Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph have an idea to rent DVDs by mail. They test the concept by mailing themselves a DVD. The DVD arrives intact, and the idea for Netflix is born.

1997

Netflix.com, the first DVD rental and sales site, is launched.

1998 Timeline-new

The Netflix subscription service debuts, offering members unlimited DVD rentals without due dates, late fees, or monthly rental limits.

1999

A personalized movie recommendation system is introduced, using members’ ratings on past titles to accurately predict future choices.

2000

Netflix makes its initial public offering (IPO), at a selling price of $1 a share under the NASDAQ ticker NFLX.

2002

Netflix is issued a patent by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office to cover its subscription rental services as membership surpasses 1 million.

2003

The Profiles feature launches, allowing members to create different lists for different users and/or different moods.

2005

2006

Streaming is introduced, allowing members to instantly watch series and films.

2007

Netflix partners with consumer electronics brands to allow streaming on Xbox 360, Blu-ray players and TV set-top boxes.

2008

After nearly three years and 40,000 submissions, the $1 million Netflix Prize is awarded to the team Bellkor's Pragmatic Chaos for improving the accuracy of recommendations by 10%. Streaming partnerships expand to internet connected TVs as membership surpasses 10 million. The Netflix Culture Deck is published.

2009

Netflix arrives in Canada and streaming launches on mobile devices. The first dedicated kids experience debuts on streaming.

2010

Netflix launches in Latin America and the Caribbean. The first Netflix button appears on remote controls. 

2011

Membership reaches 25 million members, and expands into the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Nordic Countries. Netflix ventures into stand-up specials with 'Bill Burr: You People Are All the Same.'



companytimeline-2012new

'House of Cards,' 'Hemlock Grove,' 'Arrested Development' and 'Orange Is the New Black' usher in the first slate of original series programming. 'House of Cards' goes on to win three Primetime Emmy awards - the first for an internet streaming service. The Profiles and My List features debut on streaming.

timeline-2013-new

Membership surpasses 50 million and extends to Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Netflix begins streaming in 4K Ultra HD.

timeline-2014-new

Our first original feature film ('Beasts of No Nation'), our first non-English original series ('Club de Cuervos') and our first Asian original ('Terrace House') debut. Membership extends to Australia, Cuba, Italy, Japan, Spain and New Zealand. Audio descriptions for the visually impaired launch with 'Daredevil.'

2015

Netflix expands to 130 new countries, bringing the service to members in more than 190 countries and 21 languages around the world. The Download feature is added for offline and on-the-go viewing.

Company Timeline-2016

Membership hits 100 million members globally. Netflix wins its first Academy Award, for 'The White Helmets.' The introduction of interactive storytelling and the Skip Intro button gives members more choices to tailor their viewing experience.

2017

Netflix is the most-nominated studio at the Emmys, winning 23 for series including 'GLOW,' 'Godless' and 'Queer Eye.' PIN protection is rolled out as part of several parental control enhancements.

timeline-2018-new

Netflix wins four Academy Awards, for 'ROMA' and 'Period. End of Sentence,' and  debuts its first original animated film with 'Klaus.' New production hubs open in London, Madrid, New York and Toronto. 'Bandersnatch' wins the first major Emmy for an interactive title.

2019

Top 10 lists debut, allowing members to see what’s popular for the first time. Netflix is the most-nominated studio at the Academy Awards and Emmys. The Hardship Fund launches to aid creative community workers impacted by COVID-19, and two percent of our cash holdings move to financial institutions supporting Black communities.

top 10

Membership surpasses 200 million. Netflix releases its first-ever film and series diversity study, in conjunction with the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, and announces plans to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2022. Netflix launches mobile games.

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Netflix Is a Joke: The Festival kicks off in Los Angeles, spanning 11 days and 295 shows, making it the biggest live, in-person event in Netflix history.

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Netflix Acquires World Leading Independent Animation Studio Animal Logic 

An Update to Paid Sharing

Save the Date! Tudum: A Netflix Global Fan Event Is Back This September 

Netflix to Partner With Microsoft on New Ad Supported Subscription Plan

The Duffer Brothers Announce New Production Company Upside Down Pictures

‘Because She Created’: Celebrate Arab Female Filmmakers With a Netflix Collection of 21 New Films

Netflix Announces New Kids and Family Films and Series Every Week This Summer, Unveils First Looks, and Kicks Off US Activity Truck Tour

Casting Begins for 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' — and Anyone Can Take Part

Something for Everyone

Kickstart Your Summer of Love With Netflix

This Summer, Experience Your Favorite Netflix Series and Films on Free Walking Tours in London, Paris, and Madrid 

A Whole New Round Is Coming: 'Squid Game' Returning for Season 2

Surprise, Delight and Discover Your Next Favorite With the New Kids Mystery Box!

Celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day With Expanded Languages, Screenings and a New Collection

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After years of imprisonment, Morpheus — the King of Dreams — embarks on a journey across worlds to find what was stolen from him and restore his power.

The Sandman

When a shadowy CIA agent uncovers damning agency secrets, he’s hunted across the globe by a sociopathic rogue operative who’s put a bounty on his head.

The Gray Man

When a young girl stows away on the ship of a legendary sea monster hunter, they launch an epic journey into uncharted waters — and make history to boot.

The Sea Beast

Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. Inside, a tempting prize awaits — with deadly high stakes.

Squid Game

The eight close-knit siblings of the Bridgerton family look for love and happiness in London high society. Inspired by Julia Quinn's bestselling novels.

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When a young boy vanishes, a small town uncovers a mystery involving secret experiments, terrifying supernatural forces and one strange little girl.

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A domineering but charismatic rancher wages a war of intimidation on his brother's new wife and her teen son — until long-hidden secrets come to light.

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A high school becomes ground zero for a zombie virus outbreak. Trapped students must fight their way out — or turn into one of the rabid infected.

All of Us Are Dead

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Stories move us.They make us feel more emotion, see new perspectives, and bring us closer to each other.

The Story of Netflix

A More Sustainable Future

New on Netflix

Our Culture

Investor Relations

Careers

Watch Now

Stories move us.They make us feel more emotion, see new perspectives,
and bring us closer to each other.