2026 is here. And Netflix is doing that thing again.
You know the thing. Where they quietly remove a bunch of movies and shows you’ve been “meaning to watch” for months. Years, maybe.
This month hits different though. We’re losing Parasite. The Terminator. Groundhog Day. And an entire DreamWorks series that defined a generation of kids who needed to see powerful female characters kicking absolute ass.
Let me walk you through what’s disappearing and more importantly, what you should prioritize before it vanishes into the streaming void.
The February 1st Massacre (Yes, It’s That Bad)
Netflix always dumps a ton of content on the first of the month. It’s their thing. Licensing agreements expire, studios want their movies back, and suddenly your watchlist gets decimated.
This February 1st? Brutal.
The Must-Watch Before They Go:
Parasite (2019)
If you somehow haven’t seen Bong Joon-ho’s masterpiece yet, you have until midnight January 31st. This isn’t just a good movie—it’s the film that made the Academy realize subtitles aren’t scary.
Four Oscars including Best Picture. First foreign language film to win that award. A class commentary so sharp it cuts.
Here’s why you need to watch Parasite before it leaves →
The Kim family infiltrating the wealthy Park household isn’t just entertaining—it’s a surgical examination of economic inequality wrapped in dark comedy and genuine suspense.
Watch it. Seriously.
Oblivion (2013)
Tom Cruise in a sci-fi thriller that didn’t get enough love when it released. Stunning visuals. Compelling mystery. That twist you probably won’t see coming if you’ve avoided spoilers for 13 years.
It’s leaving. Cruise doesn’t do streaming exclusives often anymore, so who knows when it’ll be back.
Groundhog Day (1993)
Bill Murray stuck in a time loop before time loop movies became everyone’s favorite pandemic metaphor. This film invented a genre basically.
Plus it’s February. You’re supposed to watch Groundhog Day in February. It’s tradition.
The Terminator (1984)
The original. Before the franchise got complicated. Just Schwarzenegger as an unstoppable killing machine hunting Sarah Connor across 1984 Los Angeles.
James Cameron’s low-budget masterpiece that launched careers and created an entire sci-fi aesthetic.
It’s leaving Netflix. Again. These classic action films never seem to stay anywhere long.
Mr & Mrs Smith (2005)
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie shooting at each other with sexual tension so thick you could cut it. The movie where they fell in love and broke the internet before that was even a common phrase.
Dumb? Absolutely. Fun? Incredibly. Sometimes you need a married-assassins-discover-each-other movie in your life.
Other Notable February 1st Departures:
- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009) – Genuinely funny animated film
- Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) – Visually stunning, complicated legacy
- Charlie’s Angels (2000) – Peak early 2000s action camp
- 28 Days Later (2002) – The zombie movie that made zombies scary again
- Turbo (2013) – That DreamWorks snail racing movie your kids loved
The Netflix Originals Getting the Axe
Here’s where things get interesting. Netflix removing their own content.
This happens more than people realize. Licensing issues with production companies, removing underperforming shows to save on residuals, just cleaning house. Whatever the reason, these are disappearing:
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (All 5 Seasons) – Leaving February 21st
This one hurts.
DreamWorks’ reboot of the 80s series became something special. Strong female characters. LGBTQ+ representation done right. Genuine emotional depth in a kids’ show that respected its audience.
Adora’s journey from Horde soldier to hero. Catra’s redemption arc. The found family dynamics of the Princess Alliance.
It’s all leaving February 21st.
If you’ve got kids—or if you just appreciate excellent animation and storytelling—this is your last chance. Five seasons. Worth every episode.
Rebellion (Seasons 1-2) – Leaving February 22nd
The Irish historical drama about the 1916 Easter Rising that nobody talked about enough. Two excellent seasons exploring one of the most significant moments in Irish history through multiple perspectives.
Period drama done right. Leaving February 22nd with barely any notice.
Nadiya’s Time to Eat & Nadiya Bakes (Both Series) – Leaving February 12th
The British cooking shows featuring Nadiya Hussain, who won Great British Bake Off and became a legitimate television personality. Her shows are comfort food television—accessible recipes, warm personality, actually useful cooking advice.
Both series gone mid-month. If you’ve been meaning to learn some new recipes or just want cozy cooking content, you’ve got until February 12th.
The Big Family Cooking Showdown (Seasons 1-2) – Leaving February 22nd
Another British cooking competition getting removed. The one where families compete instead of individuals. Less drama than American cooking shows, more genuine warmth.
Gone February 22nd along with Rebellion and Paris Is Us.
The Mid-Month Surprises
Not everything leaves on the first. Netflix spreads the pain throughout February like they’re trying to soften the blow.
- Spencer (February 8th) – Kristen Stewart’s Oscar-nominated performance as Princess Diana during one fateful Christmas weekend. Haunting. Uncomfortable. Brilliant.
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (February 18th) – The 1974 original. Not the Netflix reboot from 2022. The genuinely terrifying Tobe Hooper film that defined horror for generations.
- Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (February 25th) – The most recent Transformers film already leaving after less than two years. That’s how fast the streaming carousel spins now.
- Ouija (February 16th) – The 2014 horror film that’s… fine. Not great, but if you need a serviceable spooky movie before Valentine’s Day, it exists.
Why Does Netflix Keep Doing This?
Valid question. You’re paying a subscription. Why do things keep disappearing?
Licensing agreements are temporary. Most non-Netflix Original content is licensed from studios for 1-3 years. When that expires, Netflix either pays to renew (expensive) or lets it go.
Studio streaming services want their content back. Paramount wants Transformers on Paramount+. Universal wants their movies on Peacock. Everyone’s building their own platform, which means pulling content from Netflix.
Even Netflix Originals aren’t always permanent. If a show was produced by an outside studio (like DreamWorks for She-Ra), there’s still licensing involved. Plus Netflix removes underperforming content to avoid paying residuals.
It’s complicated. It’s annoying. It’s modern streaming.
What You Should Actually Watch This Month
You can’t watch everything leaving. That’s 40+ titles. You’ve got a life, presumably.
So here’s my priority list based on eight years of covering Netflix:
Top Priority (Watch These First):
- Parasite – If you haven’t seen it, stop reading and go watch now
- She-Ra and the Princesses of Power – All five seasons if you have time
- The Terminator – Classic that holds up perfectly
- Groundhog Day – Because it’s February and tradition matters
If You Have More Time: 5. Oblivion – Underrated sci-fi 6. Spencer – Kristen Stewart’s best performance 7. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre – Horror essential 8. Rebellion – Excellent historical drama nobody watched
Comfort Watch Options: 9. Mr & Mrs Smith – Dumb fun you can half-watch 10. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs – Great with kids or alone 11. Nadiya Bakes – Cozy cooking content
Skip Unless You’re Desperate:
- Most of the other February 1st departures are fine but not essential
- The later-month horror removals are mostly forgettable
- Several of these have been on and off Netflix multiple times
A Note About Removal Dates
Netflix loves the fine print: All removals subject to change due to licensing agreements.
Translation: These dates aren’t guaranteed. Sometimes Netflix extends licenses last-minute. Sometimes they remove things early. Sometimes titles disappear from one region but stay in another.
Don’t wait until February 28th to watch something leaving February 1st. You’ll be disappointed.
Check your app. If it says “Last day to watch: January 31st” believe it. Netflix doesn’t bluff about removals.
The Bigger Picture: Streaming Is Exhausting
Can we talk about how tiring this is?
You’re paying $15-20/month for Netflix. Another $15 for Disney+. Maybe Hulu. Max. Paramount+. Apple TV+. The costs add up.
And you can’t just save things to your library anymore like you could with physical media. Everything’s temporary. Everything’s rotating. You’re essentially renting access to a constantly changing catalog.
Parasite won Best Picture five years ago. Now it’s leaving Netflix. Again. It was on Netflix before, left, came back, now leaving again.
The streaming wars made content more accessible initially. Now they’ve made it more fragmented and frustrating than the cable packages we thought we were escaping.
But that’s a rant for another article.
My Final Recommendations
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by this list, here’s the simplest advice:
This weekend, watch Parasite if you haven’t. It’s leaving February 1st. It’s legitimately one of the best films of the past decade. No excuses.
Mid-month, binge She-Ra if you’re curious. Five seasons is a lot, but it’s worth it if you like animation or just want something uplifting with genuine heart.
End of month, catch Spencer if you want to see Kristen Stewart remind everyone she’s a phenomenal actress when given proper material.
Everything else? Nice to have, not essential.
Your time is valuable. Your attention is limited. Netflix will keep rotating content forever. You can’t watch it all.
But you can watch the stuff that matters.
February’s removal list is extensive. But it’s also an opportunity to finally watch those movies you’ve been adding to your list for years without ever pressing play.
Make February the month you actually do it.
Before it’s too late.
About It’s Netflix Nerd
This monthly removal guide was brought to you by It’s Netflix Nerd, where we obsess over every Netflix release so you don’t have to wonder what’s worth watching. We break down endings, analyze hidden details, and help you navigate the overwhelming Netflix catalog with honest takes and zero spoilers (unless you want them).
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