Picture Credit: Tristar Pictures / Sony Pictures
As March 2026 flies by, it’s time to prepare for Netflix’s inevitable monthly purge. While April will bring a fresh batch of new titles to the streaming service, it also means we have to say goodbye to some phenomenal movies. Whether you’re in the mood for a heart-pounding sci-fi classic, an Oscar-winning motorsports drama, a nail-biting documentary, or a beautifully crafted coming-of-age story, your time to stream these hits is quickly running out.
For a full list of departures planned for Netflix throughout April 2026, keep it locked here on What’s on Netflix.
Leaving Apr. 1
District 9 (2009)
Picture Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing
Neill Blomkamp’s gritty sci-fi thriller crashed into cinemas back in 2009 and still holds up as a true gem of the genre to this day, and stupidly, there’s been no follow-up movie since, despite plenty of murmurs about one being in the works for quite some time. The film takes a unique documentary-style approach to an alien invasion, where extraterrestrials are stranded on Earth and forced to live in heavily policed, slum-like conditions in South Africa. When a bumbling government agent (played brilliantly by Sharlto Copley) is exposed to their alien biotechnology, he becomes the most hunted man on the planet. It’s an absolute must-watch for its seamless visual effects, adrenaline-pumping action, and incredibly poignant social commentary.
Leaving Apr. 1
Ford v Ferrari (2019)
Picture Credit: 20th Century Fox
Even if you don’t care much at all about cars or professional racing, James Mangold’s Ford v Ferrari is still an entertaining romp thanks primarily to the dynamics of its two leads. Based on a gripping true story, it follows visionary American car designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and hot-headed British driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) as they battle corporate interference and the laws of physics to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company. Their simple mission is to dethrone the dominant Ferrari racing team at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s an Oscar-winning thrill ride that you should watch for the palpable onscreen chemistry between Damon and Bale, and the heart-pounding, meticulously crafted racing sequences.
Leaving Apr. 1
Free Solo (2018)
Looking for a documentary that will leave your palms sweating and your heart in your throat? Free Solo is an astonishing achievement in filmmaking. The Oscar-winning doc follows professional rock climber Alex Honnold as he attempts the impossible: the first-ever “free solo” (no ropes, no safety gear) climb of the sheer 3,000-foot vertical rock face of Yosemite’s El Capitan. Directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin capture the unbelievable physical and mental toll of the preparation. You need to watch this before it leaves because the sheer cinematic spectacle and the mind-bending tension of the final climb make for one of the most riveting viewing experiences currently on Netflix.
Leaving Apr. 1
Misery (1990)
Stephen King adaptations are a dime a dozen, but Rob Reiner’s Misery is often regarded and remains one of the absolute best. James Caan stars as Paul Sheldon, a famous romance novelist who crashes his car in a blizzard and is “rescued” by Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), a former nurse who claims to be his number one fan. When she discovers he killed off her favorite character in his latest manuscript, her care quickly turns into a terrifying captivity. Kathy Bates’ Oscar-winning performance is worth the price of admission alone, flipping between sickeningly sweet and violently unhinged without skipping a beat.
Netflix added a number of Rob Reiner’s greatest movies following his death earlier this year, with many of those set to leave over the next month.
Leaving Apr. 1
Molly’s Game (2017)
Written and directed by the master of fast-paced dialogue, Aaron Sorkin, Molly’s Game tells the true story of Molly Bloom. Played by Jessica Chastain, Bloom is a former Olympic-class skier who goes on to run the world’s most exclusive, high-stakes underground poker game for Hollywood royalty, sports stars, and the Russian mob before being raided by the FBI in the middle of the night. You should tune in for Sorkin’s trademark razor-sharp script and the dynamic interplay between Chastain and Idris Elba (who plays her defense lawyer). It’s slick, highly entertaining, and moves at an incredibly engaging breakneck speed.
Leaving Apr. 1
The Call (2013)
Halle Berry delivers a powerhouse performance as Jordan Turner, a veteran 911 operator reeling from a tragic mistake on the job. Her shot at redemption comes when she receives a frantic phone call from a recently kidnapped teenager (Abigail Breslin) trapped inside the trunk of a moving car. Jordan must use all her wits, training, and experience to keep the girl alive while frantically piecing together the killer’s location. You should watch it for the sheer, heart-pounding adrenaline rush; director Brad Anderson crafts a suffocating sense of urgency that will have you gripping the armrests of your couch from the opening ring to the pulse-pounding finale. If you loved Netflix’s The Guilty with Jake Gylenhaal, this will feel right at home.
Leaving Apr. 1
The Lorax (2013)
Picture Credit: Illumination
DreamWorks and Illumination movies always do well when they arrive on Netflix, but on the flip side, they don’t stick around forever, and now it’s the turn of The Lorax to depart the service (again). The story takes us to Thneedville, a completely artificial, plastic city where young Ted (Zac Efron) sets out on a journey beyond the town’s walls to find a real, living tree to impress the girl of his dreams (Taylor Swift). His quest leads him to the reclusive Once-ler (Ed Helms), who tells him the tragic tale of the grumpy yet charming forest guardian, the Lorax (voiced to perfection by Danny DeVito). You should watch it for the incredibly catchy, toe-tapping soundtrack (try getting “How Bad Can I Be?” out of your head) and the gorgeous, bright animation, which makes the story’s enduring environmental message deeply engaging and highly entertaining for all ages.
Leaving Apr. 3
We Grown Now (2023)
If you’re looking for a recent hidden gem that will completely capture your heart, don’t let We Grown Now leave the platform without a watch. Set in 1992 Chicago, this deeply moving coming-of-age drama follows two wide-eyed, imaginative best friends, Malik (Blake Cameron James) and Eric (Gian Knight Ramirez), as they navigate the joys of childhood while growing up in the Cabrini-Green housing projects. When a sudden tragedy shakes their community, their families—played by a stellar supporting cast including Jurnee Smollett, Lil Rel Howery, and S. Epatha Merkerson—are forced to make difficult choices about their safety and future, putting the boys’ unbreakable bond to the ultimate test. You should watch it because writer-director Minhal Baig manages to perfectly capture the fleeting, resilient magic of youth.
Those are our picks of the movies you should be watching before their departure – what will you be checking out? Let us know in the comments down below.
