Summer has officially come to an end, and as the days get shorter and the weather starts to cool down, it’s time to trade beach days and summer adventures for cozy nights on the couch. Fall is bringing plenty of its own charm, from changing leaves and sweater weather to pumpkin spice and the perfect excuse to settle in for a movie marathon. But just as the seasons change, so does Netflix‘s lineup, and the streamer is turning a new leaf with several great movies preparing to leave the platform.
If you’ve been putting off watching a classic, revisiting an old favorite, or finally checking out one of those movies that has been sitting on your watchlist, now is the time. This month’s departing lineup covers everything from beloved comedies and family favorites to acclaimed dramas, sci-fi adventures, and unforgettable thrillers. Whether you’re in the mood to laugh along with Clueless, revisit the colorful world of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, or get your adrenaline pumping with The Hunger Games, there’s something worth squeezing into your schedule before it disappears. Below, we’ve rounded up seven of the best movies leaving Netflix soon, so you know exactly what to watch before they’re gone.
‘The Hunger Games’ (2012)
Leaving October 14
Few films were as influential and successful in the early 2010s as The Hunger Games, the film adaptation of Suzanne Collins‘ 2008 novel of the same name. Led by a star-studded cast that includes Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, and Stanley Tucci, the movie introduced us to a dystopian world where survival comes at a very tragic, dark cost.
The story follows Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence), a teenager living in the impoverished District 12, who volunteers to take her younger sister’s place in the Hunger Games, a brutal annual competition where children from each of the districts are forced to fight to the death for the entertainment of the Capitol. Alongside fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark (Hutcherson), Katniss is forced into a dangerous fight for survival while becoming an unexpected symbol of resistance against the oppressive government.
The film was both a critical and commercial success, helping turn Lawrence into a major Hollywood star and launching one of the biggest young adult franchises of the decade. The Hunger Games earned $408,010,692 domestically and another $287,218,447 internationally, bringing its worldwide total to an impressive $695,229,139 against a $78,000,000 budget.
‘Nomadland’ (2020)
Leaving October 1
If you’re looking for a contemplative film that’s equal parts relaxing and emotionally heavy, look no further than Chloé Zhao‘s Nomadland. Starring Frances McDormand as Fern, the film follows a woman who, after losing her home, her husband, and much of the life she once knew, chooses to embrace a nomadic lifestyle, traveling across the American West in her van. Along the way, Fern takes on seasonal jobs, meets fellow nomads, and slowly builds a new sense of community while navigating grief and loneliness.
Nomadland takes its time exploring Fern’s journey and the people she encounters, creating an intimate portrait of those who have chosen, or have been forced, to live outside traditional society. Its quiet pace and breathtaking landscapes make it an especially fitting watch for anyone looking for something thoughtful and atmospheric. The film was also a major awards-season success. Nomadland received six Oscar nominations at the 93rd Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Zhao, Best Actress for McDormand, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Film Editing. It ultimately took home Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress, making Zhao only the second woman to win Best Director at the Oscars.
‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ (2005)
Leaving October 1
A whimsical family movie with colorful characters and just enough Tim Burton weirdness, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was directed by Burton and based on Roald Dahl‘s beloved 1964 novel, the film stars Johnny Depp as the eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka and Freddie Highmore as Charlie Bucket, a kind-hearted boy from a struggling family. The cast also includes Helena Bonham Carter, Christopher Lee, and a memorable group of child actors playing the other children who win golden tickets to tour Wonka’s mysterious factory.
The film follows Charlie after he discovers one of five coveted Golden Tickets hidden inside Wonka chocolate bars, earning him a chance to explore the incredible factory alongside Grandpa Joe (David Kelly). What begins as a dreamlike adventure quickly becomes a series of strange and sometimes hilarious lessons as the spoiled children around Charlie reveal their true personalities. While Burton’s darker visual style may give the movie a slightly unusual edge, its imaginative world, playful humor, and heartfelt message about family make it an easy movie to enjoy together.
‘Clueless’ (1995)
Leaving October 1
We’re going all the way back to the ’90s for those looking for a timeless gem. Directed by Amy Heckerling, Clueless stars Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz, a wealthy and socially confident Beverly Hills teenager who is convinced she has life completely figured out.
Loosely inspired by Jane Austen‘s Emma, the movie follows Cher as she takes on the role of matchmaker, attempts to give Tai (Brittany Murphy), a new student at her high school, a complete makeover, and navigates the complicated social world of Beverly Hills High. But as Tai becomes increasingly popular and Cher’s carefully constructed worldview starts to crack, she begins realizing that she may not be quite as perceptive as she thinks. While Clueless was already a hit when it premiered, its reputation has only grown over the years, with critics praising its clever humor and playful take on the teen movie genre, becoming a blueprint for coming-of-age comedies.
‘The Fifth Element’ (1997)
Leaving October 1
Another timeless classic, The Fifth Element is a sometimes-bonkers blend of sci-fi adventure, romance, and comedy. Starring Bruce Willis as Korben Dallas, a former military operative who now works as a cab driver, the movie follows him as an unexpected encounter pulls him into a mission to save Earth from an ancient evil. The cast also includes Milla Jovovich as Leeloo, the mysterious woman who may hold the key to humanity’s survival, Gary Oldman as the flamboyant villain Zorg, and Ian Holm as Father Vito Cornelius.
Set in the 23rd century, the story kicks into gear when Leeloo unexpectedly crashes into Korben’s life, literally. With an ancient force known as the Great Evil threatening to destroy Earth, the unlikely pair must track down four elemental stones and unlock the power of the titular Fifth Element before it’s too late. It might not be groundbreaking, but it’s certainly a fun watch for those looking to kill some time before October rolls around.
‘Gone Girl’ (2014)
Leaving October 1
It would be a sin to fail to mention that Gone Girl is leaving the streaming giant this month. The film stars Ben Affleck as a man whose wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), mysteriously disappears on the morning of their fifth wedding anniversary.
As the investigation into Amy’s disappearance intensifies, Nick finds himself at the center of suspicion. His behavior and the increasingly unsettling revelations about the couple’s troubled marriage, along with the media frenzy surrounding the case, make it difficult to determine whether he is a grieving husband or hiding something darker. But as more pieces of Amy and Nick’s relationship come to light, the story takes shocking turn after turn, forcing viewers to reconsider who they can actually trust.
‘Ghostbusters’ (1984)
Leaving October 1
We bring this guide to a close with a true giant of cinema: Ghostbusters. A perfect blend of supernatural comedy and just the right amount of spooky fun to make it family friendly, the 1984 classic remains one of those movies that feels just as entertaining today as it did when it first hit theaters. Starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson, the film follows a group of eccentric scientists who decide to put their knowledge of the paranormal to work after being fired from their university jobs. When ghosts begin appearing across New York City, the newly formed Ghostbusters quickly find themselves overwhelmed with business. With the fate of New York hanging in the balance, the team must put their scientific expertise and their unconventional methods to the test.
A massive critical and commercial success, Ghostbusters earned more than $295 million worldwide and became one of the defining blockbusters of the 1980s. The film also received two Academy Award nominations, for Best Visual Effects and Best Original Song for “Ghostbusters,” further cementing its place in pop-culture history. Whether you’re revisiting it for nostalgia or experiencing it for the first time, there’s no better way to wrap up this list than with a classic that proves great movies never really go away.
