Interactive films are a peculiar form of media. They’re an odd blend of video games and films, being a sort of hybrid of the two. They’re basically a form of choose-your-own-adventure game that combines that level of player choice with cinema levels of either live-action footage or animation. Some famous examples of this includes Don Bluth’s Dragon’s Lair (1983) and Space Ace (1984), both of which were popular arcade staples. Some might say that they’re not as good as dedicated video games in this genre like visual novels, but all in all, they can be a fun new way to enjoy your movies.

So much so that starting in 2016, Netflix started experimenting with such interactive films for their streaming service. This experiment began with animated works aimed at a much younger audience using franchises such as Puss in Boots and Minecraft. The experiment then entered a new era when they released their first live-action example of the genre: Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. The success of that entry in the Black Mirror anthology seemed to suggest this genre was here to stay at Netflix.

Alas, it seems like Netflix doesn’t think so. At least, not anymore. Not when they’re removing virtually every single one of their interactive films from their streaming service.

Netflix Interactive Films Removal: Details

Ranveer vs Wild – Photo: Netflix

The Verge has just confirmed that Netflix is conducting a mass removal of all but four of their interactive films from their streaming service. And without a doubt: this is a mass removal. Netflix’s entire page of that genre consists of just 24 titles. All of four of which are going to be removed when December 1, 2024 rolls around.

So which of these 24 interactive films are not getting the chop? Well, here are the four titles that will remain on Netflix after Dec. 1:

  • Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
  • Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend
  • Ranveer vs. Wild with Bear Grylls
  • You vs. Wild

So why has Netflix decided to virutally gut its entire library of interactive films? Well, Netflix has but a single sentence to say on the matter to The Verge from spokesperson Chrissy Kelleher. Here are their words below:

The technology served its purpose, but is now limiting as we focus on technological efforts in other areas.

Alas, it appears that we can basically kiss goodbye to interactive films at Netflix. Certainly, no more will be likely to ever be made, and we aren’t even certain of the future of the four that avoided the cut. If you wish to watch their existing catalog of interactive films, then you might want to hurry.

Tune back into THS to find out more about Netflix and other streaming services when we do.

Source: The Verge