Five ChatGPT Prompts For Perfect Movie Recommendations

Even for those who watch TV for a living, the paradox of choice is real. Opening one of the best streaming services can often lead to endless scrolling, whether you're not in the mood for anything specific or can't agree with others on what to watch.

Faced with this common dilemma and an ever-growing watchlist, I decided to turn to technology for a solution. As a tech journalist, I launched a week-long experiment to see if an AI chatbot could help navigate the overwhelming sea of titles. I used ChatGPT to test various prompts, aiming to find which ones were most successful at recommending something I'd actually watch. The results were truly inspiring.

While it's still faster to use a service like JustWatch to find where a title is streaming, for the discovery process itself, these five prompts were the clear winners.

1. Become the Director

Ever wish you could get movie recommendations directly from Christopher Nolan? This prompt is the next best thing. By asking the AI to adopt the persona of a favorite director, you can get suggestions tailored to their unique style and cinematic tastes.

ChatGPT Prompt: "Pretend you are [insert director name here]. Recommend me seven movies you think I would enjoy, based on your own filmmaking style and preferences. For each, explain briefly why you think I’d like it, and avoid giving away major plot spoilers."

Initially, my Nolan-inspired list included many of his own films, but after asking for lesser-known movies that fit his style, the suggestions improved significantly. The recommendations were often based on his past interviews and even came with a suggested viewing order and notes on what to look for, all delivered in a style that felt authentic to the director.

2. The Mood Matcher

Your mood is often the biggest factor in deciding what to watch, yet most streaming services still rely on broad genres. A big action flick feels right for a Friday night, while a Sunday evening might call for a cozy family film. This prompt helps you find the perfect title for your specific feeling and situation.

ChatGPT Prompt: "I’m in the mood for a [insert mood, eg, feel-good, mind-bending, escapism] [specify movie/TV show] to watch [insert time of day, eg, Sunday evening, after work], and I’d like seven recommendations that mix well-known classics, hidden gems and new releases, with short, spoiler-free descriptions explaining why each film fits the mood."

This prompt was most effective when I got very specific. If the first list wasn't quite right, I could easily refine it by adding details like who I was watching with or what I enjoyed last week. Highlighting a title I liked from the list and asking for similar suggestions proved to be a fantastic way to zero in on the perfect pick.

3. The Time Traveler

Movies and TV shows can be incredible time capsules, transporting you to another era. Whether you're dreaming of the swinging sixties or a distant futuristic city, this prompt helps build a cinematic journey through time.

ChatGPT Prompt: "Create a seven day movie playlist that captures the spirit of [a chosen decade/stage of your life] through film. Each day should feature a movie that represents a different facet of that era. Include a variety of genres and tones, make sure all films are highly rated, and provide a short one-sentence hook for each – no spoilers – that explains why it epitomizes that time."

This prompt generated the most engaging back-and-forth conversation with the AI. I found myself not just swapping out films I'd already seen, but building on the chatbot's ideas to create a truly unique list. I ended up with an epic movie marathon that told the story of civilization through film, from humanity's origins to its next chapter in space.

4. Your Genre Crash Course

While many of us tend to stick to our favorite genres, there's a whole world of cinema waiting to be explored. If you've ever been curious about a genre but don't know where to start, this prompt is your perfect entry point.

ChatGPT Prompt: "Create a seven day movie marathon that serves as a crash course in [insert genre]. Start with essentials, mix in hidden gems, international standouts, and modern reimaginings. No spoilers, just a short one-sentence hook for each."

This prompt is designed to push you out of your comfort zone. For me, that meant diving into film noir, a genre I wasn't very familiar with. After watching the classic Sunset Boulevard (1950) on its recommendation, I was completely hooked. It’s an excellent way to learn about cinema history and discover new passions.

5. The Wild Card Recommendation

After you've had a long conversation with ChatGPT about your tastes, it has a good sense of what you've seen and what you like. That's the perfect time to throw it a curveball and ask for something completely unexpected.

ChatGPT Prompt: “Surprise me with a seven day watchlist of films and shows I’d never normally pick. Choose titles that are unexpected, genre-defying, or from filmmakers I’ve never explored. For each, give a short, spoiler-free description that captures why it’s unusual or surprising.”

Providing feedback and telling the AI which movies you've already seen is crucial for getting the best results. By the end of the week, my chat history was long, but this allowed the AI to act like a personalized streaming assistant. This prompt leverages that history to suggest hidden gems and genre-defying titles you might have otherwise missed, leading to some of the most rewarding discoveries.