You’ve likely used Netflix’s categories to find something you’ll enjoy watching. And while everyone is familiar with common categories like dramas, comedies, and thrillers, did you know there are many more secret Netflix categories you can’t normally access?

Thankfully, finding and browsing these categories is simple. We’ll show you how and introduce you to some of the most interesting.

What Are Netflix Codes?

Netflix codes are a system of numbered identifiers that the company uses to classify the movies and TV shows on its platform. While you don’t interact with them directly, they aren’t hidden either—you can see these in Netflix’s web URLs. For example, the Documentaries category link is netflix.com/browse/genre/6839.

Netflix Documentaries URL in Chrome

Where this gets interesting is that Netflix has thousands of codes that offer far more specific genres than “action” or “comedy.” For example, under the broad Documentaries genre, you’ll find Historical documentaries (5349), Crime documentaries (9875), and Sports documentaries (180).

There’s a third layer of depth for even more detailed movie descriptions. Continuing from the above example, further examples include Controversial Social & Cultural Documentaries (1070), Critically-acclaimed Dark Political Documentaries (3160), and Feel-good Social & Cultural Documentaries (1016).

How to Find Netflix’s Secret Codes

Since there are hundreds of them, we can’t include every Netflix secret code here. Thankfully, other resources have compiled complete lists.

To dip your toe into these, check out our Netflix codes cheat sheet. This offers over 100 codes to try, letting you find more specific genres without becoming overwhelming.

If you want to see every category code Netflix has to offer, check out the Netflix Codes page on What’s on Netflix. The bottom of that post has an embedded table that you can search to find the precise type of movie you want. As an alternative, Finder has a searchable list that you can also filter by base genre, description, and decade.

Netflix Category Search Example on Finder

Both pages include clickable links so you can jump right to the applicable content on Netflix. Keep in mind that not all categories are available in all regions—you should thus know how to watch Netflix content from other countries.

How to Access Netflix’s Secret Category Pages

Once you’ve found a hidden Netflix category you want to try, it’s easy to open it. When using a resource like the above, clicking the link will bring you to the page. Sign into Netflix in your browser if needed, then you can browse the shows included in that description.

If you find a code without a clickable link, you can visit its page directly. Copy and paste the below URL into your browser, replacing ### with the number (be sure to keep the slash before the code).

https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/###

Because these codes require you to visit the URL directly, you can’t directly open them in the Netflix app on your phone, tablet, TV, or similar. However, if you paste the link into the browser on your mobile device, it should launch the Netflix app to the appropriate page.

Otherwise, the best option is to open a link on your desktop, browse for something to watch, then add any interesting items to your watchlist. Since that syncs to all devices where you watch Netflix, you can use it to launch the movie on your phone or TV.

Fun Secret Netflix Codes to Try

Now that you know what Netflix codes are and how to use them, let’s look at a few fun, interesting, or amusing Netflix code combinations. Give them a try next time you need help deciding what to watch on Netflix.

We've further explored interesting Netflix codes if you want to look at more choices.

Digging Up Hidden Corners of Netflix

Who knew that Netflix offered so many ways to split up its catalog? Now you can look for something specific instead of scrolling through Netflix’s homepage when the default categories don’t cut it.

If you can’t find something to watch even with all these categories, another streaming service is probably a better fit for you.