How to Watch American Netflix in Canada (2024)

Netflix may still be available in 190+ countries, but the majority of its content is limited to one country i.e. the United States.

Even though Canada shares a border with the US, the licensing agreements with the content owners don’t allow Netflix to air at least 100+ titles in Canadian Netflix.

What if I told you there is a simple, yet effective way to access every US Netflix Library content with a help of a VPN?

American Netflix has the largest library that Netflix offers, with no restrictions. But if you want to watch US Netflix in Canada, you’re going to have to use a VPN like ExpressVPN.

Our Recommended VPN – ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is our recommended choice when it comes to unblocking NetFlix USA in Canada as it easily bypasses its geo-restrictions and keeps your online identity safe while streaming.

Get yourself ExpressVPN today and enjoy 3 extra months for free. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee so use all of its features risk-free for 30-days.

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If you can’t wait any longer, head over to our quick steps to get the US Netflix. If you want to know more about what you’re missing, keep on scrolling.

How to Watch Netflix USA in Canada using a VPN

So, you know that if you want to unblock Netflix VPN is needed, such as ExpressVPN. In this short guide, we show you how to unblock Netflix in Canada:

Step 1: Subscribe to your VPN of choice (ExpressVPN is our #1 choice)

Step 2: Download and Install the ExpressVPN app

Step 3: Connect to a US server, e.g. New York

Step 4: Open Netflix and click on “sign in”

Step 5: Log in with your credentials

Step 6: Open your screen

Step 7: Select a show/series/movie to watch, e.g., Purple Hearts

Step 8: Enjoy Streaming!

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What Does Netflix US Have That Canada Doesn’t?

If you’d like to know what other content you’d be getting if you switch over to US Netflix, or if you have already and just needed a guide, we’ve got you covered.

If you like animated movies, grab a double-double and sit down with Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, a fun tale with an important message about environmental conservation.

Want some dark comedy? A Serious Man, by the Coen Brothers, is definitely one to look out for, with its dry humor and uncomfortable look at the troubles of a middle-aged man.

Looking for something a touch more surreal? Being John Malkovich is a comedy with the premise of a bizarre fantastical door leading to the mind of famous actor John Malkovich.

If you’re in the mood for something more rooted in reality, check out The Theory of Everything, a dramatization of the real life of famous scientist Stephen Hawking.

If you’re craving something with a bit more action, we recommend checking out The Cabin in the Woods, but be prepared for twists and turns, because this isn’t a traditional flick.

Last one before we end the list: Dallas Buyers Club, an award-winning biographical drama about a man diagnosed with AIDS resorting to illegal means to get the medicine he needs.

What are the Best VPNs to Watch US Netflix?

After testing multiple different premium VPNs, we’ve found that ExpressVPN works best for opening up US Netflix in Canada.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is our #1 choice comes with a 15-months plan worth $6.67/month  (12 Months + 3 Months Free), provided with a 30-day money-back guarantee, it is great for those that don’t want to commit to a long, expensive commitment.

ExpressVPN has over 3000 servers across 94 countries, with 22 locations in the US that help you unblock Disney+, Paramount Network, Discovery+, and a lot of other US streaming services in Canada.

ExpressVPN also boasts an in-built speed test feature, letting you know which servers would be best for when you want to start a Netflix binging session.

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Surfshark

Surfshark is offering its extremely cheap 2-year plan for just $2.49/month, which means it has the cheapest subscription plan amongst all other top premium VPNs.

If you subscribe to this VPN, you get access to the service across an unlimited number of devices, from your home computer to your laptops.

Surfshark has over 500 servers spanning over 20 cities across the US, so you’ll always be sure you can access US Netflix. You also get access to 3,200+ servers across 63 different countries.

This VPN also features a camouflage mode, disguising you from your internet provider, and a white-lister, allowing you to select which programs can connect to the internet without the VPN.

NordVPN

NordVPN, like Surfshark, also has a special offer on their 2-year plan, though it’s at a slightly higher, but still quite cheap, price of $3.29/month.

Though it may be pricier, it has a much larger number of US servers, making up 1947 out of a total of 5402 servers across 59 countries, which can be accessed on 6 devices simultaneously.

The good thing about having a ton of servers is that you’ll always have backups so that your Netflix viewing experience is never interrupted.

NordVPN also has some interesting features like double-protection, allowing you to change your IP address twice, and CyberSec, preventing access to known malicious websites and adware.

As with many other premium VPNs, including some of those on this list, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so that you can test it out before fully committing.

CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a very simple and straightforward VPN and offers an 18-month subscription plan worth $2.75/mo.

This VPN also offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, 50% longer than any other premium VPN on this list except Hotspot Shield.

If you still aren’t convinced that a VPN is a solid investment, we recommend trying CyberGhost out because of its ease of use and its huge money-back guarantee.

CyberGhost provides a clean, easily accessible UI; offers protection from the dangers of the internet; and also contains a kill-switch, preventing potential harm in case the VPN disconnects.

Best of all, CyberGhost offers servers that are specifically meant for streaming online content, which is perfect if you just want the VPN for browsing Netflix.

IPVanish

Though a relatively small VPN when next to the others on this list, IPVanish offers a decent 1-year plan at $6.49/mo, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The best part about this VPN? It offers 250GBs of cloud storage at SugarSync that it provides at no extra cost, secured with IPVanish’s encryption, something which no other VPN provides.

With this subscription, you get access to 1500+ servers across 75+ locations. 793 of these servers are American and will let you unblock US Netflix in Canada with no problem.

Hotspot Shield

This VPN has been around since 2008 and is highly renowned. It currently has a yearly plan worth $7.99/mo and offers a 45-day money-back guarantee just like CyberGhost.

Though Hotspot Shield offers a free service with only 1 US server, its premium service is where it shines, since it has servers in 27 US cities, out of a total of 3200+ across 80+ countries.

Hotspot Shield may not have all the fancy bells and whistles of other VPNs, but it is trusted and offers military-grade encryption, keeping you secure and also giving you access to US Netflix.

PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN offers servers in 9 US cities, out of a total of 150+ in 60 countries. You get access to these after subscribing to a 13-month plan worth just $3.82/mo.

This VPN offers access to its servers across 6 devices simultaneously, from your computers to your mobile phones, letting you take US Netflix wherever you go.

And of course, it also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Why Use a VPN with Netflix?

We’ve told you that US Netflix content differs from its Canadian brother, and given you some examples, but we haven’t explained why that is. It’s a legal issue.

Essentially, certain companies own the rights to media in some countries, while others may have the right to the same content in other countries.

Without the proper licensing from the companies in the country they want to operate in, service providers like Netflix can’t display that content even if they can in other countries like the US.

Then there is also the issue of attaining permission to operate in certain countries under local laws. These things, as well as others, contribute to differing international libraries.

This is why if you want to watch a certain show or movie that US Netflix but Canadian Netflix doesn’t, you’re going to need a ExpressVPN.

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) uses special private servers to mimic a private network, allowing you to disguise your IP address, which is how you’re identified on the internet.

When you connect to a US server in a VPN, Netflix will assume you’re accessing it from within the US, so it allows you to access its content.

The servers that are used by the VPN provider require money to maintain, hence the provider needs income to maintain them. This is why free VPN services are necessarily suspicious.

These free VPNs are normally hosts for adware and malware, or are legitimate but have very limited server options. This is why you should stick to premium-paid VPNs.

We’ve tested the VPNs we’ve recommended, so you can be sure that they will work with Netflix. Other premium VPNs may be blocked by Netflix itself, so it’s better to be safe.

How to Sign up to Netflix USA

Signing in to American Netflix is the same as signing in to Netflix Canada, the only difference will be where you have to connect to the US server before accessing the Netflix Website. Follow the steps below:

Step 1: Connect to the US server over ExpressVPN

Step 2: Open Netflix, enter your email, and click on “Get Started”

Step 3: Click on “Next”

Step 4: Now set up a password for your account

Step 5: Again click on “Next”

Step 6: Now choose a plan

Step 7: Enter your credit card details

Step 8: Start browsing on the US Netflix

Note: You can switch back to Canadian Netflix just by disconnecting the VPN and reloading the Netflix page.

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How to Watch Netflix USA on Mobile Phone

Step 1: Connect to the US server over ExpressVPN

Step 2: Install the Netflix app from the Play Store

Step 3: Open the app and sign in using your credentials

Step 4: Open your screen

Step 5: Go to the “TV Shows” or “Movies” section

Step 6: Choose a show to watch, e.g. Bridgerton

Step 7: Click on Play and enjoy Streaming

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Netflix Canada Vs. Netflix USA

What to Watch on Netflix USA

Netflix USA has a vast library as compared to Netflix Canada, shows, movies, seasons and everything on American Netflix has a huge variety. So, if it got you confused in choosing a show/movie to watch, you can take suggestions from the list below:

• Miss Americana: Taylor Swift
• Squid Game
• Lupin
• Look Both Ways
• Purple Hearts
• Anne with an “E”
• Virgin River
• Bridgerton
• Anotherself
• Persuasion
• Inventing Anna
• The Crown
• Emily in Paris
• The Witcher
• Locke & Key
• Maid
• Single’s Inferno
• The Umbrella Academy
• Stranger Things

Netflix US Alternative Streaming Services 

You can stream the following services in Canada as well aside from Netflix US:

• TBS in Canada
• Syfy in Canada
• YouTube TV in Canada
• CW Network in Canada
• Amazon Prime in Canada
• Tubi TV in Canada

Related Questions – US Netflix

Is Netflix Canada the same as Netflix USA?

No. Though the majority of the content is very similar, there are quite a few shows and movies that are specific to one or the other.

If you want to access the content from the other side of Netflix, you’re going to have to use a VPN.

How Can I Watch US Netflix in Canada?

As we’ve said above, the only way you can access Netflix USA in Canada is by using a premium VPN to disguise your location.

How Do I Switch to American Netflix?

If you want to switch, sadly Netflix doesn’t let you do that as part of its own service. You’re going to need a VPN. You can follow our guide to help you unblock it.

Closing Words

So, we’ve talked a lot about Netflix VPN Canada and the US, but VPNs have much broader and more important use than just unblocking entertainment.

VPNs ensure your privacy when you browse the internet, ensure that your data isn’t being stolen, or that your browsing isn’t being tracked.

With a single, cheap subscription, you get the freedom to watch American Netflix in Canada, and also the privacy you don’t get without a VPN, which is what we all sorely need.