The powers that be at Netflix have released their list of what’s coming to and leaving the platform in January. And to help you decide what to watch in the weeks to come, we’ve put together the Monthly Netflix Report Card, a highly scientific, yet mostly arbitrary, very subjective assessment of the streaming giant’s gains and losses.
The final grade will take into account the three biggest gains in the Netflix original movies and shows/comedy specials, as well as the three biggest gains and losses in standard movies and shows/comedy specials.
(Check out the full list of what's coming to and leaving Netflix in January here.)
Top Three Netflix Original Movies/Comedy Specials Coming to Netflix in January
-A Futile and Stupid Gesture, David Wain’s tongue-in-cheek, dramatized retelling of National Lampoon, particularly its founder Doug Kenney, starring Will Forte, Joel McHale and Emmy Rossum. (Jan. 26)
-Before I Wake, the latest entry in the “there’s something fucked up with this kid” horror subgenre, starring a very comely fictional family of Jacob Tremblay, Kate Bosworth and Thomas Jane. (Jan. 5)
-The Open House, the latest entry in “there’s something fucked up with our new house” horror subgenre, that looks truly terrifying. (Jan. 19)
Top Three Netflix Original Shows Coming to Netflix in January
-The End of the F***ing World, a crass British teen rom-com between a teenage girl and her awkwardly charming, psychopathic would-be murderer, based on the eponymous graphic novel by Charles Forsman. (Jan. 5)
-One Day at a Time: Season 2, a modern-day follow-up to Norman Lear’s classic ‘70s sitcom. (Jan. 26)
-Dirty Money, a timely docuseries that sheds light on instances of corporate greed and corruption and dedicates one very necessary episode to Trump, Inc. (Jan. 26)
Aggregate grade of Netflix Originals: C+. With the exception of A Futile and Stupid Gesture, The End of the F***ing World and the Trump, Inc. episode of Dirty Money, there's not a whole lot to look forward to here. Unless you happen to have been waiting years for that One Day at a Time reboot since its cancellation.
Top Three Movies/Comedy Specials Coming to Netflix in January
-Caddyshack. A truly rewatchable classic. (Jan. 1)
-The Godfather trilogy. A truly rewatchable classic trilogy. (Jan. 1)
-Wedding Crashers. Turn this on whenever the cold makes you long for wedding season. (Jan. 1)
Top Three Shows Coming to Netflix in January
-Episodes, seasons 1-5, Matt LeBlanc's underrated meta BBC comedy. (Jan. 5)
Aggregate grade of movies/shows coming to Netflix: B+. There's some great movies, many of which I didn't include here, coming to the streaming platform this month. And if you're looking for a breezy new comedy to binge, Episodes is a strong option.
Top Three Movies/Comedy Specials Leaving Netflix in January
-Pulp Fiction (Jan. 1)
-Mean Girls, a hall-of-fame cable movie. (Jan. 1)
-Forrest Gump, because it stands the test of time. (Jan. 1)
Top Three Shows Leaving Netflix in January
-Lost, all seasons. Which is a good news for people, like me, who could easily get sucked into watching Lost and nothing else for the next few months. (Jan. 4)
-Sirens, seasons 1-2. A USA workplace comedy I cannot imagine will be missed by many. (Jan. 15)
-Futurama, seasons 7-10. (Jan. 30)
Aggregate grade of movies/shows leaving Netflix: A-. The movies leaving Netflix this month are more or less as good as the ones coming to Netflix, but cumulatively, Lost and Futurama edge out Episodes on the TV side.
The Final Grade
C. This is one of the weakest and lowest-profile months for Netflix original content in many months. And while the movies coming to Netflix are undeniably plentiful (and great), those leaving aren't too shabby, either. Plus, Lost—perhaps one of the most bingeable shows of all-time—is gone. Which feels like a significant loss for those of us who haven't watched the show and plan on leaving their homes as little as possible this month.
