Locked out of IMDb: The "Amazon Account" loop is making it impossible for international users to join.

Hi everyone,

I’m writing this out of pure frustration, hoping someone here has found a workaround. I'm a huge movie buff and I just want to use IMDb to manage my watchlist, but I’ve hit a complete dead end with the registration process.

Apparently, it's now impossible to create a standalone IMDb account; it forces you to go through Amazon. Here is the "catch-22" I’m stuck in:

1. The Phone Number Barrier: When I try to register, Amazon demands a mobile number for 2-step verification.

2. Region Issues: I’m based outside the US (Georgia, the country). Amazon.com refuses to send verification codes to my region.

3. The Error Loop: Because the system isn't set up to send codes to my country, it immediately triggers an "unusual activity" error message the moment I enter my number. It's not a security issue on my end it's just that the system doesn't know how to handle a valid international number, so it defaults to blocking it.

4. No "Skip" Option: Support suggested there might be a "Not now" or "Skip" button for the phone verification, but it simply doesn't exist. The phone number is mandatory.

I’ve tried different browsers, Incognito mode, and even multiple local phone numbers—nothing works because the system itself is the barrier. It feels ridiculous that a global movie database like IMDb is gatekept by a shopping platform that doesn't support international users.

Has anyone else dealt with this? Is there any way to sign up with just an email anymore, or a way to bypass this Amazon phone requirement?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

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J

Jolene

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403 Messages

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4.1K Points

1 day ago

Hello @MaxMcGuffin,

Thank you for your message and I'm sorry for any inconvenience caused.

When you login to your Amazon account, do you have these same issues? Or can you login normally?

Please contact our customer service once again and on the email, attach the email address that's registered on your Amazon account. We'll be glad to review further.

You can contact us here. You can ignore any prompts to login and use the following filters:

IMDb Fan: Imdb account, Login & other account issues, login recovery.

(edited)

3

MaxMcGuffin

3 Messages

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92 Points

Hi @Jolene, thank you for the response.

To clarify the situation: I do not have an Amazon account, nor do I have an existing IMDb account. I'm a completely new user trying to sign up for the first time.

The core issue is that I cannot create an Amazon account (which IMDb now requires) because Amazon's system rejects my phone number and refuses to send verification codes to my country. Amazon Support was unable to help and explicitly directed me to contact IMDb instead.

So, I am stuck in a loop: I can't register for IMDb because I don't have an Amazon account, and I can't create an Amazon account because of the SMS restrictions.

I have followed your link and submitted the form using the filters you suggested (IMDb Fan > IMDb account > Login & other account issues > I can't log in or register for IMDb). Since I don't have an Amazon-registered email, I provided the email address I intend to use for my new IMDb account.

Honestly, I have no use for an Amazon account in my country (shipping is practically non-existent or prohibitively expensive here). It feels frustrating to be locked out of a movie database simply because I can't verify a shopping account I don't need. I believe IMDb deserves a standalone registration option for cases like this.

I really hope the support team can review my ticket and help me create an account manually.

Thanks again for your help.

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1 day ago

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J

Jolene

Employee

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403 Messages

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4.1K Points

Hello @MaxMcGuffin,

Thank you for clarifying and I'm sorry for any inconvenience.

Yes, IMDb has updated the login process so accounts are migrated to use Amazon credentials. This means login information such as email, password and phone number will be the same as on your Amazon account.

If you don't have an Amazon account at the moment, I recommend trying to create one with only an email address. However, if you are asked to enter a phone number, you can try using a different browser for this process.

If that doesn't work, I recommend contacting Amazon customer service once again to check for any issues creating accounts. Once you have an Amazon account, signing up for IMDb will be much easier.

(edited)

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1 day ago

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MaxMcGuffin

3 Messages

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92 Points

@Jolene, with all due respect, I have already tried different browsers, cleared my cache, and used incognito mode. It doesn't change anything. The system mandates a phone number for registration in my region.

As I mentioned before, I have already contacted Amazon Support, and they officially told me they cannot help because they don't support SMS verification for my country (+995).

Sending me back to Amazon Support is sending me back into a loop that has already failed. You are telling me 'once you have an Amazon account, signing up will be easier,' but the point is I cannot create one. Is there no one at IMDb who can look at this from a technical standpoint for international users? Are you saying that people in countries where Amazon doesn't send SMS are effectively banned from ever having an IMDb account?

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1 day ago

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MaxMcGuffin

Locked out of IMDb: The "Amazon Account" loop is making it impossible for international users to join.

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