Netflix just got a big upgrade for kids – plus 4 other new features to keep you from switching

• Netflix has announced more changes coming to the service
• Kids' profiles are being revamped, and standard profiles will get themes
• We'll also see more vertical video content and real-time voting

Netflix has been talking upgrades and innovations at the TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 conference, led by a revamp of profiles for kids that follows on from the update already given to standard user profiles.

The timescales for these updates vary, and you might not see all of them right away, but they'll be showing up in your Netflix account across the rest of the year and into 2026 – helping to consolidate its position as the best streaming service for most people. Here's what's coming...

1. Improved kids' profiles

Speaking to TechCrunch, Netflix said the kids' profiles update was intended to simplify navigation. Each child's viewing history and watchlist is now under a single My Netflix heading, while recommendations are now going to refresh in real time.

Younger users often rewatch their favorite content, Netflix says, and the revamp should make that easier. However, many parts of these profiles aren't changing, including the parental controls, character-themed rows, and 'mystery box' suggestions.

2. Vertical video

There are several other updates to talk about. Netflix says it's exploring more options for vertical video, to give users content that's more "snackable", TikTok-style – though we haven't been given much in the way of details just yet.

The suggestion is that one way vertical video could be used is for sharing clips of shows and movies with other people, building on the existing Moments feature, but it doesn't sound as though Netflix is going to turn into a full TikTok rival.

3. Real-time voting

Netflix CTO Elizabeth Stone also announced that real-time voting for interactive content is on the way, to try and boost engagement. The idea is you'll be able to contribute – during a talent show, for example – and see votes on screen instantly.

That will then affect the rest of the program, so you might see some contestants not make it to the end of a live show, depending on how people have voted. Stone specifically referenced Star Search, which is being rebooted next year.

4. Immersive, themed homepages

Netflix profiles have already been given quite a few tweaks and adjustments this year, and there's more on the way. The company says homepages are going to gradually get more dynamic and immersive, with a number of themes rolling out over time.

One of those will apparently be based on Halloween, while another based on the holiday season is also in development. Netflix says a Bridgerton-themed homepage design is in the works – which could well arrive with Bridgerton season 4.

5. More interactive party games

This is more of an update on an update, because Netflix already announced that party games were coming to the platform earlier this month. They include Pictionary, Boggle, and an interactive take on Tetris, which should all show up this year.

However, we did get to hear a little bit more about these party games at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, including the news that more of them are on the way in 2026 – giving you even more reasons to log in.

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