Netflix secret categories: roll the dice and win great prizes

by

As a seasoned movie buff with a penchant for Asian cinema, I can confidently say that Taiwan seems to be the unsung hero of the film world, churning out some truly captivating stories that often get overshadowed by their mainland counterparts.

Many people, including us, usually stream Netflix via their application, whether it’s on a smart TV, tablet, or mobile phone. However, a significant number of users still choose to watch it on their computers, albeit occasionally. One benefit of streaming through a browser that Netflix has yet to offer on its app is the hidden category codes. These codes might not be very well-known, which could be why you’re reading this piece.

Back in the days when streaming wasn’t yet popular, categories for videos were created as a means to navigate through DVDs sent by mail. You might recall video stores from that era, though let’s save that tale for another occasion. In those times, Netflix, surprisingly, was more about renting DVDs than streaming. To help users find movies easily, they categorized and sub-categorized them extensively. Regrettably, these intricate categories haven’t been incorporated into their app, but you can still access them through a web browser.

When I mention they established subcategories, I’m indicating they’ve surpassed the ordinary and ventured into uncharted territories. If you fancy watching an emotionally stirring Japanese film, there’s a code for that – however, I regret to inform you that I can’t disclose it here. Alas, even though there might be codes for movies featuring ruthless authors as well, they are not accessible now. The trouble is, you can’t browse these categories by name on a web browser, unfortunately.

Your Netflix secret category: Chinese crime drama movies

Having a dropdown menu within browsers or apps for easier navigation through categories would be fantastic. Unfortunately, the only way to access these minutely categorized genres is via numeric codes. Luckily, numerous websites provide information on these codes; netflix-codes.com is one such site. However, these sites only cover the essentials. For instance, dramas adapted from books and independent comedies are merely two examples. This is a great beginning, but according to Netflix, there are over 36,000 subgenres!

The only method to locate these items is by employing a numerical code assigned to each one, as I haven’t come across a comprehensive list yet, the alternative approach is simply inputting a random number. Since Netflix doesn’t have an integrated random number generator, I did what seemed reasonable. I began entering them manually instead. Keep in mind, with 36,000 possible codes, it might not be the best idea for you to attempt this task yourself.

As a gamer, I was astonished when it took me just three attempts to get into the game, considering that usually, I’d end up with a blank screen saying “No suitable titles found”. However, one can only dream about stumbling upon Lithuanian culinary-themed comedies with the magic number 32,788. For now, I’ll make do with what’s available today.

If you’d like to save it for later, here’s the code: 371. This means the full link in your browser would be: https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/371. Today’s luck brought us seven options, but I haven’t watched a single one of them yet. Sometimes, it’s nice to switch things up from a Christmas movie, even if it’s excellent.

The Pig, the Snake, and the Pigeon

In 2023, a movie titled this will hit screens. It narrates the story of Taiwan’s third-most wanted fugitive aiming to ascend the criminal hierarchy, surpassing his two predecessors. Directed and penned by Ching-Po Wong, who has previously worked on movies like “Revenge: A Love Story” and “Once Upon a Time in Shanghai”, Ethan Juan plays the role of Chen Kui-lin, a ruthless criminal with ambitions to rule the underworld. With an impressive IMDb rating of 7.3, this Taiwanese production is highly anticipated, given the site’s reputation for strictness. However, it’s essential to note that this film isn’t from mainland China and that critics generally categorize it as a blend of comedy and suspense. I can’t wait!

The Post-Truth World

2022 marks the debut of this film, hailing from Taiwan rather than mainland China. While some viewers might not notice or care about this difference, it’s important to maintain accuracy. In contrast to the previous film, this one delivers a gripping crime thriller. The story revolves around a former baseball star (Edward Chen), who is serving time for murdering his girlfriend. To complicate matters further, he takes a TV journalist (Hsiao-chuan Chang) hostage. This intense drama, rated 6.4 on IMDb, offers plenty of unexpected twists and turns.

The Abandoned

A new Taiwanese movie released in 2022 featuring Ethan Juan as co-star could serve as an excellent companion piece to our initial film. The central character in this production is Janine Chun-Ning Chang, portraying a police officer on the brink of suicide at the outset. Upon discovering a body floating near the shore, she embarks on an investigation that quickly spirals into a manhunt for a potential serial killer. The movie has garnered an IMDb rating of 6.3.

The Soul

It’s apparent to me that these stories are Taiwanese crime dramas; I don’t mind since I’m looking for something entertaining. The movie from 2021 features Liang Wen-Chao and Janine Chun-Ning Chang, whom I recognize, playing a prosecutor and detective solving the murder of a biotech company chairman. This film combines elements of science fiction and the supernatural. Majority of viewers seem to like it, with an IMDb rating of 6.6.

Miss Shampoo

2023 offers us another comedy-drama hailing from Taiwan, a country that only managed to release a handful of films compared to mainland China’s massive output last year. I’m thrilled to give a shoutout to the underdog in this case. Let me introduce Miss Shampoo, where we find Yu-hong Hong playing a gangster on the run from rivals, who seeks refuge in a beauty salon. Vivian Sung, the beautician, ends up saving him, and as you can imagine, things quickly become tangled up. The quirky character names like Fishy, Messed-up Hair, and Badger Game Girl suggest this film leans more towards humor: 5.7 IMDB rating.

Hand Rolled Cigarette

Wow, this film seems quite contemporary; it was released in 2020. Yet, it’s a Hong Kong production that offers us an intriguing plot. We follow the lives of two characters: Bipin Karma, a young South Asian immigrant, and Ka-Tung Lam, a former officer of the British police. Fate brings them together in modern-day Hong Kong where they find themselves shunned by society. They soon find themselves at odds with a formidable crime lord. This film is not light-hearted; it’s packed with intense drama instead. It has an IMDb rating of 6.6.

Bad Education: Director’s Cut

Back in 2022, I got my hands on the director’s cut of a movie titled “Education”. It’s not to be mixed up with any of the other movies sharing the same name. Graduation night was when three high school pals of mine opened up about their darkest secrets. As friends, we thought we knew each other well, but boy, were we wrong! You’ll have to watch it yourself to see just how far we pushed our friendship boundaries. Unfortunately, one viewer wasn’t too impressed, giving it a single star and dragging the overall IMDB rating down to 6.3.

Gatao: The Last Stray

2021 marked the arrival of Gatao, the concluding chapter in a trio of Chinese gangster movies. Coming after Gatao (2015) and Gatao 2: Rise of the King (2018), this third installment follows the story of a gang enforcer, Cheng Jen-shuo, who crosses paths with a photographer, Nikki Hsieh, tasked to document the birth of his boss’s son. Their lives become intertwined in a violent struggle for territory between rival gangs. Since it’s part of a trilogy, it’s best enjoyed after watching the first two films. It’s worth noting that this is a Taiwanese production and has received a 6.0 rating on IMDb.

More Netflix news and reviews:

Read More

2024-12-13 14:03