Netflix Clone using Django and Python
This document provides a comprehensive overview of a project aimed at creating a mini
version of Netflix using Django and Python. It outlines the project's objectives, methodology,
implementation steps, and results, making it an excellent resource for beginners interested in
full-stack development. The project serves as a practical guide to understanding how a video
streaming platform operates, focusing solely on Django for both backend and frontend
development.
Project Overview Pyramid
Results
Implementation Steps
Methodology
Project Objectives
1. Introduction
The digital world has changed how we watch content. Platforms like Netflix, Prime Video,
and Hotstar have made online streaming popular. This project is a mini version of Netflix, built
only with Django and Python.
It shows how Django can handle everything—user login, video uploads, database storage,
and video streaming. This project is good for beginners to learn full-stack development
using Django only (backend + frontend).
Building a Mini Streaming Service
User Login
Video Uploads
Mini Netflix
Project
Database
Storage
Video Streaming
2. Problem Statement
Today’s OTT apps use multiple technologies and are hard to understand for students. Many
tutorials only explain either frontend or backend, not the full process.
Also, most tutorials use frontend frameworks like React or Vue, which can be confusing for
beginners.
So, this project focuses on building everything using Django only, which makes it easy to
learn and understand the full system. It shows how an app like Netflix works behind the
scenes—using only Python and Django.
Building an OTT App with Django
Complete System
Understanding
Comprehensive view of app
architecture
Frontend Integration
Connects user interface with
backend services
Backend Development
Manages server, database, and
application logic
Django Framework
Simplifies web development with
Python
3. Objectives of the Project
• Build a video streaming website like Netflix using Django
• Create user authentication (sign up, login, logout)
• Store video files and display them on the home page
• Play videos using a built-in HTML5 player
• Make the UI simple, responsive, and clean
• Learn how media files (videos) are handled in Django
• Improve understanding of Django models, views, templates, and URLs
• Host the project locally and test all features
Netflix Clone Project with Django
Django Learning User Authentication
Models Sign Up
Views Login
Templates Logout
URLs Netflix Clone
Project Video Management
UI Design
Store Videos
Responsive Design Display on Home Page
Clean Interface HTML5 Video Player
Local Hosting
Local Hosting
Feature Testing
4. Methodology
Approach:
We will use Django’s default MVC pattern (in Django, it’s called MTV: Model-Template-View).
• Model: Used to create and manage database tables for videos and users.
• View: Handles logic, user requests, and responses.
• Template: Handles frontend HTML display using Django Template Language (DTL).
The project includes the following:
• Home page to show all videos
• Login and register pages
• Watch video page
• Upload section (admin only)
Technologies Used:
• Programming Language: Python
• Framework: Django
• Frontend: HTML, CSS (with Bootstrap for styling)
• Database: SQLite
• Tools:
• Visual Studio Code (IDE)
• GitHub (optional version control)
• Django Admin for content management
Django Web Application Structure
Home Page
Login/Register
Pages
View Template
Watch Video
Model Page
SQLite Upload
Database Section
Architecture / Design Diagram:
User
↓
Browser (HTML + CSS)
↓
Django URL Dispatcher
↓
Views.py
/ \
Models.py Templates
↓ ↓
SQLite DB HTML + Video Player
Web Application Architecture Pyramid
Content Delivery
Serving HTML and video content to user
Data Management
Interfacing with models and database
Business Logic
Handling application logic in views.py
URL Routing
Directing requests to appropriate views
Frontend Processing
Rendering content with HTML and CSS
User Interaction
Initial user engagement through browser
Django handles everything:
• Views handle logic
• Templates show the page
• Models store video/user info
• Admin panel uploads videos
• Videos are streamed from Django media folder
Implementation Steps:
1. Project Setup
• Install Django
• Start new Django project and app
• Setup settings, URL routing, and folders
2. Database Models
• Create models for User and Video
• Video model includes: title, description, upload date, video file
3. Authentication
• Use Django’s built-in user auth system
• Add registration, login, logout
4. Video Upload & Playback
• Admin uploads videos via Django Admin
• Users view videos on home page
• Use HTML5 <video> tag to play video files
5. Frontend Design
• Use Bootstrap for a clean layout
• Templates created with HTML + DTL (Django Template Language)
• Add navigation bar and video cards
6. Testing
• Check signup/login
• Check video upload and streaming
• Fix bugs
7. Deployment (Optional)
• Host locally
• Or use free hosting (like PythonAnywhere)
Django Video Streaming Application
Video
Streaming
Core functionality of
streaming videos
1
Frontend
Design
Designing user
interface with 2
Bootstrap
Authentication
3
User registration and
login system
Database 4
Models
Structuring data for
users and videos
5
Project Setup
Initial project
configuration and
routing
5. Result
The project was successfully completed with the following features:
• ✅ Full user login and registration system
• ✅ Admin panel to upload videos
• ✅ Videos shown on homepage as cards
• ✅ Videos play using HTML5 player
• ✅ Frontend built using Django templates only
• ✅ Backend handles logic, media, and sessions
• ✅ Fully working basic Netflix clone using Django only
This project helped us learn full-stack development using only Django. It also gave us real
experience with user authentication, media streaming, and dynamic templates.
---
Let me know if you want:
• A PDF version
• A sample home page screenshot
• Code walkthrough
• Hosting help on PythonAnywhere
I can also add a Conclusion or Future Scope section if you want.
Building a Django Netflix Clone
7 Full-Stack Integration
Achieve a fully functional Netflix
clone using Django.
6 Backend Logic
Implement backend logic to handle
media and session management.
5 Django Frontend
Develop the frontend using Django
templates for dynamic content.
4 HTML5 Video Player
Integrate an HTML5 player for
seamless video playback.
3 Video Display Cards
Design the homepage to display
videos as interactive cards.
2 Admin Video Upload
Create an admin panel for
uploading and managing video
content.
1 User Login System
Implement a secure user
authentication system to manage
user access.
