diff --git a/app/src/main/kotlin/com/arflix/tv/ui/screens/search/SearchScreen.kt b/app/src/main/kotlin/com/arflix/tv/ui/screens/search/SearchScreen.kt
index 990a19969..6f230ab29 100644
--- a/app/src/main/kotlin/com/arflix/tv/ui/screens/search/SearchScreen.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/kotlin/com/arflix/tv/ui/screens/search/SearchScreen.kt
@@ -167,14 +167,13 @@ fun SearchScreen(
             when (event.key) {
                 Key.Back, Key.Escape -> when (focusZone) {
                     FocusZone.RESULTS -> {
-                        if (showFilters) focusZone = FocusZone.FILTERS
-                        else { focusZone = FocusZone.SEARCH_INPUT; searchFocusRequester.requestFocus() }
+                        // Directly return to sidebar/topbar from results for expected back behavior
+                        focusZone = FocusZone.SIDEBAR
                         true
                     }
                     FocusZone.FILTERS -> { focusZone = FocusZone.SEARCH_INPUT; searchFocusRequester.requestFocus(); true }
                     FocusZone.SEARCH_INPUT -> {
-                        // If we have search results, go back to results instead of sidebar
-                        // This fixes the issue where back from details goes to keyboard instead of results
+                        // If we have active results, go back to results. Otherwise go to sidebar.
                         if (activeCategories.isNotEmpty() || hasAiResults) {
                             focusZone = FocusZone.RESULTS
                             currentRowIndex = 0
diff --git a/app/src/main/kotlin/com/arflix/tv/ui/screens/watchlist/WatchlistScreen.kt b/app/src/main/kotlin/com/arflix/tv/ui/screens/watchlist/WatchlistScreen.kt
index 229ef0ec4..6ae07797a 100644
--- a/app/src/main/kotlin/com/arflix/tv/ui/screens/watchlist/WatchlistScreen.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/kotlin/com/arflix/tv/ui/screens/watchlist/WatchlistScreen.kt
@@ -162,7 +162,8 @@ fun WatchlistScreen(
                         }
                         Key.DirectionLeft -> {
                             if (!isSidebarFocused) {
-                                true
+                                // Let the grid handle left movement within items.
+                                false
                             } else {
                                 if (sidebarFocusIndex > 0) {
                                     sidebarFocusIndex = (sidebarFocusIndex - 1).coerceIn(0, maxSidebarIndex)
@@ -177,6 +178,7 @@ fun WatchlistScreen(
                                 }
                                 true
                             } else {
+                                // Let the grid handle right movement within items.
                                 false
                             }
                         }