Letterboxd Expands ‘Four Favorites’ Into Theaters Through New Partnership With Black Bear
Letterboxd is moving one of its most recognizable features beyond the app and into physical cinemas, through a new partnership with Black Bear tied to the upcoming release of Tuner.
The collaboration centers on Letterboxd’s widely used “Four Favorites” format, a simple but highly shareable way for users to highlight their top films, and reimagines it as an in-person, interactive experience at screenings and festivals across the United States. The initiative reflects a broader effort to bridge online film culture with theatrical exhibition, particularly at a time when studios and distributors are looking for new ways to engage audiences beyond traditional marketing.
The rollout will begin with Tuner’s festival run, starting at the Miami Film Festival on April 9, followed by stops at the Phoenix Film Festival and the Philadelphia Film Society’s SpringFest later in the month. At each location, attendees will be invited to participate in a co-branded installation where they can record and share their own “Four Favorites,” effectively turning a digital habit into a live, social activity.
The experience is designed to encourage audience interaction before and after screenings. In addition to the installations, the events will include giveaways, branded content, and prompts encouraging viewers to log their reactions on Letterboxd after watching the film. The goal is to extend the life of a screening beyond the theater itself, feeding directly into the platform’s online ecosystem where discussion, ratings, and reviews continue.
The partnership will extend beyond the initial festival circuit. Additional appearances are planned at events such as the San Francisco International Film Festival and the Boulder Film Festival, as well as campus screenings at institutions including the University of Southern California, Chapman University, and the Savannah College of Art and Design. The inclusion of university stops suggests a focus on younger audiences already familiar with Letterboxd’s interface and culture.
For Black Bear, the initiative functions as both promotion and audience-building for Tuner, a thriller directed by Academy Award winner Daniel Roher. The film follows a piano tuner whose attention to detail leads him into an unexpected and dangerous criminal world. The cast includes Leo Woodhall in the lead role, alongside Havana Rose Liu, Dustin Hoffman, Tovah Feldshuh, Lior Raz, and Jean Reno.
Tuner has already screened at several major festivals, including Telluride, Toronto, Sundance, and BFI London, positioning it as a film with both critical exposure and commercial ambitions. It is scheduled to open in New York and Los Angeles on May 22 before expanding nationwide on May 29.
For Letterboxd, the move represents a notable step in translating its online identity into physical spaces. The platform has grown significantly in recent years, becoming a central hub for film enthusiasts, critics, and casual viewers alike. Its “Four Favorites” feature, in particular, has become a shorthand for personal taste, frequently shared across social media and used as a form of cultural self-expression.
Bringing that format into theaters aligns with a larger trend in the film industry: creating communal experiences that go beyond passive viewing. As theatrical attendance continues to compete with streaming, distributors are increasingly experimenting with ways to make cinema-going more interactive and socially driven.
