December 1 is around the corner, and that means it's the season of giving. But tragically, it's not all warm and fuzzy generosity. It's also a season of taking — the taking away of a whole lotta Netflix. It's a sad day, we know. But look on the bright side: The Netflix keepers are just clearing space for the holiday gifts — a.k.a. new streaming movies and series — coming your way. If that doesn't quite lift your spirits, consider the fact that the long Thanksgiving weekend lies ahead, a veritable cornucopia of not just stuffing and potatoes, but binge-able hours, too.
So, what should you watch before it's gone? Old gems like All About Eve (1950), The Hustler (1961), and The Great Escape (1963) are perfect family-friendly fare for your clan's collective post-feast coma. (And let's be real, what are the odds you're going to seek those out on your own after they disappear from your instant queue?) Or, there are some more modern-day classics worth watching again, too, like Batman Begins (2005) and My Best Freind's Wedding (1997). One pick we suggest you skip? Silence of the Lambs (1991). Now's not the time to go wrecking people's appetites.
All About Eve(1950)
This Best Picture Oscar-winner stars Bette Davis as an aging stage actress threatened by a young up-and-comer (Anne Baxter) disguised as a doting admirer. It’s been rumored that Davis, a veritable diva, based her performance on real-life actress Tallulah Bankhead.
Leaving December 1
The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes: Season 1(2012)
This animated Avengers series, a variation of the Marvel universe occupied by the silver-screen hunks we all know and love, is a junior take on the superhero saga.
Leaving December 1
Batman Begins (2005)
The first film in Christopher Nolan’s hugely successful reboot starring Christian Bale is just as excellent as you remembered. The supporting cast boasts Cillian Murphy as the terrifying Scarecrow, Liam Neeson as a League of Shadows member, and Katie Holmes as a D.A.
Leaving December 1
Beverly Hills Cop III(1994)
The third (though maybe not the last) movie in the Beverly Hills Cop trilogy sees Eddie Murphy’s cop returning to his stomping grounds in order to fight a gang of nasty criminals.
Leaving December 1
Brian's Song(1971)
This family-friendly, tearjerking drama is an early depiction of interracial friendship between two football players (James Caan and Billy Dee Williams) competing to be on the same pro team. Based on a real-life sob story.
Leaving December 1
Brian's Song (2001)
Nope, you’re not seeing double. Netflix is also doing away with the 2001 remake. No big loss, though: Definitely stick with the original on this one.
Leaving December 1
The Brothers Grimm(2005)
Remember when Matt Damon and Heath Ledger played brothers 10 years ago? The two travel from town to town, swindling folk into believing they need protection (and exorcisms!) from forces of dark magic. The trick bites them in the ass, though, when things get haunted for real.
Leaving December 1
The ‘Burbs (1989)
This black comedy, which turns the American suburbs into a total nightmare, stars heavyweights like Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, and Carrie Fisher.
Leaving December 1
Cop Land(1997)
Sylvester Stallone, Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, New Jersey accents, and a corrupt NYPD. What more could you ask for from a gangster crime drama?
Leaving December 1
The Dark Crystal(1982)
Jim Henson and Frank Oz, who also collaborated on Labyrinth (1986), joint-directed this dark fantasy-adventure involving aliens and spooky crystals.
Leaving December 1
Employee of the Month(2006)
Dane Cook, Jessica Simpson, and Dax Shepard star in this god-awful comedy about a slacker big-box store employee (Cook) who tries to woo his sexy coworker (Simpson) by scoring the coveted title. Yes, that’s the plot in its entirety.
Leaving December 1
Forces of Nature (1999)
Bad weather causes Ben (Ben Affleck) to miss the flight to his own wedding, but he manages to hitch a ride with a variation on the manic pixie dream girl, played by Sandra Bullock. She forces Ben to ask himself tough questions like, “Am I making a huge mistake? Is this really pretty stranger actually my soul mate?”
Leaving December 1
Get Low(2009)
Before it was a generic dancefloor hit, “Get Low” was a weird, morbid movie about a backwoods hermit (Robert Duvall) who starts planning his own funeral while he’s still alive with the help of a local funeral home director (Bill Murray).
Leaving December 1
The Great Escape (1963)
If you haven’t seen this excellent World War II action drama, based on a real story of three allied prisoners of war escaping from a Nazi camp, then you’ve missed stellar performances by three of Hollywood’s all-time greats: Steve McQueen, James Garner, and Richard Attenborough.
Leaving December 1
The Guardian: Seasons 1-3 (2001-2003)
Can’t get enough Simon Baker now that you’ve binged the entirety of The Mentalist? He leads this drama about a high-rolling lawyer who, after getting caught doing drugs and being sentenced to community service, and ends up becoming a legal advocate for underprivileged children.
Leaving December 1
The High and the Mighty (1954)
John Wayne stars as a pilot, shaken by a tragic family accident, who must step up when a trans-pacific flight goes wrong. Maybe steer clear of you’re traveling by air for the holidays.
Leaving December 1
The Hustler (1961)
In this redemption story, Paul Newman is the Hustler, a.k.a. Fast Eddie, an ambitious pool shark whose hubris could cause him to lose it all.
Leaving December 1
Insomnia (2002)
Christopher Nolan’s excellent psychological thriller stars Al Pacino as a veteran Los Angeles detective sent to a small town in Alaska that’s reeling from the gruesome murder of a teen — where the investigation gets messy. Hilary Swank and Robin Williams costar.
Leaving December 1
Juice(1992)
Tupac Shakur and Omar Epps anchor this urban drama, a gritty, grim look at city life for four Harlem teens who get caught up in crime in their gang-dominated neighborhood. The theme of prejudiced police harassment of young Black men is more relevant than ever.
Leaving December 1
K-19: The Widowmaker (2002)
This submarine action-thriller is based on the trials surrounding an actual sub from the Cold War, the Soviet Union’s first ballistic missile nuclear submarine known as K-19. If that doesn’t float your boat, it’s directed by Kathryn Bigelow and stars Liam Neeson and Harrison Ford.
Leaving December 1
Labyrinth(1986)
The outlandish musical adventure fantasy film, directed by Jim Henson and executive produced by George Lucas, initially flopped at the box office. But its bizarre universe and star performance from David Bowie helped it gain cult status over the years.
Leaving December 1
Last Night(2010)
Beautiful people cheat on each other. Said attractive adulterers include Keira Knightley, Sam Worthington, and Eva Mendes.
Leaving December 1
Left Behind: The Movie(2000)
This apocalyptic drama is based on the bestselling book series about Christianity’s version of Armageddon, lighthearted and full of laughter.
Leaving December 1
Left Behind II: Tribulation Force (2002)
And the fun continues, picking up just a week after said rapture when the Earth is 100 million humans lighter.
Leaving December 1
Left Behind: World at War (2005)
Yes, you can binge-watch the entire trilogy in one sitting.
Leaving December 1
Modern Problems (1981)
No, these aren’t like #firstworldproblems. This screwy sci-fi comedy is about a regular Joe air traffic controller (Chevy Chase) who tries to win his girlfriend back with telekinetic powers he gained after coming in contact with nuclear waste.
Leaving December 1
My Best Friend's Wedding(1997)
Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz shine in this romantic-comedy classic about falling for your best friend, a little too late.
Leaving December 1
Necessary Roughness (1991)
This is a really bad sports comedy, and you won’t miss it. That is all.
Leaving December 1
The Omen (1976)
Halloween might be over, but Richard Donner’s classic psychological horror movie starring Gregory Peck bests the 2006 remake by a long shot.
Leaving December 1
Damien: Omen II (1978)
Not all 13-year-old boys are the Antichrist, but this one is — and the only adult he’s listening to is Satan.
Leaving December 1
Omen III: The Final Conflict(1981)
The lackluster third film’s only redeeming quality is seeing a young Sam Neill as Damien Thorn.
Leaving December 1
The Paw Project(2013)
This documentary tells the story of how one veterinarian to Hollywood animals made it her mission to stop the practice of declawing cats, domestic and exotic. Now that people are understanding just how cruel the practice really is, it is increasingly frowned upon.
Leaving December 1
The Pink Panther 2(2009)
Steve Martin plays bumbling French detective Inspector Jacques Clouseau in this pitiful sequel to an already awful remake of the Peter Sellers classic.
Leaving December 1
R.L. Stine's Mostly Ghostly (2008)
Bella Thorne plays the love interest to aspiring magician Max (Ryan Ochoa) in this adaptation of the YA sci-fi/horror series.
Leaving December 1
R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour: Don't Think About It(2007)
Emily Osment stars in the first adaptation from the book series by the Goosebumps author himself.
Leaving December 1
Shrink (2009)
A Hollywood therapist, played by Kevin Spacey, goes into a downward spiral of pot and self-loathing after experiencing a jarring loss of his own.
Leaving December 1
Silence of the Lambs(1991)
Jodie Foster kicks cannibal ass in this seminal thriller about the serial killer with a hankering for human flesh, played to perfection by an eerily creepy Anthony Hopkins. This swept the Oscars with five awards, including Best Picture.
Leaving December 1
Soapdish (1991)
This ‘90s comedy takes a peek behind the scenes of a popular soap opera. The lively cast includes Sally Field, Kevin Kline, and Robert Downey, Jr.
Leaving December 1
Trek Nation (2010)
Trekkies from J.J. Abrams and George Lucas to the filmmaker’s young son divulge their love for the iconic sci-fi series in this surprisingly charming documentary.
Leaving December 1
Two Can Play That Game (2001)
Vivica A. Fox and Morris Chestnut star as the aforementioned “two” in this icky rom-com about catching your man cheating, whipping him into monogamous-boyfriend shape, and getting back together with him.
Leaving December 1
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Road Rally (2010)
Everybody wins in this road race movie for kids.
Leaving December 4
360 (2011)
This ensemble drama-thriller from the director of City of God held so much promise. But like so many over-ambitious films that interweave people’s stories across social strata, this mess of a film couldnt be saved by a cast including Anthony Hopkins, Rachel Weisz, and Jude Law.
Leaving December 6
The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure (2012)
Get your fill of Goobie, Zoozie, and Toofie’s shenanigans before they disappear.
Leaving December 6
C.O.G.(2013)
This drama, based on a darkly humorous autobiographical short story from David Sedaris, follows a young Yale grad who decides to pursue a lucrative career of apple-picking.
Leaving December 9
Ultimate Spider-Man: Season 2 (2013)
Don’t worry, there are still about a dozen other Spidey iterations still available on Netflix.
Leaving December 10
The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes: Season 2 (2012)
The cartoon superheroes save the world all over again in the second season of the Marvel’s children’s television venture.
Leaving December 11
Rescue Me: Season 1-7 (2004-2011)
This FX dramedy follows a squad of New York City firefighters navigating their messy personal lives and challenging careers in a post-9/11 world.
Leaving December 11
Why Did I Get Married? (2007)
This Tyler Perry vehicle will leave you wondering, Why did I watch this?
Leaving December 12
How to Build a Better Boy(2014)
This Disney Channel movie is about two teenaged-girl STEM wizzes (yas!) who accidentally create a cyborg boyfriend (ugh).
Leaving December 13
Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers (2011)
No Chris Hemsworth and no Tom Hiddleston? No thanks.
Leaving December 13
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004)
You best catch up with our favorite bumbling British hot mess before the next film comes out next year.
Leaving December 15
Underclassman(2005)
Before he became the charismatic TV personality he is today, Nick Cannon starred as a cop who goes undercover at a private high school. Like 21 Jump Street, but only one guy. Also, not good.
Leaving December 17
Red Hook Summer(2012)
This largely overlooked Spike Lee drama is flawed but thought-provoking. A teen from Atlanta is deeply affected when he spends the summer with his religious grandpa in the projects in Brooklyn.
Leaving December 21
Una Noche(2012)
This fresh, touching drama about three young Cubans who flee Havana for Miami is an intimate closeup of the harrowing geographic and emotional journey of a refugee.
Leaving December 24
Bronies: The Extremely Unexpected Adult Fans of My Little Pony (2013)
This oft-marginalized community gets the dignified treatment it deserves in this gritty, heart-wrenching documentary. Because bros are people, too.
Leaving December 30
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