WikiFlix goes live
May 2, 2025
WikiFlix, a new free streaming platform developed by Wikimedia Germany, the parent company of Wikidata, has gone live.
The service gives users access to a library of freely licensed films and aims to provide an alternative to commercial streaming giants, while complementing public broadcaster media libraries. Some of the titles available include 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1916), Scarface (1932), Nosferatu (1922) and It’s a Wonderful Life (1946).
WikiFlix requires no login or registration, allowing users to dive straight into its catalogue spanning action, westerns, comedies and documentaries. While many of the 2,500+ films are in English, viewers can also enjoy content in French, Danish, Russian, and Japanese.
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.
Manske commented: “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 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.
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