Netflix UK users have access to a very small number of TV series and movie titles as compared to US Netflix users. Our friends in the UK are unable to see some of the classic shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Dexter, Marvel’s Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D, and Penny Dreadful that are only available on Netflix US.
If you’re interested in learning about how to watch American Netflix in the UK, make sure you read all the way till the end. Due to licensing agreements, the content available on Netflix in the US can’t be the same as that in the UK. Yet, there are methods to watch US Netflix in UK, but the most effective way is using a VPN for Netflix.
How to get US Netflix in the UK? [with video tutorial]
1. Subscribe to a reliable VPN provider (ExpressVPN recommended)
2. Download and Install the VPN app on your respective device
3. Once you open the app, enter Username and Password to log in
5. Connect to any US Server
6. Now, the US library of Netflix will open automatically
That’s it. You can now get American Netflix in the UK freely without any restrictions.
Still confused? Watch this video tutorial to get American Netflix in the UK:
3 Best VPNs to Get Netflix US in the UK: Overview
Let’s take a look at a brief overview of the 3 Best VPNs to Get American Netflix in the UK.
- ExpressVPN – Best VPN for Netflix with 1000+ US servers
- Surfshark – Best Value VPN for Netflix with 500+ US servers
- NordVPN – Best VPN for Netflix streaming with 1970+ US servers.
Why is American Netflix shows blocked in the UK?
Every TV show and movie that Netflix offers is made available in a region after licensing agreements with production studios and distributors. In these agreements, it is specified which regions Netflix can stream a given show or movie. This is why some titles are only accessible in the US and can’t be watched anywhere else like the UK.
Additionally, Netflix has to compete with local distributors like the BBC in the UK. If these distributors get their hands on a movie or show, Netflix will not show it in the UK, even if available in other countries.
Best VPN To Watch American Netflix in the UK
A couple of months back, I was in the UK, and I tested some VPNs to see if they can actually let me access American Netflix in the UK. I found these VPNs to be working remarkably well in my testing process:
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of the expensive VPNs in the world, but its cost justifies its performance. It has been one of the best VPN providers of the work for quite some time now. Needless to say that this VPN works exceptionally well for changing the Netflix region.
If you need a VPN with a fast speed that can get you uninterrupted streaming on 1080p and HD quality video for unblocking Netflix, then you can’t go wrong with ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN managed to deliver a fast speed of 85.84 Mbps on my 100 Mbps connection which was amazing.
ExpressVPN managed to offer an average download speed of 28.15 Mbps on 85.84 Mbps on my 100 Mbps connection in terms of speed. Below you will find ExpressVPN’s 5 recommended cities for Netflix US and the speed we received on them during our testing.
| Recommended Servers | Speed Result |
|---|---|
| New Jersey-1 | 88.3 Mbps |
| Washington DC | 87.7 Mbps |
| New York | 85.5 Mbps |
| New Jersey – 1 | 84.3 Mbps |
| Salt Lake City | 89.2 Mbps |
With a VPN server network of over 3,000 servers worldwide, you will be able to access Netflix US in the UK and unblock Netflix UK from anywhere around the globe. It is one of the best VPNs for streaming Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, TBS, and more.
One of the main thing which makes this provider stand out from the rest is, its Smart DNS called “ExpressVPN MediaStreamer” which is included with all the premium VPN subscriptions. This Smart DNS service will also let you access streaming content at high speed, without connecting the VPN and using your own IP address. It is completely free of cost, and only purchasing a VPN subscription will enable us to use this Smart DNS feature.
You will be getting two different ways to access Netflix US in the UK with ExpressVPN. The more, the merrier, Right. However, you will have to increase your budget to afford this VPN as it costs $6.67/mo. Those who can afford ExpressVPN should be their top choice for US Netflix in the UK.
You can read the ExpressVPN review and explore more about the provider.
How to set up ExpressVPN for American Netflix in the UK (Video):
- 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
- Expensive Pricing Plans
2. Surfshark
Surfshark is a low-priced, friendly VPN solution to get American Netflix in the UK. Don’t worry; its low-price subscription doesn’t mean the service is lacking in any way from the other providers. It allows bypassing restricted Netflix content in a single attempt after connecting to one of its many US servers.
Using the Surfshark application was an enjoyable experience, with all the different features right at your fingertips. I found it delivering high speeds for HD-quality streaming on Netflix, but the quality was not always the same and faced some fluctuations between 1080p and 720p on a few occasions.
Surfshark did not disappoint in terms of speed as it gave an average download speed of 60.7 Mbps. Below you will find Surfshark’s 5 recommended cities for Netflix US and the speed we received on them during our testing.
| Recommended Servers | Speed Result |
|---|---|
| Atlanta | 59.3 Mbps |
| Chicago | 64.7 Mbps |
| Los Angeles | 55.5 Mbps |
| Miami | 63.3 Mbps |
| San Francisco | 61.2 Mbps |
The entire network of servers is 3200+ servers in 65 countries. With such a vast network, it was possible to access multiple different Netflix regions by changing the server in Surfshark. With Surfshark, you can also unblock Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO, and more.
Furthermore, you can acquire Surfshark for $2.49/mo. Frankly, there are hardly any VPN providers that offer top-grade performance for Netflix at such a low cost. You can read the Surfshark review and explore more about the VPN provider.
How to set up Surfshark for American Netflix in the UK (Video):
- 3200+ servers worldwide
- 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
- The fastest server option might not offer fast speeds
3. NordVPN
NordVPN has been one of the oldest operating VPN providers in the business. It has a large server network with over 5500+ servers in 59+ countries; you will never run out of the servers’ connection. It has over 1970 + servers in 15 different cities in the US, so if any service is not working for you, you can jump to another server.
While most of the streaming experience was smooth and without friction, we experienced buffering issues for about a few seconds during the streaming on rare occasions. With NordVPN, the video took a little time to load at the beginning despite NordVPN’s fast speed, but after that, it performed amazing, and there was no buffering. During our testing, NordVPN gave an average speed of 70.3 Mbps which was more than enough to stream Netflix.
Below you will find NordVPN’s 5 recommended cities for Netflix US and the speed we received on them during our testing.
| Recommended Servers | Speed Test Results |
|---|---|
| Seattle | 73.3 Mbps |
| Chicago | 71.7 Mbps |
| Los Angeles | 68.5 Mbps |
| Miami | 72.3 Mbps |
| Denver | 70.2 Mbps |
Due to noticeable buffering issues, we have assigned the third spot to NordVPN. Nevertheless, it is still one of the best VPNs to unblock Netflix shows in different regions with a good streaming quality. Considering that it only costs $4.13/mo, NordVPN offers superb value for money by giving a 30-day money-back guarantee.
You can read the NordVPN review and explore more about the provider as it is also one of the best choices for accessing Netflix US in South Africa.
How to set up NordVPN for American Netflix in the UK (Video):
- Offers 5500+ servers in 59 countries
- 24/7 customer support
- 6 simultaneous connections
- Easy compatibility with Smart TVs and other devices
- It also unblocks Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO, and more.
- Windows app is a bit sluggish
Can I use a free VPN to get Netflix US in the UK?
Technically speaking, you can use a free VPN to get American Netflix in the UK, but do keep in mind that paid VPNs will offer better performance. If you are wondering about how to get American Netflix in UK free, then you need to know that I tested dozens of free VPNs that have failed to unblock U.S Netflix in the U.K.
With free VPN providers, you will have to constantly worry about limited bandwidth, servers, data transfer, continuous disconnection, and lack of technical support. These things will definitely worsen your streaming experience.
One of the most important reasons not to trust free VPNs with your online protection is that they are known to sell your personal information to different authorities. Therefore, there are no free VPN solutions for Netflix.
Things to consider while choosing a VPN for Netflix
Few things are essential to consider when choosing a VPN to help you access American Netflix in the UK. We have listed them for you so that you can always make the right decision for yourself.
- Unblocks Netflix US other popular video-on-demand streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
- Offers a huge server network that is capable of unblocking different blocked content
- Allows fast speeds connection for high video quality and bufferless streaming.
- It follows a strict no-logs policy and uses strong encryption.
- It grants a money-back guarantee so you can test the capability of the VPN.
- Provides 24/7 customer support so you can contact in case you face connectivity issues.
Still having issues accessing US Netflix?
If you are using one of the VPNs mentioned above but still cannot unblock American Netflix in the UK, then follow these troubleshooting tips to fix the problem:
- Disconnect the VPN and connect to a different US server. This way, you will get a different IP address.
- Clear your browsing history, cookies, and cache.
- Try watching Netflix in your browser online instead of using the app.
- Log out of Google account when using Netflix on the browser because Google stores IP addresses and can reveal your real geo-location to Netflix.
- Disable all location-based services on your device
- Restart your device
- Contact customer support and ask them which Netflix does not block US servers.
Is American Netflix better than the UK?
US Netflix has a massive library and ranks first when it comes to the total number of titles available in a country. As you can see in the image, there is a huge difference of over 3,700+ titles between the two. In other words, Netflix UK holds only 35.27% of what is available on Netflix US.
| Netflix | Movies | TV Shows |
| Netflix US | 4593 movies | 1157 TV shows |
| Netflix UK | 1586 movies | 442 TV shows |
Source: Finder (updated June 2021)
This is the simple reason why most Netflix subscribers want to have access to Netflix US. Though you can gain access to all American titles while sitting in the UK for that, you need a VPN service to unblock Netflix TV shows and movies in the UK. With a VPN like ExpressVPN, you can bridge this content gap and access American Netflix content from within the US.
American Netflix vs. UK Netflix: Price Comparison
Price comparison of US Netflix and UK Netflix is as follows:
| Netflix | Basic Plan | Standard Plan | Premium Plan |
| Netflix US | $11.89 | $17.18 | $21.15 |
| Netflix UK | £5.99 | £8.99 | £11.99 |
| Netflix UK price in USD | $8.47 | $12.71 | $16.95 |
As you can see from the above table that price of Netflix UK is lower than Netflix US. You will not have to subscribe again for American Netflix in the UK. In fact with a VPN, you can use your same Netflix account to access Netflix US library at a lower cost.
List of Movies and Shows not on Netflix UK (available on US Netflix)
Here are some movies and TV shows that you won’t find on Netflix UK library:
- Family Guy
- Mad Men
- Django Unchained
- Matrix
- Forest Gump
- Interstellar
- Avengers
- Batman Begins
- Gladiator
- Pulp Fiction
- Saving Private Ryan
- Titanic
- American History X
- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Exclusive Shows and Movies only available on Netflix US
US Netflix offers some of the most memorable shows on the planet. To give you an idea, here are some of the many titles that you can watch only on American Netflix but not on Netflix UK:
| Movies | TV Shows |
|---|---|
| The World Is Not Enough | The Bachelorette |
| Tomorrow Never Dies | The Bachelor |
| The Secret Life of Pets 2 | NCIS |
| The Rum Diary | The Flash |
| Raging Bull | Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown |
| Rachel Getting Married | Once in a Lifetime Sessions with George Ezra |
| The Peacemaker | Transformer |
| GoldenEye | Bunk’d |
| Dragonheart | Once in a Lifetime Sessions with OneRepublic |
| Doubt | Grey’s Anatomy |
VPNs That fail to unblock American Netflix in the UK
- Turbo VPN
- OperaVPN
- Unlocator
- Buffered
- GetFlix VPN
- OverPlay
- HideIPVPN
- Browsec VPN
- Hola VPN
- TunnelBear VPN
How to unblock American Netflix in the UK on Devices
Netflix offers dedicated apps for the vast majority of devices and operating systems out there. This segment will teach you how to watch US Netflix using ExpressVPN on your smartphones and smart TVs in the UK.
There are two ways to configure ExpressVPN on your Smart TVs.
You can either set up ExpressVPN on the Router and then connect your Smart TV to the router, or you can simply set up the MediaStream (ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS) service directly on the Smart TV.
While setting up ExpressVPN on the Router, make sure to use a US-based server address for VPN connection.
This will ensure that you will access US Netflix library content in the UK.
To set up MediaStreamer on Smart TVs, make sure to check out ExpressVPN’s detailed support article on “Setting up MediaStreamer on Smart TVs“.
Also, if you wish to not get into the complicated MediaStreamer steps and looking for something comparatively easy then read “How to set up ExpressVPN’s App on Router for Smart TVs“
Similar to Smart TVs, Apple TV’s VPN configuration also consists of two methods.
Either by setting up ExpressVPN on Router or setting up MediaStream (ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS) service directly on the Apple TV.
Similar to Smart TVs, to set up MediaStreamer on Apple TV, make sure to check out ExpressVPN’s detailed support article on “Setting up MediaStreamer on Apple TVs“.
Also, if you wish to not get into the complicated MediaStreamer steps and looking for something comparatively easy then read “How to set up ExpressVPN’s App on Router for Smart TVs“
ExpressVPN offers an official macOS application that works on Macbook Air, Macbook Pro and iMac. It is available for download from App Store. Watch this video to learn how to install ExpressVPN’s Mac application.
Now that you have downloaded and installed ExpressVPN’s macOS application, to access US Netflix in UK, follow the steps below:
- Launch the ExpressVPN App
- Log in to the application using ExpressVPN’s account details
- Locate and connect to US-based server from server list
- Once connected, launch your Netflix application
You should now be able to stream US Netflix exclusive content in the UK. Make sure to keep your device GPS or location service feature disabled when accessing US Netflix content.
ExpressVPN doesn’t offer dedicated apps for Xbox, but you can set up ExpressVPN on your Xbox using Mac, PC, Router and even MediaStreamer Smart DNS. You can learn more about each method in our ExpressVPN Xbox guide.
You can use ExpressVPN on Xbox, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and Xbox 360. After setting up ExpressVPN on your Xbox via any of the above method, you should now be able to stream US Netflix exclusive content in the UK.
Like Smart TVs and Apple TV’s VPN configuration, PS4 ExpressVPN configuration also consists of two methods.
Either by setting up ExpressVPN on Router or setting up MediaStream (ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS) service directly on the PS4.
To set up the Smart DNS feature on PS4, check out ExpressVPN’s detailed support article on “Setting up MediaStreamer on PS4“.
Also, if you wish to not get into the complicated MediaStreamer steps and looking for something comparatively easy then read “How to set up ExpressVPN’s App on Router for PS4“
How to get American Netflix in the UK without VPN?
Smart DNS is more useful though it has its strengths and weaknesses. Since it doesn’t provide the 256-encryption, that means your connection is not secure from prying eyes.
Therefore, if you are not concerned with security and privacy as much as speed, in that case, Smart DNS can be a useful solution. ExpressVPN MediaStreamer is a Netflix-compatible Smart DNS that works for streaming US Netflix in the UK. If you purchase ExpressVPN for $6.67/mo , you’ll get the MediaStreamer feature for free.
The smart DNS service allows the user to whitelist their IP address with ExpressVPN and use a specific DNS IP address from ExpressVPN to access streaming services that were blocked initially on their Smart TVs. Since there is no encryption involved here, a Smart DNS service is supposed to be faster than a VPN service.
Keep in mind that SmartDNS does offer a little faster speeds as compared to VPN, but SmartDNS is not secure as a VPN as it doesn’t offer data encryption. The following table shows the speed comparison of ExpresssVPN and its SmartDNS.
| ExpressVPN | MediaStreamer |
|---|---|
| Atlanta – 77.6 Mbps | 85.2 Mbps |
| Chicago – 78.1 Mbps | 84.7Mbps |
| Los Angeles – 75.4 Mbps | 81.5 Mbps |
| Miami – 71.8 Mbps | 86.3 Mbps |
| Santa Monica – 70.9 Mbps | 83.2 Mbps |
Here’s a video tutorial to help you set up the ExpressVPN MediaStreamer feature on Windows:
FAQ
No, it is not illegal to watch American Netflix in the U.K. I say this because U.K has no restrictions on VPN usage, unlike some countries that follow strict censorship laws. While using a VPN itself is not illegal, accessing different regional content with a VPN does violate Netflix’s terms of usage.
Yes, Grey’s Anatomy is available on Netflix US. Unfortunately, it is not available on Netflix UK, and is only available on American Netflix. To watch it abroad, you will need a VPN.
You can switch your Netflix region to America by using a VPN. Simply, connect to a US server, and change your Netflix region to US.
Yes, you can use the same Netflix account to watch American Netflix in the UK or abroad. When you log in to your account with a VPN, it will automatically redirect you to American Netflix, so you don’t have to create separate accounts.
No, Netflix will not ban you for using a VPN because it is perfectly legal to access its library using a VPN service. It does however go against Netflix’s Terms of Use, but it’s not illegal.
In the Netflix app, there is no option to change your country. This because the Netflix app will automatically adjust your country according to the server you’re connected to.
Wrapping Up
American Netflix is the subject of envy of all streaming enthusiasts in the UK. The good thing is, it is very much possible to unblock your favorite version of Netflix in the UK with the help of a VPN.
My recommended choice is ExpressVPN because of providing reliable, uninterrupted, and trustworthy services for streaming blocked content worldwide, especially Netflix US in the UK. When it’s about entertainment, we all want what is best, right? Therefore, the right choice here is ExpressVPN. For a limited time, you can get its 12 + 3 months free plan for just $6.67/mo .
If you are not a heavy streamer and looking for a cheaper option to stream American Netflix in the UK, you may turn towards Surfshark and NordVPN. Even though their quality is not the same as ExpressVPN, they tend to do the job just fine.
To watch Netflix in other regions, check out these guides:
In my experience, well-known VPNs struggle with keeping Netflix accessible because way too many users are connecting from the same IP and it looks suspicious so it get’s blocked. Yes, they might be able to restore the access in some time but in my opinion it’s way more convenient for such things to use less known VPNs. Smaller crowd = less issues.