Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Entertainment
  3. Guides

How to use Netflix’s secret category codes to find what you want to watch

By , and

With an ever-growing library of content, there’s plenty to watch on Netflix — as long as you can find something that interests you. We’ve all experienced the problem of content overload, when you have an idea of what you want to watch but you just can’t quite narrow it down with so many options available. The streaming service conveniently allows users to search by general categories, but if you want to get even more specific, there’s a trick to help you out.

Further reading

Recommended Videos

Each genre and subgenre has its own assigned code, making navigation a breeze. According to What’s On Netflix, you can manually access a full list of movies or programs for each genre or subgenre. You don’t have to scroll through predefined carousels on your homepage anymore. You can go directly to the genre categories that interest you the most.

Related

To access the library of codes, type http://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/INSERTNUMBER into your preferred browser. You’ll need to substitute your genre code in place of the “INSTANTNUMBER” portion of the URL. At that point, you’ll be directed immediately to the genre you’d like to browse and see all of the options Netflix has available in that category. 

There are codes for more general, overarching genres, like anime, drama, and TV series. However, you can also browse through several specific subcategories, for example, movies for ages 5 to 7, teen comedies, or werewolf horror movies. This tool can direct you to the particular kind of content you like to watch, instead of having to wade through Netflix’s sea of content. Once you’re directed to your genre category, you can navigate it just as you would Netflix’s familiar interface.

If you’re a Google Chrome user, you can effortlessly search lesser-known genres after installing the FindFlix extension. With this program, you won’t need to manually log URLs and codes to find what you’re looking for. If you’re not a Chrome user, check out our list below for our favorite “secret” Netflix codes. You can simply click through these hyperlinks for direct browsing.

Action and adventure

Anime

Children and family

Classic movies

Comedy

Horror movies

Documentaries

Dramas

Foreign movies

Musicals

Romance

Sci-fi and fantasy

Sports

Thriller

TV shows

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Parker Hall
Parker Hall
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Parker Hall is a writer and musician from Portland, OR. He is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin…
If you have to watch one Netflix movie in May, stream this one right now
A man raises his hands in May December.

It's not uncommon to find a great classic movie on Netflix -- there are dozens to choose from. If, however, you want to be confident that the movie you pick is actually going to be great and not just mediocre, then you have a problem. Netflix has flooded its own service with so much stuff that it can be difficult to tell the good from the bad.

Here's the good news: We've pulled out the one movie you should definitely make time for on Netflix this month. May December tells the story of a couple who started out when the man was just 13 years old, and spirals out the implications of that twisted, uncomfortable tale. Here are three reasons you should definitely check it out on Netflix.
It features three all-time-great performances
Natalie Portman in May December | Netflix

Read more
The best Netflix original series right now
Donny Dunn shows kindness to Martha Scott in a scene from Baby Reindeer.

Compared to 2023, Netflix has clearly pulled back on its aggressive rollout of original series. But the slowdown that subscribers are currently experiencing may be due in part to last year's Hollywood strikes. Hopefully. we'll have more shows to choose from in May.

This month, we're putting the spotlight on Baby Reindeer, Ripley, and Dead Boy Detectives. Of those three, only Baby Reindeer ranks among the most popular shows on Netflix. Keep reading for our complete rundown of the best Netflix original series right now, and you'll find something fun to binge.

Read more
5 movies leaving Netflix in April 2024 you have to watch now
A clown stares into the mirror.

The end of April means Hollywood is heading into the summer blockbuster season. The new month also signals the removal of many notable films on Netflix. Step Brothers, The Florida Project, The Sting, and the first three Jurassic Park films will be unavailable on Netflix starting May 1.

The list does not stop at the six films mentioned above. We selected five additional films departing Netflix at the end of April. Our choices include an Oscar-winning psychological thriller revolving around jazz, an iconic comedy from the 1990s, and a billion-dollar-grossing comic book villain origin story.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Read more