If you’re tucking into Stranger Things or Wednesday on Netflix this holiday season, you may dream of visiting Hawkins or Nevermore Academy. The trouble is, the risk of encountering monsters in those places is pretty high. That’s why the safer option is to stream Netflix’s fireplace scenes from those shows and other popular worlds like K-Pop Demon Hunters. You can enjoy the festive vibes from the comfort of your home.
What are fireplace scenes?
Fireplaces are relaxing: the warmth, the crackling sounds, and the dancing flames. However, many people can’t use a real fireplace, perhaps because they don’t have one in their home or the climate is unsuitable. That’s where virtual fireplaces come in. These long videos are designed to be played on a TV, so you can enjoy the ambience of a fire without the hassle. Okay, it’s not quite the same as a real fire (your TV gives off some heat, but not that much), but it’s halfway there.
It might seem absurd if this is a new concept to you. However, these fireplace scenes are hugely popular—YouTube is full of them, for example. Netflix got in on the action in 2010 with Fireplace for Your Home, inspired by the New York television station WPIX’s production The Yule Log, which originally aired in 1966 and featured the fireplace at Grace Mansion (the city mayor’s official residence).
Netflix originally put this out as a semi-joke, complete with a behind-the-scenes video showing a director selecting the perfect logs. However, plenty of people enjoyed it unironically, and it regularly tops Netflix’s charts around the holiday season.
That’s why Netflix has expanded its virtual fireplace offerings over the years, tapping into its most popular franchises. Now, you can go further than a standard fireplace. As you wrap presents or build a gingerbread house, you can enjoy the ambience of Squid Game, Bridgerton, and more.
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How to access Netflix’s themed fireplace scenes
The quickest way to find all the fireplace videos is to use Netflix’s search function. Select the magnifying glass icon to begin, then input “fireplace”. This brings up all the general fireplaces, like Rustic Cabin and White Christmas, alongside those themed around Netflix properties. The latter bunch are the most interesting, in my opinion.
New franchise fireplaces this year are Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters, Wednesday, and Unicorn Academy. Ever wanted to spend time in the Byers’ living room? Or Principal Weems’ office? Now you can, complete with original music, sound effects, and a few Easter eggs (a visit to the Upside Down may be on the cards).
They join those from Bridgerton, The Witcher, Squid Game, Spellbound, and Family Pack. Each fireplace scene lasts an hour. Unfortunately, Netflix doesn’t loop them automatically, so you’ll need to manually hit play again if you want to keep the mood going.
You can play these on any device you use to watch Netflix. While your TV makes the most sense for the full experience, there is nothing stopping you streaming these fireplaces on your phone or tablet.
They’re also available all year round—while they’re most popular in December, you can launch them in any month and enjoy the virtual glow.
How to Turn Your TV Into a Virtual Fireplace
Chestnuts roasting on a … 65-inch widescreen?
Netflix hosts plenty of holiday entertainment
If you want to get in the festive mood, Netflix has more than virtual fireplaces. There are lots of great Christmas movies on Netflix. One of my favorites is Klaus, which reframes Santa as a recluse living in a remote Norwegian cabin who strikes a partnership with a postman who is sent to the town. It’s wonderfully animated and has great voice acting from actors like J. K. Simmons and Jason Schwartzman.
Alternatively, if you prefer the festive season with more spies and thrills, the show Black Doves starring Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw will suit you perfectly. It’s set at Christmas and has a great darkly comedic tone, with many twists and over-the-top shootouts to keep you hooked.
There is also plenty of entertainment coming to Netflix this month. This includes the final two volumes of Stranger Things 5, which you can binge between looping the show’s fireplace.
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