TMDB
Search for movies by title. Returns a list of movies matching the search query with basic information like title, release date, overview, and rating.
What is TMDB?
TMDB is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to search for movies by title. returns a list of movies matching the search query with basic information like title, release date, overview, and rating.
Search for movies by title. Returns a list of movies matching the search query with basic information like title, release date, overview, and rating.
This server falls under the Search & Data Extraction category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- search_movies
- get_movie_details
- discover_movies
- get_recommendations
- get_trending
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
NPM
npx -y tmdbManual Installation
npx -y tmdbConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use TMDB
The TMDB MCP Server connects AI assistants to The Movie Database (TMDB) API, enabling natural language queries for movies, TV shows, actors, and directors. It exposes tools for searching movies by title or keyword, fetching detailed metadata including cast and reviews, discovering content by genre or mood, checking streaming availability by region, and retrieving trending titles on a daily or weekly basis. Movie enthusiasts and developers use it to build AI-powered recommendation experiences, compile watchlists, or get instant answers about films and their creators.
Prerequisites
- Node.js 18+ installed for building and running the server
- A TMDB API key — register for free at themoviedb.org → Account Settings → API
- An MCP-compatible client such as Claude Desktop or Cursor
Get your TMDB API key
Sign up at themoviedb.org, go to Account Settings → API, and request an API key (Developer type is free). Copy the API Key (v3 auth) value.
Clone and build the server
Clone the repository and install dependencies. The server is built with TypeScript and compiled to JavaScript.
git clone https://github.com/Laksh-star/mcp-server-tmdb.git
cd mcp-server-tmdb
npm installConfigure your API key
Copy the example environment file and add your TMDB API key.
cp .env.example .env
# Then edit .env and set:
# TMDB_API_KEY=your_api_key_hereConfigure Claude Desktop
Add the TMDB server to your Claude Desktop configuration. Pass TMDB_API_KEY as an environment variable.
{
"mcpServers": {
"tmdb": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/absolute/path/to/mcp-server-tmdb/build/index.js"],
"env": {
"TMDB_API_KEY": "your_tmdb_api_key"
}
}
}
}Build and restart
Build the TypeScript project, then restart Claude Desktop to load the new server.
npm run buildVerify with a trending query
Ask Claude what movies are trending this week. A successful response with real TMDB data confirms the server is working.
TMDB Examples
Client configuration
Claude Desktop configuration for the TMDB MCP server with API key.
{
"mcpServers": {
"tmdb": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/Users/you/mcp-server-tmdb/build/index.js"],
"env": {
"TMDB_API_KEY": "your_tmdb_api_key"
}
}
}
}Prompts to try
Once connected, try these prompts to explore movies and TV through Claude.
- "What movies are trending on TMDB this week?"
- "Search for Christopher Nolan films and sort them by rating"
- "Find thriller movies released in 2023 with a rating above 7"
- "Where can I watch Inception in India right now?"
- "Recommend movies similar to Parasite based on genre and themes"Troubleshooting TMDB
API returns 401 Invalid API key
Verify TMDB_API_KEY is the v3 API key (not the Bearer token / v4 key). In your TMDB account settings, look for the 'API Key (v3 auth)' field, not the 'API Read Access Token'.
Server fails to start with 'Cannot find module' error
Run 'npm run build' in the mcp-server-tmdb directory to compile TypeScript to JavaScript. The Claude Desktop config must point to the compiled build/index.js file, not the TypeScript source.
Streaming availability queries return no results
Streaming availability requires specifying a country code in the query. Ask Claude 'Where can I watch [movie] in [country]?' using the country name — the server maps this to TMDB's region parameter (e.g., US, GB, IN).
Frequently Asked Questions about TMDB
What is TMDB?
TMDB is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that search for movies by title. returns a list of movies matching the search query with basic information like title, release date, overview, and rating. It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install TMDB?
Install via npm with the command: npx -y tmdb. Then add the server configuration to your AI client's JSON config file (e.g., claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json).
Which AI clients work with TMDB?
TMDB works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is TMDB free to use?
Yes, TMDB is open source and available under the MIT License license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
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Set Up TMDB in Your Editor
Choose your AI client for step-by-step setup instructions.
Quick Config Preview
Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json
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