The Gryphon Gazette

By Lauryn F. ‘26 and Claire Z. ‘26

While it is exciting to see many great new films being produced, it’s also sad to see many of the classics be replaced. This list consists of the top 10 movies to watch before they disappear from Netflix. 

#1 Paddington 

This fun, child-appropriate movie is a great way to spend your Saturday evening, especially before its last day on Netflix: May 15th. After a deadly earthquake destroys his rainforest home, a young bear, played by Ben Whishaw, makes his way to England in search of a new home. The bear, named “Paddington”, finds shelter with the family of Henry and Mary Brown, played by Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins. Although Paddington’s amazement at urban living soon makes him endearing to the Browns, taxidermist Millicent Clyde has her eyes on the rare bear and his hide. 

#2 Edge of Seventeen

Growing up is hard, and life is no easier for high school junior Nadine, who is already at peak awkwardness when her all-star older brother Darian starts dating her best friend Krista. All at once, Nadine feels more alone than ever, until an unexpected friendship with a thoughtful teen gives her a glimmer of hope that things just might not be so terrible after all. Starring many incredible actors/actresses, such as Hailee Steinfeld and Blake Jenner, this one is surely a movie to watch. (Side Note: this is one of my favorite coming-of-age movies of all time)

#3 The Last Days 

The Last Days is an incredibly moving Oscar-winning documentary about the experiences of five Hungarian Jews who had survived imprisonment in Auschwitz. As we follow these five brave survivors through their memories of the horrors and trauma, we learn to view their stories as a testament to hope and humanity. Hearing the stories and roads to recovery from actual survivors makes it even more heartbreaking. Images may be disturbing to some, but I strongly recommend this poignant yet intriguing documentary, for it will be taken off Netflix on May 18th. 

#4 King Kong 

While this movie may seem old, it’s not one to forget. Set in 1933, an ambitious filmmaker and his hired ship crew travel to a mysterious Skull Island. There, they encounter many mysterious creatures and beasts, including the legendary giant gorilla known as Kong, who they capture to take back to New York. Starring many incredible actors such as Jack Black, Andy Serkis, and Naomi Watts, this action-packed film is one to watch before it leaves Netflix on April 30th. 

#5 Hachi a Dog’s Tale 

Young Ronnie reveals to his classmates that his hero is a dog named Hachi. Teased by his fellow pupils, Ronnie goes on to tell the remarkable story of his grandfather’s friendship with the dog. Starring many outstanding actors such as Richard Gere and Joan Allen, Hachi a Dog’s Tale is a beautiful, sentimental movie that is great for families. 

#6 Scott Pilgrim vs. the World 

Starring actors like Michael Cera, Chris Evans and Aubrey Plaza, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is an action-packed romantic comedy based on the comic book Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O’Malley. Scott Pilgrim is a slacker musician who is trying to win a music competition and secure a record deal, while also fighting the seven ex-boyfriends of his girlfriend, Ramona Flowers, who is an Amazon delivery girl. This film is not only praised for its humor and style, but also its video game-like visual effects. I strongly recommend watching this film before it leaves Netflix on April 30th. 

#7 21 Jump Street 

When police officers Schmidt, played by Jonah Hill, and Jenko, played by Channing Tatum, join the secret Jump Street unit, they use their youthful appearances to go undercover as high-school students. They trade in their guns and badges for backpacks and set out to shut down a dangerous drug ring. But, as time goes on, Schmidt and Jenko discover that high school is nothing like it was just a few years earlier — and they must again confront the teenage terror and anxiety they thought they had left behind. This comedic, action-packed film is loved by many and is one to watch before it makes its exit on April 30th. 

#8 The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight is a film made in 2008 and was based on the DC Comic Batman. Starring actors Heath Ledger and Christian Bale, this movie is a thrill ride from start to finish. Batman, the main character, has been able to protect his home in Gotham City. But when a vile young criminal, the Joker, suddenly arrives, the town erupts in chaos. This film is leaving on April 30th so be sure to watch it before it does. (It is also rated PG 13, so it may be disturbing to younger children. It can also be found on Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max). 

#9 My Girl 

My Girl is a romantic coming-of-age movie about a young girl named Vada. Starring Anna Chlumsky, Macaulay Culkin, and Jamie Lee Curtis, this movie follows Vada, an 11-year-old girl living in Pennsylvania in the summer of 1972. Her mother died giving birth to her and her father operates the town’s funeral parlor, which leads her to suffer from hypochondria. Throughout the movie, she learns to cope with the death of her best friend, the hardships of growing up as a young, eccentric girl, and mending her relationship with her father through her new stepmother. It is coming off Netflix on May 31st. 

#10 The Other Side of the Mountain

The Other Side of the Mountain is a 1975 American drama romance film based on the true story of Jill Kinmont, an American alpine ski racer. Kinmont was a national champion skier and a top prospect for a medal at the 1956 Olympics. However,  after she was paralyzed in a near-fatal accident at the Snow Cup weeks before her 19th birthday, Kinmont has to learn to put her life together with her close friend, who also suffered a similar experience after contracting polio. It is leaving Netflix on May 1st, so be sure to watch this brave story about reality of being an athlete before it’s gone.