Cancel IMDb: The Right Way to Protect Your Subscription

How to cancel your IMDb subscription in new zealand and protect your account

What IMDb is and why you might want to cancel

IMDb (Internet Movie Database) is a global entertainment platform that lets you search films, television shows, cast lists, crew details, trailers and production information. You can use IMDb for free as a casual viewer, or upgrade to IMDbPro if you work in the entertainment industry and need professional networking tools.

The free version serves millions of New Zealand viewers who simply want to check film ratings, plot summaries and cast details. IMDbPro, the paid tier, unlocks professional features including direct contact information for talent, agents, casting directors and production managers, plus enhanced profile hosting and industry job listings.

If you subscribed to IMDbPro and now find you no longer need those professional tools, or if your budget no longer stretches to cover the monthly charge, you have every right to cancel. At Tocancel, we guide New Zealand consumers through cancellation with clarity and confidence.

Who uses IMDbPro and when they cancel

IMDbPro appeals to screenwriters, directors, producers, talent agents, casting directors and production managers across New Zealand and worldwide. These professionals use IMDbPro to find collaborators, access contact directories and maintain an industry profile.

Many subscribers cancel after completing a project, when their career focus shifts, or when they discover the free IMDb layer meets their actual needs. Others cancel because they find cheaper alternatives or because the subscription simply slipped their mind and they realise they haven't logged in for months.

Warning signs that you should cancel soon

You should consider cancelling if you haven't logged into IMDbPro in 30 days or more, if your project has finished and you no longer need industry contacts, or if monthly charges now feel wasteful. Budget pressure is equally valid-if you're reviewing subscriptions and IMDbPro ranks lower than other services, cancelling frees up cash for what matters.

The key takeaway: if you're no longer using it actively, every month you delay costs you money you cannot recover.

Your consumer rights when cancelling in new zealand

New Zealand law protects you when you cancel paid subscriptions, and those rights apply to IMDb subscriptions purchased by New Zealand residents.

What the consumer guarantees act means for your subscription

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, when you pay for a service like IMDbPro, you receive an implicit guarantee that the service will be fit for purpose and delivered with reasonable care. If you decide to cancel, the Act does not automatically entitle you to a refund for unused time-because digital subscriptions are not goods, they are services-but it does mean IMDb must make cancellation straightforward and transparent.

Your legal position: IMDb must clearly show you how to cancel, must confirm your cancellation in writing, and must stop charging you once your current billing cycle ends. If they make cancellation deliberately difficult or unclear, that breaches the spirit of fair dealing under New Zealand consumer law.

What IMDb must do when you cancel

IMDb must honour your cancellation request within a reasonable timeframe (typically one to three business days). They cannot resume charging you after you cancel unless you explicitly agree to resubscribe. If they do charge you after cancellation, you can dispute the charge with your bank and escalate the complaint to the Commerce Commission if IMDb refuses to refund you.

In practice, this means you should always request a cancellation confirmation email, keep a screenshot of your cancellation date, and monitor your bank statement for the next billing cycle to ensure charges have stopped.

How to complain if IMDb ignores your cancellation

If IMDb continues to charge you after you cancel, contact them first with your cancellation confirmation. Document your request in writing. If they don't respond within 10 business days or refuse to refund you, file a complaint with the Commerce Commission (comcom.govt.nz), New Zealand's enforcement body for consumer rights.

The Commerce Commission takes unfair subscription practices seriously and can compel refunds if a company breaches the Fair Trading Act 1986.

How to cancel IMDb step by step

IMDb lets you cancel in three main ways: through your desktop account, via your mobile app, or by emailing their support team.

Cancel IMDbPro on the desktop website

This method works on any computer and is the most direct route to cancellation.

1. Open your web browser and go to imdb.com
2. Sign in with your email address and password (top right corner of the page)
3. Click on your account icon or name in the top right
4. Select "Account Settings" from the dropdown menu
5. Find the "IMDbPro Membership" or "Subscriptions" section
   • If you cannot see it immediately, look for a tab labelled "Your Plan" or "Billing"
6. Click "Cancel Membership" or "Manage Subscription"
7. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm cancellation
8. Look for a confirmation message that says "Your membership will end on [date]"
9. Take a screenshot or note your cancellation confirmation number

You will retain access to IMDbPro until the end of your current billing cycle. After that date, you revert to the free IMDb account automatically.

Cancel via the mobile app (iOS or android)

If you subscribed through Apple App Store or Google Play on your phone, you must cancel through that platform, not through IMDb directly.

For iPhone (Apple App Store):

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone
2. Tap "Apple ID" at the top
3. Select "Subscriptions"
4. Find "IMDb" or "IMDbPro" in the list
5. Tap it and select "Cancel Subscription"
6. Confirm your cancellation
7. Apple will display your cancellation date on screen; take a screenshot

For Android (Google Play):

1. Open Google Play on your Android phone
2. Tap the menu icon (three lines) in the top left
3. Select "Subscriptions"
4. Find "IMDb" or "IMDbPro"
5. Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm
6. Google will show your cancellation date; save a screenshot for your records

Cancelling through your phone's app store does not cancel your IMDb account-it only stops the app subscription charge. You remain free to use the free IMDb website.

Cancel by email if the website or app method fails

If you cannot locate the cancel button online or on your app, or if your cancellation doesn't process, email IMDb directly.

IMDb does not list a New Zealand postal address, so use their US headquarters address for written requests: Amazon.com, Inc., Attn: IMDb Cancellation, PO Box 81226, Seattle, WA 98108-1226, USA. Include your IMDb account email, your subscription start date, and a clear statement that you wish to cancel effective immediately.

Alternatively, contact Tocancel for guidance on escalating your cancellation if IMDb does not respond within 14 days.

What happens after you cancel your IMDb subscription

Understanding what comes next removes uncertainty and helps you avoid accidental re-subscription.

Your account access after cancellation

Once you cancel, you keep your free IMDb account and can still search films, view ratings and read reviews. Your watchlist and ratings history remain visible to you. However, you lose access to IMDbPro features immediately: you cannot view industry contact details, your professional profile becomes inactive, and you cannot post to IMDb Pro forums.

You retain full access to these features until the end of your current billing cycle, then they disappear automatically on your renewal date.

Avoiding unexpected re-subscription

After cancellation, do not click "Reactivate" or "Resume" if IMDb emails you a re-subscription offer, unless you genuinely want to resubscribe. Check your email settings to ensure you don't accidentally tap a reactivation link. Monitor your bank statement for the next 60 days to confirm the charges have stopped.

At Tocancel, we recommend setting a phone reminder for your original cancellation date, so you can verify that no charge has appeared by that date.

Refunds and timeline for your cancellation

IMDb's refund policy is strict, and you should understand it before you cancel.

When IMDb will refund you

IMDb typically does not refund unused time within your current billing month. If you cancel on the 15th of a month and your renewal date is the 30th, you keep IMDbPro access until the 30th but receive no refund for the unused 15 days. This is standard practice for digital subscriptions in New Zealand, and the Consumer Guarantees Act does not override it for services (as opposed to goods).

However, if you were charged after requesting cancellation-that is, if your cancellation didn't process and IMDb charged you again-you are entitled to a full refund for that erroneous charge. Contact IMDb support immediately with your cancellation confirmation email.

Timeline: when your cancellation takes effect

IMDb typically processes cancellations within one to three business days. Your access to IMDbPro features ends on your next scheduled renewal date, not immediately. You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of requesting cancellation.

If you are charged after your scheduled renewal date, escalate the issue immediately to Tocancel or file a complaint with the Commerce Commission.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling IMDb

Cancelling feels straightforward, but small errors can leave you paying for weeks longer than intended. We've guided thousands of New Zealand users through this, and we've seen the same traps repeat.

Mistake one: forgetting where you subscribed

Many subscribers cancel on the IMDb website but forget they signed up through Apple App Store or Google Play. Your cancellation on the website does nothing if your payment comes from your phone. You must cancel through the same platform where you paid.

Action: check your most recent IMDb charge on your bank statement. Does it show as a charge from IMDb directly, or from Apple/Google? Cancel from that source.

Mistake two: assuming cancellation is instant

You cancel on Monday and expect no charge on your renewal date on Wednesday. But if IMDb takes three business days to process, you might be charged before the cancellation goes through. Request cancellation at least seven days before your renewal date to be safe.

Action: log into your IMDb account right now and check your renewal date. Mark your calendar for seven days before that date and cancel then.

Mistake three: not keeping proof of cancellation

You cancel but don't save the confirmation email or screenshot. Two months later, you spot an unexpected charge. Without proof of your cancellation request, IMDb can claim they never received it, and your bank will side with them.

Action: before you close your cancellation browser tab, take a screenshot showing your cancellation confirmation message or date. Forward your confirmation email to yourself as a backup.

Mistake four: ignoring unexpected charges after cancellation

You cancel, months pass, and suddenly you notice a charge. You assume it's a mistake and ignore it. But every week you delay reporting it, your right to dispute it weakens. Credit card companies typically allow chargebacks only within 90 days.

Action: set a phone reminder for 35 days after your cancellation date. Open your bank app and verify no IMDb charge has appeared. If one has, contact your bank immediately and notify IMDb in writing.

Your cancellation checklist

Use this checklist to keep yourself on track and protect yourself if disputes arise.

Pricing and comparison with alternatives

Before you commit to cancelling, it helps to see what you're paying and what else is available.

If you are an entertainment professional and value industry networking, you might explore Backstage or LinkedIn Premium before cancelling IMDbPro entirely. If you're a casual viewer, the free IMDb website and The Movie Database together offer everything you need.

Contact details if you need to escalate your cancellation

If you've followed the steps above and your cancellation hasn't processed, or if IMDb continues charging you, escalate your complaint through the proper channels.

IMDb support contact (general requests)

IMDb does not publish a direct phone number for New Zealand subscribers. Use their web contact form at imdb.com/help or email your cancellation request to IMDb's US headquarters:

Amazon.com, Inc.
Attn: IMDb Cancellation
PO Box 81226
Seattle, WA 98108-1226
USA

In your letter, include your IMDb account email address, the date you created the account, your most recent renewal date, and a clear statement: "I request immediate cancellation of my IMDbPro subscription, effective today."

Escalate to the commerce commission if IMDb refuses

If IMDb does not respond to your cancellation request within 10 business days, or if they refuse to stop charging you, file a complaint with the Commerce Commission at comcom.govt.nz. The Commission investigates unfair trading practices and can compel refunds and penalties.

Provide the Commerce Commission with copies of your cancellation request, confirmation emails, and bank statements showing the unauthorised charges. The Commission handles these complaints at no cost to you.

Final steps: protecting yourself after cancellation

Cancellation is not the end of the process-your vigilance over the next two months keeps you safe.

Mark your calendar for your renewal date plus seven days. Log into your bank app and confirm no IMDb charge has appeared. If you see one, contact your bank within 24 hours to dispute the charge and state that you cancelled in advance. Then contact IMDb in writing with your cancellation confirmation and demand a refund.

This entire process is within your rights under New Zealand consumer law. You are not asking for a favour-you are enforcing a contract. Tocancel has helped thousands of New Zealand consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover unauthorised charges. Your confidence in this process is justified.

If you need guidance at any step, Tocancel's guides cover every major subscription service and walk you through escalation with the Commerce Commission. You can cancel IMDb with certainty, keep evidence of that cancellation, and rest knowing you have legal recourse if the company fails to honour your request.