What’s leaving Netflix UK in December 2017 / January 2018?
David Farnor | On 18, Dec 2017
The end of 2017 is rapidly approaching and with it comes the usual annual flood of departures from your favourite streaming service. And so, while you’re counting down the hours to welcome in the New Year, spend a few hours bidding goodbye to some classics, old and new.
From On the Waterfront to The Killing, this is your last chance to stream the following on Netflix UK:
Jurassic World – 19th December
Chris Pratt stars in this post-modern reboot of everyone’s favourite dinosaur franchise, which actually builds and opens the theme park envisioned by John Hammond to the general public – only for things to go horribly wrong all over again. A thrilling ride back to your youth that proves dinosaurs can still seem as amazing as they did 22 years ago.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay: Part 2 – 21st December
Proof that blockbusters can treat young audiences with intelligence and that splitting a book in two can be a good thing, Mockingjay Part 2 has all the emotion of the ending and none of the anti-climax.
On the Waterfront – 21st December
“You don’t understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am.” Marlon Brando is sensational in this drama about an ex-boxer working in the docks of New Jersey. When another worker is murdered before he can testify against corrupt union bosses, Terry takes a stand. Director Elia Kazan has rarely been better. And given he also gave us A Streetcar Named Desire and East of Eden, that’s saying something.
Merlin – 22nd December
The BBC’s fantasy series taking a Smallville-style look at the legends of King Arthur is huge family fun, and introduced the world to the brilliant Colin Morgan and Katie McGrath.
Iron Man 3 – 25th December
Marvel’s best film to date proves that superhero blockbusters can still be character-driven dramas – and funny to boot. A witty script, Robert Downey Jr. in full motormouth mode and events taking place at Christmas? It’s no surprise that this is a Shane Black movie.
Avengers: Age of Ultron – 26th December
More stuffed than a turkey at Christmas, sequel sees Marvel’s main ensemble team up once again to tackle Ultron, a mildly unhinged robot created by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner.
Dear White People – 31st December
Justin Simien’s prickly satire is a stunning reminder of how many minorities are still viewed in the eyes of the majority.
Fight Club – 1st January
David Fincher’s adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s novel is a thriller about masculinity and nihilism, as a depressed man (Edward Norton) suffering from insomnia meets a strange soap salesman named Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) and soon finds himself setting up an underground movement.
Hoop Dreams – 1st January
Ever since its 1994 premiere, Steve James’ indie documentary about two of Chicago’s top high school basketball prospects – who face pressure on and off the court – has become a legendary examination of sports, family and race. 20 odd years later, it’s lost none of its impact.
The Taking of Pelham 1, 2, 3 – 1st January
Walter Matthau stars as a determined transit police chief faced with the hijacking of a train by four anonymous men. Joseph Sargent’s old-school thriller is a gripping cat and mouse game featuring a nose-twitchingly good performance from bad guy Robert Shaw.
Art and Craft – 1st January
What is art? It’s a question that’s been asked time and time again. What is forgery? That one’s a little easier. Everyone knows what forgery is. Until, that is, you see Art and Craft. The documentary follows the strange-but-true tale of Mark Landis, a guy who spends his life making copies of existing artwork and passing them off as the originals. There are dozens of galleries and museums up and down the USA with his work – or, to be exact, other people’s work. So when University of Cincinnati employee Matthew Leininger twigs that they have the same painting as somewhere else, he tries to out Landis. The only problem? Mark hasn’t technically committed a crime: he’s been donating all of his pictures. He’s deceived people, yes, but not defrauded them. Fascinating viewing.
Dexter – 1st January
Michael C. Hall delivers a starmaking performance in Showtime’s gripping series about a Miami-based blood spatter expert who doesn’t just solve murders – he commits them too.
The Killing – 1st January
Everyone talked about this Danish crime series – but did you ever watch it? Sarah Lund’s slow-paced investigations into murders never shy away from the personal impact of the crimes, showcasing a smart eye for emotion as well as logic, not to mention beautiful cinematography and, of course, well-knitted jumpers.
Prison Break – 5th January
Underwhelmed by the Dominic Purcell and Wentworth Miller reunion this year? Don’t miss the chance to catch what all the original fuss about this Fox series was about.
The Returned – 11th January
Tired of zombies? The Returned – or Les Revenants – will wake you right up. Telling the story of a group of dead people coming back to life in a small French village, it’s spooky, supernatural and, most of all, stylish. Directed with panache by creator Fabrice Gobert, the misty streets and eerie-eyed undead are perfectly matched by music from Mogwai: an uneasy, atmospheric piece of composition that seeps through the whole thing. Tragic and twisted as well as terrifying, it’s a near-flawless fantasy mini-series, made even better by the fact it only lasts eight hours.
Young Frankenstein – 18th January
Mel Brooks’ horror spoof is a tour de force of laughter, as Gene Wilder plays a descendant of the famous doctor, who finds himself following in his namesake’s footsteps and reanimating the dead. Wilder’s hilarious and Marty Feldman’s Igor is wonderfully daft, but it’s Brooks’ visuals that really win the day, as the exaggerated parody of expressionism makes for a gorgeously smart and stylish satire that marks a high watermark for the horror-comedy genre.
Other titles leaving Netflix UK in December 2017 and January 2018:
20th December
One Day on Earth
21st December
Baby
Boy
Beyond Beyond
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
Fools Rush In
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
23rd December
Bel Ami
Boys Over Flowers
24th December
Diana
Flight
Oscillating Fan for Your Home
Vegucated
25th December
The Hero of Color City
26th December
Evil Dead (2013)
The Overnight
28th December
Splijt
The Transporter Refueled
30th December
The Believers
The Diary of a Teenage Girl
Hancock
The Mighty Quinn
Pixels
The Purple Rose of Cairo
31st December
The 101-Year-Old Man Who Skipped Out on the Bill and Disappeared
Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away
Maya the Bee
Top Five
Vik the Viking
1st January
Andaz Apna Apna
Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom
Born into Brothels
Brannigan
Braquo
Bridegroom
Caillou’s Holiday Movie
Care Bears: Journey to Joke-a-Lot
Care Bears: Oopsy Does It
Care Bears: Share Bear Shines
Care Bears: The Giving Festival
Care Bears: Ups and Downs
Chain Reaction
Cocaine Cowboys Reloaded
Compulsion
Daddy, I’m a Zombie
The Diplomat
The Dudesons Movie
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex But Were Afraid to Ask
The Family
Gunslinger Girl
Gunslinger Girl II: Il Teatrino
Hitler: The Rise of Evil
Hot Wheels: Battle Force 5
Inshallah Football
The Irregular at Magic High School
Jeff Dunham: All Over the Map
Jesus Camp
The Killer Elite
The Kite
Los Tempos de Pablo Escobar
Lucid Dream
Mandela, My Dad and Me
Max & Ruby
Monster Allergy
Mount Joy
Ok Kanmani
The Pill
Plot for Peace
Running Scared
Sid the Science Kid: The Movie
Sing Is Kinng
Slugterra
The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: Sky’s the Limit
Strawberry Shortcake: The Sweet Dreams Movie
Trophy Kids
Wayside School
We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists
Western
The Wrecking Crew
2nd January
Caillou
Sonic Underground
5th January
Backstrom
Friends with Benefits
Friends with Better Lives
Prison Break
Witches of East End
6th January
D-day
Love in Her Bag
Madame Antoine
9th January
Preservation
11th January
Bewitched (2005)
Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser
12th January
The Spirit
14th January
Six Degrees of Separation
15th January
Anthony Bourdain: A Cook’s Tale
Be Arrogant
The Illusionist (2006)
16th January
Peg + Cat
Rita
With thanks to uk.newonnetflix.info for some of the information.