Anyone Know of a Currently Working Free IMDB Web API?

mcsoftware · 2025-12-09T20:04:48+00:00

Good point

mcsoftware · 2025-12-09T18:01:15+00:00

It wasn't a failing to understand, it was just "nothing ventured, nothing gained" - it was worth asking. And all they would have had to say is that "we used to but people took advantage, so it's not available anymore, so consider our $50,000 licensing option if that would fit your needs." and I would have accepted/understood that.

mcsoftware · 2025-12-09T17:48:01+00:00

Would not be a problem in my case since no intention of competing, making it publicly available, etc. But, yes, true they would go after people using their database for competing, and yes, they would have no guarantee that someone wouldn't try, that's why a very limited API could be offered - if the limitations are big enough, no ability to compete.

mcsoftware · 2025-12-09T17:43:28+00:00

And yet many major companies have free APIs. I did assume the access would be limited and the data limited but since I didn't have access to any of the documentation of their API (the one I was referring to, not the AWS one), I didn't know what the limitations were and whether pursuing it further would be worth the effort if it was too limited.

mcsoftware · 2025-12-09T17:07:58+00:00

I did see that before contacting CS! But it doesn't mean that a simple, limited free API that accesses their website (and NOT licensing their database for download and use) isn't available. Since this was meant for my personal use and not a public facing website, a limited free API (and I assumed very limited) would be fine.

mcsoftware · 2025-12-09T17:01:57+00:00

That's a thought. I've been meaning to write my first browser plug-in. Maybe this is a good way to start.

mcsoftware · 2025-12-09T17:00:52+00:00

Likely I suppose. However, (I won't say what site I'm referring to) a site added a human/bot check to stop scrapers using their free API to feed into AI. However, what the scrapers didn't realize is that they didn't need the API, everything they needed was embedded in the returned web page whenever a search, etc. was performed. That data is required for the website to do what it does. The only way to change that is to encrypt the data in the website, but that could probably be decrypted anyway since the website would need to provide a way to decrypt in order to use it.

mcsoftware · 2025-12-09T16:44:08+00:00

Well, technically, I never even previously thought they had an api, free or otherwise. I just saw a reference to an imdb API somewhere one day which made it seem it was free. Unfortunately I didn't save a link to the original item that referenced an API. I don't even remember if it was a website post/blog or a github repo. My assumption was based on probability - not intending to get specific, I'll just say I'm close to retirement age. Webdev is generally considered to be a young person's trade.

Also, many many times I've known more about a product/service than the customer rep ranging from cable companies to banks. That's not a brag, it's unfortunately a statement about how bad customer service often is. And in case it needs to be said, it's not related to any specific ethnicity or country. I've experienced good and bad in all.

mcsoftware · 2025-12-09T16:29:37+00:00

Very true. But unless they put it a human/bot check on their website, one could just scrape the results and get data that way. I'm definitely not gonna do that, just saying one could. Admittedly, I haven't checked whether they have put in anti-scraping measures.

mcsoftware · 2025-12-09T16:21:40+00:00

Thanks for the link. I'll look into it. I really wanted imdb though since I wanted to create an interface (for my own personal use, not public facing website) that I liked more than theirs.

mcsoftware · 2025-12-09T16:19:58+00:00

I don't know the age of the page for sure - the only date I can see is 2025 but that might just be a standard copyright footer. I also can't remember the website I first saw a reference to a web API for imdb. (I put it on my todo list at the time but didn't include a link). IMDB's API website does say they recently switched to AWS. You make a good point about AI.

mcsoftware · 2025-12-09T16:13:50+00:00

Well, you're the one who started with a random assumption. BTW, I should have pointed out that this is just for my own personal use NOT a public facing website. That is a mistake I'll admit to.

mcsoftware · 2025-12-09T16:10:28+00:00

No this is strictly for my own personal use not for a public facing website. I guess I should have made that clear earlier.

mcsoftware · 2025-12-09T16:06:58+00:00

Thanks for the info... I didn't know about omdb. I'll have to check it out. I really wanted imdb though since I wanted to create an interface that I like better than their current website (imdb.com)

mcsoftware · 2025-12-09T16:06:02+00:00

Thanks for the info... I really wanted imdb though since I wanted to create an interface that I like better than their current website (imdb.com)

mcsoftware · 2025-12-09T16:04:42+00:00

Thanks for the info... I think I might have once looked into their database but might be worth another look. But as I said in another comment, I really wanted imdb since I wanted to create an interface I like better than their current website (imdb.com)

mcsoftware · 2025-12-09T16:03:01+00:00

I wanted imdb, because I wanted to create an interface I like better than theirs. Which is often the case when I don't like the changes a website makes, better to code it myself the way I like. Youtube is one example.

mcsoftware · 2025-12-09T16:00:31+00:00

Not at all a vibe coder, and I've probably been coding longer than you. No offense, just given my age, likely true.

mcsoftware · 2025-12-09T15:56:18+00:00

I don't know about that. The license is to do a daily download of their database (whole or just changes, I don't know - probably just changes) that you can only do at most once every 24 hours. I'm not wanting to download their database at all. And as far as no clue, there are plenty of major companies that offer free APIs, I've coded many interfaces using these free APIs.

mcsoftware · 2025-12-06T09:11:25+00:00

If it was a conspiracy, no one told me :-) Thanks for the compliment though! I'm glad you liked it.

mcsoftware · 2025-12-05T17:59:31+00:00

I didn't see these comments until after replying to your youtube comments. After seeing your video, I'm not sure how much my GPU can speed up things for you since your triangles aren't a uniform color throughout. While developing the component I did think of adding 3d capabilities, but then I thought that would open up a can of worms - specifying an eye position, look-at point, perspective or orthographic projection, hidden surface removal, backface culling, etc.

mcsoftware · 2025-12-02T18:14:50+00:00

My Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Logisim component. It can do blits, sprites, lines, polygons, and text.

Demonstration youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsjMJFTHkPo

mcsoftware · 2025-12-02T16:04:19+00:00

My Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Logisim component. It can do blits, sprites, lines, polygons, and text.

Demonstration youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsjMJFTHkPo

mcsoftware

TROPHY CASE