The Best Movies About to Disappear From Netflix

1 | The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

If you only see one Spaghetti Western, it should absolutely be this one. There’s a reason it’s considered a masterpiece, and it’s not just Clint Eastwood’s iconic performance as Blondie, a Civil War-era gunslinger on the hunt for buried gold. What makes this film so legendary is how it reimagined the tropes of westerns, like hyper-stylized gunfights and long, lingering wide shots interspersed with sudden close-ups. No less an authority than Quentin Tarantino called it “the greatest achievement in the history of cinema.”

2 | Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

It’s the movie that elevated Jim Carrey from television comedian to name-on-the-marquee movie star. It’s also arguably his funniest movie, though that depends on your enthusiasm for certain gags. There isn’t much here that’s mature, but that’s exactly what makes it such an enjoyable romp. Carrey plays a pet detective hired to find a missing dolphin, who just so happens to be the football mascot for… you know what, it doesn’t matter. The plot is mostly irrelevant. What matters is the hilarious and over-the-top wackiness of Carrey at the height of his comedic game. And for more movies that will make you laugh, check out The 50 Best Comedies of All Time, According to Critics.

3 | Magic Mike (2012)

If the only thing you’ve heard about this critically-acclaimed Steven Soderbergh-directed movie is the buff male torsos, you're missing out on one of the best (and surprisingly funny) movies about exotic dancers ever made. As The New York Times noted, this is really a story about the American Dream and an often scathing satire of "capitalism and its woes." And sure, it's also about Channing Tatum's abs. Somehow it manages to be all of the above. And while you're on Netflix, make sure you stream The 50 Best Netflix Shows Ever, According to Critics.

4 | The NeverEnding Story (1984)

This is one of those movies that can be enjoyed on a couple of different levels. On the one hand, it’s a fantastical tale of a young boy who discovers a magical book while trying to escape some bullies, and ends up being drawn into the fantastical world of the story, where he helps save the land of Fantasia from extinction and befriends a fluffy “truthdragon” named Falkor.

But if you want to dig deeper, there’s a whole lot going on below the surface, with some essayists suggesting there are themes about the “dangers of authoritarianism” and “finding one’s true self.” Lots of fodder here for some deep discussions, especially when you revisit this childhood classic as an adult.

5 | Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Vulture described Sleepless in Seattle as a “fundamentally hopeful movie,” and we couldn’t agree more. Isn’t that exactly what we all need right now—a movie full of hope? Sure, Nora Ephron's tale of two star-crossed lovers—the utterly charming Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan—has its share of melancholy moments. Hanks' character is, after all, a widower. But even after all these years, it still leaves us filled with optimism. Never has a happy ending felt so invigorating, and so needed. And for more films to curl up with, these are The 18 Best Romantic Comedies on Netflix Right Now.

6 | The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Revisiting the horror films of the past can often be disappointing. What once scared us silly in our youth doesn’t always hold up in adulthood. But Hannibal Lecter is one movie villain who still makes us want to hide under the covers. He’s played with understated menace by Anthony Hopkins, and his prison conversations with FBI agent-in-training Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) have more knuckle-biting tension than any horror film with a knife-wielding maniac chasing their victims through the woods. And for more of the greatest scary movies ever made, these are The 50 Best Horror Films of All Time, According to Critics.

7 | The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police  Squad! (1988)

Few people make us laugh as hard as Leslie Nielsen, especially in his role as bumbling-but-earnest police detective Frank Drebin. This is probably going to make us sound old, but they just don't make slapstick like this anymore! Are the jokes sometimes groan-inducing? Well sure, but that's part of the fun. Roger Ebert probably summed up the Naked Gun experience best when he wrote, “You laugh, and then you laugh at yourself for laughing.” And for more useful content delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.