How to Find Movies on Netflix

By Aaron Parson

Netflix's app and website home page offer a selection of videos the service thinks you'll like, but with such a large catalog — much of it comprising various TV series — you can't count on simply stumbling across a film you want to see. Once you've looked through the main page, select a genre or search by title, actor, director or topic to find the movie you want.

Netflix Streaming

To find movies to stream on Netflix, browse or search the site in the Netflix app or on the Netflix website on your computer.

Tips

Only Netflix members can browse and search the site's streaming titles. If you're not a subscriber yet, use an unofficial Netflix directory such as Instant Watcher, Allflicks or FlixSearch to see what movies are available.

Browse Titles

If you don't have a specific movie in mind, start by browsing the listings on the main page of Netflix's website or app. Scroll down to see various categories picked based on your previous activity. Swipe left and right in in the app — or click the left and right arrows on the Netflix website — to browse through more titles in each category. In the app, tap a movie poster to see more info, and tap it again to start the show. On computer, mouse over the poster for info on the title and click on it to start watching.

i Image courtesy of Netflix

Tips

Click or tap Add to My List to add the movie to a custom list of titles that appears at the top of the Netflix home page. Netflix saves your list between visits, so this works as a collection of films you want to watch or remember for later.
For more movie details when using the Netflix website, click the movie's name in the pop-up box.

Pick a Genre

The list on Netflix's main page shows both movies and TV series. To filter out TV shows, pick a specific movie genre. Tap the menu icon in the app or mouse over the word Browse on the website to see the genre list, and select one to browse its offerings.

i Image courtesy of Netflix

Tips

Conversely, to find TV shows, start in the TV Shows genre, and then check the appropriate section for the type of show you want, such as TV Dramas or TV Comedies. You won't find TV shows in the Dramas or Comedies genres.

Search for a Movie

Tap or click the Search button to find a specific movie. Netflix searches not only for movie titles, but for people — actors, directors and so on — as well as keywords. As you type, movies, people and topics pop up. Tap or click a movie to start it, or choose a person or topic to see related movies.

i Image courtesy of Netflix

Netflix by Mail

Netflix's DVD and Blu-ray rental service uses a separate website — and requires a separate subscription — from the streaming service. To browse and search the listings for both disc formats, visit the Netflix DVD website. Unlike the streaming site, you don't need a subscription to look through the DVD site.

Tips

The Netflix mobile app doesn't support the DVD service, but the site will work in your smartphone's Web browser.

The DVD site works similarly to the streaming site. Scroll through the listings on the main page, pick a genre or use the search bar to find the movie you want. Tap or click a movie poster to read information about it and add it to your queue for delivery.

i Image courtesy of Netflix

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