I hear it all the time: “What Netflix should should I watch?”. Well, this one little known hack will fast forward your decision making skills on Netflix in a matter of minutes.
Are you tired of filling out those 5+ minute quizzes on “What should I watch? You know, the ones that inevitably leave you high and dry?
Out of the three quizzes, two of them recommended the exact same movie no matter what choices I had picked… and the third quiz, after filling it out for 5+ minutes, thanked me “for my submission” and never even recommended me a movie!
No more quizzes, please.
If you’re craving to watch something really good then this life hack will give you a quick fix to solve that all too common, what should I watch on Netflix, problem...
This little trick you’re about to learn manipulates the Netflix algorithm and is far more effective than any quiz you can take online.
This will help you solve all your “what should watch on Netflix” problems while opening you up to a world of new possibilities when it comes to your selection.
How does it work? Well, there is a list of secret Netflix codes that allow you to hack the algorithm and laser focus what you want to watch. This even works on tablets that use Netflix. See our post: 17 Best tablets for Netflix.
To decide what Netflix show you should watch you’ll need a series of hidden category codes. These codes will enable a user to target top movies based on an extensive list of the highly desirable categories that secretly exist. Once entered, you can enjoy your curated selection
You may or may not be aware of these secret Netflix codes already… but, it’s how you use them that will solve your problem. (Don’t worry we’ll show you how.)
See our post: Which is the Best Amazon Fire Tablet model? HD 8 vs 10
Short on time?
If you’re short on time… you can skip this guide and see How to watch any movie or show that exists in less than 10 minutes
Life Hack: Exact steps to decide what you should watch on Netflix
To do this, you’ll first choose your category code by typing the following URL into your browser: netflix.com/browse/genre/ followed by the four or five digit code of your choice (see below).
Here are the exact steps to follow:
- Choose a desired category code from the list.
- Enter the hacked algorithm code after the forward slash on the URL previously shown.
- Enjoy a tailored selection of curated, highly desirable movies and shows.
These codes can get very specific… allowing them to be super useful!
For example, If you wanted to get a curated list of psychological thrillers, you’d go to the URL: “netflix.com/browse/genre/5505”.
When I’m wonder what I should watch on Netflix, I just choose one these codes and I’m set.
Want to see a list of movies based on books? Enter 10056.
How about the most interesting documentaries to date? Use code: 6839
Related: See why Netflix sucks. (and what to do about it.
Solve: “What Netflix show should I watch” by using these secret netflix codes
In this section, I’ll be covering which Netflix shows can be discovered using secret Netflix code hacks. Enter the following codes as mentioned while navigating the Netflix Search.
We cover some below, but you can see A full list of secret Netflix category codes here
- Psychological Thrillers – 5505
- Supernatural Thrillers: 11140
- Movies based on children’s books – 10056
- Feel good Christmas children & family films – 1475066
- Documentaries – 6839
- Mockumentaries – 26
- World Music Concerts: 2856
- Disney – 67673
- Late Night Comedies – 1402
- Slapstick Comedies – 10256
- Classic Comedies – 31694
- Horror – 8711
- Romance: – 31273
- Sci-Fi and Fantasy – 1492
Action, Comedies & Romance
- Action & Adventure – 1365
- Asian Action Movies – 77232
- Classic Action & Adventure – 46576
- Action Thrillers – 43048
- Action Comedies – 43040
- Adventures – 7442
- Comic Book and Superhero Movies – 10118
- Crime Action & Adventure – 9584
- Spy Action & Adventure – 10702
- Foreign Action & Adventure – 11828
- Martial Arts Movies – 8985
- Westerns – 7700
- Military Action & Adventure – 2125
- Comedies – 6548
- Dark Comedies – 869
- Late Night Comedies – 1402
- Mockumentaries – 26
- Satires – 4922
- Political Comedies – 2700
- Foreign Comedies – 4426
- Screwball Comedies – 9702
- Sports Comedies – 5286
- Teen Comedies – 3519
- Stand-up Comedy – 11559
- Romantic Comedies – 5475
- Slapstick Comedies – 10256
- 8883 | Romantic Movies
- Romantic Favorites – 502675
- Steamy Romantic Movies – 35800
- Romantic Foreign Movies – 7153
- Romantic Dramas – 1255
- Classic Romantic Movies – 31273
- Romantic Comedies – 5475
- Quirky Romance – 36103
- Romantic Independent Movies – 9916
Movies for kids by age range
- Movies for ages (0 to 2) – 6796
- Movies for ages (2 to 4) – 6218
- Movies for ages (5 to 7) – 5455
- Movies for ages (8 to 10) – 561
- Movies for ages (11 to 12) – 6962
- Education for Kids – 10659
- Disney – 67673
- Movies based on children’s books – 10056
- Family Features – 5105
- TV Cartoons – 11177
- Kids’ TV – 27346
- Kids Music – 52843
- Animal Tales – 5507
Sports Movies
- Sports Comedies – 5286
- Sports Documentaries – 180
- Sports Dramas – 7243
- Baseball Movies – 12339
- Football Movies – 12803
- Boxing Movies – 12443
- Soccer Movies – 12549
- Martial Arts, Boxing & Wrestling – 6695
- Basketball Movies – 12762
- Sports & Fitness – 9327
Cult Movies
- B-Horror Movies – 8195
- Campy Movies – 1252
- Cult Horror Movies – 10944
- Cult Sci-Fi & Fantasy – 4734
- Cult Comedies – 9434
Anime
- Adult Animation – 11881
- Anime Action – 2653
- Anime Comedies – 9302
- Anime Dramas – 452
- Anime Features – 3063
- Anime Sci-Fi – 2729
- Anime Horror – 10695
- Anime Fantasy – 11146
- Anime Series – 6721
See the complete list of Netflix codes here for more “What should I watch on Netflix” codes.
Still wondering “What Netflix show should I watch?”
Are you still wondering “What should I watch on Netflix?”…
If so, you’ll likely want to ditch Netflix and grab a personal streaming service.
Why?
Because a Personal streaming services allow you to get nearly any new movie or show that exists without limitations. It’s no wonder everybody is switching to this. It’s just too good.
You’ll also be able to search by actor and take advantage of a built-in rotten tomatoes score. (something Netflix just can’t compete with)
Fun fact: You can also get more hidden shows outside of the US by enabling a VPN. Including, but not limited to Canada.
Which VPN you choose depends on what you can access… this is one more reason to grab a personal streaming service… no need for a complicated VPN set up. (In case you haven’t noticed- we’re big fans of the personal streaming service)
Popular Solution: Reset your Algorithim completely
Most Netflix subscribers overlook the idea of reseting their algorithm.
“…but, I just want to know what Netflix show should I watch”
Lets face it, we could put hundreds of award winning shows in front of you… but what about the long term?
By resetting your algorithm you’ll be able to explore new a fresh content outside your comfort zone. Simply delete your current username and remake another one, then restart Netflix.
Yes, it sounds basic… but, once you implement this you’ll be in Netflix heaven.
When I first logged in I saw so many options outside my comfort zone. This is what I was looking for and didn’t even know it!
Netflix’s algorithm is so good that… well, it’s actually bad. It can force you into a pit of things it thinks you like (but, really don’t). See more on hacking the algorithm by visiting our guide: Why Netflix sucks and what to do about it.
Failing to reseting your algorithm means never breaking you into shows that are limited- depriving you of the chance to explore exclusive content that doesn’t get shown on Netflix for very long. (see more about algorithms and how users behave in this study here)
Related for Nintendo switch users: How to watch Netflix on Switch. Yep, it’s possible
Bottom line
Whether you use this Netflix code life hack, reset the algorithm or decide to switch to a personal streaming service (my favorite), you’ll be able to decide what you should watch on Netflix (or in general) on any given day with ease.
If all else fails, you can always go back to one of those spammy quizzes that show you the same movie or show no matter what answers you provide!
