As the calendar pages turn, Netflix inevitably refreshes its expansive library, ushering in new titles while bidding farewell to others. For subscribers, the close of the month often brings a last-minute scramble to catch beloved films and critically acclaimed features before they vanish into the streaming ether. Consider this your final call to action: Provided by What’s on Netflix, here is a list of the must-watch films that are about to complete their run and are entering their last few days of availability on the service.
This massive list of films leaving Netflix on December 1st covers nearly every genre, from sci-fi classics and action blockbusters to hilarious comedies and family favorites. Here are two sentences for each title, presented in a completely new, unclassified order:
Back to the Future Part II (1989)
Marty McFly and Doc Brown jump to the future year 2015 to save Marty’s children, but their plan is quickly complicated when old Biff Tannen steals the time machine. They must return to 1955 to prevent Biff from altering the past and creating a dark alternate timeline.
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Detroit cop Axel Foley travels to Beverly Hills to investigate the murder of his friend, immediately clashing with the local police. He uses his street smarts and charisma to expose a sophisticated international smuggling operation.
The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000)
Professor Sherman Klump’s wedding plans are jeopardized when his obnoxious alter-ego, Buddy Love, is accidentally resurrected as a separate entity. Sherman must find a way to contain Buddy and prevent him from wreaking havoc on his life and his family.
Apollo 13 (1995)
This is the inspiring, true story of NASA’s ill-fated 1970 mission to the Moon, which suffered a catastrophic in-flight explosion. Astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise fight for survival while Mission Control races against time to bring them home.
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
The “International Man of Mystery,” a groovy 1960s secret agent, is thawed out in the 1990s to face his time-displaced arch-nemesis, Dr. Evil. Austin must stop his villainous rival’s scheme to destroy the world for a measly ransom of $1 million.
After the Sunset (2004)
A retired master jewel thief and his partner settle into island life after their final score, but their relaxation is interrupted by the arrival of their nemesis, an FBI agent. The agent suspects the couple is plotting one last spectacular heist involving a nearby diamond exhibition.
Billy Madison (1995)
To inherit his father’s massive hotel empire, a perpetually immature 27-year-old man must go back to school and complete all 12 grades. Adam Sandler’s breakthrough comedy follows the adult student’s outrageous journey from first grade to high school graduation.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
A lonely boy named Elliott discovers an abandoned, friendly alien botanist who is stranded millions of light-years from home. Elliott and his siblings must keep their new friend a secret from scientists and government agents while helping him “phone home.”
Clueless (1995)
Cher Horowitz is a wealthy, popular, and charmingly superficial Beverly Hills high school student who dedicates herself to doing good deeds, starting with giving a “clueless” new girl a makeover. This clever modernization of Jane Austen’s Emma captures the fashion and wit of 1990s teen culture.
Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
The British superspy must travel back to 1975 to rescue his kidnapped father from the clutches of Dr. Evil and his Dutch co-conspirator, Goldmember. The trilogy climaxes as Austin faces his greatest foe and learns a surprising truth about his family.
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (2012)
In a walled city entirely devoid of natural trees, a young boy seeks out the Once-ler, who tells the tragic tale of how the world lost its beautiful Truffula Trees. The story reveals the importance of the Lorax, a grumpy creature who “speaks for the trees.”
The Goonies (1985)
A group of neighborhood kids facing foreclosure on their homes discovers an old Spanish treasure map in an attic. They embark on a thrilling adventure to find the long-lost fortune of the legendary pirate One-Eyed Willy.
Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
A suburban couple decides to skip Christmas entirely and go on a tropical cruise to avoid the holiday fuss, much to the horror of their neighborhood. When their daughter unexpectedly calls to say she is coming home, they must frantically scramble to stage a full Christmas celebration in less than 12 hours.
Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
Detective Axel Foley returns to Beverly Hills when his friend, Captain Bogomil, is shot while investigating a series of high-profile robberies dubbed the “Alphabet Crimes.” Axel reunites with Detective Rosewood and Sergeant Taggart to expose the dangerous international arms dealer behind the crimes.
Coming to America (1988)
A pampered African crown prince tires of his arranged life and travels to Queens, New York, to find a woman who will love him for his personality, not his royal status. He goes undercover as a poor foreign student and takes a job at a local fast-food restaurant.
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
A public relations officer with no combat experience is thrown into a brutal war against alien invaders and finds himself trapped in a time loop every time he dies. He must team up with a decorated war hero to master his combat skills and find a way to break the cycle and defeat the Omega.
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
Dr. Evil time-travels to 1969 to steal Austin Powers’ “mojo,” leaving the spy impotent and ineffective in the present day. Austin must pursue his nemesis into the swinging sixties to recover his vital sexual essence and stop a giant moon-based laser.
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
In Nazi-occupied France, a young Jewish cinema owner plots revenge against the German high command. Her plan intersects violently with that of a team of Jewish American soldiers, led by a ruthless lieutenant, who are dedicated to taking Nazi scalps.
The Nutty Professor (1996)
An obese but kind-hearted science professor develops a revolutionary serum that allows him to instantly shed his weight and transform into the slim, charming, but extremely arrogant alter-ego “Buddy Love.” His romantic pursuits are complicated as he struggles to control the monster he has created.
Cold Pursuit (2019)
A quiet snowplow driver in a resort town seeks vengeance after his son is murdered by a powerful drug cartel. His systematic hunt for the killers unintentionally ignites a brutal turf war between rival gangs.
The Legend of Zorro (2005)
Ten years after the first film, the legendary masked hero is called back into action to defend the people of California from a secret society plotting to prevent the state from joining the Union. Zorro must also contend with the demands of his wife, who wants him to give up his masked life.
Escape Room (2019)
Six strangers receive a mysterious invitation to participate in a high-stakes escape room challenge with a grand prize of one million dollars. They quickly realize the game is a terrifying trap where failure means death.
The Rookie (1990)
An aging, world-weary police detective is forced to partner with a young, inexperienced rookie to investigate a massive European luxury car theft ring. The film chronicles their testy relationship as they pursue a vicious master criminal.
Beverly Hills Cop III (1994)
Axel Foley returns to Beverly Hills when his boss, Inspector Todd, is murdered while trying to stop a car-theft ring, with the clues leading to a major amusement park. Axel must once again team up with Billy Rosewood to expose a high-level counterfeiting ring operating beneath the theme park’s facade.
The Devil’s Own (1997)
A veteran Irish-American police sergeant unknowingly shelters a young IRA terrorist who has come to New York to buy illegal anti-aircraft missiles. The sergeant must balance his duty as an officer with his personal connection to the man.
Game Night (2018)
A group of friends whose regular game night typically involves charades and trivia gets pulled into a complex, chaotic mystery when a kidnapping suddenly becomes part of the evening’s activities. They must race against the clock, blurring the line between the fake game and the real-life crisis.
The Happytime Murders (2018)
In a world where puppets and humans coexist, a disgraced puppet private investigator partners with his former human detective partner to solve the murders of the former cast members of a beloved 1980s puppet TV show. This raunchy, hard-boiled comedy is a dark twist on the puppet genre.
Midway (2019)
This is a sweeping historical drama depicting the crucial Battle of Midway, a turning point in the Pacific Theater of World War II. The film focuses on the pilots and intelligence officers who fought against the powerful Imperial Japanese Navy.
Long Shot (2019)
A political speechwriter reconnects with his childhood crush, who is now one of the most powerful women in the world and a presidential candidate. Despite their vast differences, they start a relationship, forcing him to adapt to her high-stakes, political world.
Midnight Run (1988)
An experienced bounty hunter is hired to retrieve a mob accountant who embezzled $15 million and skipped bail. The simple assignment turns into a perilous, cross-country chase as the duo is pursued by the Mafia, the FBI, and a rival bounty hunter.
Hot Shots! (1991)
This chaotic spoof of military dramas, primarily Top Gun, follows a former Navy pilot with severe mental issues who is recruited for a secret special mission. The film bombards the audience with absurd sight gags and non-stop visual humor.
Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993)
An expert pilot is brought out of retirement in a remote Buddhist monastery to lead a rescue mission in the Middle East to save a group of American hostages. This sequel piles on the sight gags, primarily parodying films like Rambo and Apocalypse Now.
The Dark Tower (2017)
A young boy is plagued by visions of a mystical tower and a fierce battle between the last Gunslinger and a sinister sorcerer known as the Man in Black. He travels to a parallel dimension to join the Gunslinger in a desperate fight to protect the universe’s nexus.
Hudson Hawk (1991)
Bruce Willis plays a master cat burglar, fresh out of prison, who is immediately blackmailed into stealing three priceless Da Vinci masterpieces for a pair of eccentric, megalomaniacal villains. The quirky action-comedy caper includes musical sequences and outrageous heists.
Kicking and Screaming (2005)
A man becomes fiercely competitive when he volunteers to coach his son’s failing youth soccer team, immediately clashing with the successful rival coach. Will Ferrell stars in this family comedy about the absurdities of overly competitive parenting.
Good Advice (2001)
After a shady stockbroker loses his job, his money, and his girlfriend, he takes over the anonymous advice column she wrote. He finds unexpected success but must desperately maintain the charade of being a sophisticated female columnist.
Radical Wolfe (2023)
This documentary provides an intimate look into the life and career of the brilliant American author and journalist Tom Wolfe. The film explores his legacy as a pioneer of the “New Journalism” movement and his enduring impact on cultural criticism.
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (1979)
Widely regarded as one of the greatest stand-up comedy films of all time, this movie captures the legendary comedian Richard Pryor’s electric, raw, and influential performance. The set is a masterclass in honest and insightful social and personal commentary.
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012)
Teenager Sean Anderson intercepts a coded distress signal he believes is from his long-lost grandfather, spurring him and his stepfather on a rescue mission to a legendary, uncharted island. They discover a strange world of giant creatures and hidden dangers that is rapidly sinking into the sea.
Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008)
A scientist, his nephew, and their mountain guide follow clues left by a long-lost researcher, leading them to a volcanic tube in Iceland. They fall into a deep hole that takes them on a spectacular adventure to a lush, prehistoric lost world at the center of the Earth.
Paddington (2014)
A young, accident-prone bear from darkest Peru travels all the way to London in search of a new home and is taken in by the kind Brown family. While adjusting to city life and discovering marmalade sandwiches, he must evade a sinister museum taxidermist who wants to capture and stuff him.
Renegades (2017)
A team of Navy SEALs on assignment in war-torn Europe discovers a massive treasure of Nazi gold stored in a submerged bank vault at the bottom of a Bosnian lake. Going rogue, they decide to engineer a complex heist to recover the gold and return it to the local Bosnian people.
The Equalizer (2014)
Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall, a former black ops commando who faked his death to live a quiet life in Boston. He comes out of his self-imposed retirement to deliver brutal justice when he witnesses the mistreatment of a teenage prostitute by ultra-violent Russian gangsters.
The Night Before (2015)
Three lifelong best friends reunite for one last, epic annual Christmas Eve bash in New York City, determined to find the legendary “Nutcracka Ball” party. The night turns into a wild, drug-fueled quest that forces the men to finally confront their looming adulthood and true feelings.
Wonka (2023)
This musical fantasy explores the origins of a young, optimistic Willy Wonka as he arrives in a grand European city determined to open a magical chocolate shop. He must battle a nefarious “Chocolate Cartel” and their corrupt allies who try to destroy his innovative and delicious creations.