As people everywhere celebrate the holidays and prepare for the new year, it’s time to embrace all the new releases coming to Netflix. Unfortunately with the new releases, viewers are forced to say goodbye to many fan favorites.
Netflix has recently announced that many popular shows and films will be gone from the platform this December, leaving many viewers scrambling to binge watch before the dreaded exit. Here is every Netflix fan’s guide to what to watch in the coming weeks. Prepare your favorite snacks and gather your friends because the clock is ticking!
1.“Before I Fall”
The 2017 film starring Zoey Deutch, Halston Sage and Logan Miller will be leaving on Dec. 7. The film, directed by Ry Russo-Young, is based on the 2010 novel by Lauren Oliver. The film follows the story of 17-year-old Samantha Kingston (Zoey Deutch) who wakes up on Feb. 12, which is known as “Cupid’s Day.” Later that night, Samantha and her friends attend a party where they face-off with a girl, Juliet Sykes (Elena Kampouris) whom they had previously bullied in school. The argument results in Samantha and her friends leaving the party and getting in a car accident. Samantha then wakes up, once again on Cupid’s Day, where she is forced to repeat the same day. The film continues with Samantha’s journey of having to repeat the day until she finds a way out of the time loop. Both the novel and the film have become a favorite for young adult readers and viewers everywhere. It has every aspect of teen drama that has become popular over the years. Drama, high school and romance with a flare of a supernatural element making it fit for viewers spanning multiple genres.
2. “A Cinderella Story”
The 2004 teen romantic comedy that has basically defined a generation will be leaving Netflix on Dec. 31, leaving early 2000’s kids heartbroken. The film stars Hilary Duff, Chad Michael Murray and Jennifer Coolidge. Many kids who grew up admiring this film would define it as a masterpiece, and the multiple spin-offs that have since been released solidify this statement. The film, directed by Mark Rosman, tells the story of Sam Montgomery (Hilary Duff), a waitress in a diner owned by her greedy step-mother, Fiona (Jennifer Coolidge). Sam is often bullied by the popular girls in school but finds solace in her communication with her anonymous pen-pal “Nomad,” later revealed to be popular football player Austin Ames (Chad Michael Murray). The story is a classic tale of a popular boy falling for the quiet girl in the shadows, a trope that has transcended time and captured the hearts of girls everywhere.
3. “Charlie’s Angels”
The 2000 film based on the hit series of the same name will also be leaving Netflix on Dec. 31. The action comedy film directed by McG stars Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu as trained private investigators. The three women use their charm and looks to complete missions given to them by Charlie Townsend (voiced by John Forsythe). The mission the film surrounds sends Charlie’s Angels to find the software genius who owns the company, Knox Enterprises. Since its release, the film has inspired multiple Halloween costumes, spin-offs and has become a staple of American action films. Watching this film before it leaves Netflix is an absolute must.“
4. “The Lovely Bones”
Joining the list of films leaving Netflix on Dec. 31 is “The Lovely Bones.” The 2009 thriller is based on the novel of the same name by Alice Sebold. The film, set in 1973, tells the heartbreaking story of a young girl Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan) who is kidnapped by her neighbor, George Harvey (Stanley Tucci). Harvey murders Susie, and her spirit is left in the “in-between” watching as her family struggles to find who is responsible for her disappearance, even though the killer is right under their noses all along. The film has long left viewers disturbed and teary-eyed, as both the novel and film are not for the faint of heart. Despite its horrifying aspects, director Peter Jackson and the cast did a fantastic job at bringing the novel to life.
5. “Titanic”
“Titanic” is leaving Netflix on Dec. 31 despite it only arriving on the platform in September. The classic 1997 film directed by James Cameron tells the story of the 1912 tragedy, the sinking of the RMS Titanic on its maiden voyage. The film has become iconic due to the powerful performances of Kate Winslet as Rose DeWitt Bukater and Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack Dawson. Cameron used the tragedy as a backdrop for a romance story that has long lived in the hearts of movie watchers. The devastating film won 11 Academy Awards and has become a staple in the careers of both Winslet and DiCaprio. If you’re in the mood to cry, watch the film now and you will be singing “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion well into the new year.
6. “Glee”
Calling all Gleeks! The popular series “Glee” will, unfortunately, be leaving Netflix on Dec. 1. The series follows the Glee club of William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio. The series gained a cult following due to its quirky characters, humor and of course the vocal performances which popularized many songs and brought popularity back to songs from the ‘80s and ‘90s. The series aired in 2009, and I’m sure many people remember hearing the incessant playing of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’ on every radio station that year due to the show’s rendition of the song. “Glee” has also gained popularity for its breaking of barriers and portrayal of LGBTQ+ and minority characters. The series stars Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Jane Lynch, Naya Rivera and Matthew Morrison, among many others who launched their careers from the series. While many Gleeks will be sad to see the series go, it will forever live on through the many albums secretly stashed in playlists.
The films and series listed above are currently streaming on Netflix until the dates listed.