Don't Cancel Netflix Yet: I Used These Secret Codes To Unlock Shows I Didn't Know Existed

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Netflix wasn't nan first streaming platform, but it was nan first to make video-on-demand mainstream. Fourteen years ago, arsenic it phased retired its mailing service, it took a monolithic wound retired of nan world market.

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Remember that? Physical DVDs showing up successful your existent mailbox -- nan 1 astatine nan extremity of your driveway (or your hallway)? To my surprise, that was still really a point up until precocious 2023. Whaaat?

Streaming introduced a slew of caller intermezo options and, astir importantly, unparalleled convenience. These days, Netflix is 1 of galore platforms that connection a staggering magnitude of titles to take from -- and yet, location is much location than meets nan eye.

Did you cognize Netflix has concealed cheat codes?

As it turns out, Netflix has a plethora of shows and movies disposable that you don't usually spot erstwhile booting up nan app. Our personalized, algorithm-based menus confine america to viewing only a fraction of nan full Netflix library.

Also: How to clear your TV cache (and why it makes specified a large difference)

You tin find typical cheat codes to unlock much contented connected resources like Netflix-Codes and nan website What's On Netflix. Either is simply a bully spot to commencement massively multiplying your viewing options. The categories associated pinch these codes scope everyplace from "Deep Sea Horror Movies" (code 45028) to very circumstantial subgenres for illustration "Feel-good Sports Movies for Ages 8 to 10" (code 855). 

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You tin scroll done these categories alphabetically, aliases put keywords successful nan Search field.

What's On Netflix

This is each to opportunity that we person galore much options connected Netflix than we're accustomed to seeing erstwhile we unfastened nan app.

The expanded directory of concealed codes unveils a overmuch vaster scenery of content, including immoderate highly obscure flicks. I was a small disappointed that I couldn't find a class called "1980s Kung Fu," but nan class named "Martial Arts Movies" (code 8985) sewage maine adjacent capable to what I was looking for.

How to usage Netflix codes connected your PC aliases laptop

There is nary sign-up aliases cost-based admittance interest to entree and usage these concealed Netflix codes. 

In fact, they're not meant to beryllium cryptically hidden away. The accustomed Netflix paper we're presented pinch is an amalgamated merchandise of respective algorithms driven by fame and your individual viewing habits. Utilizing nan codes conscionable requires a spot of other effort, and here's nan quickest measurement I recovered to spell astir it. 

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The steps beneath outline really to entree Netflix's further categories connected your Mac, PC, aliases tablet from nan Netflix website. 

  1. On your device, spell to nan Netflix website and log in.
  2. In different browser window, unfastened What's On Netflix.
  3. In nan punctual of your first tab, enter: https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/.
  4. Over connected nan tab pinch What's On Netflix, prime your desired code, and spot it astatine nan extremity of nan URL. For example, nan "Fantasy Anime" subgenre codification is 11146, truthful I altered nan URL to read: https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/11146.
  5. Choose your title from nan action location and click play.
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What's On Netflix

There are besides a mates of browser extensions that tin heighten your online acquisition and assistance entree to nan hidden menus:

  • FindFlix: Netflix Secret Category Finder: A awesome add-on for Firefox aliases Chrome.
  • Better Browse for Netflix: Only disposable for Chrome.

With either of these extensions installed, you'll find a caller drop-down paper aliases a Browse All action connected your Netflix location screen. In all, you'll person thousands of alphabetized categories for your perusal.

How to usage Netflix codes from your phone

While immoderate group declare that you tin participate nan codes straight into nan hunt barroom connected nan Netflix app, conflicting reports propose this doesn't ever work. The champion measurement to usage Netflix concealed codes is done a web browser, arsenic shown supra -- assuming you're logged successful to your account. By entering nan codification into nan hunt barroom connected nan Netflix website, you tin entree nan class you're searching for. 

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Then, erstwhile you've identified a movie aliases show you want to watch, adhd it to your queue and find it connected nan app. To do this, pat My List, past spell to TV Shows & Movies to spot your selections. Ultimately, while you mightiness not beryllium capable to usage nan codes straight connected nan Netflix app, you tin still usage them to observe caller contented and past watch it connected nan app later.

How galore movies do nan Netflix codes unlock?

With complete 4,100 chopped codes to date, I wish I could show you precisely really galore titles this equates to, but that fig fluctuates according to nan region you unrecorded in. Best estimates propose nan US catalog includes upward of 6,700 titles (movies and series) -- pinch complete 50 percent of those being Netflix Originals.

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Chris Bayer/ZDNET

For example, successful nan class called "Classic Action & Adventure Films" (code 46576), you'll find only 3 movies listed, 1 of which is Apollo 13. It strikes maine arsenic funny that nan Oscar-winning movie from 1995 is listed alongside 2 movies that hardly made it to nan mini screen. Meanwhile, nan broader "Action & Adventure" (code 1365) genre connected Netflix includes astir 660 titles.

Your possibilities for exploration are a matter of nan keywords you usage to hunt nan index. I cannot explicate nan logic down Netflix's codification of movies, but I'm OK pinch knowing that Apollo 13 tin beryllium recovered listed nether astatine slightest 5 awesome categories.

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