If you’re looking for ways to connect with your friends without leaving the comfort of your couch, a handy Google Chrome extension called Netflix Party is making it easy to watch movies online together.
Netflix Party isn’t anything new — it’s been around for years — but it feels more relevant now more than ever. By installing the extension to your Google Chrome web browser, you and your friends can stream a Netflix show or movie together at the same time.
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Once everyone has the extension installed, one person needs to start the viewing party. That person will pick a movie or show on Netflix and then click the NP extension button to the right of the address bar at the top of the browser. With the party started, the person running everything can send the unique URL to all of their friends and just like that, everyone’s singing along to Toss a Coin to Your Witcher with Jaskier, watching the latest season of Netflix’s Castlevania, or binging whatever else strikes your fancy.
Once everyone’s in the movie or show’s stream, a chat box on the right side of the screen can be used to talk (or at least type) with fellow party members – basically, Netflix Party lets you talk to your friends during a movie without anyone actually having to talk during the movie. The person who started the party can either choose to limit control so that only they have the ability to pause, rewind or fast-forward, or this can be shared among every member of the group. When you exit the movie, the party will automatically end.
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While you can’t watch them on Netflix Party, you can now rent new movies like The Invisible Man, The Hunt, and Emma online and on-demand after Universal opted to distribute its recent releases digitally following the temporary closure of movie theaters across the globe. Sony’s Bloodshot will be available online from March 24. If you’re wondering how to stay safe or find ways to help others during the coronavirus outbreak check out our resource guide.
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Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.
Source: IGN.com How to Watch Movies with Friends Online Through Netflix Party