Netflix has a lot to watch. Picking something? Somehow that’s a whole separate activity.
Jump to the code list · Watching on a TV · Why a code might not show what you expect
How to use Netflix secret codes
- Open a web browser on your computer or phone.
- Type
https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/into the address bar and put the category number at the end. - Open the page and sign in to Netflix if prompted. Browse the category for something you want to watch.
For anime, the full address is https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/7424. That is the whole trick. No extension required.
Netflix explains the browser method in its own guide. The codes go back to a public genre directory from its DVD days, and Netflix still creates collections around genres, moods, and other themes.
30 Netflix category codes worth keeping handy
Start with the kind of night you’re having. A movie with the kids, something creepy, or a show you can finish before Monday? Each category name below is a direct Netflix link. This is a selected list, and the titles inside each category can change.
For the general movie-night debate
| Category | Code |
|---|---|
| Action & Adventure Movies | 1365 |
| Comedy Movies | 6548 |
| Essential Horror Flicks | 8711 |
| Best Sci-Fi Movies | 1492 |
| Thrillers | 8933 |
| Children & Family Movies | 783 |
| Classic Movies | 31574 |
For a more specific mood
| Category | Code |
|---|---|
| Crime Documentaries | 9875 |
| Psychological Thrillers | 5505 |
| Dark Comedies | 869 |
| Romantic Comedies | 5475 |
| Anime | 7424 |
| Anime Series | 6721 |
| Kids TV Shows | 27346 |
For when “something good” needs a little help
These collections appear in Netflix’s category-code guide. The 90-Minute Movies link is a useful place to start when you want a movie, but you also want to go to bed.
| Category | Code |
|---|---|
| 90-Minute Movies | 81466194 |
| Binge-Worthy British Crime TV Shows | 1192582 |
| Cyberpunk | 1964512 |
| Don’t Watch Hungry | 3272152 |
| Family Movie Night | 2013975 |
| High Brow Horror | 3261672 |
| K-Dramas for Beginners | 2953105 |
| Relentless Crime Thrillers | 81226732 |
| Watch in One Weekend | 3182735 |
| Spicy Romance | 81572628 |
| Team Players | 2752022 |
| Movies Directed by Women | 2974953 |
| Totally Awesome ’80s | 2314106 |
| Chosen Family | 81231348 |
| Small Town Charm | 81615585 |
| Pop Culture Icons | 81278963 |
Bookmark the categories you reach for most. You can also print this page if you want the numbers next to the remote.
How to watch something you found on your TV
Use the category link in a browser first. When you find a title you want, add it to My List. Then open Netflix on your TV using the same profile and find it in My List.
Netflix’s My List instructions cover both TV layouts: if your menu is across the top, go to My Netflix and find the My List row. If the menu is on the left, choose My List there.
A few things Netflix codes cannot fix
Do secret codes turn off Netflix’s recommendations?
No. They take you to a category page. Netflix says its pages can still personalize which rows appear, which titles sit in those rows, and their order. A code gives you another way to browse; it does not promise an unfiltered view of every title.
Why doesn’t a category show the movie I expected?
Netflix’s catalog varies by country and changes over time. A category link cannot make a title available in your region. Profile language, maturity settings, and blocked titles can also affect what appears.
If something seems to be missing, check the number in the address, make sure you’re using the right profile, and search for the title by name. Netflix’s missing-title help page explains the availability and profile checks. A page that doesn’t load is not, by itself, proof that a code has been retired.
Will a VPN unlock another country’s whole library?
Don’t count on it. Netflix says a VPN may limit you to titles it licenses worldwide. You may need to turn the VPN off to see titles available where you are.
Pick a category, save a couple of titles, and let that be enough browsing for one night.
