Free Streaming Service, WikiFlix, Uses Wikidata To Challenge Netflix

Film enthusiasts will be celebrating the launch of WikiFlix, a new free streaming platform developed by Wikimedia Germany, the parent company of Wikidata. 

The service gives users access to a vast library of freely licensed films and aims to provide an alternative to commercial streaming giants, while complementing public broadcaster media libraries. Just some of the latest films added include 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1916), Scarface (1932), Nosferatu (1922), and It’s a Wonderful Life (1946).

Unlike subscription-based services, WikiFlix requires no login or registration, allowing users to dive straight into a diverse catalogue spanning action, westerns, comedies, and documentaries. 

The idea for WikiFlix and its name originally came from the Wikipedian ‘Spinster’, aka Sandra Fauconnier, who inspired fellow WikiMedian, Magnus Manske, to develop the free streaming service using Wikidata to ensure WikiFlix showcased the latest films. 

Magnus Manske explains: “Someone brought the project to my attention because of a technical issue. I really liked the idea, but the interface and the half-manual list maintenance struck me as a bit clunky. I thought that I could probably make it a little more attractive, automate a lot of it, and also include videos that weren’t on Wikimedia Commons.”

WikiFlix doesn’t host the content itself. Instead, it uses linked data from Wikidata to access public domain content on the Internet Archive, Wikimedia Commons, and YouTube. 

“WikiFlix democratises access to film, offering a rich and varied selection without the constraints of paywalls or subscriptions,” explained Lydia Pintscher, Portfolio Lead Product Manager, Wikidata. “We believe in the power of open access, and this platform embodies that ethos. You don’t need any registration, login credentials or wiki knowledge to use WikiFlix. Anyone can search for and watch films. Users can explore cinematic treasures from around the world, completely free of charge.”

The platform’s user-friendly interface allows for both specific film searches and browsing through various genres such as fantasy, melodrama, and adventure. While many of the 2,500+ films are in English, viewers can also enjoy content in French, Danish, Russian, and Japanese.

A unique feature of WikiFlix is its inclusion of early cinematic works, such as Georges Méliès’s 1889 short “The Four Troublesome Heads,” alongside classic films like “Charade” starring Cary Grant, Charlie Chaplin’s “The Kid,” and Fritz Lang’s “Metropolis.”

The service also features more recent open-source productions, such as the 2008 animated short “Big Buck Bunny,” created using Blender, a free 3D animation software. WikiFlix provides detailed information about each film, including its production history and licensing details.

Magnus Manske developed the initial version of WikiFlix in just one week, demonstrating the platform’s accessibility and ease of use. While other wiki tools may require specialised knowledge, WikiFlix is designed for anyone to enjoy.    

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