Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
We may be stuck without in-person festivities, but the spirit of the party can live on digitally, thanks to the Netflix Party extension. This feature, which you can download on Google Chrome, offers a chat feature next to your Netflix screen. Groups can play, pause, rewind, and discuss films together. It’s the perfect tool for quarantine bingeing, but some films work better on Netflix Party than others.
Since quarantine started, I’ve been taking advantage of this extension nightly. My friends and I have been watching Glee — which is so musically bizarre, it’s hard to keep up with the chat. So we switched to movies, starting with The Kissing Booth. The cheesy chick-flick paired with my friends’ commentary had me in tears laughing. Though we experimented with slower films like Roma on the platform, trial and error proved that fast-paced, feel-good films really hit the spot.
With the extension, the key to a fun viewing experience lies in the film choice: you need something thought-provoking, something that’s going to elicit a response from all your guests. These can be raunchy comedies, gushy romances, or even critically-acclaimed classics. Anything that will get your guests talking is perfect for an online movie night. Get excited about it! Set up a Facebook event, or just text your closest group of friends. It’s like you’re planning to host your own Mystery Science Theater party, where you’ll riff the films in the chat-box.
These films are a handful that should get you started on movie nights to come. They range from Oscar winners to cheesy rom-coms — either way, you’re bound to have a great time.
'The Bling Ring'
This one is especially great because it’s based on an insane true story. After you’re finished with the film, check out some of the real footage of Alexis Neiers and her gang. The Bling Ring follows the cultural phenomenon from around 10 years ago, in which a group of fame-obsessed teens stole from celebrities’ houses. Use the Netflix Party feature to recite iconic lines, comment on brilliant early 2010’s outfits, and plan a celebrity heist of your own. Kidding! Seriously, though, this glittery film full of chaos and robbing is perfect for your e-party.
'Dinner for Schmucks'
Steve Carrell and Paul Rudd make the perfect pair in this raunchy comedy, which follows a competition to find the biggest oddball for a dinner party. In the chat, plan your own exotic dinner party together. Pick your favorite schmuck and debate. There’s a lot to discuss in Dinner for Schmucks, and it’s one that works best with a group of friends. Who knows: maybe someone in the group will be inspired by one of the weird habits in the film, like dead mouse art projects, and pick up one of their own.
'Frances Ha'
Out of all the Noah Baumbach films on Netflix, Frances Ha pairs best with Netflix Party. Discuss how unbelievably cool Greta Gerwig is, or figure out those stressful apartment plans for when this is all over. Use the chat feature to agree with all of Frances’ highly relatable lines — “I’m so embarrassed I’m not a real person yet!” It’s also a pretty feel-good film. Bond with your friends over dancing, apartment-jumping, and growing up.
'The Half of It'
Netflix’s latest high school romantic comedy The Half of It is one of the best. We follow Ellie, a ghostwriter for the love-stricken Paul. Their witty banter is perfect for the chat function in Party mode, since you can add in your own along with them. Chat about all the fantastic love letters that Paul and Ellie write to Aster, which can range from poetic to completely idiotic. Bonus: if anyone at the party is at all familiar with Cyrano de Bergerac, try comparing it to the original text.
'He's Just Not That Into You'
A romance film with multiple storylines? Perfect for Netflix Party. There’s so much to discuss in the chat here, so many brilliant subplots to be analyzed as your party watches He’s Just Not That Into You. And look at that ensemble cast: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, and Bradley Cooper! As a basic overview, the film follows nine interconnected stories of people dealing with various romantic issues. Grab a drink, and use Netflix Party to gossip with your friends about these characters.
'Hot Rod'
Andy Samberg can do no wrong. He’s fantastic in Hot Rod, and your Netflix Party chat will be rooting for his success in every motorcycle jump he attempts. Cheer on Rod, boo Jonathan, and fantasize about the thrill of pool jumping in the chat. Rod and his team will inspire your party — what kind of endeavors can you start planning? By the time we can go outside, you’ll be ready to take on motorcycle jumping. Or maybe something safer.
'The Kissing Booth'
The Kissing Booth was pretty much made for Netflix Party. It’s not the best romantic comedy ever made, but it’s got such a fan following, throwing a Netflix Party will only make it better! There are definitely a few moments that stray from the true high school experience, which could make for some hilarious debates with high school friends in the chat. And maybe this summer, we can all tune in for the sequel. Here’s hoping.
'The Lobster'
When The Lobster was released in 2016, I spent hours discussing it with my friends. Was it funny? Yes, but in the weirdest way. Was it sadistic? Definitely. These discussions can be held over Netflix Party, as you watch this Greek Weird Wave classic. At a resort, singles must pair up with a lover, or they’ll be turned into the animal of their choosing. David (Colin Farrell) chooses a lobster — use the chat to select your animal and explain your reasoning. After that, try and understand the film. There’s a lot to unpack.
'Scary Movie'
Though there are many horror films on Netflix worthy of a Netflix party, Scary Movie’s combination of horror and comedy makes it a prime candidate. This spoof is perfect for great discussions in the Netflix Party chat. See if you can guess what films are being parodied — these include classics like The Matrix, Scream, and The Sixth Sense. Use the chat to riff on these dumb teens, and enjoy some early performances of some huge celebs like Anna Faris and Regina Hall.
'Sleepover'
We can’t have in-person sleepovers, but we can definitely have digital ones with Netflix Party and Sleepover. Try using the chat to point out some young celebs in this one, like Brie Larson, Evan Peters, and Hunter Parrish. Sleepover’s got a very simple-yet-classic plot: before entering high school, three teenagers try to figure out how to become popular at a seminal sleepover. It’s definitely worthy of your comments. Grab a scrunchy and your closest friends for a Sleepover party.
'The Social Network'
Before we get the sequel to this fantastic piece of cinema — crossing fingers that it actually happens — why not use a social network to discuss the movie, for a truly wild time. There’s so much going on in The Social Network. All the better for your comments in the chat feature, which will be focused on the double Armie Hammers, ‘f*ck you’ flip-flops, and the insanity that is Facebook. You can use the chat to root for any of the parties vying for control over Facebook, and argue about Mark Zuckerberg’s actions as the “creator” of the social network.
'There Will Be Blood'
This one might not seem like an obvious choice, but trust me, there’s a lot to discuss in watching There Will Be Blood. It’s a bit denser than the rest of the options of the list, but if you use the Party extension with your friends, you can unpack the war between Paul Dano and Daniel Day-Lewis. Discuss the famous, “I drink your milkshake!” quote in the chat. There’s a lot of bubbling tension in There Will Be Blood, which makes for great stressful anticipation in the chat extension.
'To All the Boys I've Loved Before'
At this point, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before should be considered a Netflix classic. It’s one of the most beloved rom-coms on the service, and it’s perfect for an uplifting Netflix Party. Whether you’ve seen it before or not, Lara Jean’s boy troubles are always entertaining. Use the Netflix Party feature to chat about Peter Kavinski and all the other boys. Better yet — follow it up with the sequel, P.S. I Still Love You, and use the chat to debate whether Peter or John Ambrose is the right choice for Lara Jean.
