The best way, if you're on computers: everyone opens the same title on their own Netflix account in desktop Chrome, and a watch party extension keeps playback in sync; one with a built-in video call lets you see each other too. If someone's on a phone or TV, there are workable options below, with their trade-offs.
Which method should you use?
| Your situation | Best method | Stays in sync? |
|---|---|---|
| Everyone on a computer | Watch party extension | Yes |
| Your group talks on Discord | Discord voice + watch party extension | Yes |
| You're on FaceTime or a phone call | Call on your phones + extension on your laptops | Yes |
| Everyone on phones only | Count down on a call, or a mobile watch party app | Mostly not |
| Watching on TVs | Count down on a call | No |
On a computer: use a watch party extension
Everyone installs an extension
Watch Party is free for desktop Chrome and includes a video call.Open the same title
Each person signs in to their own Netflix account.Create a party
The host clicks the extension icon, presses Create Watch Party and shares the room code.Join and press play
Friends paste the code into Paste room ID. Play, pause and skips happen for everyone.
With Discord: talk on Discord, sync with an extension
Screen sharing Netflix in Discord usually shows your friends a black screen, because Netflix protects its video (here's why). Keep Discord for voice and let an extension keep everyone's own Netflix in sync.
On FaceTime or a phone call
Talk on your phones and watch on your laptops with an extension, so the movie stays in sync while you chat. Watching and calling on the same phone works for a short episode, but you'll be counting down "3, 2, 1, play" and drifting apart every time someone pauses.
On phones only, or on TV
Browser extensions don't run on phones or TVs. Your options:
- Count down together on a call and press play at the same moment. Fine for one episode; expect to resync after every pause.
- A mobile watch party app. Some tools have phone apps; see best watch party apps.
Watching with a partner far away?
Time zones are the hard part. See our long-distance movie date guide for a time-zone planner and date ideas.
Short version of the computer method: watch Netflix together. Comparing extensions: Teleparty alternatives. Looking for the old "Netflix Party" extension? See what happened to Netflix Party.