I usually only check ratings &amp; reviews after watching a movie, just to see what other people think about it.<p>Seeing how easy it is to game such online ranking systems and how tastes can differ, not only on a personal level but also on the current mood, I simply don&#x27;t trust the scores without having been able to make up my own opinion.<p>The same goes for any other aggregate &quot;review&quot; site, e.g. restaurant reviews. Those are even worse for restaurant owners, since a bad review can stick around, even if you used its mentioned points to improve your service.<p>At least movies don&#x27;t usually change over time (Star Wars being one of the few exceptions), but it&#x27;s still annoying to get caught up in a hype only to be bitterly disappointed, or the other way around, finally watching a movie after hearing so many bad things about it and then thoroughly enjoying it, making you wish you had seen it on the large screen instead.<p>...and not to forget paid social marketing, especially when it&#x27;s not being disclosed.