# NFB Films — user reviews

> 160 indexed App Store user reviews of NFB Films by National Film Board of Canada – Office national du film du Canada, rated 4.00/5 from 8 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfb-films/id378813687/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfb-films/id378813687.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 5 · 4★ 1 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 1

## What do users think of NFB Films?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 📚 Extensive free library of films and documentaries
- 🎨 High-quality diverse content including animations
- 📱 Works well on multiple devices (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV)
- 💾 Offline download capability for 48-hour viewing
- ❤️ Favorites/bookmarking feature
- 🌍 Accessible Canadian cultural content
- 🎬 Award-winning films and classic animations
- 🔄 AirPlay streaming support
- 👍 User-friendly interface design
- 🆓 Completely free service

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and instability
- ⚪ Blank/white screen issues
- ⏸️ Freezing when paused for extended periods
- 🔄 Syncing issues between devices
- 🎬 Limited film selection on some platforms (e.g., Apple TV)
- 🔍 Poor search functionality
- 🌐 Geo-blocking restricts content availability
- 📺 Video playback issues (audio only, no video)
- 📱 Incompatibility with older iOS versions
- ⬇️ Slow download speeds
- 🗂️ Difficult navigation and browsing
- 🎯 Offline downloads disappear after app restart

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch or during playback
- Blank white screen on startup
- Freezing after pausing for several minutes
- Video plays without audio or audio without video
- Offline downloads lost upon app restart
- Favorites list deleted after updates
- Crashes when removing favorites
- Language switching doesn't work
- Incompatibility with iOS 9, iOS 11, and older iPad models
- App closes unexpectedly after watching films
- Search results don't match query terms
- Requires local network access permission (iOS 14+)
- Streaming continuously stalls at dark screen
- App won't open on certain devices despite compatibility claims

**Most requested features**

- Chromecast support
- Language selection for audio tracks
- Watch later/queue list feature
- Cross-device favorites synchronization
- User account login system
- Full-screen landscape mode support
- Better search and sort options
- Improved navigation menu
- More subtitle language options
- Better film descriptions and summaries

## Newest reviews (13 of 160)

### 3/5 — Watch NFB Films in browser on YouTube instead

*2026-08-18*

Oh this app crashes harder than a drug addict on load. Can I get a government grant to make a documentary about that? 

Loved NFB since the 1970s. Still have a paper membership card from then. Decided it’s easier to watch your films on YouTube in the browser than install and load your apps.

### 2/5 — Sub-Optimal App

*2026-01-31*

I have used this app for a long time now. It has a nasty tendency of giving you a blank screen and not working if you pause it for more than a few minutes. Seems to me that this is something that should have been sorted a long time ago. It’s been going on for a long time.

**Developer response:** Hello, and thank you for reaching out. We’re sorry for the inconvenience you’re experiencing. Please contact us at info@nfb.ca and include this description of the issue you’re encountering. We’ll do our best to find a solution as quickly as possible.

### 3/5 — Language

*2025-02-03*

Il serait apprécié d’avoir la possibilité de changer la langue des les paramètres de l’application.

**Developer response:** Merci pour votre commentaire, nous l'avons partagé avec nos développeurs. Pour le moment, l’application est conçue pour s’adapter à la langue de votre système d’exploitation. En attendant, dans le moteur de recherche de l'application (petite loupe) vous trouverez à droite une option pour choisir la langue du film [français, anglais, ou toutes les langues]. Il faudra connaître au moins un mot du titre exact du film dans la langue desirée, afin que celle-ci apparaisse dans les résultats. Pour la collection francophone, visitez onf.ca. Pour l'anglophone, visitez nfb.ca

### 4/5 — Good but slightly flawed

*2024-11-17*

Works fine on all my devices independently, but doesn’t sync Favourites between iPhone/iPad and Apple TV, which is annoying as I’d rather use the native app than cast from another device.
Not sure why there isn’t a “watch later” list as well as “favourites“.

**Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback! We’re currently working on cross-platform features, so you'll soon be able to access your saved films/history across devices in an upcoming release. Stay tuned!

### 4/5 — Une richesse collective

*2024-05-31*

L'ONF est un joyau précieux de notre culture.

### 4/5 — Sélectionner la langue de visionnement

*2024-03-27*

Bonjour! Merci de rendre accessible votre catalogue! Ce que j’aimerais, pour améliorer l’application, c’est la possibilité de sélectionner la langue pour le visionnement d’un film. Sur une application en mode français, par exemple, je ne vois pas la possibilité d’écouter un film anglophone dans sa langue originale. Merci!

**Developer response:** Merci pour vos bons mots et votre rétroaction! Dans le moteur de recherche de l'application (petite loupe) vous trouverez à droite une option pour choisir la langue du film [anglais, français, ou toutes les langues]. Il faudra connaître au moins un mot du titre exact du film en anglais, afin que celui-ci apparaisse dans les résultats. N'hésitez pas à nous contacter si vous avez d'autres questions ou commentaires : https://aide.onf.ca/contactez-nous/

### 3/5 — Pas encore au point..

*2024-02-02, version 4.5.0*

L’interface est bien, cependant je ne comprends pas pourquoi il n’y a pas d’endroit/option dans l’application pour se connecter à notre compte VS le site web. Il serait bien de pouvoir le faire afin de mettre des favoris et de les écouter sur une autre appareil.

### 3/5 — Nice but

*2023-06-07*

These are good but it kicks me out when i after watch flims

**Developer response:** Thanks for the comment! And sorry to hear you have experienced issues with the app.  We are not replicating this issue with the current build of the app (4.5.0). If you are still experiencing it with the current version of the app on your end, please  contact our Client Relations & Support team so they can investigate this issue further with you https://help.nfb.ca/contact-the-nfb/

### 3/5 — Impossible de tout naviguer

*2022-03-27*

L'application est tout se même bien. Par contre, il est difficile de naviguer pour trouver les documentaires qu'on cherche comme sur le site Web. Il n'y a pas de menu de navigation, ou du moins je ne le trouve pas... L'expérience utilisateur pourrait être améliorer.

**Developer response:** Merci pour votre commentaire. Nous avons ajouté récemment de nouvelles options de navigation par genre s'apparentant au menu de notre site web. Assurez-vous d'avoir mis à jour l'application à sa plus récente version. Si vous avez d'autres questions ou commentaires, liés à l'amélioration de l'application ou autres, n'hésitez pas à nous contacter à info@onf.ca ou par téléphone au 1-800-267-7710.

### 1/5 — NFB on Apple TV.

*2021-12-15, version 3.4.2*

Not happy with this. My cable provider dropped NFB, so I can’t access it like it was before, now on Apple TV. There’s only about 45 films?!?!  Also, viewing won’t work on my LGTV even tho it’s set up for it. Bad move.

### 1/5 — Film onf

*2021-03-23, version 3.3.2*

L’application ferme aussitôt que je la rouvre

### 1/5 — Unstable and crashes constantly

*2021-03-14, version 3.3.2*

Constantly crashes and is very unstable on iPad.

### 1/5 — NFB Making Many Films Unavailable!

*2021-01-29, version 3.3.2*

Maybe it is because I do not live in Canada. Many, many of your films are not available to watch. Bear

**Developer response:** Our classical collection is widely available worldwide. 
We encourage you to discover it through the following playlists:
https://www.nfb.ca/channels/classic-docs/
https://www.nfb.ca/playlist/1960s-explosion-creativity/

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Stops loading | dark screen

*2025-06-21, version 4.8.4*

After trying the app in the past and having it crash, we tried again. It played a couple of short docs without issue, and then started stalling at a dark screen and wouldn’t launch the video. Deleted and reloaded twice, but same issue. Needs a fix of bugs and/or functionality or perhaps a completely new app.

### 1/5 — CBC

*2023-12-24*

Same quality as CBC. Why bother?

**Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback. Our platform provides free access to over 6 000 NFB productions and co-productions, showcasing creative storytelling over more than ten decades. We invite you to explore nfb.ca should you need a comprehensive overview of the collection.

### 1/5 — Broken for older iPads

*2023-11-09*

Yesterday’s update will no longer work on older iPads. It refuses to open. Mine is an iPad Air (won’t update past IOS 12) so another formerly useful app goes into my “junk bin”. I refuse to pay a lot of money for a new iPad because of “forced obsolescence” by technology manufacturers. It still works fine for most of my needs! Such a “throw away” society we have today.

**Developer response:** We apologize for the inconvenience and will make sure to forward your feedback. One workaround could be to continue viewing NFB films in our official Youtube.com channel through an iPad's web browser: https://www.youtube.com/user/nfb

### 1/5 — Never plays

*2022-12-22*

Always loading, never actually playing anything. Happens on iPhone, iPad, AppleTV, website, everywhere. BUT the YouTube channel plays just fine. What’s the deal? What’s wrong with NFB’s servers?

**Developer response:** We're sorry to hear you've been experiencing issues with our NFB products. This is very unsual. If you're still experiencing issues, we would love to help you. Feel free to reach out to our customer service team at info@nfb.ca or by phone 1-800-267-7710.

### 1/5 — ?!

*2022-11-17*

Ça dit qu’il y à plus de 5000 films sur ce site mais y’en à 0 ce sont tous des documentaires

**Developer response:** Bonjour, l'Office national du film produit et distribue principalement des films d'animation et des documentaires. Ceci étant dit, notre collection compte aussi quelques classiques de fiction, tels que Mon oncle Antoine, Le chat dans le sac ou J.A. Martin photographe. N'hésitez pas à nous contacter si vous avez d'autres questions ou commentaires à info@onf.ca.

### 1/5 — Is it me?

*2022-10-19*

I can’t seem to open anything

**Developer response:** It's not you, it might have been us. We're sorry to hear you've been experiencing issues with the NFB Films app. If you're still experiencing issues, we would love to help you. Please reach out to our customer service team at info@nfb.ca or by phone 1-800-267-7710.

### 1/5 — white screen

*2022-07-25, version 4.0.6*

doesn't work if you deny access to local network

### 1/5 — App starts to load but is unsuccessful.

*2022-06-05*

App doesn't work.

**Developer response:** We're sorry to hear you've been experiencing issues with the NFB Films app. Please make sure that you have updated to the latest version. If you're still experiencing issues, we would love to help you. Feel free to reach out to our customer service team at info@nfb.ca or by phone 1-800-267-7710.

### 1/5 — Ça partait d un bon sentiment … 😢

*2022-05-07, version 4.0.6*

Page blanche au lancement de l app 
Rien.  Nada. Que tchi
Si c était pour corriger des bugs, c est raté

### 1/5 — Instable

*2022-03-06*

L’application plante à n’importe quel moment.

**Developer response:** Nous sommes désolés que vous ayez éprouvé des difficultés avec l'application Films de l'ONF. Assurez-vous d'avoir téléchargé sa version la plus récente. Si vous avez d'autres questions ou commentaires, n'hésitez pas à contacter notre service à la clientèle à info@onf.ca ou par téléphone au 1-800-267-7710.

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — A really great public service

*2025-09-18*

Title

### 5/5 — Hidden gem :)

*2025-05-13*

Great source of entertainment, documentaries, and entertaining documentaries. No idea how I hadn’t heard of this before now!

### 5/5 — A true gem!

*2025-02-16*

Great source of Canadian culture

**Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback! :)

### 5/5 — Vraiment pratique! Et élégante.

*2024-05-10*

J’utilise de plus en plus l’app sur mon téléphone en mode « AirPlay » et sur ma télé (Roku). L’expérience est vraiment fluide! J’aimerais juste avoir plus d’options de sous-titres dans les deux langues. Good job dans tous les cas!

**Developer response:** Nous apprécions vos commentaires. À l’ONF, nous croyons que les œuvres devraient être accessibles à tous et toutes. Vous pourrez parcourir notre Plan d’accessibilité 2023-2025 à travers du lien suivant  : www.canada.ca/fr/office-national-film/organisation/publications/plans-rapports/accessibilite.html
N'hésitez pas à nous écrire à info@onf.ca pour toute question ou commentaire.

### 5/5 — Fantastic

*2023-06-16*

Fantastic collection of just about anything you could image! Thrilled I discovered this

### 5/5 — Favourite app by far. Beautifully designed!

*2021-05-31*

Thank you for making such a beautiful app. I love using it, it’s so user friendly.

### 5/5 — Fabulous

*2021-01-18, version 3.3.2*

...and thank you for making Labyrinthe (1967) available ... hugely helpful for my PhD. Here’s hoping you can put up the second film from labyrinthe too (2 vertical screens).

### 5/5 — ❓❓❓❓❓

*2020-12-16, version 3.3.1*

Nous sommes sur IOS 14 maintenant 🤔❓❓❓❓

### 5/5 — Educate yourself

*2020-09-21, version 3.2.3*

I'm white Man , and i use this app for be a better person, educate myself about first nation's or any other culture , is the way for speak out , and loud , about respect

### 5/5 — Runaway cartoon

*2020-07-27, version 3.2.2*

God one of my favs and the cat came back and bob hospital visit god I love this

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-05.*