Skip to main content

The first Netflix games are live, but probably not for you

Netflix’s foray into gaming has begun. Slowly. And only in Poland.

The world’s largest streaming service has announced that it’s spun up two games — Stranger Things: 1984 and Stranger Things 3 — and that you’ll be able to play without ads, without in-app purchases, and with everything included in your current Netflix membership.

Recommended Videos

But the vast majority of Netflix’s nearly 213 million paid subscribers don’t have access just yet, as the games have only launched in Poland. (And firing up a VPN instance in Warsaw didn’t make the games magically appear for us here in the United States.)

Netflix's "Stranger Things" games on mobile.
The first mobile games from Netflix are here, with two titles set in the Stranger Things world. Image used with permission by copyright holder

The initial rollout was discussed on Netflix’s Twitter accounts. “Today, members in Poland can try Netflix mobile gaming on Android with two games, Stranger Things: 1984 and Stranger Things 3,” the company wrote. “It’s very, very early days and we’ve got a lot of work to do in the months ahead, but this is the first step.”

Please enable Javascript to view this content

We’ve known for a couple months that Netflix was headed in this direction, courtsey of a brief mention in the company’s second-quarter 2021 earnings note. In the letter to shareholders, Netflix said:”We view gaming as another new content category for us, similar to our expansion into original films, animation and unscripted TV.” It announced then that the games would be included in subscriptions, and that it would focus on the mobile space at first.

The experiment into gaming is an interesting one, and in a lot of ways it makes sense. Netflix has a growing stable of original content on which it can piggyback. While not everything lends itself to the traditional gaming experience (The Crown or Bridgerton, anyone?), you could easily imagine expanded gaming experiences built around titles like Sweet Tooth, Warrior Nun, or even the underrated animated series Pacific Rim: The Black. (We wouldn’t hold out for a Netflix mobile gaming version of The Witcher, though, due to the obvious collision with the existing PC and console games.)

As for when we can expect Netflix’s gaming experiment to make its way out of the heart of Europe, that’s anyone’s guess. Stay tuned.

Phil Nickinson
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Phil spent the 2000s making newspapers with the Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal, the 2010s with Android Central and then the…
5 sci-fi movies on Netflix you need to watch in February 2025
Matthew McConaughey as Cooper in his astronaut suit looking to the distance in Interstellar.

February has been a light month for new sci-fi on Netflix. Thankfully, sci-fi remains one of the stronger genres on Netflix, with many top movies to stream this month. With the Oscars coming in early March, now is an ideal time to revisit Dune: Part Two. If Dune isn't your speed, try one of the Mad Max movies to experience the Wasteland.
This month, we curated a list of five sci-fi movies to watch. Our recommendations include a stunning space adventure, a "choose your own adventure" saga, and an intriguing psychological thriller.

We also have guides to the best new movies to stream, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018)

Read more
3 action movies on Netflix you need to watch in February 2025
Two men and a girl stand and stare in The New Guys.

Action continues to be one of Netflix's strongest genres. For example, take a look at the top 10 for the most popular movies on Netflix ever. Seven of the ten spots – including Red Notice, Carry-On, The Adam Project, The Gray Man, Damsel, We Can Be Heroes, and The Mother — belong to action movies. More action films are coming in 2025, including Havoc and The Old Guard 2.
For now, explore the Netflix action page for your movie-going needs. From blockbusters and heists to thrillers and comedies, action crosses into nearly every genre. Below, we have three recommendations for action movies to watch this month. This includes a new action comedy from two gigantic stars, a criminally underrated movie from 2016, and a terrific crime thriller.
We also have guides to the best new movies to stream, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.
Back in Action (2025)

For Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz, Back in Action is the perfect title for their respective returns. Foxx suffered a life-threatening stroke in 2023, while Diaz hasn't acted in a decade. The duo, who previously collaborated on 2014's Annie, play former CIA operatives returning to the field in Back in Action, one of the most popular Netflix movies this year.

Read more
5 underrated movies on Netflix you need to watch in February 2025
Ryan Reynolds cuddles up next to his young daughter.

This February, television dominates the upcoming Netflix slate. After Back in Action found a home in the Netflix top 10 last month, the streamer turns its attention toward TV in the next few weeks. Before she plays Abby in The Last of Us season 2, Kaitlyn Dever headlines the brand-new series Apple Cider Vinegar. Elsewhere, the final season of Cobra Kai arrives on February 13, while Robert De Niro's Zero Day streams on February 20.
While TV might be the focus this month, Netflix continues to have one of the best vaults on the streaming market. With the addition of Warner Bros. and Paramount movies, the Netflix library is packed with underrated gems that need attention. Our movie picks for February include an emotional music documentary, a delightful rom-com, and a charming kids' adventure.

We also have guides to the best new movies to stream, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.
Avicii – I'm Tim (2024)
Avicii – I'm Tim | Official Trailer | Netflix
Tim Bergling was a shy kid from Sweden who eventually became one of the world's biggest DJs. You probably know him better by his stage name, Avicii. After entering the music space as a teenager, Avicii strapped himself on a rocket to superstardom with 2011's Levels. After that song, Avicii's life changed, for better or for worse.
Avicii — I'm Tim goes behind the scenes into the life of Tim first and foremost. From his humble beginnings to his tragic death, Avicii became one of the defining artists of his generation. The emotional documentary features interviews with friends, family, and colleagues, as they try to answer one question: Who was Tim Bergling?

Read more