How to Watch Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb on Netflix in the US with a VPN (2026)

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014) is available on Netflix in the United Kingdom. Directed by Shawn Levy, this family adventure comedy follows night security guard Larry Daley as he travels to London to save the magical tablet that brings his museum friends to life. The movie stars Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Dan Stevens, Rebel Wilson, and Ben Kingsley. You can find the film on the official Netflix UK title page, which confirms its availability and English-language viewing options.

However, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is not currently available on Netflix US. American viewers can find it on other streaming platforms, but Netflix carries the movie in its British catalog. Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN all provide UK VPN connections, giving subscribers several options for establishing an encrypted internet connection associated with the United Kingdom.

Using a British VPN server does not guarantee access to Netflix UK’s catalog. Netflix may identify VPN traffic and limit viewers to movies and television shows with worldwide streaming rights. VPN providers also maintain individual usage restrictions. Before proceeding, review Netflix’s official VPN streaming policy and ensure that your intended activity complies with the applicable terms.

How to watch Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb on Netflix with a VPN

If you already have a Netflix subscription, the following steps explain how to check the movie’s availability while using a UK VPN connection where your intended activity is permitted.

1. Choose a VPN provider. Private Internet Access is our first recommendation because it offers several UK connections, including a streaming-optimized option. ExpressVPN and NordVPN follow in second and third place.
2. Download and install the VPN application from the provider’s official website. Open the application and sign in using your VPN account credentials.
3. Connect to the United Kingdom by selecting a British location from the VPN server list. Wait until the application confirms that the connection is active.
4. Fully close Netflix, including open browser tabs, background applications, and any previous playback sessions.
5. Reopen Netflix after connecting to the VPN so the service starts a new browsing session.
6. Sign in using your existing Netflix account credentials. You do not need to create a separate British Netflix account simply to check the movie listing.
7. Search for Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. Make sure you select the 2014 movie rather than the original film or its first sequel.
8. Start playback if Netflix displays the movie, your subscription supports playback, and the service permits access through your connection.

The movie retains its original English title in the British catalog. Netflix classifies it as a PG-rated family comedy, making it part of the service’s collection of family-friendly adventures.

The official Netflix UK listing for Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb confirms English original audio, English audio description, and English subtitles.

Netflix also lists the movie as available for offline downloads. However, downloading requires a compatible Netflix application, an eligible subscription, and authorized access to the title.

If the movie does not appear after connecting, Netflix may have recognized the VPN. Selecting a British server does not automatically provide access to every movie available in the United Kingdom.

Best VPNs for watching Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb on Netflix

Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN operate British servers with different locations and connection features. The following comparison uses their officially documented UK locations.

VPN	Server locations in the UK	Option to try first
Private Internet Access (Editor’s Choice)	UK London, UK Manchester, UK Southampton, UK Tottenham, UK Streaming Optimized	UK London for general privacy use; UK Streaming Optimized for permitted streaming
ExpressVPN	UK Docklands, East London, London, Manchester, Midlands, Tottenham, Wembley	UK London
NordVPN	Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Manchester; 853 advertised UK servers	Automatically selected UK server or London

These connections provide British IP address options, but VPN server availability does not guarantee Netflix compatibility. Netflix may restrict regional movies regardless of which VPN provider you select.

1. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) takes our Editor’s Choice position because it offers several British server locations, a dedicated streaming-optimized option, and flexible VPN protocol settings. Its application also includes practical privacy controls and connection troubleshooting features.

According to the official PIA server directory, the provider offers five British connection options: UK London, UK Manchester, UK Southampton, UK Tottenham, and UK Streaming Optimized.

UK London provides a sensible starting point for general browsing and privacy protection. Manchester, Southampton, and Tottenham offer alternatives when users want to compare server performance or troubleshoot connection issues.

PIA also offers UK Streaming Optimized, which it configures for streaming performance. This option may be useful when accessing content that subscribers have permission to watch, although it does not guarantee that Netflix will display Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.

To select a location, open the PIA application and choose the VPN SERVER section. Search for UK or United Kingdom, review the available locations, and select the server you want to use.

To locate the streaming-focused option, type streaming in the server search field and choose UK Streaming Optimized. PIA explains the process in its official streaming setup guide.

PIA supports WireGuard and OpenVPN. WireGuard uses a lightweight protocol design that can reduce connection overhead, while OpenVPN provides an established alternative for networks where WireGuard encounters compatibility or stability problems.

To switch protocols on desktop, disconnect from the VPN, open the three-dot menu, select Settings, and choose Protocols. Switch between WireGuard and OpenVPN, then reconnect.

The provider also distinguishes physical VPN servers from virtual server locations. With a virtual location, the VPN assigns an IP address associated with one country while hosting the physical server in another.

PIA’s virtual server documentation does not identify the United Kingdom as a virtual server country. PIA states that the physical server and registered IP address are located in the same country for most of its locations.

However, the company does not publish an exact physical data center address for every individual British server. A named location should not be treated as confirmation of a particular building or facility.

Performance depends on the user’s internet connection, physical distance, network congestion, server load, and selected protocol. Connections between the United States and Britain may experience more latency than connections to nearby US servers.

If websites load slowly, try another UK location or switch between WireGuard and OpenVPN. Clearing cookies, removing cached browser files, and updating the application can also resolve ordinary connectivity problems.

PIA’s website and application troubleshooting guide also recommends testing another browser and checking whether certain privacy features affect website functionality.

One important restriction applies to streaming. PIA explicitly prohibits using its service to circumvent geographic restrictions imposed by content providers. Its documentation instructs subscribers to connect to a server matching their current physical country when accessing streaming platforms.

Consequently, PIA’s British servers do not authorize American subscribers to bypass Netflix’s regional licensing rules. We rank PIA first for its server selection, privacy settings, and streaming-focused infrastructure, but subscribers must follow these restrictions.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is our second recommendation because it offers seven officially documented UK server locations, multiple VPN protocols, and straightforward server selection through its desktop and mobile applications.

The official ExpressVPN server directory lists UK Docklands, UK East London, UK London, UK Manchester, UK Midlands, UK Tottenham, and UK Wembley.

These locations offer several choices across England. UK London is a reasonable starting point for general privacy use, while Docklands, East London, Manchester, and Wembley provide alternatives for comparing connection performance.

To connect, open the ExpressVPN application, select the location control, and search for United Kingdom. Choose your preferred location and activate the VPN.

ExpressVPN also provides Smart Location, a feature that automatically recommends a VPN server based on factors such as distance, latency, and download performance.

However, Smart Location may recommend a country other than Britain. Users who specifically need a British IP address for authorized activities should select a UK location manually.

The provider supports Lightway UDP, Lightway TCP, WireGuard, OpenVPN UDP, and OpenVPN TCP across its documented British locations. Availability depends on the device and application version.

Lightway UDP provides a practical starting point for performance-sensitive connections. TCP-based protocols can offer alternatives on networks that restrict UDP traffic, while WireGuard provides another efficient option on supported devices.

ExpressVPN also uses physical and virtual VPN infrastructure. A virtual server assigns an IP address associated with a particular country while the physical hardware operates elsewhere.

Its official virtual server documentation does not list the United Kingdom as a virtual location. ExpressVPN states that locations absent from its virtual server list use physical servers within the specified country.

The company also hosts some virtual server locations for other countries on hardware in Britain. For example, certain Indian virtual locations use British infrastructure. However, choosing an Indian virtual server does not provide a UK IP address.

For troubleshooting, try UK Docklands, East London, Manchester, or Wembley instead of UK London. You can also restart the application, compare protocols, or check whether the problem occurs when the VPN is disconnected.

ExpressVPN’s official server selection guidance recommends choosing a home-country server when accessing content licensed for that country. The provider advises contacting its support team for streaming-specific server recommendations.

Netflix may still recognize ExpressVPN connections and restrict regional movies. Neither UK London nor another British server guarantees access to Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.

3. NordVPN

NordVPN takes third place because it offers a substantial British server network, automatic server selection, the NordLynx protocol, and SmartPlay technology.

According to the official NordVPN UK server page, the provider advertises 853 servers in the United Kingdom. The published city locations include Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, and Manchester.

These options cover both England and Scotland. NordVPN’s published server count may change as the provider expands or maintains its infrastructure.

To connect automatically, open NordVPN and select the United Kingdom from its server map or country list. The application chooses an available server without requiring users to select an individual server number.

For manual selection, open the menu beside United Kingdom and choose Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, or Manchester. London offers a reasonable first option, while the other cities provide alternatives for connection troubleshooting.

NordVPN also supports NordLynx, a VPN protocol built around WireGuard technology. It aims to provide efficient encrypted connections with relatively low overhead.

The official NordLynx support guide explains the technology and provides instructions for selecting the protocol on different operating systems.

Another important NordVPN feature is SmartPlay, which combines VPN protection with DNS-related functionality. It helps users access their authorized streaming content securely without manually configuring a separate SmartDNS service.

Unlike standalone SmartDNS, SmartPlay operates alongside the encrypted VPN connection. It does not require a separate application or browser extension.

According to NordVPN’s official SmartPlay documentation, the feature activates automatically whenever subscribers connect through the NordVPN application.

However, SmartPlay does not guarantee access to the British Netflix catalog. Netflix can identify VPN connections and restrict region-specific movies even when SmartPlay is active.

If the connection becomes unstable, reconnect to another UK server, manually select a different city, or test another supported VPN protocol. Updating the application can also resolve software-related issues.

NordVPN’s 853 advertised British servers provide flexibility for managing connections, but the server count does not establish which Netflix movies will appear through a particular connection.

What to do if Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb does not appear

If Netflix does not display Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb while you are connected to the UK, several factors might explain the problem. These include outdated browser sessions, VPN connection issues, regional licensing restrictions, and Netflix’s VPN detection systems.

Follow these steps to investigate ordinary connection and session problems:

1. Close Netflix completely, including open browser tabs and applications running in the background.
2. Disconnect from the VPN and wait until the application confirms that the connection has ended.
3. Reconnect to the United Kingdom using a connection permitted under your VPN provider’s terms.
4. Try another available UK server or location to check whether a connection-specific problem affects the service.
5. Clear Netflix cookies and your browser cache to remove outdated session information.
6. Open a new incognito or private browsing window to test Netflix without the previous browser session.
7. Reopen Netflix and sign in using your existing account credentials.
8. Search for Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb and check whether Netflix displays the correct 2014 movie.

Private Internet Access subscribers can compare London, Manchester, Southampton, and Tottenham for ordinary connection troubleshooting. UK Streaming Optimized provides another option for streaming activities permitted by PIA’s terms.

ExpressVPN users can test UK London, Docklands, East London, Manchester, or Wembley. NordVPN subscribers can reconnect automatically or manually choose Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, or Manchester.

Make sure you search for the correct installment. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is the third live-action movie in the franchise, following Night at the Museum (2006) and Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009).

You may also recognize the film as Night at the Museum 3. However, Netflix UK displays the full title, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, so searching for the official name provides the clearest result.

Netflix explains other causes in its official missing movie troubleshooting guide. Regional licensing, profile maturity restrictions, language settings, and VPN recognition can all affect search results.

Trying another VPN server can help resolve ordinary network problems, but it cannot guarantee access to a regional Netflix title. If Netflix restricts playback because it detects a VPN, disconnecting and using an authorized streaming service in your actual country is the supported alternative.

Netflix may detect the VPN

A VPN changes the public IP address that websites normally see by routing your internet traffic through another server.

For example, connecting to a British VPN server generally presents a UK-associated IP address. However, this does not automatically provide access to every movie available in the United Kingdom.

Netflix maintains systems that recognize certain VPN and proxy connections. When the service detects a VPN, it may limit viewers to movies and television shows with worldwide streaming licenses.

This matters for Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb because Netflix maintains different regional catalogs based on its licensing agreements. A movie available on Netflix UK might not have the same subscription streaming rights in the United States.

Netflix describes these restrictions in its official VPN viewing policy.

Subscribers may encounter missing titles, reduced search results, or playback errors. Netflix can also change regional availability when licensing agreements expire.

VPN providers cannot guarantee access to another country’s Netflix catalog. A British IP address, streaming-optimized connection, or specialized VPN protocol cannot override Netflix’s licensing rules.

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

No. Netflix does not support VPN connections on its ad-supported streaming experience.

This restriction applies even when a movie is available to ad-supported subscribers who access Netflix normally in their own country.

For example, JustWatch lists Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb on Netflix UK’s Standard with Ads plan. However, that does not mean American subscribers can use a VPN to watch the movie through an ad-supported Netflix account.

Netflix may display a VPN or proxy error and prevent playback when it recognizes an unsupported connection.

According to Netflix’s official VPN and proxy troubleshooting guidance, subscribers using an ad-supported experience should disconnect the VPN when they encounter this restriction.

Ad-free Netflix subscriptions avoid this specific limitation, but Netflix may still recognize VPN connections and restrict region-specific titles.

Therefore, upgrading to an ad-free plan does not guarantee access to Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb through a British VPN server.

Does changing the VPN location change your Netflix account?

No. Connecting to the United Kingdom through a VPN changes the visible public IP address associated with your internet connection, but it does not automatically modify your Netflix membership.

Your email address, password, subscription, billing information, watch history, and saved profiles remain associated with your existing Netflix account.

Netflix maintains different catalogs across countries because streaming rights vary by geographic region. However, selecting the UK in a VPN application does not officially transfer your Netflix account to Britain.

Netflix explains in its official account country documentation that subscribers cannot change their registered account country unless they move to another country.

Netflix may also recognize your VPN and restrict available movies to titles with worldwide streaming licenses, regardless of the selected server location.

Fortunately, American viewers have other ways to watch this movie. JustWatch’s US streaming listings for Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb identify Disney Plus as a subscription streaming option, alongside digital rentals and purchases through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home.

These services provide authorized alternatives without depending on the British Netflix catalog. Always check current availability and subscription requirements before choosing a provider.

Which VPN should you use?

Private Internet Access ranks first because it provides five documented British connection options, including London, Manchester, Southampton, Tottenham, and UK Streaming Optimized. It also supports WireGuard and OpenVPN for flexible connection management. However, PIA explicitly prohibits using its service to circumvent geographic restrictions imposed by content providers, so subscribers must follow that limitation.

ExpressVPN takes second place with seven officially documented UK locations, including Docklands, East London, London, Manchester, Midlands, Tottenham, and Wembley. It also supports Lightway, WireGuard, and OpenVPN on compatible devices. NordVPN ranks third with 853 advertised UK servers across Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, and Manchester, alongside NordLynx and automatically enabled SmartPlay. Neither provider guarantees access to regional Netflix movies.

As of October 31, 2026, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014) is available on Netflix UK but not Netflix US. The United Kingdom is therefore the verified international Netflix country for this guide. Nevertheless, Netflix licensing agreements, VPN detection, subscription restrictions, and VPN provider terms can prevent playback. If Netflix does not permit access through your VPN, choose an authorized streaming option available in the United States.