These Netflix secret codes will unlock whole new categories for you

Netflix logo on a TV screen next to a vase of flowers
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

If standard categories just aren't cutting it, learning how to use Netflix secret codes will unlock a new world of shows and films for you.

Whether you're tired of the best Netflix shows or best Netflix movies and want something different, or just want a simpler way to find the things you like, using Netflix secret codes makes searching a whole lot easier.

In short, Netflix secret codes are a number that you enter in the search bar to bring up specific categories. While they don't literally unlock hidden Netflix content, they do allow you to see categories that you can't usually find by searching the traditional way.

What's more, Netflix secret codes allow you to discover a load of content you didn't know was there. Want to know more about Netflix secret codes? Check out our guide on how to use them.

How to use Netflix secret codes

Netflix search showing basketball movies

(Image credit: Netflix)

Using the Netflix secret codes isn't as easy as some think. Some say you enter the code in the search bar on the Netflix app or website. But that doesn't always work!

The best way to use Netflix search codes is with a web browser

1. Simply open Netflix, and you should see this at the top of your screen:

A view of the URL field in Chrome before you enter a netflix secret search code.

(Image credit: Netflix)

2. Then, and type in "/genre/" (without the quotation marks) and the code number, after the URL — (i.e. "netflix.com/browse/genre/43040" for Action Comedies).

A Netflix URL in Chrome with the suffix of the URL highlighted done showing the part you put in to activate a netflix secret search codes

(Image credit: Netflix)

3. Hit Enter and you'll get the page you're looking for.

A view of the URL field in Chrome with "/genre/43030" input to open Action Comedies using a netflix secret search code.

(Image credit: Netflix)

You can try to do this without a web browser, but results are less precise. For example, if you want to see a list of British TV shows, simply enter the code 52117 in the search bar. Or if you're a fan of Korean dramas, that's 5685.

It's worth noting that certain codes only work in certain regions, so some of the codes below may not work for you.  

We'll also add that some of the tagging is a little off, to say the least. Tag '77232' is supposedly Asian Action Movies, but the Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot-starring Red Notice is in there, as is Matt Damon's Elysium and Zack Snyder's Army of Thieves.

Below, we've listed all known Netflix secret codes. Have fun!

List of Netflix secret codes

  • Action & Adventure: 1365
  • Action Comedies: 43040
  • Action Sci-Fi & Fantasy: 1568
  • Action Thrillers: 43048
  • Adult Animation: 11881
  • Adventures: 7442
  • African Movies: 3761
  • Alien Sci-Fi: 3327
  • Animal Tales: 5507
  • Anime: 7424
  • Anime Action: 2653
  • Anime Comedies: 9302
  • Anime Dramas: 452
  • Anime Fantasy: 11146
  • Anime Features: 3063
  • Anime Horror: 10695
  • Anime Sci-Fi: 2729
  • Anime Series: 6721
  • Art House Movies: 29764
  • Asian Action Movies: 77232
  • Australian Movies: 5230
  • B-Horror Movies: 8195
  • Baseball Movies: 12339
  • Basketball Movies: 12762
  • Belgian Movies: 262
  • Biographical Docs: 3652
  • Biographical Dramas: 3179
  • Boxing Movies: 12443
  • British Movies: 10757
  • British TV Shows: 52117
  • Campy Movies: 1252
  • Children & Family Movies: 783
  • Chinese Movies: 3960
  • Classic Action & Adventure: 46576
  • Classic Comedies: 31694
  • Classic Dramas: 29809
  • Classic Foreign Movies: 32473
  • Classic Movies: 31574
  • Classic Musicals: 32392
  • Classic Romantic Movies: 31273
  • Classic Sci-Fi & Fantasy: 47147
  • Classic Thrillers: 46588
  • Classic TV Shows: 46553
  • Classic War Movies: 48744
  • Classic Westerns: 47465
  • Comedies: 6548
  • Comic Book and Superhero: 10118
  • Country & Western/Folk: 1105
  • Courtroom Dramas: 2748
  • Creature Features: 6895
  • Crime Action & Adventure: 9584
  • Crime Documentaries: 9875
  • Crime Dramas: 6889
  • Crime Thrillers: 10499
  • Crime TV Shows: 26146
  • Cult Comedies: 9434
  • Cult Horror Movies: 10944
  • Cult Movies: 7627
  • Cult Sci-Fi & Fantasy: 4734
  • Cult TV Shows: 74652
  • Dark Comedies: 869
  • Deep Sea Horror Movies: 45028
  • Disney: 67673
  • Disney Musicals: 59433
  • Documentaries: 6839
  • Dramas: 5763
  • Dramas based on Books: 4961
  • Dramas based on real life: 3653
  • Dutch Movies: 10606
  • Eastern European Movies: 5254
  • Education for Kids: 10659
  • Epics: 52858
  • Experimental Movies: 11079
  • Faith & Spirituality: 26835
  • Faith & Spirituality Movies: 52804
  • Family Features: 51056
  • Fantasy Movies: 9744
  • Film Noir: 7687
  • Food & Travel TV: 72436
  • Football Movies: 12803
  • Foreign Action & Adventure: 11828
  • Foreign Comedies: 4426
  • Foreign Documentaries: 5161
  • Foreign Dramas: 2150
  • Foreign Gay & Lesbian Movies: 8243
  • Foreign Horror Movies: 8654
  • Foreign Movies: 7462
  • Foreign Sci-Fi & Fantasy: 6485
  • Foreign Thrillers: 10306
  • French Movies: 58807
  • Gangster Movies: 31851
  • Gay & Lesbian Dramas: 500
  • German Movies: 58886
  • Greek Movies: 61115
  • Historical Documentaries: 5349
  • Horror Comedy: 89585
  • Horror Movies: 8711
  • Independent Action & Adventure: 11804
  • Independent Comedies: 4195
  • Independent Dramas: 384
  • Independent Movies: 7077
  • Independent Thrillers: 3269
  • Indian Movies: 10463
  • Irish Movies: 58750
  • Italian Movies: 8221
  • Japanese Movies: 10398
  • Jazz & Easy Listening: 10271
  • Kids Faith & Spirituality: 751423
  • Kids Music: 52843
  • Kids’ TV: 27346
  • Korean Movies: 5685
  • Korean TV Shows: 67879
  • Late Night Comedies: 1402
  • Latin American Movies: 1613
  • Latin Music: 10741
  • Martial Arts Movies: 8985
  • Martial Arts, Boxing & Wrestling: 6695
  • Middle Eastern Movies: 5875
  • Military Action & Adventure: 2125
  • Military Documentaries: 4006
  • Military Dramas: 11
  • Military TV Shows: 25804
  • Miniseries: 4814
  • Mockumentaries: 26
  • Monster Movies: 947
  • Movies based on children’s books: 10056
  • 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
  • Music & Concert Documentaries: 90361
  • Music: 1701
  • Musicals: 13335
  • Mysteries: 9994
  • New Zealand Movies: 63782
  • Period Pieces: 12123
  • Political Comedies: 2700
  • Political Documentaries: 7018
  • Political Dramas: 6616
  • Political Thrillers: 10504
  • Psychological Thrillers: 5505
  • Quirky Romance: 36103
  • Reality TV: 9833
  • Religious Documentaries: 10005
  • Rock & Pop Concerts: 3278
  • Romantic Comedies: 5475
  • Romantic Dramas: 1255
  • Romantic Favorites: 502675
  • Romantic Foreign Movies: 7153
  • Romantic Independent Movies: 9916
  • Romantic Movies: 8883
  • Russian: 11567
  • Satanic Stories: 6998
  • Satires: 4922
  • Scandinavian Movies: 9292
  • Sci-Fi & Fantasy: 1492
  • Sci-Fi Adventure: 6926
  • Sci-Fi Dramas: 3916
  • Sci-Fi Horror Movies: 1694
  • Sci-Fi Thrillers: 11014
  • Science & Nature Documentaries: 2595
  • Science & Nature TV: 52780
  • Screwball Comedies: 9702
  • Showbiz Dramas: 5012
  • Showbiz Musicals: 13573
  • Silent Movies: 53310
  • Slapstick Comedies: 10256
  • Slasher and Serial Killer Movies: 8646
  • Soccer Movies: 12549
  • Social & Cultural Documentaries: 3675
  • Social Issue Dramas: 3947
  • Southeast Asian Movies: 9196
  • Spanish Movies: 58741
  • Spiritual Documentaries: 2760
  • Sports & Fitness: 9327
  • Sports Comedies: 5286
  • Sports Documentaries: 180
  • Sports Dramas: 7243
  • Sports Movies: 4370
  • Spy Action & Adventure: 10702
  • Spy Thrillers: 9147
  • Stage Musicals: 55774
  • Stand-up Comedy: 11559
  • Steamy Romantic Movies: 35800
  • Steamy Thrillers: 972
  • Supernatural Horror Movies: 42023
  • Supernatural Thrillers: 11140
  • Tearjerkers: 6384
  • Teen Comedies: 3519
  • Teen Dramas: 9299
  • Teen Screams: 52147
  • Teen TV Shows: 60951
  • Thrillers: 8933
  • Travel & Adventure Documentaries: 1159
  • TV Action & Adventure: 10673
  • TV Cartoons: 11177
  • TV Comedies: 10375
  • TV Documentaries: 10105
  • TV Dramas: 11714
  • TV Horror: 83059
  • TV Mysteries: 4366
  • TV Sci-Fi & Fantasy: 1372
  • TV Shows: 83
  • Urban & Dance Concerts: 9472
  • Vampire Horror Movies: 75804
  • Werewolf Horror Movies: 75930
  • Westerns: 7700
  • World Music Concerts: 2856
  • Zombie Horror Movies: 75405

Now that you've unlocked the mysteries of Netflix secret codes, you may want to check out how to download TV shows and movies from Netflix. And if you ever get locked out of your account, find out how to change your Netflix password. You can also read about this free Netflix spatial audio upgrade — that blew us away.

Finally, don't forget to read our Netflix hidden features article for more tips and tricks on the streaming service.

For other streaming guides, check out how to fix an Apple TV that's not working and how to use the Amazon TV Fire Stick.

Dale Fox
Freelance Journalist

Dale Fox is a freelance journalist based in the UK. He's been a tech nerd ever since childhood, when he used the money from his first job as a paperboy to buy a subscription to GamesMaster magazine. Dale was previously a presenter and editor in China, where he also worked as a copywriter for OnePlus at its Shenzhen HQ.  

With contributions from