Netflix axes kids' film franchise and period drama in spring clean
by CONOR O'BRIEN, TV REPORTER · Mail OnlineNetflix have axed dozens of titles in a spring clear out - including a legendary kids' film franchise and popular period drama.
The streaming platform will say farewell to several beloved films and TV shows next month.
Although users need not worry, as new additions will also be introduced to the service.
Among the departures is beloved children's film Despicable Me, which was released in 2010.
It stars Steve Carell as the voice of Gru, a supervillain who adopts three orphaned girls.
The film, which also features Jason Segel and Miranda Cosgrove, also notably introduces Gru's loveable yellow sidekicks, known as the Minions.
Its 2013 sequel, aptly titled Despicable Me 2, will also be departing Netflix next month.
Another Steve Carell movie - 2011's Crazy, Stupid Love - is also among the axed titles.
The premise follows Cal (played by Carell), a recently separated man, who enlists the help of womaniser Jacob (Ryan Gosling) to pick up women.
However, the story takes a surprising turn when an unexpected link between the two men is revealed.
Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, Marisa Tomei, John Carroll Lynch and Kevin Bacon appear in supporting roles.
Also going is acclaimed pirate drama Black Sails, which is a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel Treasure Island.
The historical action-adventure series features younger versions of characters including Long John Silver and Captain Flint.
Black Sails combines the fictitious storyline of Treasure Island, with historical pirates including Calico Jack (Toby Schmitz) and Anne Bonny (Clara Paget).
Viewers will also be waving goodbye to 2012's Pitch Perfect and also its 2015 follow-up, Pitch Perfect 2.
The much-loved comedy films follow the adventures of an all-female a cappella group, who originally formed at the fictitious Barden University.
Another notable departure is the iconic 1990 film Misery, based upon Stephen King's novel of the same name.
The twisted plot follows famous author (James Caan), who is held captive by crazed fan Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), after he is injured in a road accident.
After reading Paul's latest manuscript - wherein he kills off popular character Misery Chastain - Annie is incensed and burns it.
While the stories brought Paul success and fame, he resents the character and wants to move on.
Annie doesn't agree, as she holds Paul captive, buys him paper and forces him to write a new draft bringing Misery back.
Kathy Bates won an Oscar for Best Actress for her performance as Annie Wilkes in Misery.
The horror thriller's cast also includes Richard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen and Lauren Bacall.
According to What's on Netflix, here is the full list of titles set to leave the platform in April.
April 1, 2026
Alexa and Emma (2003)
Best in Show (2000)
Big Momma’s House 2 (2006)
Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)
Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005)
Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
Daddy Day Care (2003)
Despicable Me (2010)
Despicable Me 2 (2013)
District 9 (2009)
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (2012)
Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat (2003)
Daddy Day Care (2003)
Elysium (2013)
Facing the Giants (2006)
Frank and Cindy (2007)
Frank and Cindy (2015)
Free Solo (2018)
Friends with Benefits (2011)
Ford v Ferrari (2019)
Frank and Cindy (2015)
Frank and City (2007)
Ghosts of Mississippi (1996)
Kicking and Screaming (2005)
Magical Andes (Seasons 1-2) – Netflix Original Removal
Man on Fire (2004)
Misery (1990)
Molly’s Game (2017)
Night Raiders (2021)
Pedro el escamoso (2001)
Pineapple Express (2008)
Pitch Perfect (2012)
Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)
Rio (2011)
Rio 2 (2014)
Robocar Poli (2015)
Rumor Has it… (2005)
Safari (2022)
Supertato (2025)
The American President (1995)
The Bucket List (2007)
The Call (2013)
The Mauritanian (2021)
The Sting (1973)
Twins (1988)
Wyatt Earp (1994)
Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
April 2, 2026
Demetri Martin: Demetri Deconstructed (2023) – Netflix Original Removal
Inu-Oh (2020)
La leyenda de la Nahuala (2007)
Pedro el escamoso (2001)
April 3, 2026
Justin Time (Seasons 1-2)
We Grown Now (2023)
April 4, 2026
A Mighty Wind (2003)
After Hours (1985)
Benjamin (2019)
Birthmarked (2018)
For Your Consideration (2006)
Home Fries (1998)
Match Point (2006)
Waiting for Guffman (1996)
April 5, 2026
Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019)
April 6, 2026
Sirius The Jaeger (Season 1) – Netflix Original Removal
April 7, 2026
A Simple Lie (2022)
Cast Away (2000)
Piece by Piece (2024)
Queen of the South (seasons 1-5)
Holy Spider (2022)
April 8, 2026
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024)
Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
April 9, 2026
MINTED: The Rise (And Fall?) of the NFT (2023)
The Hating Game (2021)
April 12, 2026
30 for 30: O.J.: Made in America - Disney Removal
April 16, 2026
The Mustang (2019)
The Snowman (2017)
April 17, 2026
Black Sails (Season 1-4)
April 19, 2026
The Ruthless (2019) – Netflix Original Removal
April 22, 2026
Fern Brady: Autistic Bikini Queen (2024) – Netflix Original Removal
April 24, 2026
Fern Brady: Autistic Bikini Queen (2024) – Netflix Original Removal
April 26, 2026
Daddio (2024)
April 30, 2026
Harold and the Purple Crayon (2024)