How to Watch The First Purge on Netflix in the US with a VPN (2026)

The First Purge (2018) is currently available on Netflix in Canada. The official Netflix Canada page lists the horror movie starring Y’lan Noel, Lex Scott Davis, and Joivan Wade, with English audio and subtitles.

However, The First Purge is not currently available on Netflix US. If you’re in the United States, you can try connecting to a Canadian VPN server using Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, or NordVPN. All three providers offer Canadian IP locations.

Keep in mind that a Canadian VPN connection does not guarantee access to the movie. According to Netflix’s VPN guidelines, the service may recognize VPN connections and limit the available catalog to titles with worldwide distribution rights.

How to watch The First Purge on Netflix with a VPN

Since Netflix Canada currently carries The First Purge, you can try connecting to a Canadian VPN server before opening Netflix. Follow these steps:

1. Choose a VPN. Private Internet Access is our first recommendation, followed by ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
2. Download and install the VPN app.
3. Connect to a server in Canada.
4. Fully close Netflix if it is already open.
5. Reopen Netflix after the VPN connects.
6. Sign in with your existing Netflix account.
7. Search for The First Purge.
8. Start playback if the title appears.

Canada is a suitable location to try because the Netflix Canada listing currently displays The First Purge without an unavailability warning. It also lists offline downloads, English audio, and English subtitles.

Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN all provide Canadian connections, although Netflix may still recognize their IP addresses and prevent playback.

Best VPNs for watching The First Purge on Netflix

All three recommended VPN services offer Canadian server locations. Private Internet Access includes a streaming-optimized option, while ExpressVPN and NordVPN provide several cities to choose from.

VPN	Canada locations	Option to try first
Private Internet Access (Editor’s Choice)	Montreal, Ontario, Ontario Streaming Optimized, Toronto, Vancouver	Ontario Streaming Optimized
ExpressVPN	Montreal, Toronto, Toronto – 2, Vancouver	Toronto
NordVPN	Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver	Automatic Canada server selection

These options come from the VPN providers’ official server directories. Having a Canadian IP address does not guarantee access to the Canadian Netflix catalog.

1. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is our Editor’s Choice for The First Purge because it offers an Ontario Streaming Optimized location alongside several standard Canadian servers.

According to the official PIA server directory, its Canadian locations include Montreal, Ontario, Ontario Streaming Optimized, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Start with CA Ontario Streaming Optimized. PIA provides this location specifically for streaming, making it the first connection worth trying when accessing Canadian streaming services.

Open the PIA app, locate the server list, and search for the Ontario Streaming Optimized location. Connect to it before reopening Netflix.

If The First Purge does not appear, disconnect and try Toronto or Montreal. You can also switch to Vancouver or standard Ontario if you need another Canadian connection.

PIA distinguishes between physical and virtual server locations. A virtual location gives you an IP address for the selected country even when the underlying hardware operates elsewhere. The official Canadian server list does not identify a separate physical host country for these locations, so it does not establish the hardware location of every endpoint.

PIA also provides a streaming support guide with advice for connection problems, including reconnecting to a different server and clearing browser data.

While Ontario Streaming Optimized gives you a streaming-focused connection option, Netflix may still detect PIA and restrict regional content. The provider cannot guarantee that The First Purge will appear or play.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is another option for connecting to Canada. The provider offers several Canadian server locations, including two Toronto entries, which give users alternatives when a connection experiences problems.

The official ExpressVPN server directory lists Montreal, Toronto, Toronto – 2, and Vancouver. It also offers automatic Canadian location selection.

Start with Toronto. If Netflix does not display The First Purge, switch to Toronto – 2 or Montreal. Vancouver provides another option if you want to test a different Canadian location.

ExpressVPN supports several VPN protocols across its Canadian locations, including Lightway and OpenVPN. Actual connection performance depends on your internet connection, server congestion, and distance from the selected location.

The provider’s Canada VPN page provides more information about its Canadian network and available city options.

ExpressVPN’s current server directory lists Canada as an available location rather than marking it as a virtual location. However, it does not document the physical hosting arrangement of every individual Canadian server, so users should not assume a specific hardware location for each endpoint.

Although ExpressVPN provides Canadian IP addresses, Netflix may recognize those addresses as VPN connections and limit the movies available through them.

3. NordVPN

NordVPN provides Canadian IP addresses through servers in four cities and offers automatic location selection.

According to NordVPN’s official Canada server page, the provider currently lists 436 Canadian servers across Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.

For the first connection, open NordVPN, select Canada, and allow the app to choose an available server automatically. This is a convenient option if you do not have a preferred city.

You can also choose Toronto manually. If the connection does not work as expected, try Montreal, Vancouver, or Calgary.

NordVPN’s published server count may change as the company updates its network. Its country directory confirms Canadian IP availability and the four city choices, but it does not document the physical hosting location of every individual endpoint.

NordVPN also includes SmartPlay, a feature that combines VPN and DNS technologies to improve streaming compatibility while keeping your traffic encrypted.

According to NordVPN’s SmartPlay documentation, the feature activates automatically when you connect through the NordVPN app. You do not need to enable it separately or change your DNS settings.

SmartPlay may help with some streaming connections, but Netflix can still recognize the VPN and restrict access to regional titles such as The First Purge.

What to do if The First Purge does not appear

If Netflix does not display The First Purge after you connect to Canada, your browser may retain older location information, or Netflix may have detected your VPN. Try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Close Netflix completely.
2. Disconnect from the VPN.
3. Reconnect to Canada.
4. Try another server or location in the same country.
5. Clear Netflix cookies and your browser cache.
6. Open a private or incognito browser window.
7. Reopen Netflix and sign in again.
8. Search for The First Purge.

Private Internet Access users should start with Ontario Streaming Optimized, then try Toronto or Montreal. ExpressVPN users can switch between Toronto, Toronto – 2, Montreal, and Vancouver. NordVPN users can reconnect automatically or select Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, or Vancouver.

If the movie still does not appear, Netflix may be restricting access because of the VPN connection. Its missing titles guide also explains other possible causes, including regional licensing changes and profile restrictions.

Netflix may detect the VPN

A VPN changes the public IP address that Netflix sees when your device connects to the service. For example, connecting to a Canadian VPN server generally gives Netflix a Canadian IP address instead of your normal US address.

However, changing your IP address does not guarantee access to the Canadian Netflix catalog. Netflix may recognize that the connection comes from a VPN provider and limit which movies and shows appear.

According to Netflix’s official VPN support page, users connecting through a VPN may only see titles for which Netflix has worldwide licensing rights.

That means The First Purge may remain unavailable in your Netflix search results even while your VPN app shows Canada as the connected country.

Trying another Canadian server may resolve some connection problems, but Netflix can still restrict playback. No VPN service guarantees access to every regional Netflix title.

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

No. Netflix currently states that its ad-supported experience does not support VPN connections.

If you subscribe to Netflix with ads, you may encounter playback errors when using Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, or NordVPN.

The Netflix VPN help page confirms this restriction. To use an ad-supported subscription normally, disconnect your VPN.

An ad-free subscription avoids this particular limitation, but Netflix may still detect VPN connections and restrict access to region-specific movies.

Does changing the VPN location change your Netflix account?

No. Connecting to a Canadian VPN server does not change your Netflix email address, password, profiles, or existing account credentials.

The VPN changes the public IP address Netflix sees. It does not automatically convert your US Netflix subscription into a Canadian account or modify your login information.

You can continue using your existing Netflix credentials. However, the movies and shows Netflix displays may depend on regional licensing rights, account settings, and VPN detection.

The Netflix US title page does not currently establish that The First Purge is available for streaming in the United States. Current US streaming listings instead identify Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus.

When you disconnect from the VPN, Netflix generally recognizes your regular internet location again without requiring changes to your account.

Which VPN should you use?

Private Internet Access is our first recommendation because its Ontario Streaming Optimized location provides a dedicated streaming option, while Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and standard Ontario give users alternatives. However, Netflix may still detect its connections.

ExpressVPN is a useful alternative thanks to its Canadian locations in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, including two Toronto entries. NordVPN also offers four Canadian cities and includes SmartPlay, which runs automatically when you connect.

Netflix Canada currently carries The First Purge, making Canada the verified international region for this guide. However, licensing agreements, VPN detection, and server availability can change, so connecting to Canada does not guarantee playback from the United States.