The current rating system is not a running average of how all users ranked the movie, but represents users with similar taste to yours. The same move could show a different rating for different users.

It would be neat if they gave each user a set number super thumbs (obviously with a better name). You can use them so many times per month or year. I think month would be ideal, but if they went with the year route, make it possible to remove your super thumb like to use it on another movie.

The problem is that everyone has a different idea of what the 1-5 scale means. My girlfriend never gives a 5 except for her favorite movie since nothing can match its greatness.

Meanwhile I rate everything 1-star vs 5-star.

So I'm not too convinced there's any nuance in star averages, much less a difference between "decent" and "fantastic". It might just be a more divisive movie that averages out to a 3-4.

You're forgetting all the other metrics that Netflix collects, like which shows get binge watched, finished, at what episode are people hooked or more or less guaranteed to finish a show after, etc.