Movie ranking, explained

Reelist ranks films by asking which of two you liked more. These pages explain that idea properly: where it comes from, why the star ratings it replaces let people down, and how to build a ranked list of everything you have seen. The method works with or without the app, so the guides are written to be useful either way.

The guides

• What is pairwise movie ranking? The definition, the mechanics, and the chess-to-restaurants lineage behind it.
• Why star ratings fail for movies Why almost every rating lands on the same few values, and what comparison fixes.
• How to rank your favorite movies A method you can follow in a spreadsheet, a notes app, or Reelist.
• Letterboxd alternatives for ranking movies An honest look at the options when what you want is a ranked list, not a diary.

Comparisons and questions

• Reelist vs Letterboxd The diary and the ranking, side by side, and why people use both.
• Reelist and Beli The comparison mechanic Beli made famous for restaurants, applied to films.
• Reelist FAQ How the comparisons and the 0 to 10 score work, and what stays private.