Reviews of NFB Films

By: ONF / NFB

List of user reviews and ratings for NFB Films

Total ratings

3.63 (Rating count: 1,251)

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Review summary

Overall, NFB Films offers a strong, free library of Canadian films with a polished UI and Chromecast casting. However, Android users repeatedly report stability problems (freezes/crashes), disruptive autoplay, limited in-app controls (no login/sync, weak remote support on some devices), and language/subtitle settings tied to the phone. Many want more content and live TV. If stability and UX improve, the app could be highly rated; as-is, it’s strong in content but inconsistent on Android devices.

Pros

Strong, curated library of Canadian films and documentaries.
Free access to a wide range of content.
Chromecast support enables watching on TV.
Generally polished UI and design quality.

Cons

Android stability issues: videos freeze and the app crashes on Android devices and tablets.
Autoplay cannot be turned off in menus, leading to disruptive previews.
Gaps in device support and controls: no in-app login/sync and limited remote/keyboard compatibility on some devices (e.g., Nvidia Shield).
Language and subtitles are tied to the phone language with little in-app control.
Content gaps: desire for more titles and live TV.

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User Reviews

Recent rating average: 3.10

All time rating average: 3.63

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34% (21)

Date	Author	Comment
2026-01-09	Ti*****	Not a review, more of a feature request. While the iOS app is what I use (and it's good), I see that the app is only available for Chromecast, which is now discontinued. I have an Onn 4K streamer now, which the Google Play app does not support... is that going to be available?
Not a review, more of a feature request. While the iOS app is what I use (and it's good), I see that the app is only available for Chromecast, which is now discontinued. I have an Onn 4K streamer now, which the Google Play app does not support... is that going to be available?
2025-12-20	Re*****	love the app, but....trying to get out of the app in my Samsung A54 phone is tricky. The bottom navigation tabs (commonly the Back, Home and Recent) never seem to show up. i'm always frantically trying to get these tabs to show.
love the app, but....trying to get out of the app in my Samsung A54 phone is tricky. The bottom navigation tabs (commonly the Back, Home and Recent) never seem to show up. i'm always frantically trying to get these tabs to show.
2025-10-16	Br*****	The bad: I'm watching films to improve my French, but all film titles are in English (even if they are francophone) and it is automatically putting English subtitles, even though I have the option selected to not have any. Update: support informed me that the language of app and subtitles is tied to the language of my phone. I wish I had more control over the language of the app from within the app.
The bad: I'm watching films to improve my French, but all film titles are in English (even if they are francophone) and it is automatically putting English subtitles, even though I have the option selected to not have any. Update: support informed me that the language of app and subtitles is tied to the language of my phone. I wish I had more control over the language of the app from within the app.
2025-08-20	Fe*****	Video freeze every 10 seconds. Useless app
Video freeze every 10 seconds. Useless app
2025-07-27	Co*****	just need more content and live tv for 5 stars
just need more content and live tv for 5 stars
2025-05-04	Al*****	Amazing. Thoughtful and interesting Canadian films to watch.
Amazing. Thoughtful and interesting Canadian films to watch.
2025-04-04	Ja*****	freezes & crashes every 5 min. plz fix this it's nearly unusable on Android tablet, I just wanna watch Canadian cultural films and the horrible app is preventing that. crashes constantly when searching for & scrolling thru films. NFB app works fine on iphone, & all other streaming apps (including CBC gem) work fine on this android tablet
freezes & crashes every 5 min. plz fix this it's nearly unusable on Android tablet, I just wanna watch Canadian cultural films and the horrible app is preventing that. crashes constantly when searching for & scrolling thru films. NFB app works fine on iphone, & all other streaming apps (including CBC gem) work fine on this android tablet
2024-12-11	Ma*****	I love NFB films and have been impressed with how polished the app is. The only thing that's missing, unless I just can't find it, is the ability to log in to your NFB account in the app (for example, to be able to sync lists, etc.).
I love NFB films and have been impressed with how polished the app is. The only thing that's missing, unless I just can't find it, is the ability to log in to your NFB account in the app (for example, to be able to sync lists, etc.).
2024-10-10	Pe*****	Excellent app. Excellent content, as well; I've seen some interesting films via NFB. Thank you.
Excellent app. Excellent content, as well; I've seen some interesting films via NFB. Thank you.
2024-10-02	Ne*****	I love that this service exists, and that the NFB makes so much content available to the public for free. I do not love this app. It autoplays every video you go anywhere near on the menu screens, and the "settings" area has nothing in it to allow you to turn off autoplay. I really don't like films spoiling themselves at me while I'm trying to select one, and hope NFB follows other streamers in allowing users to turn off autoplay/autopreview. Also it keeps pausing! Practically unwatchable as a result.
I love that this service exists, and that the NFB makes so much content available to the public for free. I do not love this app. It autoplays every video you go anywhere near on the menu screens, and the "settings" area has nothing in it to allow you to turn off autoplay. I really don't like films spoiling themselves at me while I'm trying to select one, and hope NFB follows other streamers in allowing users to turn off autoplay/autopreview. Also it keeps pausing! Practically unwatchable as a result.