We've all been there: a friend excitedly recommends a movie they "absolutely loved," you watch it, and... it's terrible. Or at least, terrible for you. The problem isn't that your friend has bad taste—it's that getting good recommendations is actually a skill that most people haven't developed.

After analyzing thousands of successful recommendations through the FriendsRecommend app, we've identified the key strategies that lead to great suggestions. Here are 10 proven ways to get movie and TV show recommendations that you'll actually love.

1. Be Specific About What You're Looking For

Instead of asking "What should I watch?" try being more specific. Are you looking for something to binge over the weekend? A feel-good comedy after a tough day? A mind-bending thriller that will keep you guessing?

Instead of saying:

"What should I watch tonight?"

Try saying:

"I'm looking for a 90-minute comedy that's not too heavy—something I can watch while I fold laundry."

2. Share Your Recent Favorites

Give your friends context by mentioning 2-3 movies or shows you've enjoyed recently. This helps them understand your current mood and preferences.

For example: "I just finished 'The Bear' and loved it. I also really enjoyed 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' last month. Looking for something with that same energy."

3. Mention What You Want to Avoid

Sometimes it's easier to say what you don't want. Are you not in the mood for anything too sad? Want to avoid subtitles tonight? Can't handle jump scares? Let your friends know.

This prevents the awkward situation where someone recommends their favorite horror movie when you're looking for something light and fun.

4. Ask Friends with Similar Taste

Not all friends are created equal when it comes to recommendations. Think about which friends have recommended things you've loved in the past, and prioritize their suggestions.

Keep a mental note (or actual note) of which friends consistently give you great recommendations. These are your "taste twins"—their suggestions should carry more weight.

5. Ask for the "Why" Behind the Recommendation

Don't just ask what to watch—ask why they're recommending it. What did they love about it? What reminded them of you? This context helps you decide if it's right for your current mood.

Great follow-up questions:

• "What did you love most about it?"
• "What made you think I'd like it?"
• "How would you describe the tone/mood?"
• "Is it similar to anything else I've watched?"

6. Use the "Three Movie Rule"

Ask for three recommendations instead of one. This gives you options and helps you identify patterns in what your friend thinks you'll like. Plus, if one doesn't work out, you have backups ready.

Often, the second or third recommendation ends up being the perfect choice because your friend has had time to think beyond their most obvious suggestion.

7. Consider the Recommender's Current Life Context

Is your friend going through a breakup? Just had a baby? Started a new stressful job? Their current life situation might influence what they're drawn to, which may or may not align with what you need right now.

A friend who's feeling nostalgic might recommend a lot of older movies, while someone who's stressed might suggest escapist fantasy—neither of which might be what you're looking for.

8. Set Expectations About Feedback

Let your friends know you'll give them honest feedback about their recommendations. This creates a feedback loop that helps them give you better suggestions over time.

When you do watch something they recommended, follow up with what you thought. Even if you didn't love it, explain why—this helps them calibrate future recommendations.

9. Ask About Streaming Availability

Nothing kills the momentum like getting excited about a recommendation only to discover it's not available on any of your streaming services. Ask upfront where you can watch it.

Better yet, let them know which streaming services you have access to when you ask for recommendations. This saves everyone time and frustration.

10. Keep Track of Recommendations

Don't let good recommendations get lost in text messages or forgotten conversations. Keep a running list of suggestions, who recommended them, and why.

This also helps you remember to give feedback to friends about their recommendations, which improves the quality of future suggestions.

Make Friend Recommendations Even Better

FriendsRecommend makes it easy to get personalized suggestions from friends, track what you want to watch, and give feedback on recommendations—all in one place.

The Bottom Line

Getting great movie recommendations from friends isn't about luck—it's about communication. The more specific you are about what you're looking for, and the better you understand your friends' tastes and perspectives, the more likely you are to discover your next favorite film.

Remember, the goal isn't just to find something to watch tonight. It's to build a system where you and your friends consistently share great content with each other. When done right, friend recommendations become one of the best ways to discover movies and shows you never would have found on your own.

Quick Recap:

• Be specific about what you're looking for
• Share your recent favorites for context
• Mention what you want to avoid
• Prioritize friends with similar taste
• Ask for the "why" behind recommendations
• Use the "three movie rule"
• Consider your friend's current context
• Set expectations about feedback
• Ask about streaming availability
• Keep track of recommendations

10 Ways to Get Better Movie Recommendations from Friends