Rating media has become a routine part of consuming it.
For some, a movie might not be done when the credits roll — there's a rating to assign to it.
Social media platforms centered around rating things can amplify these viewpoints. Letterboxd boasted over 28 million users in April 2026, according to TIME. Meanwhile, companies like Goodreads dominate corners of the internet centered on reading.
There's clear demand for attaching a rating to media releases. These platforms allow users to organize and quantify their opinions on what they watch, listen to and read.
For students who regularly rate the media they consume, the number of stars can mean more than just a simple recommendation.
Connor Johnson, a sophomore studying communication, said rating apps such as Letterboxd inspire people to think about reviews. He added the practice of rating gives films more meaning for viewers.
"It makes people have actually slightly more nuanced opinions about movies than they would if they weren't considering that," Johnson said.
Despite Letterboxd's benefits, Johnson said he worries that thinking too much about a review takes away from the movie.
"In a way, they've commodified the idea of watching things," Johnson said. "I can see why that, for some people, is more attention-grabbing than the act of watching the film itself. But generally, I do think it's a good thing, because it expands people's idea of their opinions about movies."
READ MORE: Letterboxd is an alternative social media for film buffs and students
Gage Savillo, a sophomore studying business, said it's hard to rate a film when you might also assign a completely different type of movie the same rating. The rating system can oversimplify the process of comparing the art, he said.
"My opinion on 'Eraserhead' should have no influence on my opinion on 'Reservoir Dogs,' but in some cases that happens," he said. "I'd say the rating system is a little counterintuitive for its purpose."
Savillo said he finds magic in the movies by going into them blind, only relying on his thoughts to inform how he received the movie.
"Looking at a movie review or looking at what other people are saying before you watch the movie is so hindering to your experience," Savillo said. "I don't even read the synopsis because I think it ruins the fun and the preconceived notion of what the film is going to show you."
Despite the issues found in rating apps, they remain immensely popular.
Vivienne Nelsen, a sophomore studying film and media production, said platforms such as Letterboxd have support because they're open to the public.
"They're so accessible, free to sign up, free to make an account or download the app, and you don't have to be a film critic or anything to start writing your reviews," Nelsen said.
She highlighted how platforms like this might be more indicative of a general audience perspective, rather than a professional's view on a film.
"Critics have a different perspective because they do this for a living and they look really critically on the movie," Nelsen said. "What they might not find enjoyable, the regular audience will find enjoyable."
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Savillo and Nelsen shared different ideas on whether a rating scale remains the best way to express enjoyment about a movie or another work of art.
"I would have removed the star feature from Letterboxd so you can like a movie or not like a movie, and then write what you thought about it," Savillo said. "I think that's a little bit more genuine and maybe a little bit more authentic."
For Nelsen, numbers or star counts don't necessarily matter. The number attached to the art matters less than whether it resonated with an audience.
"When you put your art out into the world, it's subject to criticism, but I think it's not about the rating being bad," Nelsen said. "Because really, all that matters is that it connected with one person."
Edited by Sam Troester, Carsten Oyer and Sophia Keeling.
Reach the reporter at evwestfa@asu.edu and follow @ellwestfall on X.
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Ellie Westfall is a Reporter for The Echo at The State Press. This is her first semester working with The State Press, and she is in her second year at ASU with a double major in Journalism and Political Science.
