KINO Letterboxd for TV shows: the real options (2026)
Letterboxd doesn't do TV shows, and millions of fans want the equivalent. Here are the real options to keep a TV show journal.
Summary: Letterboxd for TV shows doesn’t exist: the app remains dedicated to films, and its team is only working on a future shows extension, with no date. To keep a TV journal with ratings, reviews and lists, you need a dedicated app like Kino, Serializd or Trakt. Here’s the honest tour of the real options.
You keep your film diary on Letterboxd, you love it, and the same question comes back after every season finale: “why can’t I do this with my shows?”. You’re not alone: it’s one of the community’s oldest requests. In this article, we answer the question straight, explain why it’s stuck, and above all compare the real options to rate, review and track your shows starting tonight.
The short answer: no, and here’s why
Letterboxd does not support regular TV shows. The official help page is clear: returning, season-based shows aren’t supported, and adding them is being considered as a future platform extension, with no committed date.
There’s a gray area that keeps the confusion alive: some miniseries, limited series and TV movies do appear on Letterboxd, because they’re listed on the “movies” side of TMDB, the database powering the catalog. That’s why you’ll find Black Mirror but not Breaking Bad.
Bottom line: for your TV show journal, you need another app. The real question becomes: which one gives you the same joy Letterboxd gives you for films?
Why Letterboxd stays focused on films
It’s not an oversight, it’s a product choice. Letterboxd built itself as the social network for film lovers: over 30 million members, a culture of thoughtful reviews, iconic lists. That film-first positioning is exactly what makes it valuable, to the point of attracting suitors: Netflix, Paramount and Sony are reportedly in talks to buy it according to Engadget.
Adding shows is a massive undertaking: seasons, episodes, “currently watching” states, weekly releases, for a firehose of over 500 original series a year according to FX Research. A film diary rates a finished work; a show tracker manages a long-term relationship. Two different products under the hood.
Meanwhile, demand has exploded since TV Time shut down and left 26 million users orphaned, as TechCrunch reported. Letterboxd confirmed it’s “still working on it”. But your season finale is tonight, not in two years.
💡 Key takeaway: even if Letterboxd adds shows someday, the mechanics of a film diary (rating a finished work) remain different from show tracking (checking, following, waiting). Each deserves a proper tool.
What you’re really looking for in a “Letterboxd for TV”
Coming from Letterboxd, you’re not just looking to check off episodes: you’re after the joy of the journal. Four ingredients make that experience: the satisfying rating after a finale, the hot-take review, the shareable lists, and the pleasure of browsing your history like a photo album.
On top of that, TV fans have needs films never have:
- Episode-by-episode tracking, with watch dates
- Reminders when a season returns after a hiatus
- A watchlist that separates “to start” from “in progress”
- Viewing stats (hours, genres, shows of the year)
It’s this double requirement, the soul of the journal AND the mechanics of tracking, that separates the candidates. We covered the method side in our guide to tracking your TV shows without losing the plot.
The real options in 2026, compared honestly
Four apps seriously compete for your TV show journal in 2026. Each has its own personality, and the right pick depends on your profile:
| App | Strength | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Kino | Shows AND movies, ratings, reactions, personal feed | Closest to “Letterboxd + tracking” |
| Serializd | Episode-by-episode TV reviews | TV only, no movies |
| Trakt | Ultra-complete tracking, detailed history | Powerful but technical interface |
| Simkl | Remarkable anime coverage | Dense, learning curve |
Our honest take: if you want the “journal + review” feel for TV only, Serializd does the job very well. If you want everything you watch (movies included) in one place with discovery on top, that’s exactly Kino’s home turf. The full head-to-head is on our Kino vs Letterboxd page.
🚀 Want to try a TV journal? Download Kino and rate your first show tonight.
Kino: the TV journal that doesn’t abandon your films
Kino starts from a simple idea: you shouldn’t need two apps for one passion. Shows and movies live in the same journal: 5-star ratings, emoji reactions, reviews, shareable lists, and a history that’s a pleasure to browse.
The tracking side is complete: episodes checked in two taps, clear statuses, season return reminders, and one-tap import of your TV Time history if you’re one of the orphans (the how-to lives in our guide to the best TV Time alternatives).
And discovery makes the daily difference: a “For you” feed that learns from your ratings, vertical clips to feel a title’s vibe, and AI search for when you want “a show like Severance but lighter”. All free, with an optional premium for advanced stats and unlimited AI.
✅ Good practice: keep your Letterboxd account for films if you love it! Plenty of Kino users run both while they decide. No pressure, it’s your data.
Migrate painlessly: your starting plan
Starting a TV journal takes ten minutes, not a weekend. The secret: start small and let the history fill in naturally, rather than trying to rebuild everything at once.
The concrete plan:
- Get the Kino app, on the App Store or Android beta.
- Coming from TV Time? Import your archive in one tap, your whole history comes back.
- Otherwise: add your 5 current shows and rate your 10 all-time favorites. That’s enough for the feed to learn your taste.
- Write your first review at your next season finale: that’s where the journal joy really begins.
⚠️ Watch out: don’t spend your first evening rebuilding ten years of history. Log your essential favorites and fill in the rest as rewatches come: a journal is built, not moved house.
Key takeaways
- Letterboxd remains films only; shows are “in the works”.
- Miniseries and TV movies: the only exceptions present.
- Serializd, Trakt, Simkl: good options depending on profile.
- Kino combines a TV and film journal, with discovery.
Conclusion
A true Letterboxd for TV shows doesn’t exist yet, and nothing says it’s coming soon. The good news: you don’t have to wait. Between Serializd for TV purists and Kino for everything you watch in one place, your show journal can start tonight. Download Kino and give your shows the journal they deserve.
So, what’s the first show you’d rate 5 stars without blinking? (We have a soft spot for a certain anthology series… the one that happens to be on Letterboxd.)
Frequently asked questions
Does Letterboxd support TV shows?
No. Letterboxd is dedicated to films and doesn't support regular TV shows, with a few exceptions (miniseries and TV movies listed on the film side). The team officially says it's working on adding shows, with no announced date. In the meantime, you need a dedicated show tracking app.
What is the Letterboxd equivalent for TV shows?
Several apps play that role: Kino (shows and movies, ratings, reactions and lists in a polished interface), Serializd (a TV journal with episode reviews), Trakt (powerful data-driven tracking) and Simkl (strong on anime). Kino is the only one combining films and shows with a personalized discovery feed.
Will Letterboxd add TV shows?
The Letterboxd team officially confirms that adding shows is being worked on as a future platform extension, with no public timeline. Demand has exploded since TV Time shut down, but no release date has been communicated so far.
What app can I use to rate and review my shows?
Kino lets you rate your shows out of 5 stars, react with an emoji, write reviews and keep shareable lists, for shows and movies alike. Serializd focuses on episode-by-episode TV reviews, and Trakt on detailed statistical tracking.
