How to rank your favourite films.

A method that doesn’t take all weekend

1. Start with films you remember. Ten you’ve seen recently or know well. Leave the hazy ones for later.
2. Sort into lanes by feel. All-timer, Really good, Fine, Not for me, Disliked it. This takes seconds per film and does most of the work.
3. Compare inside a lane only. A new all-timer only needs to meet other all-timers. Ask which of two you’d rather watch again tonight, and go with your first answer.
4. Halve the gap each time. Compare the new film with one in the middle of the lane, then the middle of whichever half it belongs in. Twenty films take about five choices.
5. Allow ties. Some films really are level. Call it close and move on.
6. Add as you watch. Place each new film the night you see it, while it is fresh.

Mistakes that make it harder

• Starting with your top 100. Start with 10. The list grows from there.
• Agonising over one pair. If a choice takes more than a few seconds, they are close. Say so.
• Mixing films and shows. Keep a list for each.
• Treating the list as final. Taste moves. Re-ranking is how the list stays honest.

Doing it in Ranked

Ranked follows this method. Rapid Ranked opens on a grid: tap up to 10 films and shows you’ve seen, give each a lane, then answer the head-to-heads Ranked picks to place them. Each place becomes a score out of 5 once 10 films are on your list.

If you already log films, import your Letterboxd, Netflix or IMDb history and your films wait under From your history, ready to rank. See the import guide.

Questions

How many films should I rank to start?

Ten is a good first goal. In Ranked, scores switch on once 10 films are on your list, and Rapid Ranked lets you pick up to 10 at once.

What if I can’t choose between two films?

Don’t force it. In Ranked, say they are too close to call and move on. If you don’t remember a film well enough, skip it.

Should I rank films I saw years ago?

Yes, if you remember how they landed. Sort them into a lane by feel and let a few head-to-heads place them. If one feels wrong later, re-rank it.

Should films and TV shows go on one list?

Keep them apart. A two-hour film and a five-season show are hard to compare fairly. Ranked gives each a list of its own.

How often should I re-rank?

Whenever a film comes back to mind. A favourite that holds its place over months is a real all-timer. One that slides was a good night.