Picture Credit: A24
Over 50 licensed movies are leaving Netflix’s library on August 1, 2026. Out of the mass exodus, here are 8 of the most significant departures.
As we look ahead to August 2026, Netflix has some big movies on the horizon to mark the occasion, including Don’t say Good Luck, sci-fi thriller The Last House, and Robert de Niro’s The Whisper Man. There’s some big new TV coming too, not least Ricky Gervais’ animated Alley Cats. So too, Netflix will also see dozens of licensed titles leave its library — there’s over 50 movies departing in total.
Check out here for the full list of what’s leaving Netflix in August 2026. Below, we’ve listed 8 of the most significant departures.
Ex Machina (2015)
British screenwriter Alex Garland is widely regarded for penning some top-tier movies. He’s worked in the industry for over two decades, gaining great acclaim for his work with Danny Boyle on the 28 Days Later franchise. The big projects keep on coming too, with Garland also attached to the upcoming adaptation of fantasy epic Elden Ring.
Looking back on his career, one of his biggest standouts is Ex Machina; a film he both wrote and made his directorial debut on. The movie follows a computer programmer who is selected to participate in a technological experiment where he assesses artificial intelligence by communicating with a female robot. Garland delivers a story that’s both profound and thought-provoking.
The film boasts an all-star cast, including Domhnall Gleeson (About Time, Peter Rabbit), Oscar Isaac (Frankenstein), and Alicia Vickander (Tomb Raider, Jason Bourne).
Ex Machina has spent a lot of time on Netflix since 2018. It was re-added to the library in February for six months before expiring on August 1.
Lucy (2014)
In 2014, Scarlett Johansson starred as the titular character in high-concept science-fiction movie Lucy. Directed by Luc Besson (The Fifth Element), the film also stars Hollywood legend Morgan Freeman.
We follow Johansson’s character Lucy, who unwittingly gets involved in the cartel business. Her body is used as a conduit for the testing a mysterious drug. She’s granted special abilities. At first her powers make her able to utilise more of her brain power than the average person. As the film goes on, her abilities intensify to the point where she acquires God-like powers, and is able to bend and control time. She uses the powers to seek revenge against the people who administered them to her.
Lucy was a big hit at the global box office, garnering over $460 million against a $40 million budget. The movie boasts modest ratings, but has since become a steady performer on streaming. It has been on-and-off Netflix since 2023. It was last added to the library in January 2026 before departing again on August 1.
Borat (2006)
Comedian and actor Sacha Baron Cohen has a long list of iconic characters, from Ali G to, Nobby Butcher, to Brüno Gehard. Out of all of them, his character Borat Sagdiyev is undoubtedly his most popular (and controversial). A rude, obnoxious and anti-Semitic journalist from Kazakhstan, the movie documents Borat’s journey to the United States in a bit to make a documentary on the nation. But when he arrives, he’s caught in the middle of a culture completely different from the one he comes from — and watching him navigate his new surroundings makes for a hilarious film.
While originally intended as a one-and-done movie, Sacha Baron Cohen returned to the character in 2020, which poked fun at the zeitgeists of the time, from the COVID-19 pandemic to President Donald Trump.
While Borat may be leaving Netflix, Sacha Baron Cohen remains on the platform in different roles. Most recently, he starred in Ladies First alongside Rosamund Pike.
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Netflix has an illustrious history with war films, to say the least. The streamer’s World War I epic All Quiet on the Western Front won a gluttony of awards when it aired in 2022. Outside of Netflix Originals, they have also licensed some fan-favorite genre films, such as Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge. Based on true events, the film stars Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spider-Man, The Social Network) as U.S. medic Desmond T. Ross during the Battle of Okinawa. Regarded as the bloodiest battle of World War Two, Ross unbelievably saved 75 men without firing or carrying a gun.
The movie won big at awards ceremonies, collecting two Academy Awards for Best Sound Mixing and Best Film Editing. It was also nominated for Best Picture. It currently boasts a very solid 84% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Ouija (2014) & Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)
Before becoming a household name for her role in Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon, one of Olivia Cooke’s breakout roles came in Universal Pictures’ horror movie Ouija movie. Directed by horror filmmaker Stiles White, the movie follows Laine (Cooke), who wants to use an Ouija board to summon the spirit of her late friend Debbie. However, when the summoning goes awry, they find themselves at the mercy of an evil spirit, known as Marcus, who possesses them and compels them to commit awful acts.
Ouija returned for a prequel story in 2016, which is also departing Netflix on August 1. This is your final opportunity to watch both movies before they depart the streamer.
A Million Ways To Die In The West (2014)
Family Guy and American Dad creator Seth MacFarlane is undeniably best known for his works in the realm of adult animation, but in the times when he’s worked on live-action projects, there’s mostly success stories. Look no further than his 3-season sci-fi The Orville, or the Ted movies (and subsequent series).
In 2014, he penned and directed satirical western A Million Ways to Die in the West. He assembled a top tier cast for the film, including himself, Liam Neeson, Amanda Sayfried, Charlize Theron, Neil Patrick Harris, and Ewan McGregor. The film follows a sheep farmer Albert Stark (played by MacFarlane), who’s paranoid that the frontier is out to get him — and then he loses his girlfriend (Seyfried) to the town’s most successful businessman Foy (Neil Patrick Harris). He knows he can’t compete… but then deadly gunslinger Anna (Theron) rides into town, giving him the courage he desperately needs.
A Million Ways To Die In the West was a box office flop. It grossed just shy of $90 million worldwide against a $40 million budget. This was especially a shock so soon after the immense commercial success of Ted. When it landed on Netflix earlier this year, the film saw a partial redemption of its early, lukewarm box office performance. MacFarlane’s wider career success has put more eyes on the film. It’s one of those unashamedly fun movies; think of it as a long Family Guy cutaway gag, performed by an Oscar-worthy cast.
The Secret Life of Pets (2016)
An animated family classic, The Secret Life of Pets chronicles the unseen world of pets in New York City. We follow a terrier named Max, who finds his perfect, unhindered life upturned when his owner returns home with a new furry friend — a stray named Duke. At first, the two face fierce rivalry, but when they get in a tangle with alley cats and find themselves thrust out of their domesticated lives, they set aside differences and work together to return home, and save their owner.
The movie later spawned a sequel. A third instalment is in active development at Illumination Studios.
American Gangster (2007)
In the tradition of the great mob epics like The Godfather and Goodfellas, American Gangster stands as a masterclass in the genre. Created by legendary filmmaker Ridley Scott (Alien, Gladiator), the movie boasts a powerhouse cast including Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Josh Brolin, Idris Elba, Norman Reedus, and Carla Gugino.
It may not be as seminal as those that preceded it, but it holds its own against the gold standards set by legends Scorsese and Coppola. The movie follows Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas (Washington), the ruthless leader of a heroin empire. Set against him is hardened underground detective Richie Roberts (Crowe), who ardently tries to bring him to justice.
American Gangster earned 21 major award nominations, including two Academy Award nominations. It currently holds an 81% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Which of these films will you be watching before they leave Netflix on August 1, 2026?
