diff --git a/unwind/imdb_import.py b/unwind/imdb_import.py
index e29a981..0292716 100644
--- a/unwind/imdb_import.py
+++ b/unwind/imdb_import.py
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ async def import_from_file(*, basics_path: Path, ratings_path: Path):
     await db.set_import_progress(100)
 
 
-async def load_from_web():
+async def load_from_web(*, force: bool = False):
     """Refresh the full IMDb movie database.
 
     The latest dumps are first downloaded and then imported into the database.
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ async def load_from_web():
             or bastics_mtime != basics_file.stat().st_mtime
         )
 
-        if is_changed:
+        if force or is_changed:
             await import_from_file(basics_path=basics_file, ratings_path=ratings_file)
 
     except BaseException as err:
diff --git a/unwind/web.py b/unwind/web.py
index b8306ef..efbbb13 100644
--- a/unwind/web.py
+++ b/unwind/web.py
@@ -358,6 +358,9 @@ _import_lock = asyncio.Lock()
 @requires(["authenticated", "admin"])
 async def load_imdb_movies(request):
 
+    params = request.query_params
+    force = truthy(params.get("force"))
+
     async with _import_lock:
         progress = await db.get_import_progress()
         if progress and not progress.stopped:
@@ -368,7 +371,7 @@ async def load_imdb_movies(request):
 
         await db.set_import_progress(0)
 
-    task = BackgroundTask(imdb_import.load_from_web)
+    task = BackgroundTask(imdb_import.load_from_web, force=force)
     return JSONResponse(
         {"status": "Import started.", "progress": 0.0}, background=task, status_code=202
     )