Netflix with ads is cheaper but missing titles: Here’s a list of everything
You can get Netflix for a lower cost but there's a catch with ads.
Netflix has launched its new Basic with Ads plan. You can get Netflix at a cheaper price but you now will view ads.
Another major change with this plan is certain content in the Netflix library is unavailable due to licensing restrictions.
If you were thinking of switching to the new Netflix Basic with Ads plan or signing up for the first time, we've got the lowdown so you don't get met by the dreaded unavailable message.
How many titles are missing from Netflix's Basic with Ads plan?
One of the benefits of the Basic with Ads plan is its lower price. However, Netflix warned that 5–10% of the catalogue would be missing at launch.
Finder has worked out that the proportion of missing titles is 4.2% in Australia.
Of the 6,630 titles in the Netflix library, 284 are unavailable at launch. This ranges across both TV shows and movies.
It's not just obscure titles either. Some are popular with Netflix viewers.
For example, 3 of the top 10 movies on Netflix on the day of launch, namely A Wedding For Christmas, Sing and The Boss Baby are inaccessible to those on the Basic with Ads plan.
Some classic movies are also missing such as Back to the Future, Happy Gilmore, The Princess Bride and Dirty Dancing.
For those thinking Netflix's Basic with Ads plan might be a cheap option to entertain the kids, you might want to think again.
There are a lot of Illumination and Dreamworks titles such as Trolls, Shrek and The Secret Life of Pets unavailable from this plan.
Complete list of titles missing from Netflix Basic with Ads plan
You can see the full list of titles that are missing in the table below. We've also compiled a list of the 10 best shows and movies you can't watch with Netflix ads.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince | Family Movies Movies Based on Books | |
iCarly
| 2008 | Family Time TV Kids' TV Sitcoms Kids Music TV Comedies |
The Fairly OddParents
| 2009 | Kids' TV TV Cartoons |
Avatar: The Last Airbender
| 2007 | Family Time TV Kids' TV TV Cartoons Fantasy TV Shows |
SpongeBob SquarePants
| 2013 | Kids' TV TV Comedies TV Cartoons |
Victorious
| 2013 | Kids' TV Sitcoms TV Comedies |
House of CardsOriginal
| 2018 | Political TV Shows TV Dramas US TV Shows TV Thrillers |
Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain | 2013 | Stand-Up Comedy |
Vikings
| 2019 | Political TV Shows TV Dramas Canadian TV Action & Adventure Period Pieces |
The Adventures of Puss in BootsOriginal
| 2018 | Kids' TV TV Comedies TV Cartoons |
PAW Patrol
| 2017 | Kids' TV TV Cartoons |
Sam & Cat
| 2014 | Kids' TV Sitcoms TV Comedies |
Dragons: Race to the EdgeOriginal
| 2018 | Family Time TV Kids' TV TV Shows Based on Books TV Cartoons |
Ash vs. Evil Dead
| 2018 | TV Comedies TV Action & Adventure US TV Shows TV Horror |
Dawn of the CroodsOriginal
| 2017 | Kids' TV TV Cartoons |
DinotruxOriginal
| 2017 | Kids' TV TV Shows Based on Books TV Cartoons |
Henry Danger
| 2016 | Kids' TV Sitcoms TV Comedies |
Voltron: Legendary DefenderOriginal
| 2018 | Kids' TV TV Cartoons |
Queen of the South
| 2021 | TV Dramas TV Shows Based on Books TV Action & Adventure Crime TV Shows US TV Shows |
El marginalOriginal
| 2022 | TV Dramas Argentinian Crime TV Shows TV Thrillers |
Spy Kids: Mission CriticalOriginal
| 2018 | Kids' TV TV Cartoons |
MarlonOriginal
| 2018 | Family Time TV Sitcoms TV Comedies US TV Shows |
Great NewsOriginal
| 2017 | Sitcoms TV Comedies US TV Shows |
Dinotrux SuperchargedOriginal
| 2018 | Kids' TV TV Shows Based on Books TV Cartoons |
Happy!Original
| 2019 | TV Comedies TV Action & Adventure Crime TV Shows US TV Shows TV Shows Based on Comics |
UnsolvedOriginal
| 2018 | Music TV Dramas TV Shows Based on Books Hip-Hop Crime TV Shows |
Harvey Girls Forever!Original
| 2020 | Kids' TV Kids Music TV Comedies TV Cartoons TV Shows Based on Comics |
3Below: Tales of ArcadiaOriginal
| 2019 | Family Time TV Kids' TV TV Cartoons |
Time: The Kalief Browder StoryOriginal
| 2017 | Biographical Documentaries Docuseries Social & Cultural Docs US TV Shows |
ChampionsOriginal
| 2018 | Sitcoms TV Comedies US TV Shows |
Wanted
| 2018 | TV Dramas Australian Crime TV Shows TV Thrillers |
Wizards: Tales of ArcadiaOriginal
| 2020 | Family Time TV Kids' TV TV Cartoons Fantasy TV Shows |
Archibald's Next Big ThingOriginal
| 2020 | Kids' TV TV Shows Based on Books TV Comedies TV Cartoons |
Kipo and the Age of WonderbeastsOriginal
| 2020 | Kids' TV TV Comedies TV Cartoons TV Shows Based on Comics |
Fast & Furious Spy RacersOriginal
| 2021 | Kids' TV TV Cartoons |
Rhyme Time TownOriginal
| 2021 | Kids' TV Kids Music TV Cartoons |
Dirty JohnOriginal
| 2020 | TV Dramas Crime TV Shows US TV Shows TV Thrillers TV Shows Based on Real Life |
Dare MeOriginal
| 2019 | TV Dramas TV Shows Based on Books Teen TV Shows Crime TV Shows US TV Shows |
Captain Underpants Epic Choice-o-RamaOriginal | 2020 | Family Time TV Kids' TV Family Movies Kids & Family Movies TV Shows Based on Books |
The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-a-weenOriginal | 2019 | Family Time TV Kids' TV Family Movies Kids & Family Movies TV Shows Based on Books |
Captain Underpants Mega BlissmasOriginal | 2020 | Family Time TV Kids' TV Family Movies Kids & Family Movies TV Shows Based on Books |
The InmateOriginal
| 2018 | TV Dramas Mexican Crime TV Shows TV Thrillers |
Dragons: Rescue Riders: Hunt for the Golden DragonOriginal | 2020 | Kids' TV Kids & Family Movies TV Shows Based on Books Comedy Movies Movies Based on Books |
Dragons: Rescue Riders: Huttsgalor HolidayOriginal | 2020 | Kids' TV Kids & Family Movies TV Shows Based on Books Comedy Movies Movies Based on Books |
The Boss Baby: Get That Baby!Original | 2020 | Family Time TV Kids' TV Family Movies Kids & Family Movies TV Shows Based on Books |
Spirit Riding Free: Ride Along AdventureOriginal | 2020 | Family Time TV Kids' TV Family Movies Kids & Family Movies Westerns |
Spirit Riding Free: Riding AcademyOriginal
| 2020 | Kids' TV TV Cartoons |
Dragons: Rescue Riders: Secrets of the SongwingOriginal | 2020 | Kids' TV Kids & Family Movies TV Shows Based on Books Comedy Movies Movies Based on Books |
Playing with FireOriginal
| 2019 | Romantic TV Dramas TV Dramas Mexican |
You Cannot HideOriginal
| 2020 | Mexican TV Action & Adventure Crime TV Shows TV Thrillers |
Spirit Riding Free: Pony TalesOriginal
| 2019 | Kids' TV TV Cartoons |
Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous: Hidden AdventureOriginal | 2022 | Family Time TV Kids' TV TV Cartoons |
Spirit Riding Free: Spirit of ChristmasOriginal | 2019 | Kids' TV Kids & Family Movies Westerns TV Cartoons |
The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants in SpaceOriginal
| 2020 | Family Time TV Kids' TV TV Shows Based on Books TV Comedies TV Cartoons |
The Thundermans
| 2014 | Kids' TV Sitcoms TV Comedies |
The Loud House
| 2017 | Kids' TV TV Comedies TV Cartoons |
Team Zenko GoOriginal
| 2022 | Kids' TV TV Shows Based on Books TV Cartoons |
Stateless
| 2020 | Political TV Shows TV Dramas Australian Social Issue TV Dramas |
Rhyme Time Town SingalongsOriginal
| 2020 | Kids' TV Kids Music TV Cartoons |
Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon KnightOriginal
| 2023 | Kids' TV TV Comedies TV Cartoons |
Diary of a GigoloOriginal
| 2022 | TV Dramas Argentinian TV Mysteries Crime TV Shows TV Thrillers |
The Secret of the Greco Family
| 2022 | TV Dramas Mexican Crime TV Shows TV Shows Based on Real Life |
The Boss Baby: Back in the CribOriginal
| 2023 | Family Time TV Kids' TV TV Shows Based on Books TV Comedies TV Cartoons |
The Boss Baby: Christmas BonusOriginal | 2022 | Kids' TV Kids & Family Movies TV Shows Based on Books Comedy Movies Movies Based on Books |
Baby Shark's Big Show!
| 2022 | Kids' TV Kids Music TV Cartoons |
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How do I know a title is missing from Netflix's Basic with Ads plan?
Unlike our handy list above, Netflix doesn't display a complete overview of which titles are unavailable to those on the Basic with Ads tier.
These unavailable titles will have a lock icon when you search or browse Netflix.
Make sure to pay attention to the top right corner of the tiles in Netflix on the Basic with Ads plan to see if you can watch a title or not.
How can I access the missing titles on Netflix's Basic with Ads plan?
If you come across a title on Netflix that is unavailable in the Basic with Ads plan, there is only 1 way to watch it on the service.
You will have to upgrade to one of the plans on Netflix without ads: the Basic, Standard or Premium plans.
If you subscribe to the Basic with Ads plan and you're on Netflix when you come across 1 of these titles, you will be given the option to upgrade if you want to watch.
Keep in mind that it's a big jump in price to the other tiers.
The Basic plan costs 57% more at $10.99 a month and the Standard plan is a 143% increase on the Basic with Ads plan. If you took up the Premium plan, there would be a 228% increase in your monthly cost.
Not sure if Netflix is best for you? Compare Netflix with other streaming services so you can decide which one suits you best.
Image source: Netflix website