Netflix has come to India and one of the most common complaints we have heard is that users are not being able to find preferred content on the online streaming platform. A lot of users are also upset with the fact that Netflix in India is missing some of its own original productions, like the famous political drama- House of Cards. While reviewing the Netflix app in India, we were also disappointed by the fact that some of the popular Hollywood franchises, like The Dark Knight series, were completely missing from the Netflix library. This is happening because content on Netflix varies in different countries due to licensing deals with particular film & TV studios. So to make life better, we got to work and found out some cool tools for discovering hidden and restricted content for Netflix users in India. Hope this helps enhance your binge-watching experience.
Smartflix Desktop App
Smartflix is a new desktop app for Windows and Mac, and it is the answer to all your clocked content woes. In India, Netflix is missing a lot of content that the platform’s U.S. counterpart houses. Be it House of Cards or Batman, you can watch anything that’s listed and available in the U.S. without going through the cumbersome process of setting up VPNs. Smartflix works much like a VPN to bypass location restrictions on Netflix. Download the Smartflix desktop app and you can find all the missing content you have been looking for. The app lets you log-in to your Netflix account natively and you can then start seeing your favourite shows without a hitch. The only trouble here is that if you have multiple profiles on your Netflix account, you won’t be able to access a particular profile or add the shows to your list. Not a very big price to pay for watching restricted content.
iStream Guide Mobile App
So, the Netflix website and app only show you that many categories. 12 categories to be precise. So what do you do if you want to streamline your search? Maybe you want to find content specific to ‘Animals’, or ‘Anime Dramas’, or ‘Basketball’, or even a list of Oscar winning movies. Well, the iStream guide app for Android and iOS will help you do all that. You can search the whole Netflix library specific to the India region by accessing the settings of the app and changing your region to India. The app divides Netflix content by New Releases, Hot & trending shows and films, Genres, Genre groups, Worldwide releases, and more. There is also a built-in randomiser which throws up a random show or film, just in case you are in major couch potato mode. You can also view the Rotten Tomatoes ranking along with an overview of the cast of each and every item listed on Netflix. Did I mention you can maintain a favourites list as well?
Allflicks Website
Many online websites have a complete list of all of Netflix’s content, and Allflicks is one of the more popular ones in the crowd. Specifically curated for India, Allflicks now has a list of all movies and TV shows on Netflix in India. The list can be limited by genre or release year. Search options also include search by Title/Director/Actor etc. You can also see IMDB ratings of each and every item listed alongside, along with original cover art. Clicking on a particular show/movie name, directs users to a new page where they can watch the trailer of that particular selection. The best part about it is that the website also provides a direct link to the show page on the user’s Netflix account, so you won’t have to go and search for it on Netflix again.
Now Streaming Website
Netflix keeps adding and removing content from its platform and it’s difficult to keep a track of what’s leaving the streaming platform. You don’t want to miss out on a movie just because you were too late, right? ‘Now streaming’ is a website that lists all the shows or movies that are about to go off the shelf on Netflix. It also lists out all the latest additions to the Netflix library aside from recommendations, news and the usual lists.
What’s on Netflix Website
What’s on Netflix is an unofficial Netflix fan website which gives you access to all of Netflix’s library listings. The website is helpful in finding common Netflix to-do’s listed by bloggers and fans. It also streamlines Netflix content in various easy-to-navigate categories to keep you updated with anything and everything Netflix. Clicking on any title will redirect you to its page on Netflix, but currently this feature is only limited to Netflix’s original content.
Netflix Roulette
As the name suggest, Netflix Roulette is another netflix randomiser which throws up random content if users want to be surprised. You can vary your results by selecting a ratings range and names of directors, actors and other keywords. What would have been cooler is an actual roulette spinning wheel.
Netflix media center
Hidden at the bottom of the Netflix webpage, the Netflix Media Center is also a good place to find an A to Z list of all the original, only-on-Netflix content. If you are an entertainment reviewer or a plain Netflix enthusiast, you can find lots of cool press pictures of Netflix original productions as well.
So there you have it, some powerful tools to access the Netflix content of your choice in India. If you still feel a dearth of content on Netflix, be a little patient and let’s wait to find out what the company has in store for its Indian users. In 2016, Netflix has plans to release 31 new and returning original series, two dozen original feature films and documentaries, a wide range of stand-up comedy specials and 30 original kids series. Happy binge watching!