At the start of every month, Netflix removes a selection of movies to make way for all the new content arriving on the platform. Or, to put it more accurately, because the licensing agreements keeping these flicks on Netflix have come to an end.
Usually, that results in anywhere from 30 to 40 movies waving goodbye to the big red streamer. But in January 2026, that number will be more than tripled. On the first of the month (Jan. 1), Netflix has confirmed it will remove 156 titles. Ouch! That’s certainly going to leave a hole in the platform’s content library.
Watching some 150+ movies between now and January 1 isn’t exactly realistic — it would take you almost a fortnight of non-stop streaming to watch them all — which is why I’ve combed through the list and picked out a more manageable handful. These are the movies leaving Netflix in January 2026 that you should make time to enjoy while you still can.
‘Captain Phillips’ (2013)
“Captain Phillips” sees Tom Hanks give arguably the strongest performance of his career, and that’s not a compliment I throw out lightly. Directed by Paul Greengrass, known for helming the original Jason Bourne trilogy (and the lackluster 2016 follow-up), it’s a gripping and laser-focused action-thriller. And its impact is only sharpened by the fact that it’s all based on a true story. And while I’m dishing out praise for the talent involved, it would be a huge injustice not to throw some appreciation the way of supporting actor Barkhad Abdi.
The eponymous Captain Richard Phillips (Hanks) is at the helm of a large container vessel when Somali pirates board the seafaring craft and take the crew hostage. Their leader, known as Muse (Abdi), declares that “he is the captain now,” and that’s just the start of a hugely tense stand-off as Phillips attempts to ensure the safety of his crew as the situation escalates. Greengrass’s almost documentary-like style matches perfectly with the movie’s "based on a true story" narrative, creating a biopic that feels almost like watching the real thing unfold on the screen.
Watch "Captain Phillips" on Netflix until Jan. 1
‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ (2021)
Speaking of exceptional performances, you’ll find another in “Judas and the Black Messiah.” This 2021 biographical story chronicles the betrayal and shooting of civil rights activist Fred Hampton. In this movie, Hampton is portrayed by Daniel Kaluuya, a performance for which the British actor won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, alongside a Golden Globe, a SAG award and a BAFTA. And if Kaluuya’s screen-dominating turn wasn’t enough, LaKeith Stanfield is also praise-worthy as the “Judas” figure who considers betraying Hampton.
William O’Neal (Stanfield) is a petty criminal who agrees to turn FBI informant in exchange for criminal charges being dropped. He’s tasked with infiltrating the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party and giving the authorities information on its leader, Fred Hampton. Under the watch of agent Roy Mitchell (Jesse Plemons), O’Neal becomes part of Hampton’s inner circle and is faced with the choice of whether to betray his newfound brothers or not.
Watch "Judas and the Black Messiah" on Netflix until Jan. 1
‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)
![Mad Max: Fury Road - Official Main Trailer [HD] - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/hEJnMQG9ev8/maxresdefault.jpg)
“Mad Max: Fury Road” celebrated its 10th anniversary earlier this year, making now a great time to watch, or rewatch, one of the best action movies of not just the last decade, but of the entire 21st century. Not that you should need any particular reason to stream this deliriously entertaining action epic. “Mad Max: Fury Road” is supremely enjoyable, and its yellow-tinted aesthetic has become iconic in its own right. I wasn’t even much of a “Mad Max” fan before watching it in theatres all those years ago, but this petrol-powered ride converted me into a true believer.
Set in an apocalyptic future, where supercharged motors roam the wasteland, Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) is a lone wander who gets caught up in an escape plan masterminded by Furiosa (Charlize Theron). Leading the enslaved wives of cruel dictator Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne) to freedom, Max and Furiosa strike up an unlikely partnership as they drive a massive war vehicle through a seemingly endless desert. Few action movies in cinema history are as meticulously crafted and as downright remarkable.
Watch "Mad Max: Fury Road" on Netflix until Jan. 1
‘The Martian’ (2015)
![The Martian | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ej3ioOneTy8/maxresdefault.jpg)
Next year will see Ryan Gosling star in “Project Hail Mary,” the latest big-screen adaptation of a sci-fi novel from author Andy Weir. But it’s going to have quite the job on its hands matching the high bar set by “The Martian.” This Ridley Scott sci-fi adventure trades futuristic fantasy for a focus on real science (well, mostly real, it is set in a world where humans are capable of traveling to Mars), and stars Matt Damon as an astronaut forced to use every ounce of his intellect to survive on a planet that is very much not designed to support human existence.
After an emergency evacuation of Mars, Mark Watney (Damon) is accidentally left behind. Presumed dead after getting swept up in a sudden lightning storm, he’s stuck on the red planet with limited supplies and no way of contacting NASA back on Earth. Refusing to give up hope, he resolves to survive by any means necessary. With a stellar cast supporting Damon’s strong lead performance, “The Martian” combines narrative thrills with pleasant comedy, and despite running almost two-and-a-half hours, the movie positively flies by in a flash.
Watch "The Martian" on Netflix until Jan. 1
‘Terminator 2: Judgement Day’ (1991)
Before James Cameron got stuck in the world of “Avatar” for almost 30 years (his last non-"Avatar” movie was 1997’s “Titanic”), he delivered the best “Terminator” movie ever made. Even all these years later, and despite several attempts, no new entry in the sci-fi action franchise has surpassed the brilliance of “Judgement Day.” It's neat narrative twist still delights. Even when you’ve had the big reveal spoiled, it’s still awesome. Plus, Arnold Schwarzenegger has never been more of a certified movie star than in this 1990s classic.
Set more than a decade after the first “Terminator,” John Connor (Edward Furlong), a young boy destined to lead humanity against a robot uprising in the future, is targeted by a ruthless shape-shifting enemy known as a T-1000 (Robert Patrick). This adversary has been sent from the future to kill Connor before he can become the legendary resistance leader, but Connor isn’t without help. He’s got a reprogrammed T-800 robot (Schwarzenegger) acting as his protector. Alongside his mother (Linda Hamilton), the unlikely trio goes on the run to survive.
Watch "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" on Netflix until Jan. 1
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