Item: Exploding Kittens NETFLIX
Rating: 94
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

94/100

Exploding Kittens on Netflix is the definitive way to play this beloved card game on mobile. The biggest advantage here is the removal of all microtransactions—if you have a Netflix sub, you get the whole game, which is a breath of fresh air. The interface is dripping with the humor of The Oatmeal, and the animations for the various cards are genuinely funny.

Online play is robust and finding a match is usually very quick. What I love most is how the game captures the 'take-that' social dynamic of the physical version. Using a 'See the Future' card followed by an 'Alter the Future' to screw over your friend is just as satisfying digitally. Plus, this version includes exclusive cards that you won't find in the standard tabletop deck, giving even long-time fans something new to discover. It’s easily one of the best value-adds in the Netflix Games catalog.

Reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026

Dinsun Review

I’ll admit, I was skeptical of the 'Netflix Games' initiative, but this version of Exploding Kittens is actually well-executed. It’s the same game we’ve known for years—luck-heavy, chaotic, and occasionally frustrating. For a conservative gamer like me, I appreciate that the rules are clear and the strategy, while light, is present. You have to manage your hand and predict when the deck is getting 'hot.'

The Netflix tie-ins are fine, though they don't fundamentally change the game. The UI is much better than the original mobile app—it’s cleaner and faster. My biggest gripe is the matchmaking; sometimes it takes far too long to find a full lobby, and people tend to quit as soon as things go south for them. Still, it’s one of the few mobile games that feels like a 'real' game rather than an ad-delivery platform. If you already have Netflix, it’s a no-brainer. If you don't, it’s not worth a subscription on its own.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

No extra costs (included with Netflix)
Fast-paced and easy to learn
Funny, albeit specific, art style

High reliance on luck
Inconsistent matchmaking times
Limited longevity for solo players

Technical Report

Performance: Very stable; occasional disconnects in multiplayer but reconnects quickly.

Accessibility:

Colorblind Mode
Clear Card Descriptions

Audience Fit

Buy if: You have a Netflix account and want a quick, competitive card game to play with friends.

Skip if: You hate games where luck determines the winner more than skill.

Similar Games:

Uno!
Hearthstone

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun, 40-year-old conservative expert reviewer
Hardware: iPhone 15 Pro
Playtime: 12 hours
Status: Played over 50 matches

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad

1606221795

Free9+★3 174 reviews

Author : Netflix, Inc.

Pubish Date : Tue May 31 2022

Last Update Date : Tue Oct 14 2025

Support Languages : English, Arabic, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Norwegian Bokmål, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

Genres :

Version 1.2.3Tue Oct 14 2025

We've squashed bugs and made behind-the-scenes improvements to bring Netflix members the best possible gameplay experience.
Available exclusively for Netflix members.
Bring the catnip. Draw as many cards as you can, and do your best to dodge — or defuse — fatal felines. Or else, boom goes the dynamite!
In this multiplayer, kitty-powered game of chance, players draw cards — until someone draws an exploding kitten and blows up. Then that player is out unless they have a defuse card. Defuse cards allow players to neutralize furry foes with laser pointers, belly rubs, catnip sandwiches or other diversions. All of the other cards in the deck can be used strategically to move, mitigate or avoid. Featuring original art by The Oatmeal.
Requires iOS 16.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Available exclusively for Netflix members.
Bring the catnip. Draw as many cards as you can, and do your best to dodge — or defuse — fatal felines. Or else, boom goes the dynamite!
In this multiplayer, kitty-powered game of chance, players draw cards — until someone draws an exploding kitten and blows up. Then that player is out unless they have a defuse card. Defuse cards allow players to neutralize furry foes with laser pointers, belly rubs, catnip sandwiches or other diversions. All of the other cards in the deck can be used strategically to move, mitigate or avoid. Featuring original art by The Oatmeal.

Ratings & Reviews

3 out of 5 with 174 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 9+

Exploding Kittens - NETFLIX is a highly strategic, kitty-powered version of Russian Roulette. Players draw cards until someone draws an Exploding Kitten, at which point they explode and are out of the game—unless they have a Defuse card. This exclusive Netflix version includes the 'Radar' and 'Flip' cards, and allows for both single-player and multiplayer modes with friends or strangers online.

Features

No In-App Purchases or Ads

Exclusive Netflix-Only Cards

Cross-Platform Multiplayer

Solo Play Against AI

Iconic Art by Matthew Inman

Tips

Managing Your Defuse

Your Defuse card is your most valuable asset. Don't use it until you absolutely have to. Use your 'Skip' or 'Attack' cards early to force others to draw and potentially waste their own Defuses first.

Promotion Videos

NETFLIX Exploding Kittens (by Exploding Kittens, Inc.) IOS Gameplay Video (HD) - YouTube

Gameplays

Social Sabotage

The core of the game is managing the deck. Use 'See the Future' to check the top three cards. If an Exploding Kitten is there, use a 'Shuffle' or an 'Attack' to ensure you aren't the one who has to draw it.