# NFB Films vs Cineplex Entertainment

The clearest difference is rating: Cineplex Entertainment at 4.9 against NFB Films's 4.0. Cineplex Entertainment also leads on ratings volume (47K vs 8) and review sentiment (54% vs 41%). NFB Films's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Cineplex Entertainment holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cineplex Entertainment has 47K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 41% of NFB Films's written reviews are positive against 54% of Cineplex Entertainment's.

NFB Films ships an update every 3 weeks, Cineplex Entertainment fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NFB Films | Cineplex Entertainment |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfb-films/id378813687/reviews) | **[4.9 (47K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cineplex-entertainment/id404011384/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **47K** |
| Positive reviews | 41.0% of reviews | **54.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 36 MB | 142 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [National Film Board of Canada – Office national du film du Canada](https://appshunter.io/developer/329353641) | [Cineplex Entertainment](https://appshunter.io/developer/404011387) |

## What reviewers say

### NFB Films

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nfb-films/id378813687)

Explore a vast library of Canadian films, including award-winning documentaries, animations, and Indigenous productions. Stream content in English or French, with options for offline viewing and personalized recommendations. Discover cinematic classics and new releases without any subscription fees or ads.

**Highlights:** Thousands of Canadian films, Award-winning works, Indigenous-made films, Documentaries and animation, English and French content, Offline viewing, Personalized recommendations

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📚 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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)

**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

**Requested features**

- Chromecast support
- Language selection for audio tracks
- Watch later/queue list feature
- Cross-device favorites synchronization
- User account login system


### Cineplex Entertainment

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cineplex-entertainment/id404011384)

Easily browse movie showtimes, purchase tickets, and pre-order snacks for pickup. Explore a wide range of films and special events, including premium formats like IMAX and VIP experiences. Earn and redeem rewards with your Scene+ account.

**Highlights:** Browse movies and events, View showtimes and buy tickets, Pre-order snacks for pickup, Scan tickets from the app, Access premium experiences (UltraAVX, VIP, IMAX, etc.), Earn and redeem Scene+ rewards, Join CineClub for exclusive perks

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Convenient app
- 💰 Lots of discounts
- 🎥 Great movie experience
- ⭐ Smooth and responsive

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Payment method issues
- 🔒 Mandatory 2FA concerns
- 💸 Booking fees
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate
- 🤖 Buggy and crashes

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent login issues
- Payment processing errors
- Inconsistent app performance
- Seat selection problems
- Ticket purchase failures

**Requested features**

- Add a watchlist/favorites feature
- Improve theatre information
- Allow refunds/exchanges in-app
- Implement landscape mode support
- Integrate Apple Wallet for tickets


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NFB Films free?

NFB Films is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Cineplex Entertainment free?

Cineplex Entertainment is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, NFB Films or Cineplex Entertainment?

Cineplex Entertainment is rated higher. NFB Films averages 4.0 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Cineplex Entertainment averages 4.9 from 47K ratings.

### Do NFB Films or Cineplex Entertainment have ads?

Cineplex Entertainment shows ads; NFB Films does not.

### Which is updated more often, NFB Films or Cineplex Entertainment?

NFB Films ships an update every 3 weeks, and Cineplex Entertainment fortnightly. Most recently, NFB Films was updated on November 1, 2026 and Cineplex Entertainment on November 4, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*