Launched in 1997, Netflix has since become a streaming juggernaut with over 200 million subscribers around the world. It has competitors, but right now, Netflix is the most popular streaming service. You can find thousands of movies and TV shows, but if you stick to the main page, you’ll notice that Netflix tends to recommend the same ones over and over again. Want to dig deeper into social issues films? You’ll need to know about codes.
What are Netflix codes?
Netflix codes are a short string of numbers that identify genres and specific content on the website. When you click on any title and look in the address bar, you’ll see the numbers. If you know the codes beforehand, you can type them in and get sent straight to the thing you want to watch. As an example, if you know that the code for documentaries is 6839, type in https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/6839 and go to the “Documentaries” page.
You can also use codes to search for shows and movies similar to something you already like. Say that you enjoyed “High On The Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America.” Its code is 81034518, so you’ll type in www.netflix.com/browse/similars/81034518 to see similar content. Once there, you can search by year released, A to Z, or Z to A. You can only use the codes on the Netflix website, not on the mobile or Smart TV apps. Once you’ve found titles you want to see using the website, you can then search for them by title in the app.
Netflix codes for social issue films
Here are the Netflix codes for social issue films and examples of the kinds of films you’ll find.
Social issue dramas: 3947
These dramatic films with social issue themes combine other genres such as thriller and sci-fi. As an example, “See You Yesterday” from 2019 tells the story of two teen prodigies trying to figure out time travel. When a police shooting upends their lives, they begin a series of dangerous trips to the past.
“American Son,” starring Kerry Washington, takes place in a police station where an estranged couple waits on news of their missing son.
“Mudbound,” released in 2017, follows two Mississippi families – one Black and one white – dealing with divisions after WWII.
“The Trial of the Chicago 7” covers the trial of anti-Vietnam protesters involved in a violent clash with police.
Social issue dramas based on real life: 2707
This code takes you to social issue dramas inspired by real events. You can find films like “Best of Enemies,” which is based on the surprising friendship between Ann Atwater, a Civil Rights activist, and C.P Ellis, a Ku Klux Klan leader.
“22 July” dramatizes the 2011 mass shooting in Norway where a right-wing extremist killed 77 teenagers at a youth camp.
“The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind,” based on a memoir, relates the story of a boy from Malawi who builds a windmill to save his village.
In “Loving,” a couple is arrested in 1958 for breaking the law against interracial marriage. They take their case to the Supreme Court.
British social issue dramas: 2312
If you’re a fan of British actors and productions, this code takes you to British social issue dramas. Movies include “Philomena,” which stars Judi Dench as an Irish woman looking for the son she was forced to give up 50 years ago.
“Suffragette” tells the story of British women fighting for the right to vote at the beginning of the 20th century. Carey Mulligan stars as a laundry worker caught up in the movement, which comes with a heavy cost.
“Sitting In Limbo,” released in 2020, focuses on Anthony Bryan, a Black man wrongfully detained by the government and threatened with deportation.
Social & cultural documentaries: 3675
This section features documentaries on a variety of social and cultural topics, such as food, crime, social issues, racial justice, and more. They include “Athlete A,” a film about the gymnastics who survived Larry Nasser’s abuse and the journalists who helped them seek justice.
“13th,” directed by Ava DuVerney, traces the history of slavery, the Jim Crow era, and modern mass incarceration. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
“Crip Camp” begins in 1971 at Camp Jened, a camp for teenagers with disabilities. Several campers become activists for the disability rights movement.
What if the movie I want to watch isn’t on Netflix anymore?
Most of the films we included in this list are Netflix originals, so they will most likely always be found on the website. The films that aren’t may leave the website at some point and there will be others added. To see what’s coming to Netflix and what’s leaving soon, check out the website https://www.whats-on-netflix.com. You can search by region and read industry news. As more social issues films are released, you can expect to see Netflix’s selection grow.