Why streaming libraries differ by country
Every streaming service — Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Max — licenses content separately for each country. A production studio sells rights region by region, which means the same show can appear on Netflix in the US but be unavailable entirely in France, or only on a local service in Australia.
This fragmentation is the result of decades of territorial licensing deals that predate streaming. Movie studios and TV networks have long sold rights country by country to maximize revenue. Streaming services inherited these contracts and, in many cases, are still bound by them.
How to find where a title is available
The fastest way is to search on StreamWhere. Type any movie or series title and you instantly see every country and streaming service it appears on. You can also browse by service and genre on the Discover page.
How to watch content from another country
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) routes your internet connection through a server in a different country. Streaming services see the server's location instead of yours, giving you access to that country's library.
Not all VPNs work reliably with streaming services — many are actively blocked. Choose one specifically designed for streaming, like NordVPN, which consistently unblocks Netflix, Disney+, Max, and other major platforms.
Step-by-step: watching a geo-restricted show
- Find where it streams — search the title on StreamWhere to see which country has it on a service you already subscribe to.
- Connect to a VPN server in that country. A quality VPN like NordVPN takes seconds to connect.
- Open the streaming service in your browser or app. The library will now reflect the country you connected to.
- Search for the title and start watching.
Frequently asked questions
Why are some shows only available in certain countries?
Streaming services buy content rights country by country. A studio may sell Netflix the rights in the US but a different platform in Germany. This is why the same show can appear on completely different services depending on your location.
Which countries have the most streaming content?
The United States generally has the largest streaming libraries. Other countries with strong catalogs include the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Use the Discover page to explore what each service offers by country.
Is it legal to use a VPN for streaming?
Using a VPN is legal in most countries. However, it may technically violate a streaming service's terms of service. We recommend reviewing the terms of any service you use.
Do all VPNs work with streaming?
No. Streaming services actively detect and block many VPN providers. A VPN built specifically for streaming — like NordVPN — is much more reliable than a general-purpose one.