I’m always blown away by the high quality of movies leaving Netflix each month. You have your usual suspects, the sorts of movies that are shifted between streaming platforms on a regular basis. But there are always a few standout gems that mustn’t go unnoticed, and that’s certainly the case in September 2024. By the end of the month, the world’s most popular streaming platform will say goodbye to some great films, including a tense new thriller starring Lily Collins about rich families with dark secrets, a sci-fi romance that constantly reveals new secrets for its unpredictably story, and a war movie based on a true story about a pacifist who refuses to use weapons—oh, and a wedding movie I consider to be one of the most joyous experiences ever put on film. Yeah, this month has it all.
But you have only have a week-and-a-half left to watch those movies. So which ones can’t you miss? Let’s review. I’ve picked out ten great options that appeal to a wide spectrum of movie tastes. And at the end of the article, you will find a full list of every single movie leaving Netflix by the end of September 2024. So whether you like romances or documentaries or thrillers or comedies, this list has something that will appeal to you.
The 10 Best Movies Leaving Netflix in September 2024
Inheritance (2020)
Despite the movie’s low rating on Rotten Tomatoes—in fact, in spite of the movie’s low rating—I’m going to lead this list off with Inheritance. It’s not the best movie ever, but I found it to be a very engaging, very taut thriller that slowly unravels its psychological tension, that owns a claustrophobic atmosphere reminiscent of great thrillers from the 1990s. This Vaughn Stein film follows Lauren (Lily Collins), a district attorney, who inherits a cryptic message revealing a dark family secret after her wealthy father dies. This revelation leads Lauren to discover a man named Morgan (Simon Pegg) who has been kept prisoner in a bunker for decades. With this bunker symbolizing the burden of hidden truths and what we hide about our family to protect its legacy, Lauren grapples with how to handle the mysterious man and what to do with the explosive information that could ruin her father’s reputation. As Lauren faces this tension, the movie becomes a meditation on the burdens of wealth and power, as well as the moral compromises that accompany privilege inherited by people from wealthy families. Collins and Pegg turns out their usual great performances in this entertaining little mystery movie.
Baby Boy (2001)
Every time Baby Boy comes to or leaves Netflix, I just can’t help myself: I have to recommend it. I have to shout to the high heavens that anybody has hasn’t seen this movie must watch it immediately. John Singleton was always one of Hollywood’s most underrated directors, and this powerful introspection on the difficulties and pressures of Black masculinity is his best work. The film follows a young man named Jody (Tyrese Gibson in a truly Oscar-worthy performance) who lives in South Central Los Angeles who struggles with responsibility as he learns to mature and become a more dependable partner and father. Caught between his relationships with his girlfriend and mother of his child, Yvette (Taraji P. Henson), and his volatile dealings with his mother’s new boyfriend (the mother is Adrienne-Joi Johnson, and the boyfriend is Ving Rhames), Jody must confront the realities of adulthood as he struggles to move past what’s expected of him as a Black man. He is emotionally immature and still dependent on his mother, yet pressured by societal and familial expectations to be a “man” in the traditional sense—strong, independent, dominant. This cognitive dissonance is the crux of his journey as he aims to define himself amidst such sociological pressures. You’ll also find Snoop Dogg, Omar Gooding and Mo’Nique in this fantastic film.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
Ever wonder which New Zealand film owns the highest grossing opening weekend of all time? Believe it or not, it’s not any of the Lord of the Ring or Hobbit films, which technically fail to meet the definition of a “New Zealand film” according to the New Zealand Film Commission. The real winner happens to be Taika Waititi’s breakout film, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, which grossed NZ$1,263,000 in its first three days and NZ$12 million in total. This movie, which happens to be one of the most critically revered movies available on Netflix, centers on a rebellious foster child named Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison), who is sent to live on a remote New Zealand farm with a couple, Hec (Sam Neill) and Bella (Rima Te Wiata). After tragedy strikes, Ricky and Hec are forced to go on the run in the wilderness to avoid child services. As a manhunt unfolds, these two lonely, broken individuals create a new definition of family, one based on mutual care and shared experiences rather than blood ties. This winning film combines comedy and adventure in a style that has become Waititi’s signature aesthetic, forming a safe environment for these characters to overcome their emotional scars.
Muriel’s Wedding (1994)
From New Zealand to Australia, Muriel’s Wedding held the distinct honor back in 1994 of owning the highest grossing opening weekend of any Paul Hogan-less Australian in history, scoring more than AU$2 million in its first three days. It would go on to accrue AU$15.8 million (the equivalent of AU$34.7 million in 2023 after inflation) and earn Toni Collette a much-deserved nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture at the 1995 Golden Globe Awards. This incredibly joyous film follows Muriel Heslop (Collette), an awkward, unhappy young woman who longs to escape her small Australian town and get away from her critical family. She believes marrying “the man of her dreams” will be the key to her finding happiness, so she steals money to go on a vacation and reinvent herself. While out, she meets a new friend, Rhonda (Rachel Griffiths), and together they move to Sydney and embrace a new life. While rediscovering herself, Muriel’s fixation on weddings leads her down a complicated path about the importance of self-acceptance, about rejecting superficial social norms, about the empowerment that comes from finding one’s identity outside of external validation.
The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
In the beginning, the plot of The Adjustment Bureau might not seem super exciting. Our initiation into the story is simple enough: David Norris (Matt Damon), a rising politician, falls in love with a mysterious dancer named Elise (Emily Blunt). He gets her number and is feeling the high of love at first sight—but that’s right when everything goes haywire. In what soon becomes a blend of science fiction and romance, this loose adaptation of a Philip K. Dick short story then follows David as his life takes an unexpected path. Keeping in line with Dick’s trademark exploration of the tension between individual agency and a reality shaped by hidden forces, David finds that he is being watched by a secretive organization called the Adjustment Bureau, which controls the fates of individuals to maintain a preordained future. David learns that his relationship with Elise is not part of the Bureau’s plan, and that their agents will stop at nothing to keep them apart. Thus, David seeks to regain control of his life, presenting a thrilling exploration of the philosophical tension that exists between free will and predestination. Expect stylized, noir-esque visuals, great chase sequences and a compelling romance—oh, and appearances from Anthony Mackie, John Slattery, Michael Kelly and Terence Stamp.
Kiss the Ground (2020)
Woody Harrelson, Laura Dern, Jason Momoa, Rosario Dawson and Donald Glover. If you saw this cast, you wouldn’t waste any time watching the movie, right? Well, what if I told you that cast was not part of a fictional plot, but a documentary—a documentary that was so important that all these people felt compelled to be part of its important message? That was the case back in 2020 with Kiss the Ground, a documentary that examines how regenerative agriculture—a conservation and rehabilitation approach to food that focuses on topsoil regeneration and increased biodiversity—can help combat climate change by restoring the health of Earth’s soil. Featuring interviews with environmental experts, scientists and activists, as well as some stunning cinematography that highlights the beauty and diversity of our planet’s verdant farmlands and lush forests, this fascinating documentary presents an urgent message in a clear, accessible manner that both informs intellectually and moves emotionally. The film offers solutions to the dire state of climate change, with regenerative agriculture presented not as a distant or theoretical solution but as a practical, proven method that can be implemented on a global scale.
Sankofa (1993)
“Sankofa,” a word in the Twi language of Ghana which means “go back, look for, and gain wisdom, power and hope,” is also the name of a critically heralded drama helmed by director Haile Gerima, whom Martin Scorsese described as a “truly independent filmmaker.” This important independent feature about the legacy of slavery and the African disapora, which has been listed as one of the “500 Utterly Essential Movies to Cultivate Great Taste in Cinema” by film professors at Harvard University, tells the story of Mona (Oyafunmike Ogunlano), a modern Black model who is transported back in time to experience life as a slave in the West Indies. Through her journey, she witnesses the inhumanity and brutality of slavery and while gaining a deeper understanding of her identity and heritage. Gerima’s bold, symbol-laden aesthetic is enlivened by magical realism that blends the past and present in a way that reflects the film’s themes of memory and identity, as well as dream-like sequences set on the shores of Ghana, where the spirit of the enslaved haunts the landscape. The tone of Sankofa is both meditative and intense, and the film serves as an important document that emphasizes the importance of memory, identity and resistance in the face of historical trauma.
When You Finish Saving the World (2023)
Anytime an A24 movie hits theaters or streaming services, it seems to be all anybody can talk about. The year 2022 alone featured X, Men, Bodies Bodies Bodies, Pearl and Aftersun—oh, and let us not forget the Best Picture winner Everything Everywhere All at Once. But there’s one A24 film that went way under the radar that year, even with well-known actor Jesse Eisenberg in the director’s chair: When You Finish Saving the World. And I’d argue that it’s up there with A24’s best releases of the 2020s. The story centers on Ziggy (Finn Wolfhard), a teenaged musician who struggles to connect with his socially conscious mother, Evelyn (Julianne Moore), who runs a shelter for domestic violence survivors. As Ziggy becomes consumed with his online persona in the pursuit of fame, Evelyn becomes increasingly concerned about his detachment from real-world issues, that he’s becoming shallow and self-absorbed. This generational conflict is the thematic crux of the film, which critiques both the idealism of the older generation and the self-centered, performative culture of the younger generation. This exploration of emotional disconnect that divides generations is aided by minimalist, intimate cinematography that lingers on life’s most uncomfortable, disorienting moments. Expect deadpan humor and legitimately incredible acting from the film’s two leads.
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
In 2004, a documentary called The Conscientious Objector told the story of World War II veteran Desmond Doss, a pacifist and combat medic who, because of his Christian beliefs, refused to carry or use a weapon or firearm of any kind while serving in battle. Doss became the first “conscientious objector,” aka someone who refuses to perform military service, to be awarded the Medal of Honor. For 14 years, the movie adaptation of his story was in development limbo until Mel Gibson took on the project, bringing Andrew Garfield along with him in the lead role. The film focuses on the story of Doss (Garfield), who is initially ridiculed by his fellow soldiers before his bravery and courage shines during the Battle of Okinawa, where he single-handedly saves the lives of dozens of wounded men under heavy fire. Filled with brutal, unflinching battle scenes that emphasize the pure chaos of war, as well as religious imagery that frames Doss’s actions as acts of faith and spiritual conviction, Hacksaw Ridge displays the human connection that persists even in the face of extreme violence. The film is loaded to the brim with great actors, from Sam Worthington to Teresa Palmer to Luke Bracey to Hugo Weaving to Rachel Griffiths to Vince Vaughn—I’ll go ahead and stop right there. Just watch this movie.
The Paper (1994)
As a journalist, I’ve long been fascinated with movies about newspapers and media, from classics like All the Presidents and Network to modern winners like The Post and Good Night, and Good Luck. But there’s one incredibly interesting, ridiculously entertaining entry into the news movie canon that doesn’t get talked about enough: The Paper. Directed by Ron Howard, this fast-paced, super-tense flick that captures the chaotic, high-pressure environment of a bustling newsroom in a single 24-hour period takes place at a New York City tabloid, where editor Henry Hackett (Michael Keaton) faces a whirlwind of pressures, both personal and professional, as he works to balance his demanding job with his family life, facing immense pressure from both his editor Alicia (Glenn Close) and his pregnant wife, Martha (Marisa Tomei). As a major news story breaks involving a murder case, Henry must navigate office politics, ethical dilemmas and the race to meet deadlines while dealing with his ambitious boss and the newspaper’s struggling finances—you know, just your average day in the newsroom. This character-driven flick is stuffed to the brim with great performances, with Randy Quaid, Catherine O’Hara, Jason Alexander and Robert Duvall filling out the cast.
Every Movie Leaving Netflix in September 2024
Note: The dates mark your final days to watch these movies.
- September 21: Human Capital (2019); Kiss the Ground (2020)
- September 22: NiNoKuni (2019)
- September 23: Love and Fury (2021); Sankofa (1993)
- September 24: A Walk to Remember (2002)
- September 25: Money Trap (2019)
- September 27: Force of Nature (2020); Inheritance (2020); When You Finish Saving the World (2023)
- September 30: A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014); Baby Boy (2001); Back to the Future (1985); Back to the Future Part II (1989); Back to the Future Part III (1990); Big Fat Liar (2002); Biking Borders (2019); Blankman (1994); Chatô: The King of Brazil (2015); Clerks (1994); Conan the Barbarian (1982); Divergent (2014); Dumb & Dumber (1994); Dune(1984); Fifty Shades Darker (2017); Fifty Shades of Grey (2015); Fighting (2009); Flushed Away (2006); Hacksaw Ridge (2016); Home (2015); Hot Tub Time Machine (2010); Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016); Junior (1994); Land of the Lost(2009); Léon: The Professional (1994); Long Shot (2019); Major League II (1994); Monster House (2006); Mr. Bean’s Holiday (2007); Muriel’s Wedding (1994); My Girl 2 (1994); Natural Born Killers (1994); Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019); Rango (2011); Reality Bites (1994); S.W.A.T. (2003); Serial Mom (1994); Slap Shot (1977); Street Fighter (1994); Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991); The Adjustment Bureau (2011); The Benchwarmers (2006); The Breakfast Club (1985); The Conjuring (2013); The Conjuring 2 (2016); The Divergent Series: Allegiant (2016); The Divergent Series: Insurgent (2015); The Hudsucker Proxy (1994); The Lego Movie (2014); The Outpost (2020); The Paper (1994); The River Wild (1994); The Road to El Dorado (2000); The Secret of My Success (1987); The Wiz (1978); Uncle Buck (1989); Warcraft (2016); Wild Things (1998)
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