Best movies to watch before leaving Netflix in July 2022
Summer is in full swing, which means there’s a new crop of blockbusters to see in theaters. But if you’d rather stay home to avoid the heat (and the crowds), it’s never a bad idea to return to netflix and catch up on some of the older movies you might have missed. After all, there are plenty of greats about to leave the streaming service. From a wildly underrated horror sequel to a pair of tom hank classics, to one of the most beloved holiday movies of all time, here are seven noteworthy movies to watch before leaving Netflix this month.
Departs the : July, 1st
Director: David Fincher
Writer: Aaron Sorkin (based on the book The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich)
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Brenda Song
Who would have thought that a movie on Facebook could work so well, let alone work at all? The social network follows Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), the circumstances that led to his creation of Facebook, and the lawsuits that soon followed. The performances here are all spot-on, and the film benefits greatly from Aaron Sorkinthe sizzling scenario, David Fincherconfident direction and a haunting score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. In terms of dramatic biopics, The social network is one of the best at turning what could easily have been an uninspired money grab into a gripping cinema.
Departs the : 11 July
Director: Johannes Roberts
Writers: Bryan Bertino and Ben Ketai
Cast: Bailee Madison, Lewis Pullman, Christina Hendricks, Martin Henderson, Damian Maffei
The foreigners was a favorite with audiences and critics when it was released in 2008. A sequel had been in development for years before prey at night finally came out in 2018. And not only is it as good as the original, it’s better. The masked killers of the original are back, though they now terrorize unwitting occupants of an isolated trailer park. The film is beautifully directed by Johannes Roberts and features relentless action that is paced to perfection. While the first film was more grounded in psychological horror, prey at night is a tribute to slasher movies, especially those from the 1980s. In fact, the 80s vibe is part of what gives the film its unique flavor. It features a spooky atmosphere, lots of neon lighting, and a fantastic John Charpentier-sque soundtrack (a sequence that takes place in a swimming pool is particularly memorable). It’s best to go blind, so avoid reading reviews or spoilers. Oh, and be sure to lock your front door.
Departs the : July 19
Director: David F. Sandberg
Writer: Gary Daubeman
Cast: Stephanie Sigman, Talitha Bateman, Lulu Wilson, Anthony LaPaglia and Miranda Otto
If you saw the first annabelle and want to know the origin story of the creepy doll, chances are you’ll be more than happy with the second installment in the franchise. While the first film was a prequel to Conspiracy, Annabelle: Creation goes back even further to literally explore the creation of Annabelle by dollmaker Samuel (Anthony LaPaglia) and his wife Esther (Miranda Otto) who are plagued by horrors at their isolated farmhouse after the death of their young daughter, Annabelle. The scares of the film are largely successful since the characters in danger this time around are mostly children, and Talitha Bateman and Lulu Wilson more than pulling their weight carrying most of the film. It’s not the scariest entry in the franchise, but another trip into Conspiracy the universe is never a bad thing.
Departs the : July 23
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Writer: Quentin Tarantino
Cast: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson
Director Quentin Tarantino wrote a love letter to spaghetti westerns in Django UnchainedDjango’s history (Jamie Foxx), a slave, who teams up with a German bounty hunter (Christopher Waltz) to track down Django’s wife and a group of outlaws. In true Tarantino style, Django Unchained features crackling dialogue and heavily stylized action sequences in the same vein as Inglourious Basterds. Performance is solid, especially Leonardo DiCaprio in one of his best roles as villainous plantation owner Calvin Candie. It’s not a historically accurate film, but the killer script, performances, and over-the-top action make it a lot of fun.
Departs the : July 31
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Writer: Eric Roth (based on the book of the same name by Winston Groom)
Cast: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Sally Field, Michael Conner Humphreys, Hanna R. Hall
You’d be hard pressed to find a more lovable character than Forrest Gump. Tom Hanks plays the lead role, a kind and generous man from Alabama who doesn’t allow his intellectual disability to affect the fullness of his life. Forrest Gump is unique in that it is an amalgamation of genres – comedy, romantic comedy, war story, etc. It’s this blending of genres that gives the film its unique flavor and also allows Forrest to become an incredibly three-dimensional character. While the humor, fun and laughs come from Forrest’s travels and experiences unwittingly influencing several key moments in United States history, the film’s beating heart is his relationship with childhood friend Jenny. (Robin Wright). Their connection runs the gamut from innocent and sweet to complicated and sad as Forrest and Jenny continue to cross paths in their very different lives. If you’re looking for a comedic, uplifting and moving film, you might not find a better one than Forrest Gump.
Departs the : July 31
Director: Nora Ephron
Writers: Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron (from the play Perfumery by Miklos Laszlo)
Cast: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Parker Posey, Jean Stapleton, Dave Chappelle
If you’re looking for more Tom Hanks after Forrest Gump, You’ve got mail could do the perfect double functionality. The film features rival booksellers Joe (Hanks) and Kathleen (Meg Ryan) who embark on an online romance, completely unaware of their competing business activities. The film was praised for its romantic comedy elements as well as the strong chemistry between protagonists Hanks and Ryan. While the concept of dial-up internet and chat rooms may be a bit dated, the film’s themes of the joys (and dangers) of human connection remain relevant today.
Departs the : July 31
Director: Richard Curtis
Writer: Richard Curtis
Cast: Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth
It’s safe to say that love, in fact is one of the most beloved and enjoyable holiday movies of all time. The British romantic comedy features a number of intersecting stories of love and loss (and plenty of Bill Nighy singing), all during the Christmas season. Much of the film’s charm comes from its ensemble cast, and it’s especially fun to see so many stars sharing the screen. Whether in Nighy’s ridiculous antics as rock and roll star Billy Mack, or in the more heartbreaking story of Juliet (Keira Knightley) and Mark (Andre Lincoln), love in fact has something for everyone. And if you’re one of its many die-hard fans, you’ll have no problem watching it in mid-July.