RT and Netflix Join Forces!

Renting your favorite movies has never been easier...

by RT Staff | Friday, Dec. 19 2008

Let's say you happened upon our Tenth Anniversary article series, wherein several members of the RT staff listed their favorite film of all time. And let's say you noticed that our dear Jen Yamato wrote enthusiastically about 1964's The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. It intrigues you, so you navigate to its RT page to read some of the reviews. "Wow! 100% on the Tomatometer with 40 reviews? That's pretty solid," you say to yourself. "I must see this movie!"

But wait! What's this? Smack dab in between the movie details and the various review blurbs on the film's RT page, you spot a little section labeled "GET THIS MOVIE" with a "Rent DVD" tab. You click on this tab and find not only that you can instantly add the movie to your Netflix queue, but that you can also watch it instantly, directly from the RT page!

That's right, folks. RT and Netflix have teamed up to make movie rentals even easier than before! Now, if you spot a film on RT that you'd like to watch, you can simply add it to your Netflix queue or, provided that it's offered through Netflix's Instant Watching feature, watch it right then and there!

This nifty little function depends on a few things, though. First of all, you have to have a Netflix account, of course. Second, you have to be signed in to Netflix - since the Netflix site can record your login and remember you on future visits, this shouldn't be difficult. And thirdly, as mentioned, only those movies that are available on Netflix's Instant Watching will also be available for that on RT - and keep in mind that the only browser currently compatible with this feature is Internet Explorer. If these conditions are met, then you're all set to begin filling out your to-watch list in Netflix! How cool is that?

So go nuts with it. Add all of Steven Seagal's movies to your queue. Read the rave reviews for classics like Vertigo and Unforgiven, then watch them right after! We've made everything as easy as possible for you not only to see what critics have said about the movies, but also to watch them for yourself and form your own opinions. And that, friends, is exciting news.

jokerboy1991 on 12-19-2008 06:41 PM

Oh man thats cool, thats a pretty cool idea I look forward to using this.

Playboy Slim on 12-19-2008 07:06 PM

Wow, that's awesome! Not groundbreaking because Netflix'es allaince with the DVR is more awesmome, but this is still a good addition to both sites.

rockclmbr6 on 12-19-2008 07:46 PM

wicked! Very cool feature.

Floor Man on 12-19-2008 10:22 PM

F*** Internet Explorer.

Awesome idea, but support for better browsers, please?

RT-Ryan on 12-20-2008 12:50 AM

Yeah, well, as far as being limited to IE, that's something you'll have to take up with the Netflix folks. ;-) I could be wrong, but I think they're working on bringing it to more browsers right now.

smi1ey on 12-20-2008 10:27 AM

Hmm... IE-only sites are SO late 90s. Haven't opened IE in years, and I don't plan on doing so anytime soon. Lets get with the times and make this work in Firefox/Safari mb? Thx!

sunsaz on 12-20-2008 10:28 AM

Man, first Netflix makes Instant Watch Mac compatable and now this?

This has been a very good year to be a Netflix member.

smi1ey on 12-20-2008 10:36 AM

oops! Didn't see the post from Ryan. Sounds good!

dalonoman on 12-20-2008 10:46 AM

Oh man this is awesome, that will save me a step since I am always going back and forth from RT to Netflix, wait let me try it.... hmmm- working? Not so much.

Ethan T on 12-20-2008 11:33 AM

It works in IE6 and IE7 for me on Windows XP SP3. Anyone else having problems please post your specs!

tomwaitsjrHAPPYICONOCLAST on 12-20-2008 01:27 PM

Brilliant!

myartyheart on 12-20-2008 05:28 PM

I'm actually watching British shows on Netflix right now, on Firefox 3. I was simply prompted to install Microsoft Silverlight, it happened quick quick. I don't like it as much as their old instant player, it's still a bit buggy, but it works! None of that IE business!

sliknik27 on 12-21-2008 08:52 PM

If the streaming worked in Firefox, I'd be all over it. As it currently stands, I usually only use the streaming function to watch HD content through my Xbox 360. Still, this is a great feature for those who use it and I love that I can now add movies to my queue from RT. This will probably push my queue to 400 titles.

prerak09 on 12-22-2008 08:18 AM

Its a great idea but are you sure that with the current Internet Explorer's serious hack problems is it good enough to depend only on that? Given that there are more users for Firefox?

prerak09 on 12-22-2008 08:22 AM

sorry didn't see the RT guys comments

vitajex on 12-22-2008 01:17 PM

Can I use my WebTV? I mean, after I blow the cobwebs off and everything?

Dirty Sunshine on 12-30-2008 07:06 PM

I love integration, it's the new frontier!

Wm on 06-21-2009 11:42 PM

This would be even better if you could add a movie to your Netflix saved queue.

When movies first come out that I want to see, I add them to my Netflix saved queue, so I can see them when they come out on DVD. Currently, you can only add movies to your Netflix queue if the movie is already out on DVD.