Celluloid as a Linux alternative to KMPlayer

Updated November 3, 2026

Our verdict

Celluloid is a solid replacement for KMPlayer if you prioritize simplicity and native Linux integration over advanced customization. It handles the core job of playing virtually all video and audio formats thanks to the mpv engine, which is often more capable than KMPlayer’s internal codecs. The interface is clean and follows GNOME guidelines, making it intuitive for desktop users. It lacks KMPlayer’s deep configuration options and specific DVD/VCD menu navigation features, but for standard file playback, subtitles, and playlist management, it performs efficiently and without bloat. It is best for users who want a lightweight, ad-free player that integrates well with their Linux desktop environment.

Feature parity85%

License: GPL-3.0+
Price: Free
Latest version: 0.30 (March 28, 2026)
Rating: —

Install Celluloid Website ↗

Celluloid screenshot — The main window showing the application in action

What works the same

Plays a wide range of audio and video formats including MKV, MP4, and AVI
Lightweight startup and efficient resource usage
Supports external subtitles and multiple audio tracks
Provides basic playback controls and playlist management
Ad-free user experience

What is different

Lacks built-in DVD and VCD menu navigation; requires external tools like libdvdcss for encrypted DVDs
Interface is strictly GNOME-styled, lacking KMPlayer’s customizable skins and layout options
No built-in internet streaming or online content integration
Configuration relies on external mpv config files rather than a graphical settings menu for advanced tweaks

Opening your KMPlayer files

Celluloid does not use KMPlayer’s proprietary playlists or configuration files. You can open video and audio files directly, but KMPlayer-specific playlist files (.m3u8 or custom KM formats) may need conversion to standard M3U or CSV formats. Subtitle files (.srt, .ass) are fully compatible. There is no direct import function for KMPlayer’s internal settings, so you will need to reconfigure preferences manually or via mpv.conf.

Switching from KMPlayer to Celluloid, step by step

Install Celluloid via your package manager or Flathub
Create an mpv.conf file in ~/.config/mpv/ for custom settings
Set Celluloid as the default handler for video extensions
Install libdvdcss if you need to play encrypted DVDs
Test playback with a few common formats to verify codec support
Configure keyboard shortcuts in the system settings if desired

Key features of Celluloid

mpv‑based playback engine
GTK+ interface following GNOME HIG
Drag‑and‑drop playlist support
External mpv config file loading
MPRIS2 D‑Bus control
Keyboard shortcuts for play/pause, seek, volume
Playlist management
MPRIS2 media player controls

How to install Celluloid on Linux

Flatpak (Flathub)flatpak install flathub io.github.celluloid_player.Celluloid

Ubuntu / Mintsudo apt install celluloid

Debiansudo apt install celluloid

Fedorasudo dnf install celluloid

Arch / Manjarosudo pacman -S celluloid

openSUSEsudo zypper install celluloid

Frequently asked questions

Can Celluloid play encrypted DVDs?

Celluloid can play DVDs if you install libdvdcss on your system. It does not provide a graphical DVD menu interface, so you will need to navigate chapters or titles via the playlist or keyboard shortcuts.

Is Celluloid available on all Linux distributions?

Yes, it is packaged in major distributions including Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, and openSUSE. It is also available on Flathub for systems that do not have it in their default repositories.

How do I change the video output driver?

You cannot change the video output driver through Celluloid’s GUI. You must edit the mpv.conf file and specify the desired video output, such as x11, wayland, or vdpau, depending on your hardware and desktop environment.