Countries Where Netflix Still Isn’t Available in 2026

Netflix has become the world’s biggest streaming platform, offering a vast and diverse library, including movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content from many different countries and cultures. It launched its streaming service in the United States in 2007 and gradually expanded globally, first to Canada, followed by Latin America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, slowly reaching 60 countries. In 2016, Netflix launched its service simultaneously in more than 130 new countries. Today, Netflix operates in over 190 countries and regions.

However, despite its massive presence, there are still a few countries where Netflix is not available even in 2026. The reasons are different in each case, ranging from government restrictions and political issues to internet regulations and licensing challenges. Here, we look at the only countries where Netflix has still not launched and reflect on the reasons why the streaming giant has yet to enter these markets.

1 China

China is one of the biggest and most important markets in the world for global companies, along with the entertainment industry. However, despite Netflix being available in more than 190 countries and regions, the streaming platform is still not officially available in China in 2026.

When Netflix announced its major global expansion in 2016, the company launched its service in over 130 new countries. However, China was one of the notable exceptions at the time. “Netflix will not yet be available in China, though the company continues to explore options for providing the service,” Netflix said in a 2016 press release. Over the years, the company has tried to enter the Chinese market, but strict censorship and content regulations have become major obstacles.

Speaking at the World Economy Summit in April 2025, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos reflected on the company’s failed attempts to enter the country.“Fifteen years ago, everyone thought it was existential. You had to get to China,” Sarandos said, as per IndieWire, before adding, “For us, I put in a couple of years of trying to do it.”

Sarandos explained that Netflix even made a deal with a third-party company that would have allowed the platform to operate in China without being blocked online. However, none of Netflix’s shows managed to clear China’s censorship board during those years, which ultimately stopped the company from launching in the country.

“The content had to clear the censorship board to make it to air, and in three years, not a single episode of a Netflix show cleared the censorship board. Not one,” he said.

2 North Korea

Another country where Netflix is still unavailable in 2026 is North Korea. North Korea was among the places left out of the launch when Netflix expanded its service to more than 130 countries in 2016. One of the main reasons is the strict U.S. sanctions on North Korea, which prevent American companies like Netflix from doing business in the country.

Interestingly, as streaming services became more popular around the world, North Korea introduced its own Netflix-style app in 2017 called My Companion 4.0. According to NK News, the app allowed users to read ebooks, watch videos, play games, and even enjoy karaoke.

Additionally, North Korea also has very strict laws against foreign entertainment content. In December 2020, the country passed the Elimination of Reactionary Thought and Culture Act, which banned foreign films, music, books, and TV shows, especially content from South Korea and the United States (Variety).

A man who smuggled copies of the South Korean Netflix hit Squid Game into North Korea in 2021 was reportedly sentenced to death after students were caught watching the series, according to RFA (Radio Free Asia). One student who bought the drive was sentenced to life imprisonment, while others who watched the series received five years of hard labor.

3 Russia

Unlike China and North Korea, Russia was not excluded from Netflix’s major global expansion in 2016. In fact, Netflix officially launched in Russia under its global expansion and continued expanding its presence in the country over the following years. However, Russia later joined the list of countries where Netflix is no longer available in 2022.

Netflix suspended its services in Russia in March 2022 following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. After the war began, the company first paused its productions and content acquisitions in the region (BBC). Soon after, Netflix completely shut down its streaming service in the country indefinitely. “Given the circumstances on the ground, we have decided to suspend our service in Russia,” a Netflix spokesperson said at the time, as per Variety.

Netflix was among several major media and entertainment companies that took similar actions after the invasion started. Since then, the platform has remained unavailable in Russia. The decision reflected the company’s response to the ongoing conflict and the changing political and business situation in the region.

4 Syria

Syria was one of the nations excluded from the Netflix expansion in 2016, alongside China and North Korea. Even years later, the streaming platform still remains unavailable in the country due to the United States’ economic sanctions and trade restrictions on Syria. These sanctions prevent many American technology and media companies from offering services or doing business in Syria.

5 Crimea

Though not a country, Crimea is also a region where Netflix is not accessible in 2026. While Netflix continues to operate in Ukraine, the streaming platform has never officially operated in Crimea. When Netflix expanded globally in January 2016, it intentionally excluded Crimea along with mainland China, North Korea, and Syria.

Crimea, which was annexed by Russia from Ukraine in March 2014, remains under international sanctions that affect many global businesses and online services. According to Netflix, U.S. sanctions on Russian-controlled Crimea prevent the company from doing business there. Similar restrictions also apply to countries such as North Korea and Syria. Because of these sanctions and political issues, Netflix has never launched its service in Crimea despite being available in Ukraine.

Despite Netflix becoming a global entertainment giant and a staple in millions of households by 2026, the streaming platform remains unavailable or heavily restricted in these countries and regions. Whether due to government regulations or censorship laws, these nations continue to stay off Netflix’s service map despite the platform’s worldwide popularity and influence. It’s a reminder that even in an age of digital connectivity, access to global entertainment is not always universal.

Which country on this list surprised you the most? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!