Netflix is available almost in every region of the world, making it the king of streaming services with such a wide reach. The Russian catalog of shows and movies is pretty interesting in itself and all Netflix original titles are available on it.
However, there are still many titles that only US audiences can view. For example, you cannot watch popular American shows like Dexter, American Horror Story, and The Tudors on Russian Netflix. Fortunately, you can get American Netflix in Russia by using a VPN, so all users can enjoy and access their favorite shows irrespective of their location.
In this article, I’m going to explain why US Netflix is worth it, and how can you use a VPN to bypass Netflix restriction and stream TV shows and movies in Russia.
How to Unblock Netflix US in Russia: Quick Guide
Step 1: Subscribe to a VPN with a proven ability to access US Netflix (we recommend ExpressVPN)
Step 2: Download and install the VPN app on your device.
Step 3: Launch the VPN and Log in using your credentials.
Step 4: Connect to a US server.
Step 5: Now open Netflix via website or app and watch your favorite shows in Russia.
Criteria for Selecting the Best VPN for US Netflix in Russia
If you are looking for the best VPN to unblock American Netflix in Russia, then make sure to look out for the following things:
- Unblocks Netflix US and other streaming services in Russia like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and more.
- Has a large server network to unblock international content in Russia.
- Offers fast speeds for high video quality and bufferless streaming.
- Follows a strict no-logs policy and uses strong encryption.
- Offers a money-back guarantee so you can test the capability of the VPN.
- Offers 24/7 customer support so you can contact in case you face connectivity issues.
3 Best VPNs for US Netflix in Russia
With a VPN that supports streaming, you cannot only stream US Netflix in Russia but you can also get access to UK Netflix, Nordic Netflix, and Netflix Australia with the best Netflix VPN. Currently, the most powerful Netflix-unblocking VPNs are:
1. ExpressVPN ($6.67/mo)
ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPN services you can get your hands on for Netflix unblocking for any region of the world. It is one of the speediest VPNs you can have and also has a strong server base with over 3000+ servers across 94 locations. ExpressVPN’s servers are not only great for streaming but also for torrenting. However, there are no servers in Russia.
You’ll mostly want to connect to a US server using ExpressVPN in order to watch American Netflix in Russia. ExpressVPN makes this easy with its instant one-click connectivity and servers that can bypass Netflix’s VPN detection technology with no trouble whatsoever. As for the speeds, ExpressVPN managed to deliver a good connection speed of around 85.84 Mbps on my 100 Mbps internet connection. It was more than enough to stream Netflix US in HD quality.
What’s best is that with hundreds of servers across 94+ countries, ExpressVPN also works with other streaming services like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Comedy Central, HBO Max, Showtime, and more.
One of the main features that make this provider stand out from the rest is, its Smart DNS called “ExpressVPN MediaStreamer.” This Smart DNS service will let you access US Netflix content at high speed, without connecting the VPN and using your own IP address. This feature is best for users who want fast connection speeds. At a price tag of $6.67/mo , this VPN is a high-value solution with a wide range of security features.
Recommended servers: United States – Los Angeles, Washington DC, New York, USA – New Jersey – 1
- 3,000+ servers in 94+ countries
- Offers excellent 24/7 customer support
- Provides 5 multi-logins
- Fast speeds
- Unblocks Hulu, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Comedy Central, ESPN, and more
- A little more expensive than other providers
2. Surfshark ($2.49/mo)
Surfshark offers the dual advantage of being a reasonable VPN while also being a top VPN service in terms of its performance and features. The provider is known for its excellent ability to unblock US Netflix without being blocked by Netflix’s VPN detection mechanism. It allowed bypassing restricted Netflix content in a single attempt after connecting to one of its many US servers.
Some of its other notable features include AES 256-bit encryption, kill switch, and IP, DNS, WebRTC leak protection. In terms of speed, Surfshark managed to offer 60.7 Mbps average speeds on most US servers. It was not as best as compared to ExpressVPN, but it was more than enough for high-quality Netflix streaming.
With Surfshark, you can share Netflix US with your friends and family because it allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Meaning, with Surfshark, you can also watch American Netflix on multiple devices at the same time. It also boasts a vast server network of around 3200+ servers across 65 locations, so you can access Netflix libraries of various regions in Russia with Surfshark. It also offers one server location in Russia, so you can use it to access regional content from abroad.
Recommended servers: United States – Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis.
- 3200+ servers worldwide with 500+ US servers
- Provides unlimited multi-logins
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Built-in adblocker, anti-malware, and double VPN feature
- Unblocks Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Vudu, Showtime, and more
- Limited P2P servers for torrenting
- Occasional slower server speeds
3. NordVPN ($3.71/mo)
NordVPN is another popular choice for streaming American Netflix in Russia and anywhere in the world. One reason is due to its massive server network of 5,500 servers across 59 countries, including 1970+ servers in the US. Meaning, with NordVPN, you can access not only Netflix US in Russia but also other streaming services like Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and more.
Thanks to its massive server network in the US, I managed to stream “America’s Next Top Model” with no issues at all. As far as speeds are concerned, NordVPN offered 70.31 Mbps on a 100 Mbps internet connection. The speeds were good for bufferless streaming, and video quality also very good. You will never experience any connectivity issues with NordVPN as it has thousands of servers in the US.
NordVPN is a popular choice amongst Netflix users because of its ability to bypass detection with its obfuscated technology and security features like Double VPN, CyberSec, and more. Therefore, it’s a reliable option for accessing Netflix US in Russia. NordVPN does not have servers in Russia anymore, so you cannot use it to unblock local content.
Recommended servers: United States – #3656, #3288, #3325, #3097, #2497.
- Offers 5500+ servers in 59 countries (1970 US servers)
- 24/7 customer support
- 6 simultaneous connections
- Easy compatibility with Smart TVs and other devices
- Also unblocks Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO, and more.
- Windows app is sluggish
- Some servers take time to connect
Still having issues accessing American Netflix?
If you are using one of the recommended VPNs, but are still facing issues accessing American Netflix in Russia, try these troubleshooting tips to fix the problem:
- Clear browser cookies and cache.
- Log out of Google accounts on your device, because Google caches IP addresses, and can reveal your real geo-location to Netflix.
- Disable IPv6 (this is mainly for Windows 10 devices, as it might cause issues on other OS)
- Disable all location-based services and GPS on your device.
- Flush your DNS. To do that, type this in Command Prompt: ipconfig /flushdns
- Disconnect from the VPN server and connect again to get a different IP address.
- Contact VPN customer support, to ask them which servers are not blocked by Netflix.
Bonus: Watch Netflix with SmartDNS
The most ideal choice for streaming is by using a VPN, but you can also use a Smart DNS service to access American Netflix. SmartDNS proxies change your virtual location without encrypting your traffic, therefore giving you a fast-speed connection for streaming Netflix US.
However, SmartDNS is not as secure as a VPN as it doesn’t use an encryption mechanism. Since there is no encryption involved here, a Smart DNS service is supposed to be faster than a VPN service. We would still recommend using a VPN for accessing US Netflix in Russia because the speed difference is not that huge. For example, ExpressVPN gave a speed of 85.84 Mbps on a 100 Mbps internet connection.
Similarly, ExpressVPN MediaStreamer DNS gave a slight boost in speed coming at around 89.17 Mbps. As you can see the difference is only 4 Mbps.
If you still want to use Smart DNS then the most recommended SmartDNS is MediaStreamer by ExpressVPN. With ExpressVPN, you also get the SmartDNS feature for free, which you can use to get American Netflix in Russia and anywhere outside the US.
Follow these steps to watch American Netflix in Russia with ExpressVPN’s SmartDNS feature:
- Sign up for the Netflix
- Subscribe to ExpressVPN
- Sign in using your credentials > Go to the DNS Setting tab
- Click Automatically Register My IP > enter your IP address
- Go to ExpressVPN MediaStreamer sign-in page > Sign in using your credentials. It will now show DNS addresses for MediaStreamer (keep this tab open as you need the DNS addresses in the later steps)
- If you are using a PC, Go to Network Connections > Properties > Internet Protocol Version (TCP/IPv6)
- Click the option “Use the Following DNS Server Address” > Enter the MediaStreamerDNS address from Step 5.
- Go to Netflix > Sign in and stream your favorite American movies and shows in Russia.
Here’s a video tutorial to help you set up the ExpressVPN MediaStreamer feature on Windows:
Why US Netflix Differs from Russian Netflix Library
When you visit Netflix’s website from Russia, it scans your IP address and identifies your region. After it determines that the user is based in Russia, Netflix will show you content that Russians are authorized to see.
This is why the content that someone situated in the US sees is different from that which a person based in Russia will see. In fact, the total number of titles in Netflix US is 5,750 as compared to Russia’s which is 622.
Here’s how great the difference between the US and Russia Netflix is in numbers:
| Netflix | Movies | TV Shows | Cost |
| Netflix US | 4593 movies | 1157 TV shows | $8.99/mo |
| Netflix Russia | 509 movies | 113 TV shows | RUB599/mo |
Source: Finder(updated April 2021)
Similarly, if you look at the price, you can see that Netflix US is a little expensive than Netflix Russia. For example, if you convert RUB599 to USD, you get 8.10 USD. Therefore, you have to pay $8.10/mo for Netflix’s basic package in Russia. This gap can only be bridged by using a VPN to access US Netflix so that all the content you’re denied in Russia can be made available to you. With a VPN, you can access American Netflix at a lower cost.
Popular Shows and Movies only available on US Netflix and not in Russia
Cost is not the only difference between both Netflix libraries. As you can tell from the number in the table, Netflix US has more content than Netflix Russia. Here are some of the movies and TV shows that you are missing out on in Netflix Russia:
| Movies | TV Shows |
| Avengers: Infinity Wars | The Office (US) |
| Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse | Dexter |
| Black Hawk Down | Twin Peaks |
| Ant-Man and the Wasp | The Tudors |
| Nightcrawler | Criminal Minds |
| Incredibles 2 | Parks and Recreation |
| Casino Royale | Marvel’s Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D |
| Quantum of Solace | Person of Interest |
| 20th Century Women | The Borgias |
| Black Panther | American Horror Story |
Last updated on April 10, 2021.
Best Netflix Russian Movies and TV shows
Although Netflix Russia has a limited content library as compared to the US, here are some of the best movies, TV shows, and new releases on Netflix Russia.
| Movies | TV Shows |
| Moxie | To the Lake (Эпидемия) |
| Sentinelle | Silver Spoon (Мажор) |
| Enola Holmes | Sparta (Sпарта) |
| 6 Underground | Better than Us (Лучше, чем люди) |
| To All the Boys: Always and Forever | Locusts (Саранча) |
| Sentinelle | Farsta |
| Murder Mystery | The Queens Gambit |
| News of the World | Dynasty |
| Gemini Man | Money Heist |
| Sonic The Hedgehog | Behind Her Eyes |
Why Netflix Varies from Region to Region?
Netflix library varies from region to region because of content rights. Netflix only streams movies and shows that it gets its hands on in terms of content distribution rights. These content distribution rights are sold by the local authorities. Meaning Netflix has to compete with local operators like Megogo and TVzavr in Russia. So, whoever gets their hands on the rights, will show the movie or show in that country.
If these local operators get their hands on content distribution rights of a movie or a show in Russia, then Netflix will not include that title in its regional library, even if it is available in other Netflix libraries. Therefore, if you want to unblock the largest Netflix library, you need a VPN to trick Netflix into thinking that you are trying to access it from somewhere within the US. It will give you unrestricted access to American Netflix from Russia.
FAQ – US Netflix in Russia
Yes, Netflix does try to block most VPN users by blocking their IP addresses, and so does the Russian government. That is why most free VPNs cannot unblock Netflix. The VPNs mentioned above work with Netflix because it is extremely difficult to identify and block every single IP Address associated with the VPN.
These premium VPNs also refresh their IP addresses regularly, so users can get around Netflix’s geo-blocks. Therefore, only a few VPNs can unblock American Netflix in Russia.
To get American Netflix in Russia for free, you’ll need a free VPN like Windscribe or ProtonVPN. But do keep in mind that paid VPNs will offer better performance and most free VPNs are not capable of bypassing Netflix’s anti-proxy Firefall. Meaning, you cannot unblock American Netflix in Russia with a free VPN. Netflix proxy walls are so strong that even some of the paid VPNs can’t get you access to different Netflix libraries.
Even if you do find a free VPN that works with Netflix, you will constantly have to worry about limited bandwidth, servers, data transfer, continuous disconnection, and lack of technical support. These things will definitely worsen your streaming experience. Also, most free VPNs embed trackers in their software tracking user data and then selling it to third-party advertisers. This is a clear violation of the user’s right to privacy.
Similarly, you can use SmartDNS proxies to watch American Netflix in Russia for free, but there is no guarantee that it will work. Although in the past, it was super easy to watch Netflix US for free abroad. Even simple proxy services managed to stream Netflix. But, nowadays it is not so easy to unblock Netflix with SmartDNS because Netflix has blocked most SmarDNS tools and services. Therefore, it’s better to stick with paid, premium VPNs for accessing American Netflix in Russia securely.
To watch Netflix in other regions, check out these guides:
Conclusion
Netflix in Russia has a lot of interesting titles for local audiences. Nonetheless, it falls short of the content catalog hosted by US Netflix. If you want to access this content and bypass Netflix restrictions, then the easiest way to do so is by using a VPN as explained above.
As you must have noticed in this article, it’s pretty simple to get American Netflix in Russia. Just use ExpressVPN with their US servers and that’s all that’s really needed to unlock the complete content catalog on Netflix in Russia and enjoy your favorite shows.
