Netflix is constantly changing its library, which means some of your favorite movies don’t stick around forever. This month, a handful of excellent titles are leaving the platform, so now’s your chance to stream them before they vanish.
Leaving September 1st
This is easily one of the Coen brothers’ best dark comedies and is one of my favorite films. Burn After Reading is a hilarious spiral of miscommunication and incompetence with an absolutely stellar cast playing out the mishaps.
It features Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, and John Malkovich all playing eccentric characters caught up in a CIA mess that becomes increasingly absurd as the film progresses. And the more you watch, the funnier and more bonkers it becomes.
The beauty of Burn After Reading is how it balances absurd comedy with razor-sharp satire. Every character thinks they’re the smartest person in the room, and every one of them is wrong. If you’ve never seen it, now’s the perfect time—and if you have, it’s even funnier on a rewatch.
Leaving September 1st
Few modern thrillers are as tense and haunting as Sicario. Directed by Denis Villeneuve (Dune, Arrival), the film follows FBI agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) as she joins a government task force targeting Mexican drug cartels. But the deeper she goes, the more she realizes that the rules of law and justice don’t apply in this shadowy world.
Benicio del Toro is mesmerizing as Alejandro, a mysterious operative with his own motives, while Josh Brolin brings a chilling casualness to his role as a government agent running the operation. Roger Deakins’ cinematography is stunning, with shots that make the desert feel like an alien landscape, and Jóhann Jóhannsson’s pulsing score keeps you on edge throughout.
Leaving September 1st
Directed by Ridley Scott, American Gangster tells the true story of Harlem drug kingpin Frank Lucas, played with icy precision by Denzel Washington. At the height of the Vietnam War, Lucas builds an empire smuggling heroin into the United States, drawing the attention of Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), a straight-laced detective determined to bring him down.
This isn’t just a typical cops-and-criminals drama. It’s a richly layered story about corruption, morality, and power, with two powerhouse performances at its center. The film captures the grit of 1970s New York, balancing stylish direction with hard-hitting realism. If you’re a fan of films like The Departed or Goodfellas, this is essential viewing.
I remember watching American Gangster when it first hit cinemas back in 2007, and went with zero knowledge of the film, and was absolutely enthralled. The powerful storytelling means this one you should absolutely watch before it leaves Netflix.
Leaving September 1st
Barbarian is one of those horror films best experienced with as little information as possible. On the surface, it begins simply: a woman (Georgina Campbell) arrives at a Detroit Airbnb only to discover it’s been double-booked with another guest (Bill Skarsgård). From there, things take a terrifying and completely unpredictable turn.
What makes Barbarian special is how it constantly subverts expectations. Every time you think you know where the story is heading, it veers in another shocking direction. It’s scary, yes, but it’s also darkly funny and surprisingly smart in how it explores trust, fear, and human behavior.
Director Zach Cregger crafts a horror experience that’s both nerve-wracking and wildly entertaining, with moments that had audiences gasping in theaters. If you love horror that surprises rather than relying on clichés, this is a must-watch before it disappears.
Leaving September 13th
Sometimes, you just want over-the-top action, and London Has Fallen delivers exactly that. A sequel to Olympus Has Fallen, the film follows Secret Service agent Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) as he travels to London for the British Prime Minister’s funeral. When terrorists launch a devastating attack, Banning must protect the U.S. President (Aaron Eckhart) at all costs.
This isn’t subtle cinema, but that’s not the point. It’s a bombastic action thriller filled with shootouts, explosions, and daring escapes through iconic London landmarks. Butler leans into his action-hero persona with one-liners and brutal fight scenes, while the film maintains a relentless pace from start to finish.
Leaving September 26th
If you only binge one show before it leaves Netflix, make it The Good Place. What starts as a quirky sitcom about a woman (Kristen Bell) who dies and mistakenly ends up in the afterlife’s “Good Place” quickly transforms into one of the most inventive and heartfelt TV comedies in years.
Created by Michael Schur (Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine), the series blends sharp humor with big philosophical questions about ethics, morality, and what it means to be a good person. The ensemble cast is flawless: Ted Danson is pitch-perfect as the eccentric architect Michael, Jameela Jamil shines as the delightfully pretentious Tahani, and William Jackson Harper and Manny Jacinto deliver breakout performances as Chidi and Jason.
Across four tightly written seasons, the show constantly reinvents itself, keeping viewers guessing while still delivering laugh-out-loud moments. By the time it reaches its emotional finale, The Good Place proves it’s more than just a comedy—it’s a show with heart, intelligence, and a message that stays with you.
