Get ready to bid farewell to one of the most unsettling horror debuts of the century. Robert Eggers' The Witch, the 2015 folk-horror masterpiece that introduced the world to Anya Taylor-Joy, is officially leaving Netflix in the United States on October 1, 2026. That means subscribers have just a handful of days left to revisit the film that made Black Phillip a household name—and to experience Taylor-Joy's star-making turn before it disappears from the platform.
Set in 1630, The Witch follows a devout Puritan family banished from their colonial plantation and forced to build a new life on a remote plot of land at the edge of a dark, foreboding forest. Almost immediately, strange and terrifying events unfold: crops wither, animals turn violent, and one child vanishes while another appears to be possessed. As paranoia grips the household, suspicion falls on teenage daughter Thomasin, played by Taylor-Joy, who fiercely denies any wrongdoing. The film's slow-burn dread and meticulous period detail have earned it a devoted following and a stellar 90% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes from over 330 reviews.
For Taylor-Joy, The Witch was the launchpad for a remarkable career. She followed Thomasin with roles in Split, Emma., The Menu, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Meanwhile, director Robert Eggers went on to helm The Lighthouse, The Northman, and Nosferatu, cementing his reputation as a master of atmospheric horror. Made for just $4 million, The Witch scared up roughly $40 million worldwide—a testament to its chilling effectiveness.
If you're looking for more streaming scares this spooky season, Netflix has plenty to offer. Check out three must-watch movies before they leave, or dive into Mike Flanagan's Oculus, which also haunts the platform this month. And for those who prefer their horror with a side of history, Murnau's 1922 Nosferatu is now free on JustWatch TV.
But The Witch remains a singular experience—a film that demands patience but rewards viewers with an unshakable sense of dread. Its cast, led by Taylor-Joy, includes Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Harvey Scrimshaw, Ellie Grainger, Lucas Dawson, and Julian Richings, all delivering performances that ground the supernatural terror in raw human emotion. As Halloween approaches, there's no better time to immerse yourself in Eggers' grim, unforgettable vision.
Don't wait until it's too late. The Witch streams on Netflix until October 1, 2026. After that, you'll have to find another way to live deliciously.
