In a move that has horrified film enthusiasts across the UK, Netflix has executed a terrifying purge of its library, axing a slew of iconic horror classics just weeks before Halloween. The streaming service has left subscribers in the dark by removing cornerstone horror titles that many rely on for their annual October fright-fest.
The devastating hit-list includes some of cinema's most legendary nightmares. William Friedkin's ground-breaking 1973 masterpiece 'The Exorcist' has been exorcised from the platform. The supernatural shocker that defined a generation remains one of the most terrifying films ever made, and its absence will be deeply felt.
Joining it in streaming oblivion is the original 1980 slasher 'Friday the 13th', the film that introduced the hockey-masked killer Jason Voorhees to the world and spawned a decades-long franchise. The chilling removal doesn't stop there—fans will also find the 2009 remake of the same name has vanished into the void.
But the horror doesn't end with these two giants. Netflix's content culling has been widespread, taking down an entire roster of frightening favourites:
- 'The Exorcist: Believer' (2023)
- 'The Exorcist: The Version You've Never Seen' (2000)
- 'The Exorcist III' (1990)
- 'Trick 'r Treat' (2007)
- 'V/H/S/85' (2023)
- 'The Burning' (1981)
- 'The Wicker Man' (1973)
- 'The Addams Family' (1991)
- 'Cult of Chucky' (2017)
- 'The Curse of Chucky' (2013)
This mass deletion represents a significant blow to horror aficionados who consider October the prime month for revisiting these cinematic nightmares. The timing appears particularly cruel, stripping away essential viewing options right as the nights draw in and the Halloween spirit begins to rise.
Netflix's content strategy has long involved rotating titles due to licensing agreements, but removing such a substantial collection of horror classics during the genre's peak season has left many subscribers questioning the platform's understanding of seasonal demand. The move has sparked frustration across social media, with fans expressing their disappointment at losing their planned Halloween movie marathons.
For those now facing a horror-shaped hole in their streaming lineup, the search begins anew on competing platforms. This annual content shuffle serves as a stark reminder of the transient nature of digital libraries, where even the most iconic films can vanish with little warning, leaving nothing but ghostly memories of streaming past.
