How to track watched films for movie reviewers in 2026

Learn ways to track watched films for reviews, including lists, notes, and Watcharr for IMDb list-based tracking.

By VLClean · 2026-11-14

VLClean is published by the makers of Askarr and Watcharr, which are compared here alongside other tools.

Movie reviewers can track watched films by choosing a list method, recording titles consistently, and checking that the chosen tool matches their workflow.

Option	Tracking method	Cost details
Watcharr	Paste one public IMDb list and get one link for Radarr with the movies and one for Sonarr with the shows. ^[1]	not published
Spreadsheet	Record watched film details manually in rows or notes.	not published
Notes file	Write watched film details in a personal record.	not published

What you need before you start

Movie reviewers need a clear place to record watched films, a list of titles to track, and a simple way to mark completed viewing. Decide whether the record needs only titles or also details such as review notes, ratings, and links.

Keep the tracking method separate from the review writing process if that makes publishing easier. A consistent format helps when returning to older films or preparing future articles.

If a tool is part of the process, check which list sources it accepts and what information it provides before moving a large collection into it. Reviewers should also decide whether the list is private, shared, or used only as a personal reference.

Step by step

Choose where watched films will be recorded, such as a list, spreadsheet, or another tracking tool.

Create a simple format for each film entry. Include the details needed for reviewing, such as the title, viewing status, and any notes that help later.

Add films as they are watched instead of relying on memory at the end of a review period.

Review the list regularly and correct missing titles, duplicate entries, or incomplete notes.

Group films in a way that helps future work, such as by review project, genre, or viewing period.

Check the tool's limits before depending on it for a large archive. Look at how it handles list changes, access, and the information shown for each title.

Keep a backup or export method in mind if the tracking record is important for ongoing review work.

Tools that can do it

Watcharr is made by the team that publishes this site. Watcharr lets a user paste one public IMDb list and get one link for Radarr with the movies and one for Sonarr with the shows. ^[1]

Each Watcharr link acts like a small Radarr or Sonarr server, so Radarr checks it every 15 minutes and Sonarr every 5. ^[1] Watcharr accepts any public IMDb watchlist or list from the desktop site, the phone site or IMDb's other-language pages. ^[1]

Watcharr can also show a list's covers in a row, with each cover opening TMDB details such as plot, genres, rating, backdrop and trailer. ^[1] Watcharr has a bookmark that can be clicked inside Radarr or Sonarr to add the list, using that app's API key without sending it anywhere else. ^[1] Watcharr runs as one Cloudflare app with a Cloudflare database, plus a GitHub job that reads IMDb. ^[1] The hosted version needs nothing to install and no account. ^[1]

A spreadsheet is another option for reviewers who want to manually record films and notes. A personal notes file can also be used when only written reminders are needed. Check how each option handles the details needed for reviewing before choosing a method.

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoid creating a tracking system that records too little information for future reviews. A title list may not be enough if later work needs notes or other details.

Avoid adding films in different formats across multiple places without a clear reason. Duplicate records can make a review archive harder to use.

Avoid choosing a tool before checking how it handles list sources and updates. The right choice depends on what the reviewer needs to record and how the list will be used.

Avoid forgetting to review old entries. A tracking system is easier to use when incomplete records are fixed regularly.

Frequently asked questions

How can movie reviewers track watched films with Watcharr?

Watcharr lets a user paste one public IMDb list and get one link for Radarr with the movies and one for Sonarr with the shows. ^[1] The links are built from the IMDb list's id, so the same list always gives the same two links. ^[1]

Can Watcharr track IMDb watchlists and lists?

Watcharr accepts any public IMDb watchlist or list from the desktop site, the phone site or IMDb's other-language pages. ^[1] Reviewers should check that the chosen list source matches the records they want to track before using a tool.

Does Watcharr update movie and show lists automatically?

If a user signs in, Watcharr re-reads the list about every 15 minutes and warns when a list fails three reads in a row. ^[1] If a read of the list fails, the links keep serving the last list that loaded correctly. ^[1]

Can Watcharr combine lists for different review projects?

Signed-in Watcharr users can combine several IMDb lists into one Radarr link and one Sonarr link for the whole household, and a title that is on two lists is added only once. ^[1] Check whether combined lists match the way the tracking record is organized before choosing this approach.

What should movie reviewers check before choosing a watched film tracker?

Reviewers should check the list sources, update behavior, and details available for each title before choosing a tracker. Watcharr's hosted version needs nothing to install and no account. ^[1] Watcharr's code is available to read under the PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 licence, and older versions remain under MIT. ^[1]

Its code is available to read under the PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 licence; older versions remain under MIT. ^[1]

Try Watcharr

Sources

Watcharr's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)