How to Watch The Boy and the Heron on Netflix in the US with a VPN (2026)

The Boy and the Heron is currently available on Netflix Singapore. Netflix’s official Singapore page currently displays the movie normally and lists it as available to download, without an availability warning.

The movie is not currently listed as available on Netflix US. Current US streaming listings show it on HBO Max instead, and Netflix’s own distribution announcement excluded the United States. You can also check the Netflix US title page. Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN all currently support Singapore.

Netflix may detect VPN connections, so connecting to Singapore does not guarantee access to the Singapore catalog. Netflix’s current VPN guidance says VPN users may only see titles for which Netflix has worldwide licensing.

How to watch The Boy and the Heron on Netflix in the US

You can try connecting to a Singapore VPN location before opening Netflix.

1. Make sure you are using an ad-free Netflix plan.
2. Install Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, or NordVPN.
3. Open the VPN app and connect to Singapore.
4. Wait for the VPN connection to complete.
5. Open Netflix after connecting.
6. Search for The Boy and the Heron and try playing the movie.

Singapore is the country used throughout this guide because the official Netflix Singapore page currently displays The Boy and the Heron normally. The page also lists English and Japanese audio and several subtitle options.

VPN options for The Boy and the Heron on Netflix

All three VPNs currently provide Singapore locations. The available server choices differ between providers.

VPN	Current Singapore locations	Location to try first	Location details
Private Internet Access	Singapore, SG Streaming Optimized	SG Streaming Optimized	Singapore is not listed among PIA’s virtual server locations
ExpressVPN	Singapore CBD, Jurong, Marina Bay	Singapore CBD	ExpressVPN does not classify Singapore as a virtual location
NordVPN	Singapore, one city	Singapore	NordVPN currently lists Singapore as one location

1. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access currently lists both Singapore and SG Streaming Optimized in its server directory.

Start with SG Streaming Optimized because it is the provider’s dedicated streaming-oriented Singapore option. If Netflix does not load correctly, disconnect and try the standard Singapore location instead.

PIA’s current virtual server list does not include Singapore. PIA states that its virtual list covers locations where the IP country differs from the physical server country.

PIA does not publish separate Singapore city names in its current app location directory. Netflix can still recognize a PIA IP address, so access to the Singapore catalog is not guaranteed.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN currently provides three Singapore locations in its server directory: Singapore CBD, Singapore Jurong, and Singapore Marina Bay.

Start with Singapore CBD. If Netflix does not work correctly, try Jurong and then Marina Bay. ExpressVPN currently lists all three as available across its main supported protocols.

Singapore does not appear on ExpressVPN’s virtual server list. ExpressVPN states that locations not included on that list have their physical servers and registered IP addresses in the selected country.

ExpressVPN also lists CBD, Jurong, and Marina Bay among its 40Gbps locations. That can help with capacity, but it does not guarantee that Netflix will accept the VPN connection.

3. NordVPN

NordVPN currently lists Singapore as a supported server country with one city.

Select Singapore in the NordVPN app and allow the app to choose an available server. NordVPN’s current public directory does not provide a Singapore-specific server count, so there is no reliable current number to quote.

NordVPN also includes SmartPlay. SmartPlay activates automatically when you connect to a NordVPN server, so you do not need to enable it separately.

SmartPlay combines VPN and SmartDNS-related technology, but it does not guarantee access to a specific Netflix catalog. Netflix may still detect the connection.

What to do if The Boy and the Heron does not appear

If the movie does not appear after you connect to Singapore, try these steps in order.

1. Confirm that your VPN app shows Singapore as the active location.
2. Make sure you are not using Netflix’s ad-supported experience.
3. Fully close Netflix after connecting to the VPN.
4. Open Netflix again and search for The Boy and the Heron.
5. Clear Netflix cookies and your browser cache if you are watching in a browser.
6. Disconnect and reconnect to Singapore to obtain another available VPN connection.
7. Try another Singapore server or location where your VPN provides one.
8. Turn off the VPN if Netflix continues showing a VPN or proxy error.

PIA users should try SG Streaming Optimized first and the regular Singapore location second. ExpressVPN users can switch between Singapore CBD, Jurong, and Marina Bay. NordVPN users can reconnect to Singapore and allow the app to select another available server.

Can Netflix detect a VPN?

Yes. A VPN changes the public IP address that Netflix sees and can make your connection appear to come from Singapore.

That does not guarantee access to the Singapore Netflix catalog. Netflix says VPN users may only see titles for which it has worldwide licensing.

Netflix can also display a VPN or proxy error and ask you to disconnect. Trying another Singapore server may help, but no VPN guarantees access.

Can I use a Netflix ad-supported plan with a VPN?

No. Netflix currently states that VPNs are not supported with its ad-supported experience.

If Netflix detects a VPN on an ad-supported plan, it can display an error asking you to disconnect it. Netflix explains this in its current ad-supported VPN guidance.

Does connecting to Singapore change my Netflix account?

No. Connecting to a Singapore VPN server changes the IP address and apparent network location that Netflix sees.

Your Netflix email address, password, profiles, and existing account credentials stay the same. You continue using your normal Netflix account.

The VPN does not permanently move your Netflix account to Singapore. When you disconnect, Netflix sees your normal IP location again. You can also revisit the Netflix US page to check whether availability changes later.

Final thoughts

Private Internet Access currently provides both Singapore and SG Streaming Optimized locations, giving you two Singapore options to try if one connection does not work.

ExpressVPN currently provides Singapore CBD, Jurong, and Marina Bay, while NordVPN lists Singapore as one supported city and includes SmartPlay automatically with its VPN connection.

The Boy and the Heron is currently verified on Netflix Singapore and is not currently listed on Netflix US. Netflix catalogs and VPN detection can change, so check availability again if the movie stops appearing.