Netflix is set to remove its last two interactive specials, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend, from its platform on May 12th, 2025. This move marks a significant shift in the company's approach to interactive experiences, as it focuses on expanding its mobile games library and testing cloud-streamed games on TVs.

Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, a choose-your-own-adventure-style movie, was a groundbreaking experiment in interactive storytelling when it launched in 2018. The show's innovative format sparked a frenzy of interest, with Reddit users attempting to decode the many choices throughout the film. However, despite its initial success, Netflix has been gradually phasing out its interactive specials, with only four titles remaining in its catalog as of late last year.

According to Netflix spokesperson Chrissy Kelleher, the technology behind its interactive specials "served its purpose, but is now limiting as we focus on technological efforts in other areas." This statement suggests that the company is prioritizing its resources on more promising areas, such as mobile gaming and cloud streaming, which have shown greater potential for growth and engagement.

The removal of Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend is part of a broader trend at Netflix, which has been revamping its TV interface to better showcase its gaming offerings. The new design is intended to help users discover games they might enjoy, indicating a significant shift in the company's priorities.

It's worth noting that the two remaining interactive shows, Ranveer vs. Wild with Bear Grylls and You vs. Wild, were reportedly removed from the platform in January 2025, although non-interactive versions of the shows remain available to stream. Netflix spokesperson Jessica Braslow declined to comment on the removal of the interactive specials.

The implications of Netflix's decision to abandon its interactive specials are significant, as it marks a retreat from a promising area of innovation in the streaming space. While the company's focus on mobile gaming and cloud streaming may yield greater returns in the short term, it remains to be seen whether this shift will ultimately benefit users and the broader streaming ecosystem.

As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Netflix's competitors respond to this move. Will they seize the opportunity to fill the gap left by Netflix's departure from interactive storytelling, or will they follow suit and focus on more lucrative areas of their business? Only time will tell.