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

Parker Hall
Stephanie Topacio Long
Chris Gates
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 April, stream this one
A man and a woman lay next to each other in L.A. Confidential.

One of the perks of keeping your Netflix subscription up to date is that you get automatic access to everything new that the streamer releases on a weekly basis. And, indeed, Netflix tries to make sure that there’s something for everyone on the service, from high-brow movies to undeniably compelling reality TV. In addition to all of the original content that Netflix releases, though, the streamer also has archival titles that were released years or even decades before Netflix existed. If you’ve made your way through all of the original content, or you’re finding that none of it seems like a good choice, then L.A. Confidential might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Released in 1997, the movie is set in 1950s Los Angeles and follows three different cops who all interact with the criminal empire emerging in the city. Here are three reasons why you should definitely check it out:
It features an incredible cast
James Cromwell, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce and Kevin Spacey in publicity portrait for the film 'L.A. Confidential', 1997. (Photo by Warner Brothers/Getty Images) Warner Bros.

Read more
The best Netflix original series right now
The cast of 3 Body Problem.

If Netflix is slowing down the release of its original series this year, it's doing a good job of hiding it. While there have been a few weeks in 2024 where Netflix relied on shows created by rival studios, March has been a big month for the streamer. 3 Body Problem, The Gentlemen, and Girls5eva have all debuted on the list of the most popular shows on Netflix. That's a powerhouse lineup that's going to be hard to top for the rest of the year.

Thankfully, those are only three of the shows that are on our roundup of the best Netflix original series right now. Netflix has a very strong library of originals that can keep TV fans busy for the foreseeable future. And the great thing about having so many options is that there's almost always something new binge on Netflix.

Read more
5 movies leaving Netflix in March 2024 you have to watch now
Two men in suits sit next to each other.

With the end of March rapidly approaching, there is only a limited amount of time to watch certain films on Netflix, as the streamer will say goodbye to several noteworthy films. One of the biggest departures from the service is the DC films. Wonder Woman, The Batman, Justice League, The Suicide Squad, and Man of Steel are all heading out the door after March 31.

The list doesn't stop at superhero films. We created a list of five films to watch before they leave at the end of March. Our selections include a famous 1990s rom-com from an icon of the genre, a musical comedy from the 1980s, and a terrifying adaptation of a Stephen King novel.
My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)

Read more