Netflix Tests a ‘Shuffle Play’ Button to Help Make Your Streaming Decisions Easier
Streamer offers a medley of shows or movies you’ve either shown interest in before, or shows it thinks you may like based on your previous viewing selections
Can’t decide what to watch? Netflix is working on potential solutions for you, with the streaming giant testing a “Shuffle Play” button that’ll pick a show at random for you, TheWrap has confirmed.
Netflix first told TechCrunch on Tuesday that it’s been testing a big “Shuffle Play” button right below users’ profile icons when they first go to stream. When pressed, the button picks a show or movie you’re either currently watching, have watched in the past, something you’ve saved to your watch later, or a random piece of content it thinks you’ll like, based on what you’ve watched before. So if you’re a big fan of “Stranger Things,” you may get a random episode thrown your way — or another show with an eerie vibe, like “Unsolved Mysteries.”
Some users have already shared what the test looks like on Twitter; you can take a look below:
Interesting new feature @netflix … but what kind of insane person just says, “yolo, let’s spin the Netflix wheel of fortune” pic.twitter.com/6WDJrmd7pG
A Netflix rep said the test has been running since July, but that it has no information on if or when the button will be available to all viewers.
This isn’t the first time Netflix has tested random streaming, either. Last year, the service tested having users go to a favorite show and having the option of watching a random episode, for example.
Netflix didn’t guarantee the “Shuffle Play” button will be released to the masses, but it seems to have a better shot of sticking around than its previous attempt at shuffling episodes.
“We’re always looking for better ways to connect members with shows and films that they will love,” A Netflix rep said. “We run these tests in different countries and for different periods of time – and only make them broadly available if people find them useful.”
Netflix added another 10.1 million new subscribers last quarter, bringing it to nearly 193 million global customers overall.
13 Horror Movies to Stream on Netflix for Friday the 13th (Photos)
Friday the 13th is a big day for horror, big enough that there's a long-running slasher movie franchise called "Friday the 13th." So to help you celebrate the right way -- by watching a horror movie -- we've selected 13 scary flicks that are readily available for streaming on Netflix.
"Day Shift" (2022)
A vampire hunter (Jamie Foxx) has a week to come up with funds to pay for his kids' tuition and braces. It's part horror, part comedy and all fun.
Netflix
"The Platform" (2020)
The Spanish horror flick from director Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia was one of Netflix's most popular releases in 2020, set within a "Vertical Self-Management Center" where prisoners are fed by a descending platform and left to figure out for themselves how to divide it up.
Netflix
"Unfriended" (2014)
Leo Gabriadze's innovative cyberbullying parable tells its story about a group of high-schoolers being haunted by their dead friend almost entirely through one character's MacBook screen.
Universal
"Creep" (2014)
Patrick Brice's found footage horror film follows a man who begins to suspect he's in danger after he responds to a cryptic Craigslist job listing.
The Orchard
"Bird Box" (2018)
How do you battle an evil that you cannot even look at? Sandra Bullock and her family must navigate the world blindfolded in this Netflix original.
Netflix
"Gerald's Game" (2017)
When her husband's sex game goes wrong, Carla Gugino's Jessie faces frightening visions and dark secrets, all while handcuffed to the bed.
Netflix
"The Invitation" (2022)
"Game of Thrones" star Nathalie Emmanuel plays a young woman invited to an old abbey in England. But Downton this ain't, and instead of wine, its residents drink blood.
Sony Pictures
"The Ritual" (2018)
Four friends embark on a hiking trip where things end very badly.
Netflix
"The Forest" (2016)
"Game of Thrones" star Natalie Dormer plays a young woman searching for her twin sister, who disappeared in Japan's infamous Suicide Forest.
Gramercy Pictures
"Troll" (2022)
This Norweigan film directed by Roar Uthaug features one of the most unique monsters in cinema -- a giant, stone-skinned troll that awakens to terrorize a local village.
Netflix
"Hush" (2016)
A young woman must fight for her life when a masked killer appears in her window. The twist? She's is deaf and mute.
Blumhouse
"Fear Street" (2021)
R.L. Stine fans can dig into a trilogy of films inspired by the "Goosebumps" author's other beloved book series, "Fear Street." Netflix released three films inspired by the novels, with the first set in 1994, the second in 1978 and the third in 1666.
Netflix
"The Conjuring" (2013)
James Wan's 2013 haunted house movie stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren, the paranormal investigators whose work inspired the "Amityville Horror" franchise.
Warner Bros.
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Celebrate in style.
Friday the 13th is a big day for horror, big enough that there's a long-running slasher movie franchise called "Friday the 13th." So to help you celebrate the right way -- by watching a horror movie -- we've selected 13 scary flicks that are readily available for streaming on Netflix.