# Metacritic Scraper — Metascores, Reviews, Games & Movies (`tortuga/metacritic-scraper`) Actor

Scrape Metacritic games, movies and TV shows: Metascore, user score, platforms, release date, genres, developer and publisher, plus critic and user reviews with score, text and date. Works with URLs, browse lists and search.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/tortuga/metacritic-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Trevor Ortega](https://apify.com/tortuga) (community)
- **Categories:** Videos, Other
- **Features:** Limited permissions
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 0 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $2.00 / 1,000 reviews

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

## Metacritic Scraper

Scrape Metacritic games, movies and TV shows: Metascore, user score, platforms, release date, genres, developer and publisher, plus critic and user reviews with score, text and date. Works with URLs, browse lists and search.

Metacritic Scraper turns any game, movie or TV show on Metacritic into clean JSON. In `reviews` mode you get every **user review** (score 0-10, full text, date, platform, spoiler flag) or every **critic review** (score 0-100, quote, date, publication, critic name and a link to the full article) as its own row. For games with several platforms the actor collects the reviews of every platform, or only the one you choose (`pc`, `playstation-5`, `xbox-series-x`, `nintendo-switch`...). Metacritic serves at most 10,000 reviews per query; for bigger titles the actor continues through the positive, mixed and negative buckets, so a hit like The Last of Us Part II yields up to about 30,000 user reviews per platform. In `titles` mode you get the Metascore and user score with their sentiment and positive/mixed/negative counts, the per-platform Metascores, platforms, genres, developers and publishers (or directors, writers, cast and production companies for film and TV), ESRB/MPAA/TV rating, runtime, seasons, networks, awards, IMDb id, summary, the must-play / must-see badge and the cover image. Browse lists (best games of all time, new PS5 games, 2024 horror movies, Netflix shows...) and search are covered too. No Metacritic account is needed. Download JSON, CSV or Excel, or use the API from Python, Node, n8n, Make or Google Sheets. You pay only for the items you get: **$1 per 1,000 reviews**.

### What data does Metacritic Scraper extract?

Every item has a `type` field: `review`, `title` or `list_entry`.

#### Review items (`type: "review"`, mode `reviews`)

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| `titleId`, `titleName`, `titleSlug`, `mediaType` | The game, movie or show the review belongs to (`mediaType`: `game`, `movie` or `tv`) |
| `reviewType` | `user` or `critic` |
| `reviewId` | Metacritic's review id (user reviews) or a stable hash of publication + link (critic reviews) |
| `score` | User reviews 0-10, critic reviews 0-100; `null` for unscored critic reviews |
| `text` | User review text, or the critic quote shown on Metacritic |
| `date` | Review date, ISO `YYYY-MM-DD` (some old film critic reviews have none) |
| `platform` | Games only: the platform the review is for, e.g. `PlayStation 5`, `PC` |
| `isSpoiler` | User reviews: marked as containing spoilers |
| `publication`, `criticName`, `reviewUrl` | Critic reviews only: publication, critic byline (when Metacritic lists one) and link to the full review |
| `authorName` | Reviewer as Metacritic shows them: the username for user reviews, the critic's byline for critic reviews (`null` when no byline is listed, common for game critics) |
| `authorUsername` | User reviews: the Metacritic username. Always `null` for critic reviews (critics have no username) |
| `authorUrl` | Public Metacritic profile: `https://www.metacritic.com/user/<username>/` for user reviews, `https://www.metacritic.com/critic/<critic>/` for critic reviews with a byline |
| `scrapedAt` | ISO 8601 timestamp |

Reviewer avatars are not collected. Metacritic shows no numeric reviewer id, so there is no `authorId` field.

#### Title items (`type: "title"`, mode `titles`)

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| `id`, `slug`, `url`, `title`, `mediaType` | Metacritic id, slug, page URL, title, `game` / `movie` / `tv` |
| `releaseDate`, `year` | Release date (ISO) and year |
| `metascore`, `metascoreSentiment` | Metascore (0-100) and its label, e.g. `Universal acclaim` |
| `criticReviewsCount`, `criticPositive`, `criticMixed`, `criticNegative` | Critic review counts |
| `userScore`, `userScoreSentiment` | User score (0-10) and its label |
| `userRatingsCount`, `userPositive`, `userMixed`, `userNegative` | User rating counts |
| `platforms`, `leadPlatform`, `selectedPlatform`, `platformScores` | Games: platforms, the lead platform whose scores are shown, and `[{platform, slug, metascore, criticReviewsCount, releaseDate}]` |
| `genres`, `rating` | Genres and ESRB / MPAA / TV rating |
| `developers`, `publishers` | Games |
| `directors`, `writers`, `cast`, `productionCompanies` | Movies and TV (`cast`: `[{name, roles}]`) |
| `networks`, `seasonCount`, `durationMinutes`, `tagline` | TV network, seasons, runtime, tagline |
| `mustPlay` / `mustSee` | Metacritic's must-play (games) or must-see / must-watch (movies, TV) badge |
| `summary`, `imageUrl`, `imdbId`, `officialSite`, `countries`, `tags`, `awards` | Description, cover image and extra metadata |
| `scrapedAt` | ISO 8601 timestamp |

#### Browse and search rows (`type: "list_entry"`, modes `browse` and `search`)

`listType` (`browse` or `search`), `listName`, `listUrl`, `position`, `id`, `title`, `slug`, `url`, `mediaType`, `metascore`, `criticReviewsCount`, `userScore`, `releaseDate`, `year`, `rating`, `platforms` (games), `streamingOn` (movies and TV), `genres`, `summary`, `imageUrl`, `scrapedAt`.

### How to use Metacritic Scraper

1. Pick a **Mode**: `reviews` (default), `titles`, `browse` or `search`.
2. Add **Start URLs** (`https://www.metacritic.com/game/elden-ring/`, `.../movie/the-godfather/critic-reviews/`, `.../browse/game/ps5/all/all-time/new/`) or **Search terms** (`baldur's gate 3`).
3. In `reviews` mode choose the **Review type** (user, critic or both), optionally a **Game platform** and the **Review order**.
4. Set **Max items** and **Max reviews per title**.
5. Click **Start**. Results appear in the **Dataset** tab; export from there or use the API.

### Input example

```json
{
  "mode": "reviews",
  "startUrls": [{ "url": "https://www.metacritic.com/game/elden-ring/" }],
  "reviewType": "user",
  "platform": "pc",
  "maxReviewsPerTitle": 5000,
  "maxItems": 5000
}
```

```json
{ "mode": "reviews", "searchTerms": ["the godfather", "breaking bad"], "reviewType": "critic", "reviewSort": "score", "maxItems": 300 }
```

```json
{ "mode": "titles", "startUrls": [{ "url": "https://www.metacritic.com/browse/game/all/all/all-time/metascore/" }], "maxTitlesPerListing": 100, "maxItems": 100 }
```

```json
{ "mode": "browse", "startUrls": [{ "url": "https://www.metacritic.com/browse/movie/all/horror/2024/userscore/" }], "maxItems": 500 }
```

### Output example

```json
{
  "type": "review",
  "titleId": 1300501979,
  "titleName": "Elden Ring",
  "titleSlug": "elden-ring",
  "mediaType": "game",
  "reviewType": "user",
  "reviewId": "ce3924d6-c788-4148-b4dd-20c4b8b2abc7",
  "score": 7,
  "text": "Elden Ring is not just a fantastic game, but also the peak of Hidetaka Miyazaki's career. This game is the definition of a masterpiece. ...",
  "date": "2025-09-26",
  "platform": "PlayStation 5",
  "isSpoiler": false,
  "authorName": "TekLordsWilliam",
  "authorUsername": "TekLordsWilliam",
  "authorUrl": "https://www.metacritic.com/user/TekLordsWilliam/",
  "scrapedAt": "2026-10-05T17:40:39Z"
}
```

```json
{
  "type": "review",
  "titleId": 1300584029,
  "titleName": "Hades II",
  "mediaType": "game",
  "reviewType": "critic",
  "reviewId": "c_3c397fcf2414635a",
  "score": null,
  "text": "Hades II knows what to improve to be the best version of itself. [Recommended]",
  "date": "2025-09-25",
  "platform": "PC",
  "publication": "3DJuegos",
  "criticName": null,
  "reviewUrl": "https://www.3djuegos.com/juegos/hades-2/analisis/analisis-hades-2-no-revolucion-busqueda-perfeccion",
  "authorName": null,
  "authorUsername": null,
  "authorUrl": null
}
```

```json
{
  "type": "title",
  "id": 1300501979,
  "slug": "elden-ring",
  "url": "https://www.metacritic.com/game/elden-ring/",
  "title": "Elden Ring",
  "mediaType": "game",
  "releaseDate": "2022-02-25",
  "platforms": ["PlayStation 5", "Xbox One", "PC", "PlayStation 4", "Xbox Series X"],
  "leadPlatform": "PlayStation 5",
  "genres": ["Action RPG"],
  "developers": ["From Software"],
  "publishers": ["Bandai Namco Games", "From Software"],
  "rating": "M",
  "metascore": 96,
  "metascoreSentiment": "Universal acclaim",
  "criticReviewsCount": 93,
  "criticPositive": 86,
  "criticMixed": 0,
  "criticNegative": 0,
  "userScore": 8.4,
  "userScoreSentiment": "Generally favorable",
  "userRatingsCount": 24758,
  "userPositive": 20310,
  "userMixed": 1590,
  "userNegative": 2858,
  "mustPlay": true,
  "imageUrl": "https://www.metacritic.com/a/img/catalog/provider/6/3/6-1-824862-13.jpg"
}
```

### How to scrape all Metacritic user reviews of a game

Use `reviews` mode with the game URL and set **Max reviews per title** high. User reviews are read 100 per request. Without a **Game platform** the actor walks every platform, starting with the lead one; with a platform it reads only that one. Metacritic returns at most 10,000 reviews for one query, so for bigger titles the actor switches to the positive, mixed and negative buckets (each up to 10,000) and drops duplicates. Note that Metacritic only lists user reviews that have text: Elden Ring on PS5 has 24,758 user ratings but 6,627 written reviews.

### How to scrape Metacritic critic reviews

Set **Review type** to `critic` (or paste a `/critic-reviews/` URL). Each row has the score, the quote Metacritic shows, the date, the publication, the critic's name when listed and the link to the full review. Sort by `score`, `date` or `publication`.

### Can I scrape Metacritic browse lists and search results?

Yes. Paste any `/browse/game/`, `/browse/movie/` or `/browse/tv/` URL, including platform, network, genre, year and sort filters (`/browse/game/ps5/action-rpg/2024/new/`, `/browse/tv/netflix/all/all-time/metascore/`, `?releaseType=in-theaters`). The actor returns the rows in the same order as the website, 24 per request. Use `search` mode with **Search terms** for search results, optionally only games, movies or TV. Switch to `titles` or `reviews` mode with the same URLs to get full details or reviews for the first titles.

### Monitor changes on a schedule

Turn on **Only new or changed items** and save the input as a task with a Schedule (Apify Console: **Saved tasks** -> **Schedule**, for example daily). Each run then remembers what earlier runs of the same input returned and outputs only what is new: new user or critic reviews in `reviews` mode, titles whose metascore, user score, must-play/must-see badge or release date changed in `titles` mode, and browse or search rows whose metascore, user score or release date changed. Unchanged items are skipped before they are saved, so they are not charged; older reviews that someone edited are not output again. Add **Only reviews newer than** (`7 days`, `24 hours` or a date like `2026-10-01`) to bound how far back the first run reads; reviews are then read by date and paging stops as soon as a list reaches older or already-seen reviews. Monitored items carry `changeType` (`new` or `changed`) and, for changed titles and rows, `previousValues` with the old values of the fields that changed (e.g. `{"metascore": 88}`); **Monitoring key** keeps several schedules on the same input apart.

### Does it work without a Metacritic account?

Yes. The actor reads the same public JSON that metacritic.com loads in your browser, with plain HTTP requests: no login, cookies or browser.

### Is scraping Metacritic legal?

This actor collects only data Metacritic shows publicly to logged-out visitors: title metadata, aggregate scores, critic reviews (published journalism with publication, byline and the critic's Metacritic page) and public user reviews with the reviewer's username and public profile link as shown on the review. It does not collect avatars or anything behind a login. Usernames and profile links of user reviewers are personal data under GDPR and similar laws: make sure you have a lawful basis for processing them, and do not use them to contact or profile individuals. You are responsible for how you use the data and for following Metacritic's terms and applicable law (GDPR/CCPA).

### Pricing

Pay per item: `review` $0.002, `title` $0.004, browse/search row $0.002. There is no start fee and no subscription. 1,000 reviews cost $2.

### Integrations and API

Use the run in Zapier, Make, n8n, Google Sheets, or call it from Python/Node with the Apify client. See the **API** tab for ready-made snippets.

See also: [Steam Scraper](https://apify.com/tortuga/steam-scraper) for Steam game reviews and [Goodreads Scraper](https://apify.com/tortuga/goodreads-scraper) for book ratings and reviews.

### Support

Found a bug or need a field added? Open an issue in the **Issues** tab; it is usually answered within a day.

### Related scrapers

- [Goodreads Scraper](https://apify.com/tortuga/goodreads-scraper): Books, Reviews, Authors & Lists
- [Steam Reviews Scraper](https://apify.com/tortuga/steam-scraper): Game Reviews, Prices & Tags
- [IMDb Scraper](https://apify.com/tortuga/imdb-scraper): Movies, TV, Ratings & Reviews
- [Letterboxd Scraper](https://apify.com/tortuga/letterboxd-scraper): Films, Reviews, Ratings & Lists

### Found it useful?

A ★ review on this Actor's Apify Store page helps other users find it and tells us what to improve. Issues and feature requests are welcome in the Actor's **Issues** tab.

# Actor input Schema

## `mode` (type: `string`):

What to scrape. `reviews`: `review` items (user and/or critic reviews) for each game, movie or TV show. `titles`: one `title` item per game/movie/show with Metascore, user score, platforms, genres, developer/publisher or director/cast. `browse`: `list_entry` rows from Metacritic browse pages (`/browse/game/...`). `search`: `list_entry` rows for each search term.

## `startUrls` (type: `array`):

Metacritic URLs, one per line: games (`/game/elden-ring/`), movies (`/movie/the-godfather/`), TV shows (`/tv/breaking-bad/`), their `critic-reviews/` or `user-reviews/` pages (a `?platform=pc` filter is respected), browse pages (`/browse/game/`, `/browse/game/ps5/all/all-time/new/`, `/browse/movie/all/horror/2024/metascore/`) or search pages (`/search/zelda/`). In `titles`/`reviews` mode a browse or search URL expands to its first titles (see Max titles per list).

## `searchTerms` (type: `array`):

Titles to search for, one per line (e.g. `baldur's gate 3`, `the bear`). In `titles`/`reviews` mode each term resolves to its best match; in `search` mode every match is returned.

## `searchMediaType` (type: `string`):

Limit search terms to games, movies or TV shows.

## `reviewType` (type: `string`):

`user`: user reviews (score 0-10). `critic`: critic reviews from publications (score 0-100, publication, critic, link to the full review). `both`: both kinds. A `critic-reviews/` or `user-reviews/` start URL overrides this for that title.

## `platform` (type: `string`):

Games only: keep one platform, e.g. `pc`, `playstation-5` (`ps5`), `xbox-series-x`, `nintendo-switch`. Leave empty to get reviews from every platform (lead platform first). In `titles` mode it selects which platform's Metascore and user score are reported.

## `reviewSort` (type: `string`):

`date`: most recently added or updated first (Metacritic's "Recently Added"). `score`: highest score first. `publication`: publication A-Z (critic reviews only; user reviews fall back to newest first).

## `maxItems` (type: `integer`):

Overall cap on dataset items for the run (all item types combined). Keeps cost predictable.

## `maxReviewsPerTitle` (type: `integer`):

Cap on reviews per title and review type in `reviews` mode. User reviews load 100 per request; popular games have thousands.

## `maxTitlesPerListing` (type: `integer`):

In `titles` and `reviews` mode, how many titles to take from each browse or search start URL.

## `reviewsNewerThan` (type: `string`):

Only reviews written on or after: a date (YYYY-MM-DD) or a period such as '7 days' or '24 hours' (Metacritic dates are days, so the cutoff's own day counts). Reviews are then read by date (`reviewSort` becomes `date`) and paging a review list stops once it reaches reviews last updated before the cutoff, so a daily run reads one page per platform. Old reviews that were edited recently are skipped. Leave empty for no date limit. `reviews` mode only.

## `onlyNewOrChanged` (type: `boolean`):

Remember what earlier runs of this input returned and output only new items: new user/critic reviews in `reviews` mode (read by date; paging stops where the previous run's reviews begin, edited old reviews are not output again, and every platform list gets the full **Max reviews per title** on the first run), titles whose metascore, user score, must-play/must-see badge or release date changed in `titles` mode, list rows whose metascore, user score or release date changed in `browse` and `search` mode (there **Max items** caps how many rows are checked, so every run watches the same top of the list). Use with a Schedule; unchanged items are not charged.

## `monitoringKey` (type: `string`):

Name for this watch, so several schedules on the same search stay separate; defaults to a key derived from the search input. Only used with **Only new or changed items**.

## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`):

Apify Proxy (datacenter) is recommended. Metacritic's API answered every test request without blocking; if the run summary shows 403/429 or `challenges`, switch to residential proxies.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "mode": "reviews",
  "startUrls": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.metacritic.com/game/elden-ring/"
    }
  ],
  "searchTerms": [],
  "searchMediaType": "all",
  "reviewType": "user",
  "reviewSort": "date",
  "maxItems": 100,
  "maxReviewsPerTitle": 100,
  "maxTitlesPerListing": 20,
  "onlyNewOrChanged": false,
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": true
  }
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `results` (type: `string`):

No description

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "startUrls": [
        {
            "url": "https://www.metacritic.com/game/elden-ring/"
        }
    ],
    "searchTerms": [],
    "proxyConfiguration": {
        "useApifyProxy": true
    }
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("tortuga/metacritic-scraper").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "startUrls": [{ "url": "https://www.metacritic.com/game/elden-ring/" }],
    "searchTerms": [],
    "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": True },
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("tortuga/metacritic-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "startUrls": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.metacritic.com/game/elden-ring/"
    }
  ],
  "searchTerms": [],
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": true
  }
}' |
apify call tortuga/metacritic-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,tortuga/metacritic-scraper"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/nuJ1pn3aaSA6u5TFC/builds/ycogAdiNn8zchiPAW/openapi.json