Jellyfin Collections and Smart Playlists: Organize Your Library Like Netflix (2026)

Jellyfin Collections and Smart Playlists (2026)

A well-organized Jellyfin library is the difference between "a folder of files" and "a streaming platform." Collections and playlists let you curate your content the way Netflix and Disney+ do - themed rows, franchise groupings, and personalized recommendations.

This guide covers every method available in 2026.

Collections vs Playlists: What is the Difference?

Creating Collections Manually

Method 1: From the Jellyfin UI

1. Navigate to any movie or show
2. Click the three-dot menu → Add to Collection
3. Create a new collection or add to an existing one
4. Repeat for each item

Method 2: Using folder-based collections

Create a folder structure that Jellyfin recognizes as a collection:

/media/movies/
  Marvel Cinematic Universe [boxset]/
    Iron Man (2008).strm
    The Avengers (2012).strm

The [boxset] tag in the folder name tells Jellyfin to treat it as a collection.

Automating Collections

TMDB Box Sets Plugin

The easiest way to auto-create franchise collections:

1. Dashboard → Plugins → Catalog → TMDB Box Sets
2. Install and restart
3. Run a library scan

TMDB Box Sets automatically groups sequels: all Harry Potter films, all Fast & Furious films, etc.

Kometa (formerly Plex Meta Manager)

For advanced collection management, Kometa supports Jellyfin:

• Create collections from TMDB lists, Trakt lists, IMDb charts
• Add custom poster overlays (4K badge, HDR label, ratings)
• Schedule automatic updates
• Apply to both movies and TV shows

libraries:
  Movies:
    metadata_path:
      - pmm: basic
      - pmm: imdb
    overlay_path:
      - pmm: resolution

Auto Collections Plugin

The jellyfin-plugin-auto-collections plugin creates dynamic collections based on flexible rules:

• Genre-based: "Sci-Fi Classics", "90s Action"
• Rating-based: "Top Rated (8+)"
• Year-based: "New Releases 2026"
• Tag-based: any custom criteria

Collections update automatically as your library grows.

Smart Playlists

jellyfin-smartlists-plugin

Creates dynamic playlists that auto-update based on rules:

• "Recently Added Movies" - last 30 days
• "Unwatched Comedies" - genre + not played
• "Short Films" - runtime under 90 minutes
• "Family Movie Night" - rated PG + comedy/adventure

Rules are defined once; the playlist stays current as your library changes.

Curating the Home Screen

Custom home screen sections

Dashboard → Display → Home Screen Sections

Recommended layout:

1. Continue Watching
2. Next Up (TV series)
3. Latest Movies
4. Latest TV Shows
5. Recently Added

Editors Choice Plugin

The jellyfin-editors-choice-plugin adds a Netflix-style hero banner to the home page. Manually curate featured content that rotates for all users.

Media Bar Plugin

Adds a featured content bar - great for highlighting new releases or seasonal picks.

Collection Best Practices

• Keep collections focused - "Marvel Cinematic Universe" is good, "Action Movies" is too broad
• Use custom artwork - upload collection posters for a polished look
• Combine with Kometa - automated overlays (4K, HDR badges) make collections look professional
• Limit home screen clutter - too many sections overwhelm users

FAQ

Can users create their own collections? Users can create personal playlists. Collections are typically admin-managed and visible to all users.

Do collections work across libraries? Yes. A collection can include items from different libraries (movies + shows).

How do I add a custom poster to a collection? Navigate to the collection → Edit Images → Upload a custom poster.

Does Kometa work with Jellyfin? Yes. Kometa supports Jellyfin alongside Plex and Emby.

Your library looks like a streaming platform - now monitor who is enjoying it. Download JellyWatch on Google Play - viewing statistics, session monitoring, and server health for Jellyfin admins.