Netflix has produced plenty of shows that have become a worldwide phenomenon. Several years after debuting in 2016, Stranger Things continues to be a dominant force on the platform as it heads into its fourth season. And who could forget how Squid Game took the world by storm and became one of the platform’s highest-viewed series of all time. However, there’s a unique kind of engaging content in Netflix’s library that most might not be aware of, interactive content.
Netflix’s interactive experiences put viewers in the driver’s seat by having them make choices while watching that affect the story’s path and allow viewers to shape their viewing experience. It’s similar to what Supermassive Games does with their “choose your own adventure” horror games, like their upcoming star-studded game, The Quarry. Some of these Netflix choose-your-own-adventure-type interactive specials have featured recognizable names and franchises and even utilized the storytelling tool for educational purposes. Most importantly, it lets viewers be a part of the action.
12 ‘Escape the Undertaker’ (2021)
Director: Ben Simms
Fans of WWE should consider Escape the Undertaker as essential viewing. The streaming giant’s crossover with WWE follows a trio of wrestlers – real-life wrestling stars Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E – who enter a creepy mansion in the hopes of stealing a powerful object from The Undertaker himself. In the process, they go through some surprising obstacles and have to make tough decisions to reach their goal.
Viewers are given the choice to choose one among the three characters to follow, with each path leading to a different ending (with some of these conclusions being hilarious). The cheesy visual effects and acting make it one of those so-bad-it-good viewing experiences on Netflix, for fans who are into those kinds of viewing experiences. Plus, audiences may chuckle when they decide to click “I am too scared” two minutes into the special.
Escape the Undertaker
- Release Date
- October 5, 2021
- Cast
- Mark Calaway , Ettore Ewen , Kofi Sarkodie-Mensah , Austin Watson
- Runtime
- 31
11 ‘Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale’ (2017)
Directors: Johnny Castuciano, Roy Burdine
With Puss in Boots successfully returning to the big screen with its now-Oscar-nominated sequel The Last Wish, there’s no better time to check out an interactive adventure starring the beloved Shrek character. Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale. Directed by Roy Burdine and Johnny Castuciano, the Netflix special takes the beloved character on his most magical journey yet.
Trapped in an Epic Tale sees the sword-wielding feline hero needing viewers’ help traversing a series of classic fairy tales and stories to escape a magical book, which he just happened to pick up and get sucked into. It’s a fun spin-off adventure starring a fan-favorite character that gets you in the right mood to see more Puss in Boots movies, and is certainly the perfect pick for kids.
10 ‘Trivia Quest’ (2022)
Cast: Jonathan Melo
Remember that game Trivia Crack where you and your friends could compete in a trivia battle? Netflix recently turned the game into a charming interactive adventure that tests your knowledge. It’s a great choice for trivia night with the entire family.
Through one of the best interactive Netflix shows, Trivia Quest, viewers can encounter the delightfully animated character from the iconic mobile game and be tested on trivia across multiple subjects to sharpen their minds and free trapped trivia friends. With numerous episodes covering a variety of topics, Trivia Quest gives viewers a daily dose of knowledge. It’s also the perfect animated show both parents and kids can enjoy together.
9 ‘Captain Underpants: Epic Choice-o-Rama’ (2020)
Director: Todd Grimes
Classic comic superhero Captain Underpants has his own choose-your-own-adventure style story on Netflix, titled Epic Choice-o-Rama, letting viewers guide his latest adventure. Harold and George look for you to help Captain Underpants stop the dastardly Krupp from destroying their treehouse in this interactive adventure.
Viewers control all the actions and hijinks of this Captain Underpants adventure, and it makes for a fun interactive experience for both kids and adults to enjoy. At less than 40 minutes, children can play the game twice to try and get to the two endings determined by the choices they make. The multi-format animation is nothing to scoff at, too, adding some interesting visuals to the Netflix special.
Captain Underpants: Epic Choice-o-rama
- Release Date
- February 11, 2020
- Cast
- Nat Faxon , Jay Gragnani , Ramone Hamilton
- Runtime
- 37
8 ‘You vs. Wild’ (2019)
Director: Ben Simms
Believe it or not, adventurer and survivalist Bear Grylls has been providing Netflix with multiple interactive specials through the You vs. Wild series. It’s the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure Netflix experience, except instead of horror or sci-fi situations, it’s focused on Bear Grylls’ survival out in the wild.
In the series that plays out like a gripping survivalist movie, viewers will embark on some dangerous and wild quests with Grylls in some harsh environments in the great outdoors. Audiences have to make choices that could help Grylls survive or be stuck in tough situations, which imparts some survival lessons along the way. Through two interactive series and an interactive film, there are multiple ways to join Grylls on his globe-trotting adventures.
You Vs. Wild
- Release Date
- April 10, 2019
- Seasons
- 1
7 ‘Cat Burglar’ (2022)
Director: James Bowman
One of the best Netflix interactive shows, Cat Burglar mixes classic cartoon hijinks with fun questions for an entertaining and engaging experience that is nostalgic and new. By answering trivia questions correctly, viewers can help the mischievous Rowdy the Cat steal some prized artwork while evading Peanut the Security Pup.
The Netflix show is more geared towards adults, with many of the rapid-fire questions containing mature themes like war and misogyny. With its edgy Tex Avery-inspired cartoonish style, Cat Burglar is an interactive trivia game that feels like a refreshing blast from the past and is a ton of fun to watch unfold.
6 ‘Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to Steal’ (2020)
Director: Jos Humphrey
Netflix’s popular animated series, Carmen Sandiego, brought the character back into prominence. It helped introduce the international superthief and her escapades throughout four exciting seasons. Now, fans can guide the titular spy on a new adventure with the interactive special To Steal or Not to Steal.
In this adventure, fans will act as Carmen’s mission control by guiding her actions to save her captured crew from the villainous V.I.L.E. It’s a fan’s dream come to life as you get to create your own Carmen Sandiego spy story with this interactive movie on Netflix. Of course, the interactive special still features the same cool style and vibrant visuals that made the show pop.
5 ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs The Reverend’ (2020)
Director: Claire Scanlon
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt fans can rejoice knowing that there’s an interactive special on Netflix, titled Kimmy vs The Reverend, that puts you in the director’s chair to essentially create your own hilarious episode. As Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) attempts to foil the plot of the Reverend while planning her wedding, viewers can make some choices that guide Kimmy on her journey and lead to some unexpectedly funny conclusions.
It’s a star-studded Kimmy Schmidt adventure no fan should miss, with its multiple endings calling for at least two viewings of the special. The special set after the end of the show’s finale, with Kimmy using her experience to help others (or start a war with robots). It’s all up to her fans and the decisions they make as they stop the Reverend.
4 ‘Headspace: Unwind Your Mind’ (2021)
Cast: Andy Puddicombe, Evelyn Lewis Prieto, Ginger Daniels
Sometimes you just want to jump onto Netflix just to relax and get into a better state of mind. Well, meditation specialists over at Headspace have got you covered with an interactive special geared toward unwinding and, in the process, understanding the mind and its many strange habits and preferences that can influence one’s life.
One of the best interactive shows on Netflix, Unwind Your Mind allows viewers to create a custom meditation experience that puts you in a better headspace and calms your mind. The calming and relaxing Netflix special is worth your time if you’re really into ASMR experiences or just want some meditative relief. Plus, it has great minimalistic and calming visuals that make it a worthwhile watch.
3 ‘We Lost Our Human’ (2023)
Directors: Curtis Lelash, Rikke Asbjoern, Chris Garbutt
We Lost Our Human introduces viewers to some tough animated pets. One of Netflix’s most ambitious interactive movies, the non-linear film is a whopping hour and forty-three minutes long and follows an indoor cat and dog’s misadventures after they wake up to discover that all the humans are gone. As they venture outside to find their owners (and the rest of the humans), audiences must help them either save the world or destroy it completely.
With engrossing mysteries, well-designed puzzles, quirky creatures, and unique visuals, We Lost Our Human is already clearly among Netflix’s best interactive movies. It’s a fun and weird journey unlike any other, and definitely one worth taking for fans of more complex and interesting interactive specials.
2 ‘Barbie: Epic Road Trip’ (2022)
Director: Conrad Helten
Fans who enjoyed director Greta Gerwig‘s Barbie may want to check out Barbie: Epic Road Trip, too. Featuring fan-favorite toy characters alongside Barbie, like Malibu, Brooklyn Barbie, and Ken, the special follows their journey and the decisions the protagonist makes during a cross-country trip. Their goal? To deliver puppies to their homes and maybe also drop by New York for an important audition.
Delving deeper into Barbie’s background, the Netflix special actually presents her as a multidimensional character who has to make choices about her career, relationships, and the sacrifices she’s willing to make. Of course, these are all presented in a light-hearted, vibrant, and fun way, not to mention the numerous funny fourth-wall breaks throughout the special.
1 ‘Black Mirror: Bandersnatch’ (2018)
Director: David Slade
Netflix’s beloved anthology series Black Mirror is no stranger to pushing the boundaries in exploring dark visions of technology and humanity. Still, they went the extra mile with their 2020 interactive film Bandersnatch, which needs no introduction for fans of the award-winning dark Netflix show.
A popular interactive Netflix movie, Bandersnatch‘s incredibly meta-story follows a game programmer creating a “choose your own adventure” game that eventually consumes his life and sends him into a horrifying downward spiral that twists his reality. With a variety of terrifying endings and choices and one enjoyably meta moment, Bandersnatch gave viewers the tools to craft their own haunting Black Mirror experience.
