1. Use Teleparty to Watch Together, Even When You’re Apart
Missing movie night with friends who don’t live nearby? Teleparty (originally called Netflix Party) syncs your playback so everyone is watching the same thing at the same time, and it adds a group chat down the side so you can react together in real time. It’s perfect for long-distance date nights, horror rewatches with mates, or just mocking awful plot twists as they happen.
Teleparty works as a browser extension, which means it’s quick to set up and doesn’t require any complicated tech knowledge. You can read more about how it works here.
If you’re the kind of person who loves turning normal evenings into mini events, you might also enjoy planning a themed night around what you watch. We’ve got plenty of ideas for that in 10 Fun Things To Do When Bored At Home.
2. Unlock Hidden Genres with Secret Netflix Codes
Netflix doesn’t just have basic sections like “Action” and “Romance”. Behind the scenes, there are loads of hyper-specific categories such as “Emotional Crime Dramas”, “Critically Acclaimed Underdog Stories”, or “Cult Sci Fi and Fantasy”. These categories can be accessed using numerical codes in the URL bar of your browser, giving you a shortcut to extremely specific moods and sub-genres.
For example, you can type something like netflix.com/browse/genre/12345 (the number changes depending on the genre) and jump straight into that niche. Websites such as Netflix Codes keep track of many of these categories so you don’t have to hunt for them yourself.
This is a brilliant way to find something fresh when you’re stuck in the classic “What do you want to watch?” loop and nobody can decide.
3. Boost Your Streaming Quality
If your picture looks a bit soft or you’re not getting that lovely ultra high definition look you were promised when you bought the fancy telly, it might not be the TV’s fault at all. Head into your Netflix playback settings via your account page and make sure quality is set to High, not Auto or Low. High-quality streams can use more data, so you might want to keep an eye on that if you’re on a capped broadband plan.
Also, it’s worth checking that your internet connection can actually handle HD or 4K without buffering. Wired connections, or being physically closer to your Wi Fi router, can often give smoother streaming than watching from the far corner of the house on a weak signal. The BBC has a handy guide on improving home Wi Fi speeds and reducing interference, which is worth a look if you’re constantly pausing to buffer. See more broadband and streaming tips from the BBC.
4. Make Your Own Watchlist Tracker
Most of us have a “My List” on Netflix that’s an absolute chaos pile of everything we once thought we might watch. One easy upgrade is to keep your own watchlist in a spreadsheet or notes app. Include columns for who recommended it, what mood it’s good for (comfort watch, high effort drama, easy background), and your score out of 10 once you’ve seen it.
This sounds nerdy, but it’s actually brilliant. You stop forgetting hidden gems, you discover what kind of shows you really love, and you get a record of the best things you’ve watched this year. It’s also very satisfying to tick things off like a cinematic to-do list.
5. Try Interactive Netflix Shows
Netflix isn’t just passive viewing any more. Some shows and specials let you make choices that affect what happens next. Think of it like a game crossed with a film. Titles like Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and You vs. Wild are perfect if you’re tired of sitting back and want something more playful.
Interactive shows are especially good for watching as a group. You can argue, vote, and then laugh together when your very confident decision gets the main character into trouble within 30 seconds.
6. Explore More International Content
Some of the best shows on Netflix right now are not in English at all. Korean thrillers, Spanish heist dramas, Japanese reality shows, French sci-fi, Nordic detective stories, you name it. If you’ve never gone looking, you are sitting on an unbelievable amount of new stuff to love.
You can make this easier on yourself by switching on dubbed audio if you prefer not to read subtitles, or by choosing English subtitles with clear fonts. Trying one or two international hits can seriously refresh your queue and stop things from feeling repetitive.
7. Add Helpful Browser Extensions
If you usually watch on a laptop or desktop, browser extensions can quietly transform Netflix. Some can display IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomatoes scores on the title screen, which is great for avoiding that awful moment where you waste two hours on something that turns out to be 4.1 out of 10 and full of wooden acting.
Other extensions help you skip intros, find trailers, read quick summaries, or tidy up the interface so it’s less cluttered. Tech magazines such as Wired regularly round up useful streaming extensions and tools, which is a great place to explore what’s worth installing and what to avoid. See the latest from Wired.
8. Host a Netflix Themed Night
Turn watching something into an actual event. Pick a show or film, build a theme, and go all in. For example, if you’re watching Stranger Things, lean into the 80s vibe with retro snacks, neon lighting, and a synth playlist. If you’re watching Bridgerton, do it properly with tea, posh biscuits, and dramatic sighing.
Themed viewing turns a normal Friday night into something memorable without leaving the house. If you like that cosy, creative, low-cost fun at home vibe, you might also enjoy our guide to 10 Themed House Parties You Can Throw On A Budget, which is packed with playful ideas.
9. Set Up Profiles for Everyone in the House
If you’re sharing a Netflix account with family, housemates, flat sharers or kids, separate profiles are essential. They stop your recommendations from being ruined by someone else’s taste. No offence to whoever keeps watching animated talking animal films at 7 am, but not everyone wants that on their home screen.
Netflix Kids profiles also let grown-ups filter content by age rating, which helps make family viewing less stressful. You can set up a dedicated “Family Movie Night” profile with a handpicked list, so you don’t spend half the evening scrolling and negotiating before you even press play.
10. Go Beyond the App With Extra Content
Netflix’s own social channels are packed with outtakes, behind-the-scenes footage, cast interviews, bloopers and sneak peeks. Following the official Netflix, YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok can actually improve what you watch next, because you get reminders of shows you might have missed when they quietly dropped at 3 am on a Wednesday.
It’s also a fun way to get more from shows you’ve already finished. Deleted scenes, cast Q and A clips and silly promotional challenges all help keep the world of that show alive even after the finale. You can start with the official Netflix channel on YouTube and fall down the rabbit hole from there.
Your turn: Which of these Netflix tricks will you try first? Do you have your own secret streaming hack we should know about? Tell us in the comments below. Then have a browse around The Very Best Top 10 for more clever ideas, fun lists and stay-at-home inspiration.