You’ve Been Interpreting Netflix’s Star Ratings Wrong The Whole Damn Time

If you’re anything like me, you’ve always interpreted the Netflix star rating for a movie or TV show as an aggregated score given to it based on the feedback of other users. 

In other words, you probably expected the scores to work in the same way they do on IMBd or Rotten Tomatoes, but you’re wrong and so was I. 
The stars are simply Netflix’s prediction of what you might like based on your viewing habits and what people with similar viewing habits also enjoy. The higher the rating, the more Netflix reckons you’ll cream your pants over it. That’s it. 
So the rating for, say, Stranger Things on your account is probably different to the rating on your mate’s account because maybe they only watch movies starring Jim Carrey or something.  
Frankly, this revelation has pissed me off. How many good movies have I turned down simply because it’s not what Netflix thinks I’ll like? Netflix doesn’t know me, man. I also admit that I was waaayy behind the 8-ball on this one. Hooo boy.
As good as this is to know, it now means absolutely nothing to anybody because from today, the system has changed. Instead of stars, you’ll see a percentage of how well Netflix think the content is matched to your tastes. You won’t be able to assign star ratings anymore, either, you can only give it a thumbs up or thumbs down. 
It aims to make the process of finding something you like easier, which Netflix compare to dating apps. Watch their explanation below. 
Source: Netflix. 
Photo: Netflix.

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