Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph had an idea to rent DVDs by mail. They tested the concept by mailing themselves a DVD. The DVD arrived intact, and the idea for Netflix was 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

At Netflix, we have an amazing and unique employee culture. Find out first-hand what it’s really like to work here, and to learn more about our company values.

Our Culture

Inclusion Takes Root at Netflix: Our First Report 

2021: New Movies. Every Week. On Netflix

New and Improved ISP Speed Index

Expanding Our Presence in Korea: Netflix Welcomes the New Year With Two New Production Facilities

Netflix to Exclusively Stream Little Big Women Worldwide

'Alice In Borderland' Renewed for Season 2: Here's 10 Things to Know About the Netflix Series

backgroundheroimage

hero video placeholder desktop

hero video placeholder mobile

Test

Creating more access for Black students into the tech world

Dear White People

A More Equitable Future

They make us feel more emotion, see new perspectives,<br> and bring us closer to each other.

Discover more about Netflix and the great stories we’re telling around the world. Learn more about our innovation, our culture, our leadership, our history and what’s next.

When alien invaders capture Earth’s superheroes, their kids must learn to work together to save their parents — and the planet.

We Can Be Heroes-Box Art-7fccc6a1-337c-11eb-91dd-0a618ab0a7df

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.

Bridgerton-Box Art-cfe1cce0-1972-11eb-b33c-0e0d04148015

In the aftermath of a global catastrophe, a lone scientist in the Arctic races to contact a crew of astronauts with a warning not to return to Earth.

The Midnight Sky-Box Art-5fe0d240-25e5-11eb-8015-0e1373c1a0f5

An aimless gamer and his two friends find themselves in a parallel Tokyo, where they're forced to compete in a series of sadistic games to survive.

Alice in Borderland-Box Art-8c2ed311-0e7a-11eb-91c2-1212be706fa9

Ariana Grande takes the stage in London for her Sweetener World Tour and shares a behind-the-scenes look at her life in rehearsal and on the road.

ariana grande: excuse me, i love you-Box Art-9d45e730-3597-11eb-928f-1206a1ca1dbd

Iconic Mexican-American performer Selena rises to fame as she and her family make sacrifices in order to achieve their lifelong dreams.

Selena

Tough talk takes an unexpected turn as Nate, played by comedian Natalie Palamides, explores humor, heartbreak, sexuality and consent with a live audience.

Nate box art

Homepage

Want to invest with us? Get more information about our governance, our latest earnings, and our long-term view on what’s ahead.

Investor_Relations-Image

Investor Relations

Want to come work with us? Get more information about our teams, locations, culture and to hear more from our employees.

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

The Story of Netflix

Featured News

A More Equitable 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.

The Story of Netflix

Featured News

A More Equitable 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.