Theatrum: Design and Implementation of a Feature‑Rich Movie

Streaming Platform Leveraging Modern Web Technologies

Thotapalli Sri Surya Manideep, Sneha Saragadam, Garikipati Karthik, Saga Hemanth,

Gayatri Ramasamy and Gurupriya M.

Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Amrita School of Computing, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Bengaluru,

Karnataka, India

Keywords: HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, JavaScript, Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB.

Abstract: The goal of the dynamic and interactive movie streaming service THEATRUM is to give consumers a smooth

and enjoyable entertainment experience. It was created with the use of contemporary web technologies and

features a user dash- board for viewing movies by language and genre, an admin dash- board for managing

users and content, and user authentication with tiers of subscription plans (Basic, Standard, and Premium).

Autoplay carousels, interactive thumbnails with” Like” and” Play” buttons, a chatbot called” Theatro,” and a

feedback page are some of the main features. For subscriptions, the platform integrates safe payment systems

using Razorpay, guaranteeing a responsive and easy-to-use interface. THEATRUM makes use of a strong

technology stack that includes HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, JavaScript, Node.js, Express.js, and MongoDB.

1 INTRODUCTION

THEATRUM responds to the demand for a

comprehensive movie streaming platform that blends

practicality, beautiful design, and user-friendly

features in light of the growing popularity of online

entertainment. THEATRUM is a current technology

stack that provides a smooth experience through the

use of Node.js and Express.js for backend operations,

HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, and JavaScript for a

responsive fron- tend, and MongoDB for data

management. With language and genre-based movie

sorting, device-specific membership levels (Basic:

Mobile Only, Standard: Mobile + Laptop, Premium:

Mobile + Laptop + TV), and a feedback system for

ongoing development, the platform is made to meet

the needs of a wide range of users.

To simplify user and content management, the

Admin dashboard allows adding, removing, and

editing movies and user accounts. Moreover, the site

employs secure payment methods through Stripe and

Razorpay, ensuring a safely checkout process on

subscription transactions. The colourful design

components in the interface make it aesthetically

pleasing while other features such as interactive

thumbnails, autoplay carousels and a chatbot named”

Theatro” enhance user engagement. THEATRUM is

a next-generation, scalable and interactive solution

that satisfies the demands of modern streaming

through the use of state-of-the-art web development

technologies.

2 LITERATURE SURVEY

Chithra et al.review MongoDB’s document

architecture and video streaming technologies to see

how well they operate within the context of modern

application development and teaching. Your MERN

stack study examines MongoDB’s BSON

configuration (for storing the data records),

configuration of video streaming (for educational

experience), and exploring full stack development.

The results indicate that while video streaming offers

students choice in pacing and access to learning

resources, MongoDB’s document method simplifies

and improves data management. The authors

conclude that the video streaming technology and the

flexible data modeling provided by MongoDB can

significantly enhance application development cycles

and educational platforms alike to be more user

friendly and accessible et al.

554

Manideep, T. S. S., Saragadam, S., Karthik, G., Hemanth, S., Ramasamy, G. and M., G.

Theatrum: Design and Implementation of a Feature-Rich Movie Streaming Platform Leveraging Modern Web Technologies.

DOI: 10.5220/0013916600004919

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Research and Development in Information, Communication, and Computing Technologies (ICRDICCT‘25 2025) - Volume 4, pages

554-560

ISBN: 978-989-758-777-1

Chowdary et al.built a centralized digital

entertainment platform called” Entertainment Hub”

which will combine games, movies and music to

improve user experience. The methodology involves

user-centered, cutting-edge technology, and phased

development for ease of deployment on your

platform. The results reveal that user satisfaction and

engagement is enhanced with customized

information, easy navigation and strong security

measures, encouraging better user acceptance.

Findings from this study demonstrate the value of

community-driven content and security for digital

entertainment and illustrate how a well-designed,

integrated entertainment platform can substantially

enrich user experience, and retention.

Singh et al. focus on immersive and interactive

multimedia streaming to enrich the user experience.

is focused on building an edge application to deliver

high-quality video content to multiple devices.

Focusing on user authentication, a MERN based

Application Development Methodology to ensure

efficient data transmission and integration of Multi-

access Edge Computing (MEC) to maximize Quality

of Experience (QoE) using prefetching and caching

approaches. For live and VR applications, they

address the adaptive streaming problem and provide

excellent QoE with low bandwidth consumption and

effective processing power. Findings presented in this

study indicate that (i) applying MEC and adaptive

streaming technologies tends to significantly increase

user satisfaction and video delivery performance; and

(ii) this is a promising computing paradigm for future

multimedia content delivery paradigms.

To break the system boundaries and make the user

experiences better, Savadatti et al. discusses and build

an e-commerce website with the MERN stack. The

first step in the process is to analyze the drawbacks

of existing e-commerce platforms and build a flexible

yet scalable alternative in the MERN stack. By

incorporating best practices in e-commerce design,

the research ensures delivery of a highly effective

and user-friendly system. The results clearly indicate

responsive design and efficient product management

features which dissect the data management, reduce

access time, and enhance interaction from users. The

study’s results indicate that the MERN stack is a

powerful choice for creating e-commerce that

addresses the limitations of traditional procedures

while significantly improving both customer

contentment and business performance.

Saundariya et al. use a randomized control

experiment to evaluate the impact of a new training

program on worker productivity. To give an example

of the methodology, participants were divided into

two groups: one received the training and another

acted simply as a control. The measurements were

taken over the span of three months, both before and

after to see how productivity was impacted. Results

(statistically significant) show that the training group

performed 25% better than the control group. The

findings of the study confirm the data on the staff

productivity greatly being increased by the training

programs, and highlight the potential for more

organizational integration. The key here is to show

the potential of JavaScript, Node. js and MongoDB

for the full stack development, Yadav et al. built-a-

blog-post-project using these technologies. Database

operations are done using MongoDB, package

management using npm, and Node. js — server-side

development. The application is set up to allow users

to write and manage blog posts with MongoDB data

validation. Results show that database successfully

integrated multiple blogs and data easily showed up

on the index page. According to the study, Node. js

does a great job of simplifying application

development and MongoDB is incredibly easy to set

up and use to manage databases. It has reached this

conclusion over the past year and that these

statements are relative to: “Node. Natural

compatibility between js and MongoDB increases

productivity for JavaScript developers. It offers you a

stable and powerful environment to build all kinds of

applications on top of full stack, and a vibrant

developing community and a large ecosystem of

libraries supporting it.

Singh et al. explore in overlapping ways the

efficacy of themefication and Gamification of your

lessons help in increasing the student’s involvement

and contribute toward development of technical

skills in the classrooms. We use statistical analysis

using Google analytics and Excel to evaluate the data

accumulated from a gamified learning application

before and after it was integrated, as well as surveys

to collect demographic information from participants

of different age groups about their views on themed

learning platforms. The study revealed that 76% of

participants believed gamification to be one of the

best techniques to practice technical skills and that

63% participants contributed in theme learning

events. Furthermore, the average grades for the

students also showed a very significant increase from

5.96 to 7.19 meaning that the gamified application

was helpful not only in getting practicing with

problem solving skills but also in overall academic

performance. The results indicate a significant

positive impact of themefication and gamification

techniques on learning and engagement of students,

thus validating their inclusion and assimilation in

Theatrum: Design and Implementation of a Feature-Rich Movie Streaming Platform Leveraging Modern Web Technologies

555

innovative pedagogical practices for human capital

growth and contemporary technical proficiencies.

Gupta et al. These all together will be easy to get

information regarding Non-Governmental

Organization (NGO) in India. NGOs are able to enroll

on the website to market their services and the site

assists users in locating pertinent NGOs depending on

their unique need. The technique includes system

analysis, social media and Google data sourcing,

interaction with non-governmental organizations

(AKI, CIGIE), data sources verification, front-end

development (HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, Bootstrap),

and back-end development (Python with Django).

Program this was heavily tested to ensure it features

and user experience. The report highlights some of

the features such as simple design, listing of NGOs

with complete information and link to Google Map,

filter based on location and type of service,

registration tool for NGOs after verification etc. Users

can also leave comments and recommendations in a

comment box. Based on the study, it is concluded that

the online application resolution indeed caters the

problem of finding the relevant organization by

enhancing the visibility and accessibility of the NGOs.

User input is meant to shift it; future enhancements

could cater to different audiences, like translation

services.

Kulkarni et al. developed an animated e-learning

platform to enhance online learning by adding

interactivity and a solid backbone. This is based on the

MERN stack (MongoDB, Express, React, and Node.

js) to implement a well-featured web application that

can help in scalable and efficient online learning

services to Government organizations and consumers.

The results demonstrate that deploying the MERN

stack definitively tackles the shortcomings of

traditional e-learning platforms enabling scalable

data management, seamless user experience and the

introduction of modern web application

functionalities. Thus, the study concludes that state of

the art technologies like the MERN stack have the

capability of revoluting traditional education into e-

learning platforms. Which sets the stage of enhancing

educational experiences by offering more flexibility,

improving user engagement, and solving common

technical problems. Le et al. demonstrates how the

MERN stack—MongoDB, Express. js, React, and

Node. js is handy and helps create a local events search

web application that enhances user experience and

promotes community interaction. This involves

building a web app with an intuitive UI allowing users

to search for nearby events, management of user

authentication, and streamlining event creation and

management. Hence the results substantiate the user

generated content, admin control, delivering/enabling

users to search their local events with information of

date, time and location which are major. According to

the study, with MERN stack, developers are able to

build powerful and dynamic web apps, enhancing user

engagement and promoting community participation.

3 METHODOLOGY

The development of the THEATRUM platform was

carried out through systematic progress in which the

integration of the front-end, back-end, and database

layers of efficiency, functionality, and design was

prioritized. Using a modern tech stack and user-centric

features, the platform was designed to provide an easy,

fun, and safe movie streaming experience. Below is

provided a detailed description of the process:

3.1 Front-End Architecture

The objective of front-end development was to

provide an interactive and visually appealing user

interface, enhancing the overall user experience. The

architecture utilized robust frameworks and modern

design paradigms to ensure dynamic functionality,

responsiveness, and usability.

• Design and Layout: User interface was

designed using HTML5, CSS3, and Bootstrap

of which responsive layouts were done to

provide compatibility on a range of devices.

The homepage featured horizontal scroll

sections, by category and language, and an

autoplay carousel highlighting new films.

What truly set this trailer apart was the

interactive thumbnails with hover effects that

revealed a film's title and description adding

an element of visual engagement. Library

Next, Netflix worked with Dropbox creator

WeTransfer to create interactive trailers for

four of the films, allowing users to scroll

through clips of different movies, with the

hover feature revealing the title and a synopsis

for each film.

• Functionality: JavaScript ran important

functions including a dynamic search bar that

allows users to quickly look up movies, and

filters to sort content based on language and

genre. Improved navigation through smooth

scrolling; interactive elements such as” Like”

and” Play” buttons overlayed on thumbnails to

provide simple controls.

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• Extra features: A chatbot named” Theatro”

was added to the site for further im-

provement and provide immediate support to

consumers. Users may submit bugs or ideas

via a feedback website. Profile icons

simplified the handling of user accounts, while

the plan-selection page featured the Basic,

Standard, and Premium subscriptions

according to device needs.

3.2 Backend

The platform’s backend was created to facilitate

reliable server-side functions and guarantee smooth

front-end and database interactions. The backend

design was defined by an emphasis on security,

scalability, and API-driven interactions.

• API Development: RESTful APIs were

developed us- ing Node.js and Express.js to

manage essential features like administrative

duties, user authentication, and movie data

retrieval. Endpoints were made to facilitate

effective commu- nication, allowing

administrators to control platform content or

users to retrieve movie details.

• Authentication and Security: JWT (JSON Web

Tokens) was used to create a secure

authentication system that allowed for the

separation of user and administrator

responsibilities. Data validation, error

management, and safe access to limited

operations, such as adding or removing movies,

were guaran- teed by middleware functions.

• Payment Integration: Payment gateways that

handle transactions, using Razorpay, were

integrated to illustrate sub- scription

management. Payment workflows were

governed via backend APIs, which prioritized

data security and made sure that plan selection

and payment processing went smoothly.

3.3 Database

The database was designed to effectively manage

dynamic information about users, movies, and

feedback. The flexible and scalable NoSQL database

MongoDB was used because of its document-

oriented architecture.

3.4 Database Structure

Collections were created to hold:

• Movies, with information such as titles,

languages, genres, thumbnails, and video

links.

• Users’ profiles, roles (admin/user),

subscription information, and payment

statuses are captured.

• Feedback, keeping track of remarks and

recommendations made by users.

3.5 Optimization and Management

By building indexes on commonly used fields, such

genres and languages, efficient query performance

was guaranteed. Regular backups ensured data

dependability and disaster recovery, and Mongoose

was used to verify schema consistency.

3.6 ER Diagram

Figure 1: Entity relationship diagram.

The Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) in Figure1

for the THEATRUM project represents the core

entities and their relationships within the movie

streaming platform. The main entities include User,

Movie, Genre, Plan, Payment, and Admi- nActions,

each capturing essential attributes. For instance, the

User entity includes details like name, email, and

subscription plan, while the Movie entity holds

information about titles, genres, languages, and

associated video and thumbnail URLs. Relationships

between entities highlight user interactions, such as

subscribing to plans, making payments, and viewing

movies.

The diagram also illustrates the functionality for

admins, allowing them to manage actions through the

AdminActions entity. Payments are processed using

Razorpay, as indicated in the PaymentMethod

attribute under the Payment entity. Addi- tionally,

Theatrum: Design and Implementation of a Feature-Rich Movie Streaming Platform Leveraging Modern Web Technologies

557

many-to-many relationships, such as users viewing

multiple movies, are suggested to be implemented

through supporting tables like Watchlist or

ViewHistory. This ERD provides a clear structural

overview, serving as a blueprint for implementing the

database schema effectively.

4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

THEATRUM’s deployment serves as an example of

how cutting-edge web development technologies

may be success- fully integrated to produce a reliable

and intuitive movie streaming platform. User

engagement is greatly increased by the project’s

features, which include interactive movie brows- ing,

subscription management, and a sentiment-enhanced

feed- back system. The outcomes from several

platform parts are shown below:

4.1 Home Page

Figure 2: Home page.

The homepage (Figure 2) showcases featured

collections using an autoplay carousel and genre-

based categories for horizontal scrolling. Users can

explore action, drama, sci-fi, and other genres easily.

Each thumbnail is interactive, featuring” Like” and”

Play” buttons, providing instant user actions. The

home feed also displays tailored content to encourage

exploration and interaction.

4.2 Feedback Page

Users can express their opinions through an

aesthetically pleasing interface in the feedback form

(Figure 3). Users can choose which features—like the

user interface, recommendations, or a diversity of

content—they value most, assess their experience

with THEATRUM, and indicate how frequently they

use it (daily, weekly, or rarely). This interactive

design maintains a neat and attractive style while

guaranteeing insightful user data.

Figure 3: Feedback page.

4.3 Sign-Up Page

Figure 4. Sign up page.

The sign-up page (Figure 4) features an intuitive form

for

new users to create accounts. The layout ensures

clarity with sections for username, email, and

password confirmation, ac- companied by a checkbox

for terms and conditions acceptance. This simple and

responsive design enhances the onboarding

experience.

4.4 Chatbot Integration

A virtual assistant named” T h e a t r o ” (Figure 5) is

integrated to offer real-time assistance to users. The

chatbot supports queries about navigating the

platform, subscriptions, and troubleshooting,

improving user support and engagement.

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Figure 5: Chat Bot-Theatro.

4.5 Movie Carousel and Genre Sorting

The autoplay carousel dynamically showcases

selected movies, enhancing the platform’s

interactivity. Below it, genre-based horizontal scroll

sections make movie discovery straightforward,

enabling users to browse by preferences seamlessly.

4.6 Database Integration

safe payment channels for managing subscriptions

and an ad- min dashboard for managing users and

content. THEATRUM is a viable prototype for

contemporary OTT platforms since it offers a

comprehensive approach to online entertainment by

emphasizing aesthetics, functionality, and

interactivity. In order to improve user engagement,

future work can concentrate on enhancing the

platform’s functionality, such

as implementing

tailored recommendations using AI-based

algorithms. By including accessibility features and

linguistic support, the platform can reach a wider

range of users. Better content curation may also be

made possible by integrating sophisticated analytics

to monitor user preferences and responses.

THEATRUM may establish itself as a cutting-edge

entertainment hub in the digital ecosystem by

expanding the platform with live streaming features

and integrating it with IoT devices like smart TVs.

With these improvements, THEATRUM would be

guaranteed to adapt to the changing needs of

consumers and the competitive streaming service

market.

The MongoDB database underpins the

application, supporting efficient storage and retrieval

of user and movie data. Structured collections, as

shown in the JSON output (Figure 6), ensure

scalability and reliability. Data validation is enforced

using Mongoose schemas, while relationships

between entities are modeled efficiently for faster

queries.

The implementation of THEATRUM highlights

the synergy between technical robustness and creative

design. Each feature is optimized for usability,

ensuring an engaging and responsive platform. The

chatbot integration and feedback mechanism

exemplify how user insights can shape platform

development. Moreover, MongoDB’s flexibility

supports the scalable handling of content and user

data, paving the way for future enhancements like

multilingual support and personalized rec-

commendations.

Through its advanced features and user-centric

design, THEATRUM sets itself apart as a modern and

interactive streaming platform, offering both

functionality and a superior user experience.

Figure 6: JSON file movie data.

5 CONCLUSION & FUTURE

WORKS

To sum up, THEATRUM effectively illustrates how

to create a feature-rich and intuitive movie streaming

platform by incorporating cutting-edge technologies

like MongoDB, Node.js, Express.js, and a responsive

front-end design. With features such as genre-based

sorting, autoplay carousels, interactive feedback

mechanisms, and a chatbot for immediate user

support, the platform delivers a smooth and engaging

user experience. Its scalability and resilience are

demonstrated by the addition of microservices

architecture, real-time data handling, and robust user

Theatrum: Design and Implementation of a Feature-Rich Movie Streaming Platform Leveraging Modern Web Technologies

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authentication. These enhancements ensure high

performance under heavy traffic, seamless integration

of future updates, and a secure environment, making

THEATRUM a forward-thinking solution in the

competitive world of online streaming.

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