Netflix is about to ditch its final interactive specials — including this iconic 'Black Mirror' episode
(Image credit: Netflix)
Netflix looks to finally be bringing its "interactive content" era to a close in just a few days.
While Netflix continues to invest in gaming, the streaming service began delisting its interactive specials late last year. 20 of the streamer's 24 "Interactive Specials" were taken down from its library on Dec. 1, and the two "vs. Wild" interactive specials disappeared soon thereafter on Jan. 1.
According to a new report from What's On Netflix, the final two specials — "Black Mirror: Bandersnatch" and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend" — are leaving Netflix in less than a week. You may like
The outlet reports that both specials "will be leaving the service globally on May 12, 2025."
Netflix hasn't officially confirmed the removal themselves; at the time of writing, neither special was flagged as "leaving soon" on their landing page on the streamer, either.
Even if we didn't rate "Bandersnatch" all that highly — look at our list of the best and worst "Black Mirror" episodes as proof — it will be a shame if franchise newcomers won't be able to experience this experimental slice of TV any longer.
"Bandersnatch" is flawed, but its debut made waves back in 2018, and even spawned a follow-up episode featuring eccentric game developer Colin Ritman (Will Poulter) in "Black Mirror" season 7.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Why has Netflix removed interactive content? Black Mirror: Bandersnatch | Featurette: Consumer [HD] | Netflix - YouTube Watch On
Netflix's main reason for deprioritising this particular form of interactive storytelling is seemingly down to the fact that the technology behind the specials had become "limiting."
Speaking to Game File's Stephen Totilo in 2024, Netflix's Head of Gaming, Mike Verdu, said: "We're not building those specific experiences anymore."
Totilo continues: 'The technology was very limiting and the potential for what we could do in that realm was kind of capped. But we learned a ton from that," he added.
He went on to say their learning would instead be ploughed into full narrative games, such as those based on "Love is Blind" and "Too Hot To Handle."
'It will start to feel more and more like you really are playing the show,' Verdu said. 'I think that's sort of the spiritual evolution of what you saw there. But we learned a ton. And 'Bandersnatch' is a phenomenal experience," Verdu added.
(Image credit: Eric Liebowitz/Netflix)
In the above report, What's on Netflix also stated the streamer was due to undergo an interface redesign, and implied its interactive specials wouldn't be compatible with the new UI.
While reporting the first wave of removals, fellow TG writer Malcolm McMillan also speculated two other reasons. There's the rise of mobile viewing, and the fact that viewers probably weren't looking for this kind of content from Netflix in the first place.
I'd also throw in one other reason: if you've played any sort of video game, I'd wager a fairly simplistic choose-your-own-adventure offering wasn't a compelling enough offering in the first place.
Regardless, if you are interested in checking out either "Kimmy Vs. The Reverend" or "Bandersnatch" on Netflix and seeing their branching stories, now is seemingly the time to do just that.
If you're looking for something else to watch in the meantime, be sure to check out our guide to the best Netflix shows you can stream right now for plenty of top recommendations. More from Tom's Guide
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Business News
19 minutes ago
- Time Business News
Magis TV APK vs. Other Streaming Apps What Makes It Different?
In today's crowded streaming market, choosing the right platform can be overwhelming. Between Netflix, Pluto TV, IPTV services, and hundreds of APKs floating around, how do you know which one actually delivers both quality and value? If you're considering Magis TV APK, you're likely wondering how it compares to the rest. In this guide, we'll break down the differences between Magis TV APK and other popular streaming options, helping you understand why it's quickly becoming a fan favorite for entertainment lovers around the world. Magis TV APK is a third-party streaming application that allows users to watch live TV, movies, series, and sports events through an internet connection. It's widely known for offering a large selection of Spanish and international content with low monthly costs and high accessibility. You can download the app directly from the official Magis TV website and install it on Android devices, smart TVs, or Amazon Firestick. Let's take a look at how Magis TV APK compares with other common streaming platforms. Feature Magis TV APK Netflix Live TV Yes No Sports Yes No Content Language Multilingual (Spanish-focused) Mostly English Price Very Low High Device Support Wide Range Wide Range Takeaway: While Netflix is great for original content, it lacks live channels, sports, or international TV—areas where Magis TV APK shines. Feature Magis TV APK Pluto TV Ads Minimal (Premium) Frequent Channel Variety 1000+ channels Limited On-Demand Movies Yes Yes Custom Playlists Yes No Takeaway: Pluto TV is free, but comes with limitations and ads. Magis TV APK offers more freedom, control, and better stream quality. Feature Magis TV APK Generic IPTV User Interface Clean & simple Often outdated UI Regular Updates Yes Rare or inconsistent Built-in Features Yes (EPG, filters) Often lacks features Support Available Unreliable Takeaway: Many IPTV services are unreliable or difficult to set up. Magis TV APK offers a more polished, stable, and user-friendly experience. All-in-One Entertainment Hub – Live TV, movies, series, and sports in a single platform. – Live TV, movies, series, and sports in a single platform. Affordable Pricing – Get premium content at a fraction of the cost of mainstream services. – Get premium content at a fraction of the cost of mainstream services. Frequent Updates – Constant improvements and content expansion. – Constant improvements and content expansion. High Compatibility – Works on most Android-based devices, including Firestick. – Works on most Android-based devices, including Firestick. Language Versatility – Excellent for Spanish-speaking audiences but also supports English and other languages. Viewers looking for live sports and international TV Families who want on-demand content without expensive bundles Users with limited budgets who still want a premium experience People frustrated with ads, buffering, or platform restrictions Unlike many streaming apps that focus on one type of content, Magis TV APK brings everything under one roof. It competes not just with premium platforms like Netflix, but also beats most free IPTV options in terms of performance and ease of use. If you're searching for an app that delivers a complete, customizable, and affordable viewing experience, then Magis TV APK clearly stands out from the crowd. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Movies to stream in July: our expert's 11 must-watch movies new to Netflix, Prime Video, Max and more
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Looking for some new movies to stream in July? Well great news, there are plenty of options across the likes of Netflix, Max, Prime Video and all of the major streaming services this month. With that said, it can be a lot to scroll through, so allow me to offer my humble services in helping you find the new movies on streaming that you are not going to want to miss. The below list of movies are taken from the major streaming services: Apple TV Plus, Disney Plus, Hulu, Max, Netflix, Paramount Plus, Peacock and Prime Video. I'm also specifically picking movies that are new to streaming this month — in this case, these are 11 movies that are landing on one of the major streamers for the first time, or coming back to streaming services after only being available via on-demand. So without further ado, here are my picks for the 11 movies to stream in July. The Amateur slid a little under the radar in movie theaters, but the spy thriller starring Rami Malek did earn a "Fresh" score from critics and an 88% positive rating from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Those reactions point to this being a movie that likely deserves more of a look when it becomes easier to watch on streaming this month. In the movie, Malek plays a CIA analyst Charlie Heller, whose wife tragically dies in a terrorist attack. He wants to go after those responsible, but when his superiors deny that plan, Charlie goes out on his own using his analytical and technical skills at his disposal to get his revenge. Stream The Amateur on Hulu in the US starting July 17. Streaming plans for The Amateur in the UK are unconfirmed; movie is currently available via on-demand. Let's be honest, nobody likes taking tests. But what if a test decided whether or not you could have children. That's the premise of this sci-fi psychological drama that stars Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel as hopeful parents and Alicia Vikander as person running the assessment and deciding if they get to become parents. The indie movie, which only saw a limited release in movie theaters, is officially "Certified Fresh." Stream The Assessment on Hulu in the US starting July 19; currently streaming on Prime Video in the UK. I had plans to see Billy Joel in concert this September before the Piano Man unfortunately announced that he would need time to recover from a medical condition and the concert was cancelled (bummer, but warranted). That just makes this upcoming HBO documentary about Joel more of a must watch for me (and any fan of his music). A two-parter that will release on Max in back-to-back weeks, Billy Joel: And So It Goes explores the love, loss, and personal struggles that fuel his songwriting, providing never-before-seen performances, home videos, personal photographs and one-on-one interviews. Stream Billy Joel: And So It Goes part 1 on July 18 on Max, with part 2 premiering July 25. There's no info on a UK premiere for Billy Joel: An So It Goes at this time. The language barrier on Netflix may be a thing of the past based on how many foreign language movies have become solid hits on Netflix so far this year. Whether they're watching dubbed versions or subtitles, Netflix subscribers have given movies like Exterritorial (from Germany) and Bad Influence (from Spain) their attention. We could have the next example of that this month in Brick, another German-made movie. Matthias Schweighöfer, the breakout star of Netflix's Army of the Dead, leads this sci-fi, mystery thriller where an entire apartment building becomes encased by a mysterious brick wall, forcing the residents to find a way out. Stream Brick on Netflix worldwide starting July 10. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story is one of the funniest sports comedies of all time. The battle between Vince Vaughn and his team of misfits and the fantastically over-the-top villain played by Ben Stiller is, as the title suggest a classic underdog story, played out in hilarious fashion. With sports options a bit minimal at the moment, Dodgeball can help fill your competitive drive, while getting you howling. Stream Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story on Hulu in the US starting July 1; currently streaming on Disney Plus in the UK. Another classic sports movie highlights July's streaming options, with Adam Sandler's Happy Gilmore 2 teeing off on Netflix. The sequel to Sandler's golf comedy sees his hot-headed, long-driving character trying to reignite his golf career to help his daughter achieve her dreams. Original cast members Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen and Ben Stiller, are back, while new to the scene are Sunny Sandler, Margaret Qualley, Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce and a number of real-life golf professionals. Can they all help recreate what made the original Happy Gilmore a fan-favorite? Stream Happy Gilmore 2 on Netflix worldwide starting July 25. In the new action comedy Heads of State, a pair of world leaders have a bit more of a hand in international affairs as John Cena and Idris Elba play the US president and UK prime minister that have to stop a global conspiracy on their own. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Jack Quaid and Paddy Considine also star in the movie that hopes to bring some summer fun to Prime Video's streaming lineup. Stream Heads of State on Prime Video worldwide starting on July 2. Pick your preference on Mortal Kombat movies, as both the 1995 movie and the 2021 reboot return to Max in July. For, it's the 1995 movie all the way. In a nutshell, both movies involve some of Earth's strongest fighters being tasked with saving the planet from adversaries from an other world looking to the planet over, with its fate to be decided in a series of fights known as Mortal Kombat. The timing is good too, as a sequel to 2021's Mortal Kombat is set to be released later this year. So you can use this opportunity to refamiliarize with the new movie's characters. Stream Mortal Kombat (1995 and 2021) on Max in the US starting July 1. Both Mortal Kombat movies are available on-demand in the UK, with no streaming plans available at this time. It's been a long five-year wait for The Old Guard 2, the sequel to Netflix and Charlize Theron's hit action movie about immortal mercenaries. But that officially ends early in the month, with the added bonus of Theron and company taking on a new villain, played by Kill Bill icon Uma Thurman. This is one of Netflix's answers to the summer blockbuster season, and if it can live up to the first movie it should be a pretty good one. Stream The Old Guard 2 on Netflix worldwide on July 2. Max is adding a number of recent A24 movies to its library this month, including Opus and Death of a Unicorn. But the most intriguing will be On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, an international indie that has a rare 100% "Certified Fresh" score on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie follows a Zambian family whose secrets come out as funeral proceedings for their uncle take place. Interested? Stream On Becoming a Guinea Fowl on Max in the US starting July 4. Streaming plans for On Becoming a Guinea Fowl in the UK are unconfirmed; movie is currently available via on-demand. What I dubbed as the first great movie of the year, Sinners arrives on streaming in July, meaning there is little excuse if you're one of the few people that has not seen this excellent entry from Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler. A blend of horror, action and music, Sinners is expertly made, written and acted, and should play just as well on your TVs at home as it did on the big screen. Stream Sinners on Max in the US starting July 4. Streaming plans for Sinners in the UK are unconfirmed; movie is currently available via on-demand.
Boston Globe
2 hours ago
- Boston Globe
This week's TV: Coco Gauff at Wimbledon, Charlize Theron in ‘The Old Guard 2,' John Cena in ‘Heads of State'
What else clicks this week? ' Shark Whisperer ,' today on Netflix: Following summer's official start, and the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg's 'Jaws,' shark season is already underway despite the Discovery Channel's 37th annual Shark Week slated for July 20. This Netflix documentary concentrates on the controversial conservationist Ocean Ramsay. The social media phenom swims with sharks, uncaged, as her 2 million Instagram followers watch. Expect the unexpected, a complex character study, and dazzling underwater photography co-directed by James Reed, who won an Oscar for his participation in the pop culture sensation 'My Octopus Teacher.' ' Heads of State ,' Wednesday on Prime Video: It used to be that July Fourth weekend was the big tentpole for action-driven movies like 'Transformers,' 'Spider-Man: Far From Home,' and 'Independence Day.' Now, streaming has taken over that function with stunt-and-star original movies. 'Heads of State' pairs two Hollywood stars, John Cena and Idris Elba, who boast big individual followings. The buddy bromance has Elba as the UK prime minister and Cena as the American president joining forces to thwart an international terrorist conspiracy before the free world sizzles like a sparkler. Advertisement ' The Old Guard 2 ,' Wednesday on Netflix: In that same category of original movies capitalizing on the holiday weekend is this action-packed supernatural superhero sequel to the ' All the Sharks ,' Friday on Netflix: For the shark trend's reality show version, Netflix lands this new competition. With a $50,000 purse to be donated to charity, which seems meager for the level of danger involved, four teams of aquatic experts travel the world competing in a treasure hunt. Who will discover and photograph the most shark species? It sounds dry on paper, but getting within shooting range of the toothy beasts could draw blood in the water from the Maldives to the Galapagos. ' Macy's 4th of July Fireworks ,' Friday at 8 p.m. on NBC and Peacock: The annual celebration, televised live and launching adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge, will save at-home viewers from neck pain, mugginess, dehydration, and crowds. Broadway star and Oscar-winner Arianna DeBose is slated to host. Musical guests in anticipation of the fireworks are the Jonas Brothers, Eric Church, Lenny Kravitz, Ava Max, Keke Palmer, and Trisha Yearwood. For the 25-minute fireworks display, Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson and James Poyer will produce the score, with DeBose performing as well. Advertisement Thelma Adams is a cultural critic and the author of the best-selling historical novel 'The Last Woman Standing,' about Josephine Marcus, the Jewish wife of Wyatt Earp.
