Unlike other streaming platforms that ride the rollercoaster of highs and lows, Netflix is the master of keeping its cool. Sure, it has had its off days, but in curating content, Netflix has set the bar high. Whether through their own hit productions or bringing back fan favorites, they have a knack for giving subscribers exactly what they crave. And when it comes to horror, Netflix knows how to make those spooky nights extra bone-chilling. But, as they say, all good things must come to an end, right? This month, some beloved horror flicks are taking their final bow from the streaming giant’s lineup.
If you are ready to kick off the pre-Halloween vibes with your legs snug under the blankets and your heart doing a full sprint, here are the horror flicks that should be on your watch list.
It Follows (2014)
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It Follows is a horror-thriller released in 2014 that tracks Jay, a college student who is relentlessly stalked by a creepy specter of a woman, no matter where she goes. Written and directed by David Robert Mitchell, this American horror gem stars Maika Monroe alongside Keir Gilchrist, Daniel Zovatto, Jake Weary, Olivia Luccardi, and Lil Sepe. With a tiny budget of $1.3 million, it scared up a whopping $23.3 million and earned itself a loyal cult following as a modern horror classic.
With a sequel now in the works, there is no better time to catch up on the original because if they do not follow the trajectory, the terror might just follow them. But do hurry because the film vanishes from Netflix on October 10 among the others in its lineup!
The Not-So-Giggly Child’s Play Franchise (1990-2017)
Netflix, the shape-shifting creature of the streaming world, constantly morphs its library every month. And in the spooky spirit of October, it serves as a real scare by snatching away some horror classics on Halloween. Just as fans were about to get cozy with their popcorn, a big slice of the Child’s Play franchise is planning to sneak out the back door. Child’s Play 2 and 3, the box office beasts from 1990 to 1991 (raking in $35.8 million and $20.5 million, respectively) are fleeing Netflix on October 31, like a creepy trick, just in time to haunt fans.Â
Meanwhile, the twisted Chucky saga is not done playing with fans just yet. Bride of Chucky (1998), Seed of Chucky (2004), Curse of Chucky (2013), and Cult of Chucky (2017) are all cackling their way out of Netflix, leaving a creepy chuckle in their wake that will be hard to shake off. These flicks are also vanishing on October 31, so fans planning a Chucky binge only have a few weeks left to avoid being haunted by unfinished business.Â
For the clueless souls out there, the Chucky saga revolves around everyone’s favorite pint-sized nightmare, voiced by Brad Dourif in the original films. Chucky is a notorious serial killer who just would not die because he cheats death by performing a wicked voodoo ritual, stuffing his twisted soul into a Good Guy doll. The horror show kicked off in 1988, and since then, Chucky has been on a rampage through six sequels, a TV series, and even a reboot.
The first, second, and fourth films slashed their way to box office glory, raking over $182 million worldwide. Hence, Chucky is not only deadly, but deadly successful. Sure, Netflix never got its claws on the legendary Halloween franchise, but snagging part of Child’s Play is a wicked move while it lasts. Therefore, it is better to get that Chucky fix before he is gone.Â
World War Z (2013)
World War Z is the 2013 action-horror thrill ride directed by Marc Foster, in which Brad Pitt’s Gerry Lane, a former UN investigator, globe-trots to stop a fast-spreading zombie apocalypse. With a powerhouse screenplay by Matthew Michael Carnahan, Drew Goddard, and Damon Lindelof, based on Max Brooks’ 2006 novel, this flick had a monster budget between $190 million and $269 million. But it roared to life at the box office, gnawing its way to a jaw-dropping $540.5 million, making it the highest-grossing zombie film ever.
Even though it never got a sequel, World War Z has left its bloody mark on horror fans for a decade. But just in time for Halloween, this zombie blockbuster is also crawling off Netflix on October 31, holding hands with the departing Child’s Play franchise.
The undead are leaving, and it is going to sting. But for those who do not know the reasons behind Netflix doing away with some of its content alternatively, here is the scoop.
Why does Netflix remove its content frequently?
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Usually, when Netflix axes content, it is because those pesky licensing deals expire. But before pulling the plug, they weigh a few things, like if the rights are still up for grabs or if it is still a hit in certain regions. And, of course, how much is the cost to keep it?
Sadly, some titles do not get resurrected. However, Netflix still has a killer lineup of spooky flicks for fans to sink their teeth into. Plus, with their love for dropping fresh, creepy content every month, there might just be a spine-chilling Halloween surprise lurking in the shadows.
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What do you think of these horror flicks that are leaving Netflix this October? Let us know in the comments below!