This month, Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited are all getting pulled in anticipation for DC's new streaming service set to debut next year. And speaking of other streaming services, Hulu seems to have inherited quite a few FOX shows that left Netflix in the past few months, including American Dad's later seasons. Now it appears that the rest of American Dad will move to Hulu as well, leaving Netflix with just Family Guy and The Cleveland Show.
Two of Seth Rogen's most hilarious films, Superbad and Zack and Miri Make A Porno, won't be sticking around past August 4th either. Ironically, you'll have to get your fill of him from his raunchy animated comedy, Sausage Party, instead. If nineties teen dramas are more your thing, you'll be sad to know that one of Heath Ledger's first films, 10 Things I Hate About You, won't be sticking around for much longer either. While there are around sixty titles leaving Netflix in August, we've saved you the trouble of figuring out what you need to watch ASAP by creating this handy list. Settle in to binge, because these are The Best Movies And TV Shows Leaving In August.
15. Justice League Unlimited (Seasons 1-2)
A spinoff of the original Justice League animated series (which is also sadly leaving Netflix in August), Justice League Unlimited had to have been one of the best superhero shows ever. A must watch in anticipation for the live action Justice League film coming out this November, Justice League Unlimited's episodes are like mini movies, where both internal and external conflict are a constant threat. By utilizing so much of their source material, Justice League Unlimited feels like a fully fleshed out universe with tons of characters to write for beyond the headliners like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.
There's no denying that Bruce Timm's prolific vision for the DC universe made this show, and other similarly-styled series before it, fan favorites among comic book fans. It really feels like you're watching a comic book come to life, because it not only has tons of over the top action and good vs. evil scenarios, but the characters are all so engaging in a way that simply isn't commonplace among most other cartoons (besides maybe Batman: The Animated Series, which Timm was a lead producer on). Do yourself a favor and binge watch all thirty-nine episodes on Netflix ASAP, before they disappear from the streaming world until DC's (paid) service debuts next year.
14. Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks star in Kevin Smith's romantic comedy Zack and Miri Make a Porno. In the same vein as Knocked Up (although significantly less funny and with the main characters starting off as friends and then having sex), the film follows the struggles of a pair of roommates who are in desperate need of some cash. While the title seems to imply that you're in for a raunchy sex romp, the porno is only a secondary element to the plot. It becomes their solution to getting out of debt after Miri unintentionally ends up all over the internet in a viral video.
Although it has all of the hallmarks we've come to expect from a Kevin Smith film—while technically existing outside of his View Askewniverse—Zack and Miri has something that his other films don't: romantic chemistry. Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks play off each other comedically, but also share an extremely intimate moment that's surprisingly authentic for one of Smith's films. It's a testament to both actors, but also to the fact that the polarizing filmmaker still has occasional moments of directorial brilliance.
13. American Dad (Seasons 1-4)
Seth McFarlane's political comedy American Dad makes fun of practically every cliche regarding family and country in the United States, exposing us to our own hypocrisy and stupidity. Main character Stan Smith goes to great lengths to keep up appearances, which often leads to hilarity since his "nuclear family" also includes a talking goldfish and an alien named Roger. In fact, it's Roger who often steals the show, an unapologetic diva who hides in plain sight using one of his many elaborate disguises.
Seasons six through ten of American Dad were pulled from Netflix in April and May, but now they're finally getting rid of the rest. Seasons one through four leave the streaming service on August 15th, just when we need it the most. With all that's going on right now in the news, America could use a little more animated political satire, especially when it's manufactured in the mind of McFarlane. Pro-tip: if you're not sure which season to watch, or don't have time to watch all four, season four has some of the best pop culture references, including an episode where Roger convinces Steve he's been accepted to Hogwarts.
12. To Kill a Mockingbird
Highly regarded as an American classic, the 1962 film adaptation of Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird consistently ranks as one of the best films ever made. Even if you associate the novel with high school English class—where it was often required reading—the film deserves a watch for Gregory Peck's performance alone. Peck stars as Atticus Finch, a white lawyer representing a black man named Tom Robinson accused of rape. Despite the strong feelings of the townspeople about Robinson's guilt, Finch is determined to examine all the facts without jumping to conclusions based on the man's race.
Aside from Peck's favorable portrayal of Finch, the film expertly translates the novel's themes of discrimination, justice, and morality on screen as we see each of the story's characters consider the case before them. Finch's strong sense of fairness and commitment to justice shines a bright light on how prejudice and bigotry can sometimes blind us to the truth of a situation, continuing to make a powerful statement even today.
11. Superbad
As teen sex comedies go, Superbad outranks even American Pie with its hilariously written dialogue, situational comedy, and physical humor. Written by Seth Rogen, both Michael Cera and Jonah Hill are perfectly cast as nerdy pals, Evan and Seth, whose awkwardness (especially when it comes to girls) has left them in the uncool category. Determined to prove their worthiness, the film follows their quest to obtain alcohol in order to party with their crushes, none of which goes according to plan.
While its Evan and Seth's mission to become popular and lose their virginities that drives the film, the scenes with Fogell, aka McLovin, (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), Officer Slater (Bill Hader), and Officer Michaels (Seth Rogen) are some of the most ridiculous. Just a couple of bored cops with nothing better to do, Slater and Michaels ignore McLovin's fake ID in exchange for having a bit of fun for the night (and improving his social status). Naturally, Rogen has some of the best one-liners in the film. In fact, you'll be quoting Superbad all over the place after the first watch. It's just one of those films whose humor stays with you, even if you were never a nerdy teenage boy trying to get laid.
10. Elizabethtown
Drew (Orlando Bloom) meets Claire (Kirsten Dunst) just when he's at his lowest—getting fired from his job, contemplating suicide, and facing the death of his father. But through all the misery, Claire stands out as a beacon of light shining in the darkness. Susan Sarandon, meanwhile, plays Drew's mother, Hollie, who doesn't exactly react to her husband's death in a typical manner. In fact, much of the humor in the film stems from the unpredictability of life and how we all deal with grief in our own ways.
Often compared to Garden State for its similar premise where the main character returns home after a death in the family, Elizabethtown focuses less on highlighting its own quirkiness, instead choosing to paint a realistic picture of the way death brings people together. It's a charming little film that warrants a watch for its relatability, reminding us that there's a silver lining even in the darkest of times, and that it's never too late to start fresh.
9. The Five Venoms
Post-Bruce Lee, this Hong Kong kung fu film has reached cult status, inspiring modern day favorites like Kill Bill and even Kung Fu Panda. The premise revolves around a kung fu master who discovers he's dying and sets his current pupil on a quest to find his five previous students. Suspecting they might try and steal a former colleague's vast fortune, he instructs Yang Tieh (Sheng Chiang) to determine the evil among them.
Like in Kung Fu Panda, each student has a signature kung fu style named after different animals (although in this case, they're all venomous creatures). While the storyline is pretty convoluted—as none of the clan are particularly virtuous—it'll certainly have you guessing the motives of each member until the very end. Fans of classic Chinese kung fu films will want to add The Five Venoms to their watchlist ASAP before it leaves Netflix on August 9th.
8. Babe
Nineties kids surely the slew of talking animal films during the era, including one starring a piglet named Babe. Like Charlotte's Web, Babe was adapted from a novel about a pig raised on a farm. Raised among sheepdogs, Babe develops a talent for herding the other animals, earning him favor with his owner and saving his life in the long run.
While it's definitely a kid's film, Babe marks one of James Cromwell's first starring film roles as the farmer, Hoggett. Interestingly enough, he also appeared in a film called The Babe a few years prior, which centered around the legendary baseball player, Babe Ruth. Also leaving Netflix is the Babe sequel, Babe: Pig in the City, which has an even more unbelievable, but still heartwarming storyline where it's up to Babe to save the farm with his sheepherding talents. If you're looking for a comfort film or a healthy dose of nostalgia, give this one a watch before it's gone from Netflix for good.
7. The Spoils of Babylon
IFC comedy The Spoils of Babylon was a miniseries intended to parody those overly dramatic miniseries from the early '80s that were based on historical fiction or other genre novels. Released in 2014, Spoils was seriously overlooked—probably because IFC just doesn't have the draw of other channels or streaming outlets. Kristen Wiig received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie, but other than that, it pretty much flew under the radar and didn't receive much recognition. However, its relative success on IFC did spawn a second series called The Spoils Before Dying that debuted a year later.
Aside from Wiig, The Spoils of Babylon also stars Will Ferrell, Adam Mckay, Tobey McGuire, Tim Robbins, and Jessica Alba, to name but a few. The series focuses on the relationship between a pair of adoptive siblings (McGuire and Wiig) whose love seems to destroy everything it touches. The series sports a mockumentary vibe, with the "director" discussing the backstory of making it in each episode. But the real hilarity is how it appears as a serious drama on the outside while jumping from weird black and white drug scenes to moments resembling a certain famous moment from Gone With the Wind. By the end of the last episode, the story becomes so absurd, you'll find yourself laughing like a hyena at the genius of it all.
6. Revenge (Seasons 1-4)
For fans of Gossip Girl or Desperate Housewives, Revenge follows Emily Thorne (Emily VanCamp) as she returns to her childhood home to enact revenge on the Grayson family who destroyed her father's life—along with her own. Emily's father was involved with the matriarch of the powerful clan, who then becomes Emily's primary target as she sets her plans for justice in motion. As you might imagine, things don't go exactly to plan as she begins integrating herself into the lives of the Graysons and those around them.
Upon its debut, Revenge won the TV.com award for Favorite Guilty Pleasure series and was nominated for both a People's Choice and Teen Choice award in 2012 and 2013. VanCamp previously appeared on the CW (then known as the WB) in the series Everwood, but more recently, she's taken on the role of Sharon Carter in the MCU. Other CW alumni appear on the show as well, including Connor Paolo (Eric van der Woodson on Gossip Girl) and Ashton Holmes (Thom on Nikita). While not everyone enjoys these kinds of scandalous stories, which sometimes come across as pulpy women's fiction, if you do enjoy them, Revenge serves up a satisfyingly cold dish of drama.