History of the TLD .movie

.movie is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) that was introduced as part of ICANN’s New gTLD Program and delegated in 2014. The registry is operated by Rightside Registry (now part of Donuts Inc). The TLD was created to serve the global film industry, including studios, production companies, distributors, and entertainment-related businesses.

Main Use and Industry Position

.movie is intended for websites connected to movies and the film industry. Common users include film studios, independent filmmakers, distributors, cinemas, streaming services, fan communities, and media outlets covering movies. The TLD clearly signals a connection to film and entertainment content.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to legacy TLDs like .com or .net, .movie provides a targeted namespace for the film and entertainment sector. While .com is widely recognized and versatile, it does not communicate specific industry focus. Other entertainment-related TLDs such as .film or .media are broader, while .movie directly conveys relevance to the film industry.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Clearly indicates a connection to movies and the film industry
  

• Supports branding and marketing for entertainment-related businesses
  

• Open registration for individuals and organisations worldwide
  

Cons

• Less familiar to general audiences than legacy TLDs
  

• May be perceived as niche and limited in scope
  

• Registration cost may be higher than more generic TLDs
  
  

Registration Criteria

Available for registration by individuals and organisations worldwide with no specific eligibility requirements. Domain names must comply with standard DNS naming rules.

Summary

.movie is a gTLD dedicated to the film and entertainment industry, providing a clear and relevant namespace for studios, filmmakers, distributors, and movie-related communities. It supports branding and marketing while being available for broad registration.