Skip to content
Movies

10 Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Movies to Watch Before They Leave Netflix

The streamer’s ever-changing library is about to bid farewell to these favorites.
By

Reading time 3 minutes

Comments (2)

There are some titles that will be on Netflix no matter what. If you suddenly feel like rewatching your favorite musical number from KPop Demon Hunters, you’re covered. But any movie that doesn’t have its origins as a Netflix project could depart at any moment, and the streamer’s library has a bit of a revolving door policy to keep its selections fresh.

With that in mind, here are 10 genre movies leaving in the next few weeks. Bump them up in your queue if you’ve been meaning to watch or rewatch!

Departing September 30

The Witch (2015)

With Robert Eggers’ next film, Werwulf, snarling its way to theaters this Christmas, now is the perfect time to revisit his 2015 feature debut, which established his fondness for horror stories set within painstakingly detailed period settings. It also launched the career of star Anya Taylor-Joy and reminded everyone that sometimes, taking Satan’s hand is actually the best option you can choose.

Krampus (2015)

Yes, fine, it’s a Christmas horror movie, and October is still weeks away. But Krampus—directed and co-written by Michael Dougherty, whose filmography also includes the Halloween classic Trick ’r Treat and the Monsterverse sequel Godzilla: King of the Monsters—is fun and scary enough to earn year-round viewing status. It also stars the impeccable duo of Adam Scott and Toni Collette and, in the spirit of the season, foregrounds a stern warning about not letting your holiday cheer slip away.

Chris Tucker Fifth Element 2
© Sony Pictures

The Fifth Element (1997)

Like many cult classics, Luc Besson’s sci-fi tale has some aspects that are a bit problematic when viewed years later. But its eye-popping visuals and agreeably campy vibes have helped keep it in the “sci-fi movies you need to watch at least once” realm, if only to understand enduring references to “multipass” and anything Chris Tucker does as the flamboyant Ruby Rhod. Milla Jovovich’s distinctive Leeloo costume is also a perennial favorite for cosplayers.

47 Ronin (2013)

Behold the sight of Keanu Reeves slashing it up with a fantastic cast of mostly Japanese actors, including Hiroyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asano, Rinko Kikuchi, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. This samurai fantasy film was a box-office bomb, but that level of talent is worth checking out to make your own mind up about it.

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Peter Parker is currently sprinting up the all-time box office champion list with Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Here’s your chance to remember Tom Holland’s first standalone Spider-Man flick following his debut as the character in Captain America: Civil War. As a teen genius and nascent Avenger, he teams up with Tony Stark and crushes on Liz (MJ’s still just his nerdy pal in this one) before realizing her dad is the villainous Vulture. Typical high school stuff, you know.

Departing October 7

Scream (2022)

Scream getting a reboot wasn’t welcome news at first. Then we actually saw the movie and realized what a great job it did of continuing the slasher series’ clever and gory legacy. Everything that’s happened to Scream since then isn’t quite as rosy, but at least this film—featuring future Oscar winner Mikey Madison—exists as a reminder of what the franchise’s future could have been.

Departing October 8

Deadstream 2
© Shudder

Deadstream (2022)

A content creator who’s been rightfully cancelled decides to spend the night livestreaming from a supposedly haunted house as a way to claw back his viral fame. If you suspect he will encounter actual ghosts, you’re correct, but this found-footage entry from married filmmakers Vanessa and Joseph Winter (Joseph also stars) still manages to unleash some creative surprises.

Prevenge (2016)

After losing her husband in a suspicious accident, a woman starts to believe her unborn child is manipulating her to murder everyone who might have contributed to his death. Or is she herself a budding serial killer? It’s a clever spin on the well-worn pregnancy horror genre, and since Prevenge was written and directed by British comedian Alice Lowe (Sightseers, Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace), who also stars, you know this is coming from a place of pitch-black humor, too.

Departing October 10

A Quiet Place: Part II (2020)

Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy star in the sequel to John Krasinski’s 2018 post-apocalyptic tale set after an invasion of ferocious aliens with supersonic hearing. The first film was about one family’s survival; the sequel expands the story to include other people trying to keep going despite living every day in extreme peril—and also finds a way for humanity to start fighting back.

Departing October 13

Katniss Hunger Games
© Lionsgate

The Hunger Games series

All the existing Hunger Games entries (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay – Part 1 and Part 2, and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) are departing en masse, so if you’ve been meaning to binge them ahead of the next prequel—November’s Sunrise on the Reaping—the odds are ever in your favor (as long as you start watching, like, right now).

Want more io9 news? Check out the best movies and TV shows to stream this month and all the upcoming sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books that should be on your radar.

Share this story

Sign up for our newsletters

Subscribe and interact with our community, get up to date with our customised Newsletters and much more.