10 Netflix originals are about to disappear—watch them before they’re gone
Netflix is about to drop 10 of its own Originals next month, proof that even in-house titles aren’t safe from licensing clocks and performance math. From gripping dramas to breezy stand-up sets, consider this your last call before they vanish.
If you thought Netflix Originals were going to be around forever, well, think again. The streaming giant is about to give the boot to a handful of its own shows and films next month. So if any of these are on your 'I'll get round to it one day' list, you might want to pick up the pace. They aren't just clearing out obscure stuff either – there are a couple of well-reviewed flicks getting the chop, not just old comedy specials no one remembers.
What's on the Netflix Eviction List?
Here’s a heads-up: these originals are heading out the door in July, and once they go, that’s it – no guarantee they’ll pop back up elsewhere (cheers to licensing limbo).
- Wednesday, 1 July: Between (Series 1-2)
- Tuesday, 7 July: Brahman Naman; Major Grom: Plague Doctor
- Thursday, 9 July: Hannah Berner: We Ride at Dawn
- Tuesday, 14 July: The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem (Series 1-2)
- Thursday, 16 July: A Fortunate Man; Chad Daniels: Empty Nester
- Friday, 17 July: Pinky Malinky (Parts 1-3)
- Monday, 27 July: Welcome to the Family (Series 1)
- Wednesday, 29 July: Tallulah
The Standouts (If You Like Award Winners and Long Runtimes)
Now, you might skim that list and think, never heard of them, but there are a couple of gems in there. A Fortunate Man is worth a mention. It’s a Danish epic – and I’m using 'epic' literally, it’s a bit of a slog at 162 minutes – about an engineer, Peter Sidenius, who tries to shake off his strict religious roots for a more ambitious life in Copenhagen. Critics were on board: 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, which doesn’t happen by accident, and even the audience gave it a solid 77%. It’s directed by Bille August, the same bloke who did that 1998 version of Les Misérables, so you’re in experienced hands.
The other big one is Tallulah. This is the film by Sian Heder (a name you might know – she won an Oscar for CODA). The story centres on a homeless woman, Lu (short for Tallulah), who’s living in her van after being ditched by her boyfriend. She crosses paths with a posh but utterly useless mother and, not really by design, winds up acting as the toddler’s surrogate mum. It’s got an 85% critics’ rating – decent praise – though viewers came in a bit lower at 69%, so maybe not one for everyone.
Critical Favourites (and the Rest)
If you’re looking for more offbeat choices, there’s Brahman Naman (an Indian raunchy comedy), Russian superhero flick Major Grom: Plague Doctor, and animated show Pinky Malinky (basically about a talking hot dog attending school). Not classics, but that’s Netflix variety for you. The comedy slate includes Hannah Berner: We Ride at Dawn and Chad Daniels: Empty Nester – more US stand-up that doesn’t quite travel but might be entertaining if you like oddly specific American dad jokes.
Why the Culling?
For anyone scratching their head – yes, these are all billed as Netflix Originals. And yes, they’re still disappearing. Turns out a 'Netflix Original' doesn’t mean Netflix owns it forever. Sometimes it’s just a fixed-term licence, and when that runs out, poof, off it goes. Not all originals are equally original, apparently.
If you want to make sure you don’t miss anything, check those dates. Once it's gone, it's gone.