Should I use TMDB or a custom API for a Netflix clone?
Use TMDB for a frontend-focused clone to focus on React and realistic data. Build a custom API for a full-stack portfolio or once you are comfortable with React and want to learn backend skills.
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More FAQs in Using TMDB vs Custom APIs for a Netflix Clone in React
TMDB is a free movie database API with posters, ratings, genres, cast, and details. It feels real, is well-documented, and is the standard choice for Netflix clones because it gives you realistic movie data.
Because the data is real, with quirks and shape variations you must handle. A custom API with fake data is cleaner but less representative of real work, where APIs have inconsistent shapes and edge cases.
When you want a full-stack portfolio or are already comfortable with React and want to learn backend. Building a custom API gives you full control over the data and schema, and teaches full-stack skills.
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