Netflix has become a dominant force in entertainment and modern social interactions. Binge-watching shows are now a common pastime. However, not everyone wants to spend their free time in front of the TV or laptop.
Some prefer other activities and need to politely decline friends who invite them for a Netflix session. But how does one tactfully say no without offending others?
I will provide creative and lighthearted scripts to get you out of a Netflix binge without hurting any feelings. Keep reading and let’s get started.
10 Interesting and Polite Ways to Say No to Netflix
- Thank you for thinking of me, but I’m going to take a rain check on Netflix.
- I’m going to take a pass on Netflix tonight, but I’m up for something else if you have any other suggestions.
- I’m going to have to decline the Netflix invitation tonight, but I’m sure it’ll be a great time.
- I’m going to have to pass on Netflix tonight, but let’s plan something else soon!
- I was hoping I could finish this book tonight. Maybe some other time.
- I need something else tonight.
- Let’s explore some other entertainment options.
- I’m going to opt out of Netflix tonight and do something more active.
- Let’s take a break from Netflix and try a different form of relaxation.
- I have something planned for the two of us and I know you will love it.
- I would love to but I have just finished watching that series and I don’t want to spoil it for you.
- Nah, I’m done with screens for today. Maybe tomorrow.
- Is that what you want? Don’t just do what you think will make me
- Gee, I am really glad you asked but I can’t today. I am sorry.
- No, I would rather we use Amazon Prime
1. Thank you for thinking of me, but I’m going to take a rain check on Netflix.
Let them know you will be up for it some other time. The time they ask you to Netflix and chill may not be convenient for you as you might have other plans and engagements.
You can however use a raincheck and plan it out so both you can Netflix and chill. Here’s a sentence example:
- Thank you for thinking of me, but I’m going to take a rain check on Netflix. How about Friday night next week? I’m free after work.
2. I’m going to take a pass on Netflix tonight, but I’m up for something else if you have any other suggestions.
Tell him you want to do something else. Hanging out with people means we both get to engage in an activity, have fun, and enjoy each other’s company. For you, a fun activity might not be Netflix so you should let them know.
Aside from telling them you are up for something else, bring up other things that you think you all can do together. Here’s a sentence example:
- I’m going to take a pass on Netflix tonight, but I’m up for something else if you have any other suggestions. I think cards will be nice. It’s been a while and you love playing cards.
3. I’m going to have to decline the Netflix invitation tonight, but I’m sure it’ll be a great time.
Assure them it is okay for you not to participate. If you are in a group and you want to spend some quality time doing something fun and you excuse yourself, you might start to worry.
Encourage them to go ahead and assure him that you are fine with not joining them. They will feel better and focus on their movie. Here’s a sentence example:
- I’m going to have to decline the Netflix invitation tonight, but I’m sure it’ll be a great time. You guys have fun. I’m going to do something else.
4. I’m going to have to pass on Netflix tonight, but let’s plan something else soon!
Politely decline. Perhaps the reason you don’t want to join them in watching Netflix is that it’s just not your thing. There is no problem.
If they are fixated on it, let them enjoy themselves and then let them know you are looking forward to doing something fun that isn’t Netflix with them. Here’s a sentence example:
- I’m going to have to pass on Netflix tonight, but let’s plan something else soon! Poker next Friday?
5. I was hoping I could finish this book tonight. Maybe some other time.
Explain your engagement. While it is not very compulsory to tell them why exactly you are doing it, you can do this to make yourself feel better and just for the sake of honesty.
Who knows, they might be interested in joining you. Here’s a sentence example:
- I was hoping I could finish this book tonight. Maybe some other time. I hope you are not upset.
6. I need something else tonight
Express how you feel. Whether you know what you are in the mood for or not, you can tell them this. It can be that they are psyched for Netflix and you just want to rest after a long day or have some quiet time.
One thing to remember is that your choice of what to do reflects your mood and you don’t want to use your mood to ruin theirs. Here’s a sentence example:
- . I don’t want you to feel bad but I just want some quiet time. I have had a long day. Tell me how it goes with you and the gang later, alright?
7. Let’s explore some other entertainment options.
Present other options. You can never know if the reason they chose Netflix is because they didn’t know any other thing to do or to use as entertainment.
You can give them a few options that you know will work for all of you and leave them to choose. If there is one in particular you want, let them know and see if they will agree to it. Here’s a sentence example:
- Let’s explore some other entertainment options. I am in the mood for something that involves thinking and a snack.
8. I’m going to opt out of Netflix tonight and do something more active.
Try not to impose on them. If they have chosen Netflix and it’s not what you want, you can say the above. It gently says you want something else.
Something more active can be a stroll and a talk, or cooking a meal you have craving together. However, try not to impose what you want so they are not forced to do what they don’t like. Here’s a sentence example:
- I’m going to opt out of Netflix tonight and do something more active. The evening is cool and you have been wanting to do that for a while now haven’t you?
9. Let’s take a break from Netflix and try a different form of relaxation.
Get them to break from the cycle. If your way of relaxation has been popcorn while seeing a movie for months, maybe it’s time to change things up.
When you get so used to watching movies that it seems like a chore or less relaxing, then you know it’s time for a change. It’s a way of declining that doesn’t sound like you said no. Here’s a sentence example:
- Let’s take a break from Netflix and try a different form of relaxation. Get over here, put some harp music on and I will give you that massage you have been asking for.
10. I have something planned for the two of us and I know you will love it.
Bring an offer they can’t resist. You will always pick the better option between two alternatives no matter the circumstances. As wonderful as Netflix sounds, if you haven’t something else that they will enjoy more then you don’t have to break a sweat, you will not be watching Netflix.
Keep one thing in mind though, don’t make it sound like whatever you are doing is way better than Netflix in such a way that they feel bad. Here’s a sentence example:
- I already have something planned for the two of us and I know you will love it. Wait for it. I booked a massage for couples at a spa and then I have two tickets to a comedy show! Are you excited?
11. I would love to but I have just finished watching that series and I don’t want to spoil it for you.
Explain the situation to them. Perhaps you went to visit a friend and he or she just thought it would be nice for you to enjoy some Netflix.
In the case where you have seen that movie or series, you can let them know so you don’t look bored or uninterested when watching, or worse spoil it for them. They can then decide to watch it alone or find something else to do. Here’s a sentence example:
- I would love to but I have just finished watching that series and I don’t want to spoil it for you. Maybe we can watch something else together some other time.
12. Nah, I’m done with screens for today. Maybe tomorrow.
Give them a solid reason. You may have less screen time as a resolution to help use your time better or you just want to keep away from them for the rest of the day.
It’s good because aside from getting out of the addiction to screens, you also do your mental and dome good. It would also be nice to get them in on it as well. Here’s a sentence example:
- Nah, I’m done with screens for today. Maybe tomorrow. I find I sleep better when I don’t use my phone right before I sleep.
13. Is that what you want? Don’t just do what you think will make me happy.
Find what makes them happy. Spending time with someone can be a real problem if you are not happy with what you are doing with them.
If you are picking up that vibe from when they ask you to watch Netflix, you can sincerely ask them if that is what they want to do. Here’s a sentence example:
- Is that what you want? Don’t just do what you think will make me happy. Be honest. There is no point in doing what you won’t feel happy doing.
14. Gee, I am glad you asked but I can’t today. I am sorry.
Appreciate their invitation. This is a good thing to say especially when you weren’t expecting. They might have been extending an arm of friendship. If you are not so close then there isn’t any need to explain yourself.
You can just decline gently and apologize. To make up for it, some other you can invite them for something like that or ask them how the movie went. Here’s a sentence example:
- Gee, I am glad you asked but I can’t today. I am sorry. Thank you for asking though. I appreciate it.
15. No, I would rather we use Amazon Prime
Not everyone likes to use Netflix. Of course, people have preferences, you can use that as an excuse to say no to Netflix, that way, you are not being rude, you only say no because you would rather use Amazon Prime.
Example:
- Netflix? No! I would rather we use Amazon Prime.
Final Words
There are many valid reasons someone may want to decline a Netflix invite, from simply not enjoying TV to preferring more active pursuits.
Saying no can feel awkward, but it doesn’t have to be. This article has provided 10 interesting and polite scripts to avoid an unwanted Netflix session without offending friends.
Whether you have an early morning, want to finish a book, or just don’t love binge-watching, you now have creative ways to gracefully turn down the invite.