Starting this week, Netflix subscribers can now play games directly on their smart TVs, marking the streaming giant’s most significant push yet into gaming. The feature, which has been in development for over a year, brings Netflix’s expanding game catalog beyond smartphones and tablets — and into the living room.

To use the feature, users simply navigate to the Games tab on the Netflix TV app, select a title, and then use their smartphone as a controller via the Netflix Game Controller app. This long-awaited rollout follows the company’s 2023 testing phase and the release of its iOS controller app.

Netflix has been experimenting with games since 2021, initially offering mobile titles tied to popular shows like Stranger Things. The latest update reflects a broader commitment to gaming, as Netflix looks to compete not only with streaming rivals but also with major players in the interactive entertainment industry.

Alongside the announcement, Netflix unveiled a new lineup of party-focused games designed for multiplayer experiences:

• Boggle Party: Up to eight players race against time to find words in a letter grid.
• LEGO Party!: Four players face off in mini-challenges and creative builds.
• Party Crashers: Fool Your Friends: Players try to spot the “crasher” who’s pretending to know what’s going on.
• Pictionary: Game Night: A modern twist on the drawing-and-guessing classic.
• Tetris Time Warp: Players compete for the highest score in the timeless puzzle game.

By focusing on group-based titles, Netflix is betting that social gaming will help keep users engaged between TV binges and films — turning the platform into a hub for entertainment beyond streaming.

The move positions Netflix closer to hybrid entertainment, blending streaming, mobile interactivity, and now living-room gaming — signaling that the company’s ambitions extend well beyond TV shows and movies.