Netflix is making waves again—this time not with a film or series, but with a game that brings the sharp wit and suspense of Knives Out straight into your living room. As excitement builds for the December 2025 release of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the streamer has unveiled Dead Man’s Party: A Knives Out Game, a social deduction experience that lets players step into Benoit Blanc’s world.
This holiday season, Netflix is pushing deeper into gaming with a lineup designed for game nights, family gatherings, and casual play. And with the popularity of the Knives Out franchise at an all-time high, the moment feels right. As one industry analyst put it, “Netflix isn’t just promoting a movie—they’re building a universe.”
The new game gives fans something they’ve never had before: a chance to star in their own murder mystery. And according to Netflix executives, this is only the beginning.
Introduction to the Knives Out Game Spin-off
Netflix has confirmed that Dead Man’s Party: A Knives Out Game is “coming soon” as part of its growing library of holiday season releases. The game is built around a classic Knives Out premise: a murder, a house full of suspects, and the razor-sharp mind of Benoit Blanc trying to decode the truth.
Players must act, lie, deduce, and influence votes—making it a modern spin on the social-deduction genre. As Netflix puts it, “Everyone’s a suspect.”
Entertainment strategist Carla Montoya notes, “By combining a popular franchise with interactive gameplay, Netflix is bridging two audiences: gamers and film lovers.”
Payment Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Cost | Included with Netflix subscription |
| Supported Devices | TVs with Netflix app, some mobile devices |
| Controller | Smartphone |
| Release Date | “Coming Soon” – expected during 2025 holiday season |
| Access Method | Netflix Games section |
Key Features
Dead Man’s Party is designed as a party-style social deduction game, playable through Netflix using your phone as the controller. It builds on the streamer’s new TV gaming system, which requires no console and no setup.
Key elements include:
- Play as your own character in a Knives Out-themed mystery
- Interact with Benoit Blanc, guided by Daniel Craig’s likeness
- Deduce clues and interrogate others
- Influence group voting to stay alive
- Play as the innocent… or the killer
Game designer Lauren Bishop says, “This is the kind of experience that collapses the wall between viewer and participant.”
Eligibility Rules
This section applies to platform access rather than player eligibility.
- Requires an active Netflix subscription
- Requires the Netflix app on a compatible TV or device
- Requires a smartphone to use as a controller
- No additional purchase or hardware needed
- Some features may vary by region
Benefits of the Program
- Brings the Knives Out cinematic world into an interactive format
- Easy entry—no gaming experience required
- Designed for groups (game nights, gatherings, parties)
- Replayable with different outcomes
- Links directly to the release of Wake Up Dead Man
Content analyst Reed Malcolm remarks, “This is Netflix’s smartest play yet—merging a blockbuster franchise with social gaming at a moment when communal entertainment is booming.”
Comparison
Here’s how Dead Man’s Party stacks against other Netflix party games:
| Netflix Party Game | Type | Experience Level | Unique Element |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dead Man’s Party: A Knives Out Game | Social deduction | Beginner-friendly | Murder mystery with franchise tie-in |
| Pictionary: Game Night | Drawing / guessing | Family-friendly | Classic board game adaptation |
| Tetris Time Warp | Puzzle | All ages | Time-bending Tetris mechanics |
| Party Crashers: Fool Your Friends | Bluffing | Casual | Trick-based gameplay |
| LEGO Party | Mini-games | Younger audiences | LEGO-themed challenges |
| Boggle Party | Word puzzle | All ages | Fast-paced vocabulary play |
Media expert Jonah Ellis adds, “Knives Out stands out because it’s narrative-driven. It adds story to a space that’s usually about simple mechanics.”
Recent Updates
- Holiday 2025 – Netflix announces new games for TV and mobile, including Dead Man’s Party.
- November 26, 2025 – Wake Up Dead Man begins a limited theatrical run.
- December 12, 2025 – Wake Up Dead Man releases globally on Netflix.
- 2025 Game Night Launch – New system allows instant play on TV using smartphones.
Netflix president of games Alain Tascan emphasized during a press event, “It’s as easy as streaming your favorite shows.”
Why It Matters?
Netflix isn’t just releasing a game—it’s building a connected entertainment ecosystem. By integrating the Knives Out franchise into games, films, and interactive experiences, the company is creating a multi-format universe similar to what big studios have pursued for years.
The strategy has three major impacts:
- Strengthens franchise loyalty
Fans don’t just watch the mystery—they join it. - Boosts Netflix’s gaming ambitions
With competition from Amazon’s Luna and other cloud gaming platforms, this move positions Netflix as a major contender. - New model for streaming engagement
Watch the movie → play the game → return to the franchise.
As media professor Evelyn Harper puts it, “This is the future of streaming: not passive watching, but interactive storytelling.”
FAQs
It is a social deduction party game on Netflix where players solve or commit a murder while interacting with Benoit Blanc.
Netflix has stated it is “coming soon,” expected around the 2025 holiday season.
No. You only need a Netflix subscription, a compatible TV, and your phone.
The game features Benoit Blanc, modeled after Craig’s portrayal, though voice details remain unconfirmed.
It is inspired by the franchise and releases alongside Wake Up Dead Man, offering a thematic tie-in.
The game is designed for groups, but some modes may support smaller sessions.
