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Guide · Open source

How to use Popcorn Time: clone, build and what to expect

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Popcorn Time is an open-source, cross-platform app for finding and watching movies and TV shows in one place. This guide explains what it is, what you need installed, how to get the code from GitHub, and what the README says is still in progress. After reading, you will know whether it fits your needs and how to start building it.

Popcorn Timepopcorntime/popcorntime · ★ 10.7k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Install prerequisites. Install Node.js, Rust and Git on your computer.
  2. 2Clone the repository. Run git clone https://github.com/popcorntime/popcorntime in a terminal.
  3. 3Read the development guide. Open DEVELOPMENT.md in the cloned folder for the build steps the README points to.
  4. 4Check the status. Review the README and repository for the current release state before relying on the app.
  5. 5Contribute or report issues. Read CONTRIBUTING.md and use GitHub issues for bugs or feature requests.

What is Popcorn Time?

Popcorn Time is a cross-platform app for browsing movies and TV shows in one place. The README describes it as a complete rebuild of the original Popcorn Time rather than a fork or patch, and the project says it will host ongoing development, documentation and releases.

  • Browse movies and TV shows across platforms in one app
  • Built with Tauri, a React and TypeScript interface, and a Rust backend
  • Code is public under the MIT licence
  • The project says it publishes its catalog weekly as Parquet datasets

Who should use Popcorn Time today?

The project is best suited to people who want one app for discovery, developers who want to study or contribute to a Tauri, React and Rust desktop app, and researchers who want the weekly catalog datasets once they are available. It is not yet a good fit for people who need a finished, stable release.

  • Good fit: discovery across platforms, developers studying or contributing to the code, researchers interested in the datasets
  • Not yet: users who need stable releases, local media playback today, or clear legal guarantees about content sources

What do you need before installing?

The README lists three prerequisites for the clone-and-build route: Node.js, Rust and Git. Install them first so the repository can be cloned and compiled on your machine.

  • Node.js
  • Rust
  • Git

How do you get the code?

Clone the repository from GitHub with Git. The README gives this command as the starting point. For the steps needed to actually compile the project, the README points to DEVELOPMENT.md in the repository.

  • Open a terminal and run the clone command below
  • Open the cloned folder and read DEVELOPMENT.md for build steps
  • Read CONTRIBUTING.md if you plan to contribute
git clone https://github.com/popcorntime/popcorntime

What is still unfinished?

The README says Unstable Nightly releases are available from the project website, and it marks local media playback as coming soon. The repository shows no latest release, so expect a work-in-progress codebase rather than a finished app.

  • Nightly builds are labelled unstable
  • Local media playback is listed as soon, not available yet
  • Weekly catalog datasets are described as available once published

How do you report problems or contribute?

The README asks users to open an issue for bugs or feature requests. Contributors can start with the contributing guidelines.

  • Report bugs or request features through GitHub issues
  • Follow CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines on getting started
  • Join the community through the Discord link in the README

What people use it for

  • Browsing movies and TV shows from one interface
  • Studying a Tauri, React and Rust desktop application
  • Contributing features or fixes using the project's guidelines
  • Using the weekly Parquet catalog datasets once they are published

Frequently asked questions

Is Popcorn Time free?

The README says Popcorn Time is an MIT-licensed open source project. It also says ongoing development is supported by sponsors, and it links to a sponsorship page.

What do I need to install Popcorn Time?

The README lists Node.js, Rust and Git as prerequisites for the clone-and-build route. Build steps are in DEVELOPMENT.md in the repository.

Is there a stable release of Popcorn Time?

The README mentions unstable nightly releases and the repository shows no latest release. Treat it as a work in progress rather than a finished, stable app.

Can Popcorn Time play my own local files?

The README lists local media playback as coming soon, so it is not available yet according to the README.

How is Popcorn Time different from JustWatch or Reelgood?

The README says JustWatch and Reelgood act as directories that show where content might be, while Popcorn Time aims to let you play your own files and publishes its catalog weekly as Parquet datasets.

What are alternatives to Popcorn Time?

The source lists Jellyfin, Kodi and Stremio as comparable projects. The README does not compare them in detail, so review each project's documentation before choosing.

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Our verdict

Popcorn Time suits developers who want to study or contribute to a Tauri, React and Rust app, and researchers interested in its weekly catalog datasets. If you need a stable release, local playback today, or clear guarantees about content sources, pick a more mature option such as Jellyfin, Kodi or Stremio.

Install options & downloads