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Netflix is ​​hiding things from you. There are hundreds more TV shows and movies on the streaming service than you know. You are not locked out of content. You just need to learn how to use Netflix’s secret menu. Only then will you unlock access to everything the service has to offer and more.

Here’s the thing. When you watch Netflix on your OLED TV or binge on your phone, you’ve only scratched the surface. Netflix doesn’t really show you everything it has to offer at once. In fact, the platform has been offering you personalized suggestions based on your viewing history and preferences since you started using it. Unfortunately, its algorithm can’t always be trusted to paint an accurate portrait of what’s available. This is where you come in.

You can fire up Netflix’s secret menu to gain complete control over the type of content you ingest. It all depends on a code-based system. The various digital codes on the service allow you to browse and choose from thousands of niche genres and sub-categories, whether you like horror or rom-coms.

Instead of letting Netflix’s algorithm decide, take streaming into your own hands. It’s time to break the endless scrolling and discover a new show or movie you’ll love.

What are Netflix Codes?

Netflix codes are a set of unique numeric identifiers that can help you find specific genres or subgenres in the Netflix library on the streamer’s website (not in the app).

You’re usually limited to the genres available to you through the main Netflix menu. There is no way to select a specific category other than the one selected for you when you log in. Using these codes opens up a whole library of options to choose from that can help you better decide what to watch at night. It can even help you discover new shows and movies you’ve never heard of.

Adding these codes to the end of Netflix URLs allows you to directly access collections of movies and TV shows that fall into your chosen category. For example, if you’re short on time and want to order a shorter movie, you can check out the 90-minute movies category with the code 81466194. Looking for something for all your offspring to enjoy? The Family Movie Night Collection, available with code 2013975, is full of favorites that even grandma can get into.

There are over 36,000 codes to choose from, so don’t worry about memorizing them or trying random sequences. Resources like Netflix-Codes.com have an entire directory to sift through, so you can search for what you want to watch there and find the relevant codes in no time.

How do I get into Netflix’s secret menu?

There isn’t, per se, a comprehensive Netflix secret menu. Instead, you’ll use URLs with special codes to display certain curated collections of movies and shows.

Netflix-Codes.com has a comprehensive list of the streaming platform’s hidden genre categories and subcategories. In total, there are around 20 top-level categories covering genres such as animation, foreign films and classic films. Within these main genres, there are many more hyper-specific sub-genres designated by numerical codes.

All you have to do is find the category you want, copy the associated code and add it to the end of the Netflix URL.

What types of categories does Netflix have?

There’s a lot more to Netflix than what you’ve scrolled through. At last count, there were over 36,000 unique categories to explore.

All of the categories available on Netflix start with broad core genres like action, comedy, and drama, but they get more specific as you dive deeper. There are straightforward collections like Movies Directed by Women (code 2974953), or more specifically targeted curated lists like Supernatural Soaps (code 81238162), just in case you like your werewolves with a side of angst and romance.

Are you a big Swiftie? Is there another celebrity you want to know more about? The Pop Culture Icons category (code 81278963) features picks like the Taylor Swift-centric documentary Miss Americana or the Whitney Houston biopic I want to dance with someone.

Maybe you’ve been told over and over that you really need to get into Korean TV and don’t know where to start. Hit the K-Dramas for Beginners menu (code 2953105) for a selection of hit K-Drama series like Squid game and Boys over flowers.

Instead of relying solely on the standard home page categories or Netflix’s algorithm, you can use these secret codes to pinpoint and explore various nooks and crannies of the catalog to find hidden gems.

How do I use Netflix codes to find movies and shows to watch?

If you’re not comfortable editing Netflix URLs, you can use a browser extension to access the secret menus. The Better Browse for Netflix Chrome extension is a great choice. Here’s how to use it:

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store and search for “Better Browse for Netflix.” (Note that this extension is not available for Firefox users.)

2. Click Add to Chrome.

3. Click Add an extension.

4. Sign in to your Netflix account in a new tab.

If the extension is installed, you will see a View all option at the top of the Netflix home screen next to My List. Click on it to scroll through subgenres or search within specific categories.

Alternatively, you can use the FindFlix: Netflix Secret Category Finder browser extension for Chrome or Firefox. This add-on will create a drop-down menu full of Netflix categories for your browser that you can scroll through by clicking the FF icon that will appear in the top right corner of your screen. There’s no need to scroll through Netflix naturally with this add-on, and it includes 7,500 categories arranged alphabetically for your convenience.

A third way is through the Netflix Codes website. This is how:

1. Visit Netflix-codes.com on any computer or mobile browser.

2. Find the genre or subgenre you want to explore.

3. Tap the code next to the desired genre or subgenre.

4. If you’re on a device that has the Netflix app installed, it should open and take you directly to your chosen genre or subgenre. If you don’t have the app installed, it will open Netflix through the browser and you can see the specific movies and shows available.

5. Tap the title you want to watch and it will start playing.

Finally, if you’re comfortable creating custom URLs, you can use Netflix codes manually in your browser. This is how:

1. Visit Netflix-codes.com on any computer or mobile browser.

2. Find the genre or subgenre you want to explore.

3. In another section, enter http://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/INSERTNUMBER, but replace INSERTNUMBER with the specific genre or subgenre code. For example, http://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/81466194 will take you to “90 minute movies”.

4. If done correctly, you will be taken to Netflix to view the available titles in this section.

Just repeat this process the next time you find a code for a Netflix category you want to explore. You can do this as many times as you want.

For more Netflix tips, learn how to get the most out of Netflix on your phone or mobile device and how to improve picture quality on streaming services.