TMDB offers two main versions of its API: v3 and v4

​
TMDB API v3

The v3 API is the most widely used version of TMDB’s API. It provides access to a vast amount of data, including movies, TV shows, actors, images, videos, and user-generated content. The v3 API is RESTful and uses JSON as its data format.

​
Key Features

  • Movie Data: Access details such as title, release date, runtime, genres, ratings, and more.

  • TV Show Data: Retrieve information about TV shows, including episodes, seasons, and cast.

  • People Data: Get details about actors, directors, and other crew members.

  • Search Functionality: Search for movies, TV shows, and people.

  • Images and Videos: Access posters, backdrops, trailers, and clips.

  • User Authentication: Supports user authentication for managing favorites, watchlists, and ratings.

  • Pagination: Supports pagination for large datasets.

  • Rate Limiting: API requests are rate-limited to ensure fair Usage

​
Example Endpoint

Get Movie Details:

GET https://api.themoviedb.org/3/movie/{movie_id}?api_key=YOUR_API_KEY

​
TMDB API v4

The v4 API is a newer version of TMDB’s API, designed to provide a more streamlined and secure experience. It introduces significant changes, including a new authentication method and improved security features. Unlike v3, v4 uses Bearer Token authentication instead of an API key.

​
Key Features

  • Enhanced Security: Improved security measures to protect user data.

  • Backward Compatibility: Works alongside v3, allowing developers to transition gradually.

  • Limited Endpoints: As of now, v4 has fewer endpoints compared to v3, focusing primarily on authentication and user-related operations.

​
Example Endpoint

Get Account Details:

GET https://api.themoviedb.org/4/account?api_key=YOUR_BEARER_TOKEN
Requires a valid Bearer Token in the request header.

​
Differences Between v3 and v4

Featurev3v4
SecurityStandardEnhanced
EndpointsExtensive (movies, TV, people)Limited (focus on authentication)
UsageBroad (data retrieval)Primarily for authentication
Backward CompatibilityNoYes (works alongside v3)

​
Which Version Should You Use?

  • Use v3 if you need access to a wide range of data, such as movie details, TV show information, and search functionality. It is the most feature-rich and widely supported version.

  • Use v4 if you are focusing on user authentication or need enhanced security features. However, note that v4 currently has limited functionality compared to v3.

​
Resources

User AuthenticationQuickstart