5-Year-Old Dark Fantasy Masterpiece Movie Is Leaving Netflix In Two Weeks

A dark fantasy masterpiece released in theaters five years ago will be leaving Netflix in just two weeks. There have been many compelling dark fantasy stories that have been released onscreen in the 2020s. Many of these tales have been relegated to the world of TV, such as Prime Video's The Wheel of Time or Netflix's The Witcher. However, there have also been some movies that have taken the genre further in recent years, producing compelling, noteworthy tales in the process.

Some of these dark fantasy movies include Robert Eggers' The Northman, which relied on Viking mythos to tell its story, as well as Netflix's Damsel starring Millie Bobby Brown. These movies are but two examples of how dark fantasy has played out through feature films over the last six years. It's also not a market that's going anywhere anytime soon, with upcoming films like Ebenezer and Elden Ring fitting perfectly into the genre.

But there's one dark fantasy movie that, despite being based off a well-known legend, never gained the traction it deserved. Instead, it wound up lost to obscurity, despite having a compelling take on an old story. And now, after spending some time on Netflix, it will no longer be available to watch in just two weeks.

The Green Knight Is Leaving Netflix In September 2026

That movie is The Green Knight, a big screen adaptation of the Arthurian poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Written and directed by David Lowery, the A24-produced movie stars Dev Patel as Gawain, who leaves Camelot in search of the Green Knight in order to test his bravery. The film follows his journey across the world as he seeks to prove himself.

The Green Knight will be leaving Netflix in September 2026, with the final day to watch the movie listed as August 31. This means viewers interested in seeing the Arthurian film will have to watch it before the end of the month. Otherwise, the movie will no longer be accessible on Netflix, leaving the streaming service's catalog behind for an unknown amount of time.

The Green Knight Is One Of The Decade's Best Fantasy Movies

Despite how unknown it is, the Arthurian movie is one of the best fantasy movies of the 2020s. The Green Knight reviews reflect this, with the movie holding a Certified Fresh 88% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes based on 328 reviews. They praise the film for its unique take on the original poem, with an emphasis on following its character's journey in a methodical, thoughtful manner. This difference is what makes it such a noteworthy film, and why it's worth watching before it disappears from Netflix.

The Green Knight's cast is also impressive, helping to make the film even stronger. While Patel's leading role is captivating, so too are the roles held by Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Sarita Choudhury, Sean Harris, Ralph Ineson, Barry Keoghan, Erin Kellyman, and Kate Dickie among others. All have crucial parts to play in the movie, and all stand out as important players in Gawain's journey.

Why Wasn't The Green Knight A Bigger Hit?

Unfortunately, The Green Knight didn't make a major impression at the box office when it was released. The movie ultimately ended its run with $20 million against a $15 million budget, an unfortunate development for the film given how positive its critical reception was. However, audiences at the time weren't as satisfied, with some finding the changes to the poem undermined the overarching story it was trying to tell. This, coupled with its acquired taste in presentation, left the movie forgotten.

Luckily, in retrospect, critics seemed to be right about the film: The Green Knight is a different yet excellent portrayal of Arthurian legend, in such a way that it leaves a strong impression behind, even if the movie didn't make as big a hit when it was first released. Now, Netflix subscribers don't have long until the movie leaves, with the story still leaving a strong impression long after its time in theaters.