I opened Netflix for “just one episode” and caught the catalog mid-evaporation. The clock is a predator stalking the catalog. I’ll point you to ten films you should press play on before the streamer takes them away.
These are not filler picks. I’m naming genre movies that reward immediate viewing—commedies, horror, superhero misfits, and guilty-pleasure action—that will sting if you miss them. Watch now or regret a later scroll.
How long do movies stay on Netflix?
Licensing windows vary by title and region. Studios and distributors set end dates, and those dates can be pulled forward or extended. If you see a title flagged with an exit date, treat that date as the deadline to stream or download it.
Can I download titles before they leave Netflix?
Yes, Netflix allows downloads on supported apps for many titles, but downloaded files can still expire—sometimes tied to the license end date. If you rely on offline viewing, download early and check the app for any expiration notices.
This Is the End
At late-night house parties in the 2010s you could hear quoted lines from this one. It’s a raunchy apocalypse comedy written and directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg that doubles as a time capsule of a very specific Hollywood moment—an aging Polaroid left in the sun. The movie’s strength is its willingness to let stars play amplified versions of themselves; Franco’s presence now complicates the nostalgia, but the laughs still land. (Leaving Netflix February 28)
The Amazing Spider-Man
On university campuses and in fan forums, Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy remained the most-talked-about element of this reboot. Marc Webb’s 2012 take gave Andrew Garfield a nimble, emotional Parker who felt different from the Raimi years. The origin beats are familiar, but Garfield and Stone create chemistry that makes the film worth revisiting. (Leaving Netflix February 28)
The Amazing Spider-Man 2
At comic-con panels you’d hear both groans and fondness for the sequel’s ambition. The 2014 follow-up is overstuffed—villains, set pieces, and franchise seeds—but it contains moments that matter, and Garfield’s dedication to the role carries a lot of weight. (Leaving Netflix February 28)
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Out on rural highways, horror fans still trade warnings about that farmhouse. Tobe Hooper’s 1974 film remains a masterclass in dread and grime; it set a benchmark for low-budget terror and continues to influence indie horror. With A24 now handling related properties, the original’s shadow only grows longer. (Leaving Netflix February 17)
Christine
At classic-car shows you’ll see people who name models like characters—this movie fed that habit. John Carpenter’s 1983 adaptation of Stephen King’s novel centers on a possessed 1958 Plymouth Fury and a teenager consumed by it. Carpenter didn’t rate the material, but the film’s cast and mood have carved out a loyal cult audience.
(Leaving Netflix February 28)
I Know What You Did Last Summer
On summer nights by the shore some people still whisper about this one’s twist. The 1997 slasher rode the wave created by Scream but stands on its own thanks to a sun-drenched setting, convincing red herrings, and compact performances from Ryan Phillippe and Sarah Michelle Gellar. If you prefer your scares with a beach backdrop, set aside the time.
(Leaving Netflix February 28)
Bram Stoker’s Dracula
At costume parties, people still imitate Gary Oldman’s gambit of theatricality. Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 adaptation is an ornate, operatic take on the Dracula myth—Oscar-winning costumes, grand art direction, and a cast full of flair. It’s not subtle, but it’s one of the most visually ambitious vampire films of its era. (Leaving Netflix February 28)
Brightburn
In small-town forums you’ll find debates about how superhero tropes can be turned against us. Produced by James Gunn, this 2019 “superhero horror” posits what happens if an all-powerful child chooses cruelty. The premise is simple and the execution leans into moral horror more than spectacle, which makes it interesting even if it’s rough around the edges. (Leaving Netflix February 28)
Hollow Man
At VFX breakdown reels you can still spot the practical and digital work that defined 1990s effects. Paul Verhoeven’s 2000 film riffs on The Invisible Man with a nasty twist: the more unseen the protagonist becomes, the worse his ethics get. Kevin Bacon anchors the role, and the effects still provoke a reaction. (Leaving Netflix February 28)
Timecop
In action-movie retrospectives, Jean-Claude Van Damme’s mid-’90s peak is often measured by this title. Based on a Dark Horse story, Timecop imagines time travel policed by law enforcement and wrapped in political rot. It’s peak Van Damme: action-forward, crowd-pleasing, and unapologetically commercial. (Leaving Netflix March 9)
I’ve named films that reward immediate viewing and that say something about their genres or their moment—so which one will you rush to save from the algorithm?