Life gets busy. Between work, family and the everyday demands of adulthood, it’s easy to let the simple pleasures slip—like watching the films you love. If you’ve found that a year has gone by without meeting your own viewing goals, you’re not alone. To help reclaim some of that lost screen time, we’ve put together a friendly, flexible challenge designed to get you watching more films, discovering new favorites and revisiting classics you may have forgotten.
Welcome to the 100 Film Challenge: a personal and social commitment to watch 100 different films within a single calendar year. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a devoted cinephile, this challenge is about building a habit, expanding your taste and making time for stories that entertain, move and inspire you.
The Goal
- Watch 100 different films between January 1 and December 31 of the same year. This can be any calendar year you choose to take the challenge.
- Films can be newly discovered titles or long-standing favorites you return to. The only requirement is that each of the 100 entries must be a different film.
- You can watch films via any legal format: cinema screenings, DVDs or Blu-rays, streaming services, TV broadcasts, or other legitimate platforms.
- Repeating the same title more than once during the challenge does not increase your total; each film may be counted only once toward the 100-film target.
How to Track Your Progress
- Document what you watch so you can follow your progress. Good tracking methods include:
- a dedicated notebook or journal,
- a spreadsheet that logs title, director, date watched and a short note,
- or a film-tracking app or website (for example, Letterboxd) if you prefer a digital diary and social features.
- Consider giving each film a rating and a line or two of commentary. Rating what you watch helps you reflect on your taste over time and compare new discoveries to films you’ve already enjoyed.
- Set a simple weekly or monthly target to stay on track—aiming for roughly two films a week will get you to 100 by year’s end, but adjust the pace to fit your schedule.
Sharing and Community
- Share your list, thoughts and recommendations. Telling friends or joining a community makes the challenge more rewarding and keeps you accountable.
- If you follow The Film Magazine on social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), post regular updates with what you’ve watched, what surprised you, and what you’d recommend to others.
- Use the hashtag #100FilmChallenge to connect with others taking part. Seeing other people’s lists and reactions can introduce you to films you might otherwise miss.
Tips for Success
- Mix genres and eras. Aim for variety to expand your cinematic range: contemporary releases, classic cinema, international films, documentaries and independent features all count.
- Make time for film nights. Scheduling one or two dedicated evenings a week for movies makes the challenge a pleasant habit rather than a chore.
- Be flexible. If a week gets away from you, adjust the pace without judgment. The point is to enjoy the process and discover films, not to create stress.
- Revisit old favorites—but remember only distinct titles count toward the 100-film total.
Whether your goal is to broaden your cinematic horizons, rekindle your love of film, or simply carve out more time for leisure, the 100 Film Challenge is an achievable and rewarding way to do it. Track your progress, rate what you watch, share discoveries and learn from others. Above all, have fun and let the movies surprise you.
LET THE CHALLENGE COMMENCE!
#100FilmChallenge
Share your journey, recommendations and milestones using the hashtag above and join the wider community taking on the 100 Film Challenge.