Credit: Paramount

Cheer up, everyone, because this week’s Netflix departure list is comparatively a lot smaller than usual. However, we see how that might cheer you up, but sadly, this news comes with a sad element. Because while only a handful of movies and series are leaving this week, most of them are comfort watches.

The biggest loss has got to be Mob Psycho 100 leaving on May 21st because too many people skipped it, thinking it was just another loud anime where everybody is screaming while buildings crash in the background. But honestly, it was one of the smartest things Netflix had sitting there. The show follows Mob, an awkward teenager with ridiculous psychic powers who spends most of his life trying to stay quiet because every time his emotions boil over, his powers go completely mental.

Even with all the supernatural fights and floating buildings, the show is really about growing up. You see, that’s the thing about most anime. From their facade, it is easy to judge that it is just another fantasy show about demons or an action hero, but true weebs know the emotions and messages hidden beneath them. You won’t believe it, more than half of them are about figuring yourself out and dealing with the pressure of people constantly expecting stuff from you.

What made Mob Psycho 100 stand out even more was the animation from Studio Bones, because all fights were made to look very raw. Nothing conventional… more like abstract art than normal anime fights.

Then there’s Crossroads, leaving the same day, and this film never deserved half the stick it got. Remember how back then it just became easy for people to take the piss out of anything connected to Britney Spears? But we bet you watch it now with a fresh perspective; watching it will feel different. It’s a story of three childhood friends reconnecting during a road trip across America. It brings all their old friendship drama back up, and it is dead relatable because it shows that weird stage in life where you suddenly realise everyone is slowly drifting apart without anybody meaning for it to happen.

Did you know Britney actually helped develop the story as well? You’ll feel that when you watch it because underneath all the road-trip stuff, the film is really about trying to hold onto people before life starts pulling them apart.

Now, The Addams Family and The Addams Family 2, leaving on May 20th, are going to annoy a lot of families because these films were comfort watches for many. What makes them so special is that once you realise the animated versions actually nailed the Addams Family vibe way better than expected. And a fantastic reason to watch these films before they leave Netflix is the voice cast, because what do you mean Oscar Isaac voices Gomez, while Charlize Theron’s Morticia is something you’d never expect the actress to do in a live-action movie?

Another film leaving right from under your nose is North Hollywood. The film follows Michael trying to chase professional skateboarding while his dad keeps pushing him towards university instead. What makes it work so well is how real it all feels because they used actual skaters in the film, not actors trying to fake it. Isn’t that amazing!

Then, before the week’s done, Butterfly in the Sky: The Story of Reading Rainbow leaves on May 24th, and while initially it may seem like a nice little documentary about Reading Rainbow, LeVar Burton slowly becomes a nostalgic punch about childhood and growing up.

Every movie and series leaving Netflix this week

Movies

May 19

• Ile Owo (2022)

May 20

• North Hollywood (2021)
• The Addams Family (2019)
• The Addams Family 2 (2021)

May 21

• Crossroads (2002)
• Marry Christmas (2024)
• Phil (2019)
• The Family Holiday (2007)

May 24

• Butterfly in the Sky: The Story of Reading Rainbow (2022)

Series

May 21

• Act Your Age (2023)
• Mob Psycho 100 – Netflix Original Removal (2016-2022)
• Wildfire (2005-2008)

Comedy Special

May 21

• Rachel Feinstein: Big Guy – Netflix Original Removal (2024)