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Netflix Bypasses Families in Latest Push for Expansion

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Netflix Bypasses Families in Latest Push for Expansion

By Movieguide® Contributor

Netflix will open two new gigantic shopping, entertainment and dining complexes, called “Netflix Houses,” in Dallas and King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, in 2025.

They’ll “feature a wide array of shopping outlets, eateries and experiential activities tied to the streamer’s major franchises like ‘Bridgerton,’ ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘Squid Game,’” reported Variety on Tuesday.

Pennsylvania’s Netflix House will occupy a former department store near Philadelphia. Texas’s will be added to the Dallas Galleria mall. Each complex will span more than 100,000 sq ft.

Netflix Experiences

Netflix currently offers individual experiences across the world based on BRIDGERTON, KNIVES OUT, ARMY OF THE DEAD, STRANGER THINGS, LIFE ON OUR PLANET, and OUR PLANET.

The “Netflix House” experience is part of a plan to point consumers back to Netflix’s streaming service.

Movieguide® previously reported on Netflix’s experience strategy:

Netflix recently announced plans to open physical stores where fans can immerse themselves in the worlds of shows like STRANGER THINGS, SQUID GAMES and other Netflix properties. 

“We’ve seen how much fans love to immerse themselves in the world of our movies and TV shows, and we’ve been thinking a lot about how we take that to the next level,” Josh Simon, Netflix’s vice president of consumer products, told Bloomberg. 

The line of pop-up shops, called “Netflix House,” will offer fans products based on popular shows and movies, themed food and interactive experiences, like a SQUID GAMES obstacle course. 

“At Netflix House, you can enjoy regularly updated immersive experiences, indulge in retail therapy, and get a taste — literally — of your favorite Netflix series and films through unique food and drink offerings,” said Marian Lee, Netflix’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We’ve launched more than 50 experiences in 25 cities, and Netflix House represents the next generation of our distinctive offerings. The venues will bring our beloved stories to life in new, ever-changing, and unexpected ways.”

The company gave fans a peek at what they can expect:

Imagine waltzing with your partner to an orchestral cover of a Taylor Swift song on a replica of the Bridgerton set –– and then walking around the corner to compete in the Glass Bridge challenge from Squid Game. After pretending to fight for your life, you’ve worked up an appetite and want to get a bite.

You see a nearby restaurant with food inspired by Netflix shows from around the world; the meal is memorable, but you still want to buy some Stranger Things merch. Luckily, there’s a shop that sells that Hellfire Club T-shirt you’ve always wanted.

Both Netflix experience hubs are expected to begin business next year. However, the streaming giant hasn’t yet indicated at what point in the year each house will open.

Too Much for Families

While Netflix is far from the first entertainment giant to create experiences based around its media offerings, it falls short in creating family offerings. While Disney World has come under fire for pricing out their family audience, Netflix’s experiences focus on its excessive content.

Medical experts previously warned how shows like SQUID GAME drastically affect children.

As Movieguide® previously reported:

Doctors at the Child Mind Institute, a nonprofit that advocates for children’s mental health, said that children and teens should avoid  SQUID GAME.

“The level of violence is horrifying — more than most shows,” David Anderson, Head of School and Community Programs at the Child Mind Institute, said in a statement. “It’s a murder fest with the premise that out of over 400 participants, there can only be one survivor.”

According to CNN, a private school in Roswell, Georgia, banned conversations about the show and games that have become trends on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Violence in media can have devastating effects on society. Parents must limit how their children consume media violence and also teach them media discernment for when those scenes appear in movies, television shows, or video games.

But rather than heeding this warning, Netflix is embracing the immoral content and asking people to experience the trauma for themselves. Families would be wise to consider otherwise.


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