Credit: Netflix

If you’ve been meaning to catch a few films on Netflix recently, now is probably the time to stop putting it off. That’s because a few important movies and series have been meaning to leave the platform this week, and a couple of them are genuinely worth one last squeeze before they disappear.

The good part is that there is a bit of everything as well. You have crime, comedy, documentary, and even a musical thrown in for good measure. Starting with the earlier exits, Wish Upon is a supernatural thriller leaving Netflix. It follows a teenager who comes into possession of a mysterious music box that grants wishes. But, as expected, there is a catch. It is here that each wish comes with consequences.

Yes, yes, we are aware that it is not exactly reinventing the genre, but it sticks to familiar horror beats and does the job if you’re after something easy to watch.

Things pick up a bit on May 6th with a trio from ESPN’s 30 for 30 series, particularly 30 for 30: The Two Escobars. That one’s genuinely compelling, and it links the rise of Colombian football with the influence of drug cartels, including Pablo Escobar. It’s well-researched and widely regarded as one of the good entries that are departing this week. Sad! Alongside it, Broke and Deion’s Double Play is taking away the privilege of watching the financial struggles of athletes and a unique moment in baseball and American football history.

Also leaving that day is Overboard, starring Anna Faris, which is also a remake of the 1987 original. It flips the premise, though, in this 2018 movie where a wealthy man loses his memory and is tricked into believing he is part of a working-class family. Watching him adjust to this new setting while becoming a better person is both hilarious and sweet.

On May 7th, The Infiltrator is taking its leave. Based on a true story, it follows a US customs agent who goes undercover to infiltrate Pablo Escobar’s money laundering network. Bryan Cranston is the lead in the film, and it’s a fairly grounded take on undercover work. It’s worth noting that the real-life operation it is based on was one of the largest money-laundering busts in U.S. history.

The same day, Super Me is leaving too, and it tells the story of a man who discovers he can bring objects from his dreams into the real world. It’s a light-hearted, thought-provoking film that is optional to watch.

Now, May 8th is coming with a lot of departures. Kill Your Friends is probably the most distinct of them all. It is set in the late ‘90s music industry, following a record label employee willing to do just about anything to get ahead. It’s cynical and very much rooted in that era. Then there’s The Emoji Movie, which, well, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Not exactly a critical favourite, though it found an audience with younger viewers.

Finally, on May 9th, Sing Street is the one you shouldn’t ignore. Set in 1980s Dublin, it follows a teenager who starts a band to impress a girl. The premise is simple, but it’s widely praised for its music. The songs were actually composed specifically for the film and ended up being one of its strongest points.

All in, a decent mix heading out this week. If there’s anything on that list you’ve been meaning to watch, now’s the moment because once it’s gone, it’s anyone’s guess when it’ll be back.

Every movie and series leaving Netflix this week

Movies

May 5

• AY: Spotting The Difference
• The Order of Things
• Wish Upon

May 6

• 30 for 30: Broke
• 30 for 30: Deion’s Double Play
• 30 for 30: The Two Escobars
• Overboard

May 7

• The Infiltrator
• Super Me

May 8

• All I See Is You
• Kill Your Friends
• Manodrome
• The Emoji Movie

May 9

• Sing Street

Series

May 7

• Full Speed (Seasons 1-2)

May 9

• Documentary Now! (Seasons 1-4)