Gone by January: Nine must-see movies leaving Neon this month

While there are constant arrivals of fresh movies and TV shows on Neon, there’s also a regular churn of content dropping off the Kiwi owned and curated streaming service.

So although you might think a film or programme will be available to watch on there in perpetuity, the truth is licencing deals mean they are usually only there for a few months – or years – at a time.

In order to assist those keen to get the most out of their subscription, and to help with your viewing priorities, Stuff to Watch has come up with a list of nine superb movies that won’t be around come January 1 – so catch them while you can.

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Blackbird (2019)

A remake of the 2014 Danish movie Silent Heart, this US drama brings together an impressive ensemble (Sam Neill, Kate Winslet, Susan Sarandon, Mia Wasikowska) for a tale about a dying mother who gathers up her somewhat strained family for one final weekend together.

At times, with its single location and erudite dialogue, it feels like a star-studded, well-choreographed stage play, but veteran director Roger Michell ensures it never feels like an airless chamber piece.

Bridge to Terebithia (2007)

Shot in New Zealand, this fantasy adventure focuses on how a pre-teen’s life is changed after befriending the new girl at school. Based on the award-winning 1977 book by Katherine Paterson, it stars Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb, Zooey Deschanel and Robert Patrick.

“A wonderfully heart-wrenching love story for tweens, teens, and even adults who fondly remember when a friendship could be ignited by a gesture as simple as offering a stick of Juicy Fruit,” wrote the LA Times’ Alex Chun.

Cape Fear (1991)

A rare case of a remake that matched – and maybe even surpassed – the original, Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of John D. MacDonald’s 1957 novel The Executioners is a masterclass in building tension and cinematic storytelling.

It helps that it has such an impressive cast. Nick Nolte has rarely been better than his turn as the defence lawyer whose life is turned upside down by one of his former clients who he failed to keep out of jail, while Robert DeNiro’s performance as the aggrieved Max Cady will give you the chills.

Chicken Run (2000)

Aardman Animation’s first full-length feature remains one of its most beloved. Essentially a poultry version of The Great Escape, its the story of a cockerel who inspires a group of chickens to try to liberate themselves from their evil owners.

The impressive vocal cast includes Mel Gibson, Julia Sawalha, Miranda Richardson, Timothy Spall and Jane Horrocks.

“Stands alone in its unwavering determination not to play down to the kiddies,” wrote Philadelphia Inquirer’s Steven Rea.

F9 (2021)

The most recent instalment of the long-running vehicular mayhem franchise picks up the action immediately after the events of 2017’s The Fate of the Furious.

Now, Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto and family face a new threat in the form of his younger brother Jakob (John Cena).

MIA from this episode are Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham, while joining the fray are Cardi B and Kiwi actor Vinnie Bennett.

A more than two-hour visual and aural assault, set-pieces include a chase across a landmine-infested valley, an insane drive across a collapsing bridge and a rocket strapped to a Pontiac.

Her (2013)

While this flight-of-fancifulness from writer-director Spike Jonze’s had the potential to be prurient, sexist and extremely creepy, it’s actually one of the most touching, haunting and melancholic romantic-dramas of the last decade.

Amy Adams and Joaquin Phoenix are the human stars, however it’s Scarlett Johansson’s disembodied voice that steals the show. She will have you reprogramming Siri, your sat nav and your mobile’s speaking clock.

Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (2007)

Natalie Portman, Dustin Hoffman and Jason Bateman star in this family fantasy about the eccentric 243-year-old owner of a fantastical toy store. Look out for a cameo from Kermit the Frog.

“Director Zach Helm gets huge bonus points for noticing everything that’s annoying about modern children’s films and including none of those things in his movie,” wrote the San Francisco Chronicle’s Peter Hartlaub.

Robin Hood (2010)

Sir Ridley Scott’s origins tale of Sherwood Forest’s most famous outlaw doesn’t quite follow the traditional model. Guy of Gisborne is gone, the Sherriff of Nottingham is but a minor player and good King Richard is not the usual paragon of virtue.

Borrowing heavily both visually and thematically from his earlier projects, Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven, Scott weaves together a solid tale that emphasises Russell Crowe’s Robin’s moral rise and Oscar Issac’s aspiring monarch John’s travails in the opposite direction.

Cate Blanchett shines as Lady Marion.

The Shining (1980)

It seems the only person who wasn’t a fan of Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel was the author himself.

Jack Nicholson is frighteningly great as a recovering alcoholic and aspiring writer seemingly driven crazy by the isolated surroundings of the Overlook Hotel.

Filled with haunting imagery, this is what a real horror movie looks, sounds and feels like.

“Ostensibly a haunted house story, it manages to traverse a complex world of incipient madness, spectral murder and supernatural visions… and also makes you jump,” wrote Empire magazine’s Ian Nathan.