First, you need to understand how Netflix works. Despite having thousands of shows and movies in its library, you mostly see the same titles in your account. This is because Netflix uses a range of algorithms to decide what to recommend to you.
It can get pretty stale seeing the same recommendations all the time, and they might not even be to your taste. Netflix codes let you see beyond your curated feed.
Netflix's secret codes categorize all of Netflix’s movies and series. Netflix employees watch and evaluate shows based on criteria, such as:
- Plot
- Characters
- Location and setting
- Rating
- Language
This creates a trove of metadata, which artificial intelligence (AI) neatly organizes into categories. Netflix refers to these categories as “alt-genres”, but we think “secret codes” has a better ring to it!
How to Use Netflix Secret Codes
You can’t guess the secret codes intuitively — you need to know where to find them. Don’t worry! I’ve added a full list below for your convenience. Once you know the code for the genre you’re interested in, it’s easy to find your favorite shows.
Here’s how to access any Netflix genre on your web browser:
- Open your browser.
- Go to the Netflix homepage and sign in to your account.
- Type https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/[code] into the address bar.
- Replace [code] with the specific code matching your chosen movie genre from the list below.
Netflix Secret Codes List
- Action Thrillers – 43048
- Classic Thrillers – 46588
- Crime Thrillers – 10499
- Gangster Movies – 31851
- Independent Thrillers – 3269
- Mysteries – 9994
- Political Thrillers – 10504
- Psychological Thrillers – 5505
- Sci-Fi Thrillers – 11014
- Spy Thrillers – 9147
- Steamy Thrillers – 972
- Supernatural Thrillers – 11140
- British TV Shows – 52117
- Classic TV Shows – 46553
- Crime TV Shows – 26146
- Cult TV Shows – 74652
- Food & Travel TV – 72436
- Kids’ TV – 27346
- Korean TV Shows – 67879
- Military TV Shows – 25804
- Miniseries – 4814
- Reality TV – 9833
- Science & Nature TV – 52780
- Teen TV Shows – 60951
- TV Action & Adventure – 10673
- TV Comedies – 10375
- TV Documentaries – 10105
- TV Dramas – 11714
- TV Horror – 83059
- TV Mysteries – 4366
- TV Sci-Fi & Fantasy – 1372
- Action Comedies – 43040
- Action Thrillers – 43048
- Adventures – 7442
- Classic Action & Adventure – 46576
- Comic Book and Superhero Movies – 10118
- Crime Action & Adventure – 9584
- Martial Arts Movies – 8985
- Military Action & Adventure – 2125
- Westerns – 7700
- Spy Action & Adventure – 10702
- Classic Comedies – 31694
- Classic Dramas – 29809
- Classic Sci-Fi & Fantasy – 47147
- Classic Thrillers – 46588
- Classic War Movies – 48744
- Classic Westerns – 47465
- Epics – 52858
- Film Noir – 7687
- Silent Movies – 53310
- Biographical Documentaries – 3652
- Crime Documentaries – 9875
- Foreign Documentaries – 5161
- Historical Documentaries – 5349
- Military Documentaries – 4006
- Music & Concert Documentaries – 90361
- Political Documentaries – 7018
- Spiritual Documentaries – 2760
- Science & Nature Documentaries – 2595
- Social & Cultural Documentaries – 3675
- Sports Documentaries – 180
- Travel & Adventure Documentaries – 1159
- Biographical Dramas – 3179
- Classic Dramas – 29809
- Courtroom Dramas – 2748
- Crime Dramas – 6889
- Dramas based on Books – 4961
- Dramas based on real life – 3653
- Foreign Dramas – 2150
- LGBTQ Dramas – 500
- Independent Dramas – 384
- Military Dramas – 11
- Period Pieces – 12123
- Political Dramas – 6616
- Romantic Dramas – 1255
- Showbiz Dramas – 5012
- Social Issue Dramas – 3947
- Sports Dramas – 7243
- Tearjerkers – 6384
- Teen Dramas – 9299
