How to Watch Movies on Netflix: Free, Together with Friends, or Offline

Streaming has ushered in a new way we consume media daily. Instead of waiting for a specific day and time, making sure you have an hour and a half of two free, you can now stream a movie at a moment’s notice. The quality will also be sufficient due to ever-increasing Internet speeds and improved compression algorithms. That means you don’t need to go outside and purchase a physical disk to enjoy a crisp image either. Plus, you can watch movies on a wide variety of devices, some of which you might already possess. Without further ado, here’s how to watch movies on Netflix.

First time on Netflix?

Using Netflix for the very first time is pretty easy. As soon as you sign up for an account following the section below, you will be taken to the Netflix dashboard as seen below –

From there, you can start watching your favorite movies and shows. First, you will not be able to see movies or series based on your taste. But as you start watching more and more, you will notice that the dashboard is being optimized for you.

Registering a Netflix account

Netflix is aware that committing to a monthly payment and canceling your cable subscription can be a scary step. For that reason, they’ve created a trial option. You can watch some of their best-rated TV shows and movies using the following link netflix.com/watch-free. No sign up required, just play and enjoy. If you like what you see, you can choose a subscription that fits you best. Keep in mind, Netflix is known for offering a 30-day no-commitment plan as well, so you can enjoy the full set of features without dreading the bill.

1. Visit Netflix Sign Up page on your computer. You can use other devices, but this is the most convenient way.
2. Right away, you’ll be asked to pick between subscription plans. Additionally, you can choose whether to be billed monthly or weekly. Review the plans and the prices, and choose the one that fits you best.
3. Click Continue.
4. You will be asked to create an account. Enter your e-mail address and pick a password that’s unique to Netflix.
5. Optional. Check the box in front of Please do not email me Netflix special offers.
6. Click Continue.
7. Step three of the sign-up process involves a payment method. While you won’t be billed for the duration of the first 30 days (and reminded the free trial expires 3 days before it does), Netflix wants your card details right away. Pick a credit, debit, or a gift card, or sign up with a postpaid mobile bill if that’s convenient.
8. Finally, select all of the devices you’ll be watching Netflix on from the list. This is more of a preliminary list, and you can stream to devices you haven’t checked.

How to watch movies on Netflix with a browser

Before we go ahead and explain the process, let’s get the compatibility out of the way. Here are our observed maximum resolutions based on an operating system.

• Windows 8, Windows 10 – Internet Explorer (1080p), (Microsoft) Edge (4K)
• Mac OS X 10.10 and higher – Safari (1080p)
• Any desktop/laptop operating system – Google Chrome (720p), Mozilla Firefox (720p)
• Android – The majority of smart devices using the Netflix application (720p-1080p). Netflix certified Smart TV boxes/sticks via Netflix application (4K)

Here’s how to sign in and start a movie stream.

1. Open the Netflix Sign In page and log in with your account details.
2. By default, you’ll see one user profile under Who’s watching? Click on it.
3. Optional. You can add, delete, or manage profiles for your family members and friends by clicking on Manage Profiles This is important, as Netflix will cater recommendations based on your watch history, and you can filter inappropriate content for kids, for example.
4. A list of thumbnails of recommended Netflix TV shows and movies will appear.
5. Scroll through the categories. You can also click on the > button to expand the number of titles in a given category. Click on Browse in the top left corner to view all categories.
6. Optional. Click on a magnifying glass to search for a specific title.
7. Once you click on a movie you’d like to watch, you’ll be redirected to its dedicated page. Click on the Play button to start the stream.

How to watch Netflix movies on a smart device

The main benefit of watching films on a smart device is portability. You only need a good enough device and a steady Internet connection. Here’s how.

Android

1. Download, install and run Netflix on Google Play.
2. Tap on Sign In.
3. Log in to your Netflix account.
4. Choose a user profile to watch movies with.
5. Scroll through the recommendations, and swap left or right to discover more movies in the same category. Use the Movies option in the top corner. Or, use My List in the top right corner.
6. Optional. Tap on the three parallel lines in the bottom right corner. You can view a list of all the categories from there. Or, tap on Search at the bottom.
7. Pick a movie and tap on it. Tap on Play once on the page.

iOS

1. Download, install, and run Netflix on Apple App Store. iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models that have iOS 12 and later running are compatible. If you used the Netflix app on them in the past, you can also use some Netflix on devices running iOS 5 and later.
2. After you enter the login details, tap on Sign In.
3. Choose a profile.
4. Tap on Movies at the top of the screen.
5. Scroll through the recommended movies, use the magnifying glass at the bottom to search, or tap on the three horizontal lines to view the list of categories.
6. Once you find a movie you’d like to watch, tap on its thumbnail, and tap on Play.

Watching Netflix movies on a Smart TV

1. Make sure your Smart TV is connected to the Internet via Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi.
2. The process is different based on a model of your TV. Do one of the following.
   1. Find the Netflix button on your TV’s remote if it exists.
   2. Press the Home button on your remote. Find Apps options. Browse through the list, or use the Search feature and type Netflix.
   3. If the Netflix application isn’t present, it needs to be downloaded and installed. Refer to the user’s manual that you received with the TV for instructions.
3. Navigate to the Sign In button on-screen and press the OK button on your remote. There are two options now.
   1. You’ll be prompted to sign in and can get to your profile.
   2. You are asked to enter the verification code to confirm the account. In that case, do the following. Open the netflix.com/activate link in your browser. Log in to your account. Enter the code displayed on the TV into the text box on the website. Click on Activate. You can sign in to your Netflix account now.
4. Navigate through the categories and recommended movies using your remote. Select a movie and press the OK button on your remote. Navigate to the Play button on the screen and press the OK button on your remote again.

How to watch movies on a Smart TV box/stick

Have you seen products such as Roku Streaming Stick or Amazon Fire Stick and wondered what they do? In short, they can turn an older TV model into a Smart TV when connected via the HDMI cable. Or, you can use the device when your Smart TV’s specifications aren’t strong enough to handle a stream in 4K resolution, and using Dolby Vision or HDR10. The process of using the application on any of these devices will be nearly identical to using it on a native Smart TV. They run custom versions of the operating systems but are primarily based on Android.

How to watch Netflix for Free?

Netflix no longer provides a free trial to customers. As sad as it is, you still have hope to get something to watch on Netflix for free.

Wait for the Free Trial

Netflix no longer offers a free trial period to new users. But, they might change their mind. As soon as the trial comes back, you can sign up for a trial and enjoy Netflix content for a limited time before deciding whether to subscribe.

Shared Subscription

If you have friends or family members who have a Netflix subscription, you can ask if they are willing to share their account with you, as Netflix allows multiple user profiles under one account. Ensure that you use this option with their permission and in accordance with Netflix’s terms of service. Also, you should be living in one household.

A reminder that Netflix doesn’t allow you to share your passwords with anyone. You can only share the account with people within your household. If you break this rule, your Netflix account may get banned.

Promotions and Offers

Even though it is pretty rare, Netflix occasionally provides discounts and offers on their plans. Keep an eye out for special promotions or bundled offers that may include a Netflix subscription with other services or products you are interested in. As soon as they are available, you are good to grab them.

Methods to watch Netflix together with Friends

There are multiple ways you can watch Netflix together with your friends and family. You can use any one of them based on your preferences.

Method 1. Using Teleparty

Teleparty is an extension that can be used to watch your favorite movies and shows on services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc. You can simply install this extension and start enjoying the watch together experience.

Step 1: Install the Netflix Party extension

• Visit the Chrome Web Store.
• Search for “Netflix Party.”
• Click “Add to Chrome” to install the extension.

Step 2: Launch Netflix and select a show or movie

• Open Netflix in Google Chrome.
• Choose the content you want to watch.

Step 3: Create a Netflix Party

• Click the Netflix Party extension icon in the top-right corner of the browser.
• Click “Start Party.”
• Decide whether you or your friends can control playback.

Step 4: Share the party link

• A unique link is generated; share it with your friends.
• They can click the link to join the party.

Step 5: Chat and enjoy

• A chat window will appear for real-time communication.
• Playback will sync for all party members.

Method 2. Using Discord screen sharing

Step 1: Install and set up Discord

• Download Discord from the official website.
• Create or join a server and invite your friends.

Step 2: Create a voice or video channel

Inside your server, add a voice or video channel where everyone will gather.

Step 3: Share your screen

• Open Netflix in your browser.
• Join the voice or video channel in Discord.
• Click the “Screen” button in your Discord call.
• Choose your browser window with Netflix content.

Step 4: Start playing on Netflix

Play the show or movie on Netflix, and it will be visible to everyone on the Discord channel.

Step 5: Enjoy and chat

Watch content together and communicate using Discord’s voice and text chat features. This is a great feature for sharing your thoughts during the playback.

How to Watch Netflix Offline

Netflix shows and movies can be downloaded for offline viewing. Under each movie or series episode, you’ll see a download button as shown below –

You can simply click/tap on it. The video will start downloading to your device for offline viewing. The next time you want to watch it, you do not need an internet connection or bandwidth.

Read How to Download Netflix Movies

FAQs