Footage Review [2026]: Is It Worth It?

By the ShortDramaTop Editorial Team · · Independent review, hands-on tested

Footage

Bold themes and a 7-language interface

8.0
GREAT
Visit Footage — Official App Free to download · In-app purchases available
Verdict: Footage (Stream TV & Dramas) is the wildcard of our fourteen: its catalog runs darker than the romance mainstream — comeback ('reverse assault') plots, transmigration and end-of-times survival — and its interface ships in seven languages including Japanese, Korean, Thai and Indonesian. It's newer and less proven than the rest, which its rank reflects.

What is Footage?

Footage, by Beijing Jiaoben Film & Television, launched in 2024 and targets Asian-language audiences from day one: the app is localized into Dutch, English, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Thai.

The 'try first, pay later' model gives the first episodes of popular series free, with weekly or monthly subscriptions unlocking everything.

Content library and genres

Alongside standard ancient-costume and modern-city romance, Footage carries themes the romance-first apps skip: reverse-assault comebacks, awakening/transmigration plots and end-of-times survival stories.

HD, smooth playback is consistent; catalog depth ('hundreds of titles') is below the market leaders but updated continuously.

Languages and availability

Interface in 7 languages (NL, EN, ID, JA, KO, ZH, TH) — second only to Playlet's 11 in our test, and the best Indonesian/Thai support among our fourteen. Mobile-only.

Footage pricing: what it really costs

Footage cost overview ( — prices set by the provider, subject to change)
DownloadFree (Android, iOS)
Free viewingFirst episodes of popular series free
SubscriptionWeekly or monthly, price varies by region
CoinsPer-episode unlocks
NoteNewest app in our test — smallest review base (17+ rating)

How to watch Footage for free

  1. Watch first episodes of popular series free
  2. New-user bonuses
  3. Free picks rotation
  4. Try before paying — the app's explicit model

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Unique dark/survival themes unavailable on romance-first apps
  • 7-language interface incl. Thai and Indonesian
  • Honest try-first-pay-later free model
  • HD, smooth playback

Cons

  • Newest and least proven app in our test (tiny review base)
  • Catalog in the hundreds, not thousands
  • 17+ content rating — darker themes not for everyone
  • No web player

Footage vs alternatives

Footage versus MoboReels for genre adventurers: MoboReels has more genres and a proven 38k-review track record; Footage goes darker (survival, transmigration) and speaks more Asian languages. Keep Footage as the experimental second app — see the full ranking.

Footage — frequently asked questions

What is the Footage app?

Footage — Stream TV & Dramas is a short drama app by Beijing Jiaoben Film & TV with costume, urban, comeback and end-of-times survival stories, localized into 7 languages.

Is Footage free?

The first episodes of popular series are free — an explicit try-before-you-pay model; full access needs a weekly or monthly subscription.

What languages does Footage support?

Interface in Dutch, English, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Thai — the best Thai/Indonesian support in our 14-app test.

What makes Footage different?

Darker themes: reverse-assault comebacks, transmigration and apocalypse-survival stories that romance-first apps don't carry.

Is Footage legit?

Yes, it's on the official App Store and Google Play; it's simply newer, with a much smaller review base than the leaders.

Why is Footage rated 17+?

Its survival and darker story themes carry a higher content advisory than typical sweet-romance apps.

Does Footage have a web version?

No — Android and iOS only.

Footage or MoboReels?

MoboReels for proven variety with 38k+ reviews; Footage for survival themes and Asian-language UI.

Final verdict

Footage (Stream TV & Dramas) is the wildcard of our fourteen: its catalog runs darker than the romance mainstream — comeback ('reverse assault') plots, transmigration and end-of-times survival — and its interface ships in seven languages including Japanese, Korean, Thai and Indonesian. It's newer and less proven than the rest, which its rank reflects.

Try Footage free →