Not only is January a new month, which as we know always means that streaming giant Netflix will drop a spate of movies and shows from its library, but it's also the first month of a new year, which typically means even bigger changes than the rest of the year. In this case, there seems to be a greater volume of content leaving Netflix in January 2021 than most months. Or perhaps it's just more of the shows and movies that we truly hate to see go. Of course, that doesn't mean they'll be gone forever, but we will definitely miss binge-watching some of the TV series and re-watching old favorite films.
Nearly everything that's being dropped from the video streaming service will be gone right on January 1, so there's not a ton of time left to watch it all.
Since most people will have a few days off for the upcoming holidays, there should at least be some time to catch a few favorites. Anyone working from home might even be able to queue up Netflix in the background and at least catch a bit of a favorite movie or series before it's gone.
Either way, here's a list of all the can't-miss movies and shows that'll be leaving Netflix this coming January. From long-running fan favorite TV series to classic movie franchises and even some must-see award winners, it's time to say so long to well, a bit of everything, at least for a while.
'Anna Karenina'
Leaving Netflix: January 1
The 2012 adaptation of the classic Leo Tolstoy novel Anna Karenina has been available to watch on Netflix for several months, but will drop off the streaming service on New Year's Day. Starring Keira Knightley, it's a tale of forbidden love among 19th century Russian aristocrats.
'Baby Mama'
Leaving Netflix: January 1
Starring the dynamic duo that is Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, 2008's Baby Mama is a hilarious film about a Type A businesswoman who suddenly finds that she's missed the boat on childbearing. Determined to be a mom, she hires a working class woman who is essentially her polar opposite as her surrogate. But when the surrogate suddenly becomes homeless, their relationship gets a whole lot closer.
'Back to the Future I, II, III'
Leaving Netflix: January 1
The entire Back to the Future trilogy will be dropped from Netflix come January 1. It was on and off all of 2020, so we wouldn't be surprised to see the classic '80s-era films chronicling the time traveling adventures of Marty McFly and Doc Brown reappear on the streaming service within a few months.
'Bad Teacher'
Leaving Netflix: January 1
Starring Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel, Bad Teacher is a 2011 comedy about a slacker who's forced to return to her job as a teacher after quitting in favor of finding a husband that would pay her way. When her rich fiancé dumps her, she thinks if she gets breast implants she'll be able to nab another sugar daddy, so she decides to go back to work to make money for the surgery.
'Barbershop'
Leaving Netflix: January 1
This classic comedy starring an ensemble cast that includes Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer, and Anthony Anderson is the story of a barbershop owner in the Chicago's South Side who sells his family's barbershop but too soon realizes that it's an important place of fellowship, camaraderie, and support the community needs.
'Cape Fear'
Leaving Netflix: January 1
Starring the legendary Robert De Niro as a demented criminal whose released after serving a 14-year sentence for raping a young girl, Cape Fear is an intense film that's worth watching for anyone who has yet to see it. After being released from prison, the main character sets out to execute a plan for revenge he spent his entire sentence crafting.
'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'
Leaving Netflix: January 1
Starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is one of Jim Carrey's more serious roles to date. It's the story of a couple who breaks up and each decide to have a surgery that will entirely erase their memories of each other. As he is undergoing the surgery, the man's memories of his ex make him realize that he still loves her, but it may be too late to stop what's already started.
'Fargo'
Leaving Netflix: January 1
The 1996 film that spawned a popular television series of the same name, Fargo is a comedy starring William H. Macy and Frances McDormand. It's about a man who turns to embezzlement when he finds himself in financial trouble. When he's in danger of being caught, he organizes a mock kidnapping, and the hilarious hijinks ensue.
'Frida'
Leaving Netflix: January 1
The Academy Award winning biopic Frida, starring Salma Hayek, is the moving film about the renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The movie chronicles her incredible story through crippling childhood illnesses and injuries, her obsession with her work, and her intense relationship with her husband, fellow artist Diego Rivera.
'Gossip Girl'
Leaving Netflix: January 1
The Gossip Girl series starring Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, and Chace Crawford has been on Netflix so long, it's hard to believe it's time to say goodbye. The show's about a bunch of rich, Upper West Side Manhattan teens who are constantly embroiled in scandals that an anonymous blogger threatens to expose at any moment.
'Indiana Jones' Franchise
Leaving Netflix: January 1
All four of the Indiana Jones movies will be dropping off of Netflix on January 1, including the lone film that was made post-1980s, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. With a fifth movie in production, now might be a good time to watch the other four and get caught up.
'Lego Friends' & 'Lego Friends: Girls on a Mission'
Leaving Netflix: January 1
Both Lego Friends and the spin-off Lego Friends: Girls on a Mission will say so long to Netflix in January. The animated series are based on the Lego Friends line of toys, which was released with young girls in mind several years ago. The show follows a group of five friends as they embark on a series of adventures.
'Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events'
Leaving Netflix: January 1
A fantastic family-friendly adventure series based on the children's books of the same name, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events is a Netflix original starring Neil Patrick Harris that debuted in 2017. It's about a trio of orphaned children who embark on a quest to discover what truly killed their parents, while avoiding the greedy Count Olaf.
'Nacho Libre'
Leaving Netflix: January 1
This silly flick starring funnyman Jack Black and Ana de la Reguera, is about a Mexican monk who dreams of being a professional wrestler. Having always been a bit of a social outcast, he finds fulfillment when he begins moonlighting as a luchador. Determined to win over the woman he's fallen for and raise money for the orphans at the monastery, he sets out to compete in a major wrestling match.
'Superman Returns'
Leaving Netflix: January 1
While Brandon Routh is certainly no Henry Cavill, 2006's Superman Returns is still a fun watch for young fans of the "Man of Steel." In the film, Superman returns to Earth after spending five years discovering his home planet of Krypton, and must find a way to make himself and his powers relevant once again.
'The Notebook'
Leaving Netflix: January 1
People are usually either obsessed with the film adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks novel The Notebook, or they just can't tolerate the sappiness. Those who fall in the former camp will be sad to see the tale of unrequited love between members of different social classes drop off of Netflix come January.
'The Office'
Leaving Netflix: January 1
It's not the first time The Office has disappeared from Netflix, but we hate to see it go every single time. It's definitely one of those shows that most people can watch again and again, no matter how many times they've seen it. It's perfect when we find ourselves too wiped out from life to waste time searching for something new to watch.
'The Town'
Leaving Netflix: January 1
Starring Ben Affleck, Jon Hamm, and Jeremy Renner, The Town is a crime drama about a thief from Boston who finds out the bank manager he and his crew kidnapped is actually from their neighborhood. Now they must ensure that she doesn't rat them out while avoiding the investigation of a determined FBI agent.
'The Witches'
Leaving Netflix: January 1
This cult classic children's favorite starring Anjelica Huston is based on the book of the same name by author Roald Dahl. It's about a little boy who goes to live with his grandmother after his parents die. The boy winds up at a convention of witches when he and his grandmother travel to a seaside hotel so the grandmother can recuperate after falling ill. The boy's fate becomes tenuous when he threatens to shed light on the witches' true identities.
'Mary Poppins Returns'
Leaving Netflix: January 9
A fantastic follow-up to the original 1964 film, Mary Poppins Returns, starring Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Ben Whishaw, is the story of the Banks kids all grown up. Michael has found himself a struggling widower and Mary Poppins returns to take care of his children and help him set his life right. While this magical film won't be on Netflix much longer, it's of course still available on Disney+, so those with a subscription will be able to watch it.
