaming availability. Data are assembled from official sources, press materials, and community contributions, with varying levels of editorial oversight. User participation and moderation help keep entries up to date, though reliability can vary and entries may be contested or vandalized.

Access is through public websites with search and browse interfaces, and many IMDbs offer programmatic access via APIs or licensing agreements. The most prominent example, IMDb, is owned by Amazon and has expanded to professional tools via IMDbPro. Other large databases include TMDb, AllMovie, Box Office Mojo, and The Numbers.

Applications include film research, credits verification, audience analysis, and industry reference. They also play a role in recommendations and metadata aggregation for streaming services. Limitations include inconsistent sourcing, potential bias in user ratings, and legal or licensing constraints on certain data. Overall, IMDbs function as essential, though imperfect, hubs for film and television metadata.