Netflix has removed the red “Netflix Original” badge from its movies and TV shows on the web platform. The change, confirmed on October 9, 2025, replaces the badge with a single, larger Netflix logo that no longer separates original productions from licensed content.
The update is part of Netflix’s ongoing A/B testing to simplify its user interface. The company says it wants to create a “more cohesive viewing experience” as its library grows more diverse. However, the change is currently limited to the web version, with the “Original” label still visible on some mobile and smart TV apps.
The “Netflix Original” badge was first introduced in 2013 with titles like House of Cards and Orange Is the New Black. It helped viewers identify content made or exclusively distributed by Netflix. Popular shows such as Stranger Things, The Crown, and Squid Game became closely linked with the badge, which came to represent quality and long-term availability.
Now, the new design applies the same Netflix logo to all titles, including licensed ones. This shift has caused confusion and frustration among users. Many have taken to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to complain that they can no longer tell which titles truly belong to Netflix. One post read, “Now I can’t tell what’s Netflix’s own content versus something that might leave next month.”
Industry analysts say the move reflects Netflix’s broader content strategy. The platform’s global library now includes over 8,500 titles, but a growing share of them are licensed from other studios. As competition from Disney+, Max, and Amazon Prime Video intensifies, Netflix is balancing its $17 billion content budget by focusing more on cost-effective licensing and less on expensive original projects.
Experts warn that removing the “Original” badge could weaken Netflix’s brand identity. “The label was a mark of prestige,” one analyst said. “Taking it away might make Netflix’s catalogue look less distinct at a time when competition is fierce.”
Some users have found workarounds by checking the “Details” page of each title or using third-party tools like JustWatch and Reelgood to identify original content. Others are calling for Netflix to add a simple filter that separates originals from licensed titles.
Netflix has not confirmed whether the update will expand to other platforms. The company is expected to monitor user feedback before making the change permanent. For now, viewers must adjust to a new look that may blur the lines between Netflix’s own creations and the content it borrows.
