Netflix is ushering in the new year with a significant refresh of its UK catalogue, blending highly anticipated new arrivals with some painful departures of beloved classics. The streaming giant's January 2026 offerings promise to deliver a mix of award-winning drama, blockbuster franchises, and fresh seasons of hit series. However, subscribers must brace themselves as a host of fan-favourite films and TV shows are scheduled to leave the platform this month.
Major New Arrivals on Netflix UK
January sees a wealth of acclaimed cinema joining the service. Leading the pack is Steve McQueen's harrowing Best Picture winner, 12 Years a Slave, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Lupita Nyong'o. Sci-fi fans can revisit the groundbreaking District 9 and Denis Villeneuve's modern epic Dune, which won six Academy Awards. For laughs, the animated phenomenon Despicable Me arrives, alongside the classic odd-couple comedy Twins, featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito.
The month also brings fresh cinematic hits, including Sofia Coppola's critically praised Priscilla, which holds an 84% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Cult favourites like Zack Snyder's Dawn of the Dead remake and the musical sleeper hit Pitch Perfect are also new to the library. Furthermore, the surreal humour of Monty Python's The Meaning of Life makes its return to streaming.
The Return of a Streaming Juggernaut
Undoubtedly, the headline event for many is the return of Bridgerton for its fourth season on January 29. The new instalment shifts focus to Benedict Bridgerton's quest for love, promising more of the lavish Regency-era romance and drama that has captivated audiences worldwide.
Significant Titles Leaving Netflix UK
To make room for new content, Netflix is losing a staggering number of iconic titles. Two pillars of television comedy, all seasons of Friends and The Big Bang Theory, are departing after nearly a decade on the platform. In a massive blow for fantasy fans, the entire Wizarding World catalogue is exiting. This includes all eight films in the original Harry Potter saga and the complete Fantastic Beasts trilogy.
The list of departures extends to several Steven Spielberg classics, with both Jaws and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial scheduled for removal. Other major films saying goodbye include the recent blockbuster Oppenheimer, Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and the animated triumph Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The beloved 1996 adaptation of Roald Dahl's Matilda also flies off the shelf this month.
Plan Your Viewing
With such a substantial turnover, subscribers are advised to prioritise their watchlists. The full schedule of additions and removals is detailed below, providing a clear guide to what's coming and going throughout January 2026. Ensure you catch those departing favourites before they vanish from the service.
Full List of Additions:
- January 1: 12 Years a Slave, Dawn of the Dead, Despicable Me, District 9, Dune, Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life, Pitch Perfect, Priscilla, Twins, Erin Brockovich, Lone Survivor, and more.
- January 7: 11.22.63 (Season 1).
- January 8: Love Is Blind: Germany.
- January 15: The Upshaws (Part 7).
- January 20: Rizzoli & Isles (Seasons 1-7).
- January 27: Mike Epps: Delusional.
- January 29: Bridgerton (Season 4).
Key Departures:
- January 1: All seasons of The Big Bang Theory and Friends, the complete Harry Potter film series, the Fantastic Beasts trilogy, Matilda.
- January 2: Jaws.
- January 4: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
- January 7: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
- January 12: Oppenheimer.
- January 16: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
