How does the new Netflix user interface hold up?
How does the new Netflix user interface hold up?
Netflix made a big deal out of the launch of a new user experience for smart TVs. It may have been better off not doing so.
It’s reasonable to say that Netflix treated the run-up to the release of its new user interface like a marquee TV show or movie premiere. The streamer https://thestreamable.com/netflix-teases-beautiful-new-user-interface-intended-to-help-boost-viewer-engagement first began teasing the upgrade in summer 2024, promising big new things and offering little hints and glimpses along the way. Then, this spring, the new user interface finally made it to viewers.
Thus far, viewers haven't exactly been thrilled about the change in interface for Netflix. The upgrade has rolled out gradually, but finally, I’ve gotten my hands on it, and I’m ready to give you my thoughts about Netflix’s digital makeover at long last.
What do we think about Netflix’s user interface?
How is the new Netflix home screen?
Netflix has indeed made major changes to its home screen, although it isn’t as apparent when you open the streamer first. The initial thing you see when opening the Netflix app puts its show of the day, week, or month right at the top of the screen, and the content tile steering you to it takes up around 80% of the surface area of your screen.
The top of the Netflix home screen still looks quite a bit like other streamers. Click to expand.
Things improve immediately on the next row down, however. This row comes with options that are a mixture of shows and movies recommended based on your viewing experience, as well as other selections that Netflix clearly wants to steer you toward.
What I like about this is I feel like Netflix is at least paying some heed to my preferences in its first content row, as opposed to the blatant self-promotion that so many streamers overtly give to their originals at any given moment. Following the Your Next Watch top row is a selection of shows and movies, also clearly based on my particular viewing desires.
What I appreciate less is the need to continue showing trailers automatically when I hover over a tile in a content carousel. Can we please, PLEASE save this for a show’s details page instead of trying to busy up the home screen with it? I may be on an island with this complaint, but if it’s the hill I die on, so be it.
The Continue Watching row is just a couple of clicks down from the top row, and after that, Netflix offers the standard curated rows of comedies, cooking shows, action thrillers, etc. The left-hand menu that has become so ubiquitous on streaming interfaces has now been moved to the top of the screen, and features just five main options: Search, Home, Shows, Movies, and Netflix.
I liked the simplicity of the Netflix home screen more than I thought I would coming into the review. It’s not exactly revolutionary, but it does feel evolutionary, and that’s a start.
Home screen score: 8 out of 10
Is content discovery easy on Netflix?
The search icon on Netflix is right at the top of the screen, the first option in its top-row menu. That makes it easy enough to hunt down a specific show or movie that you’re looking for in its vast library.
The real star of Netflix’s content discovery engine, however, is the curated row of titles that’s just two from the top on the home screen. For me, this row is labeled “Geeked: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Superhero & More,” which I must admit is at least a fair summation of the titles I watch most on Netflix. The row is stuffed with suggestions I’ve watched already (as a chronic re-watcher, I love this), as well as new shows I haven’t tried before.
With fewer categories to narrow your search in the top menu, Netflix does lose a few points in this category, but the row of personalized recommendations right under the top carousel in the home screen adds a few of those back on, for sure.
Content discovery score: 9 out of 10
Is it easy to move between categories on Netflix?
Sure, if you don’t mind narrowing your browsing choices to just TV shows or movies. That’s really the bread and butter of the Netflix library anyway; the streamer doesn’t have daily live programming or any free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels yet, so there’s no real need for a Live tab. Ditto with sports; while Netflix is beginning to offer more sporting events, it probably doesn’t have enough that it needs a dedicated page for them just yet. Expect to see marquee events like NFL games featured prominently in the Your Next Watch section when they’re available.
Category navigation score: 8 out of 10
How are Netflix’s playback controls?
The playback controls on Netflix may not have gotten as big an overhaul as the streamer’s home screen, but there’s nothing wrong with that in my eyes. They’ve got options for starting the episode over, going back to the details page, and skipping to the next episode, as well as changing audio dubs and subtitles, and tweaking the appearance of the subtitles. Everything I need is here, though there are no ways to scroll through other seasons and episodes without going back to the show’s details page.
Netflix’s playback controls have all the needed bells and whistles. Click to expand.
Playback controls score: 9 out of 10
Does Netflix make it easy to skip opening and closing credits?
Skip Intro comes up automatically when the opening titles begin, and while the button disappears from the screen if you don’t press it in around three seconds, it disappears. Calling up the playback controls will bring the Skip Intro button back, however.
The Skip Credits button comes up automatically when an episode ends, but is it too fast? It gives the user around three seconds to decide whether or not they want to do it before it makes the choice for them. I’d like maybe an extra moment to decide, plus if you don’t catch it, the skip credits button doesn’t come back. That causes it to lose marks in my book — er, article.
Skipping intro and closing credits score: 7.5 out of 10
Final thoughts
Look, there’s no denying Netflix milked the rollout of its new user interface for all it was worth. Was the final product worth the buildup of around a year? Probably not. But was the Netflix user interface better than I anticipated when I opened the app to write this review? Yes.
I can understand how the Netflix UX may not be for everyone, but I liked most of the changes the streamer made. I expect more tweaks in the future as Netflix adds more content, but so far it’s working for me.
Final score: 8.5 out of 10
Netflix
Netflix is a leading subscription-based video streaming service that offers on-demand access to an extensive library of over 3,000 movies, 2,000+ TV shows, and a growing collection of acclaimed Netflix originals. Renowned for producing groundbreaking content, Netflix has become a cultural powerhouse with hit originals like “Stranger Things,” “Wednesday,” “Squid Game,” “The Crown,” “Tiger King,” “Bridgerton,” “The Witcher,” and “Black Mirror.”