TMDB offers two version of her API: which are version 3 and 4.

Version 3

  • Stability and Coverage: v3 is the stable and widely-used version, providing comprehensive access to TMDB’s core features, including data on movies, TV shows, actors, and images.
  • Authentication: Utilizes an ACCESS_TOKEN or as a Bearer token to authorize users.
  • Session ID: To generate a session id, you will need a request token.
    Check the process here
Version 3 base url
   https://api.themoviedb.org/3/

Version 4

  • Enhanced Features: Introduces improvements over v3, notably the enhanced “lists” feature, allowing for more complex and user-specific lists.
  • Authentication: Requires a ACCESS_TOKEN in the Authorization header. This token provides a unified authentication method across both v3 and v4, simplifying the process.
  • Session ID: To generate a session id, you will need a request token and access token.
    Check the process here
Version 4 base url
   https://api.themoviedb.org/4/

Key Differences:

  • Lists Functionality: v4 offers a more advanced and flexible lists system compared to v3. If your application heavily relies on creating or managing lists, v4 is recommended.
  • Authentication Method: While v3 allows for API key authentication via query parameters, v4 mandates the use of a Bearer token.