If you've been meaning to revisit one of the most gloriously over-the-top sci-fi spectacles of the 1990s, now's the time. Luc Besson's The Fifth Element, starring Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, and a scene-chewing Gary Oldman, is set to depart Netflix on October 1, 2026. That gives you just a few weeks to soak in the neon-drenched chaos one more time.
The film has a fascinating behind-the-scenes story, as Oldman recently revealed on Josh Horowitz's podcast. The Oscar winner admitted that Besson, known for his meticulous vision, would often feed actors their line readings—a practice many performers find limiting. To make matters more challenging, Besson delivered these in a thick French accent, which Oldman found both amusing and confounding. To cope, Oldman decided to give his villain Zorg a voice inspired by none other than Bugs Bunny. That quirky choice, he said, was his way of "surviving" the shoot.
Despite its rocky production, The Fifth Element became a beloved piece of pop culture. It arrived in 1997 alongside other blockbuster sci-fi fare like Armageddon and Independence Day, but it stood out for its distinctly European flavor. Financed largely with French money, the film blended Willis's everyman heroics with Jovovich's ethereal Leeloo, Chris Tucker's manic radio host, and Ian Holm's priestly sidekick. Critics were divided at the time, but audiences embraced it, helping it gross over $260 million worldwide against a $90 million budget.
Besson later attempted to recapture that magic with Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets in 2017, a visually stunning but commercially disappointing spiritual sequel. Yet The Fifth Element remains the touchstone, holding a 70% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The site's consensus calls it "visually inventive and gleefully over the top," a perfect encapsulation of its enduring appeal.
Legendary critic Roger Ebert was an early champion, describing it as "one of the great goofy movies" and comparing its ambition to classics like Metropolis and Blade Runner. He praised its moments of sheer cinematic joy, which still resonate today.
If you're in the mood for more sci-fi leaving Netflix soon, you might also want to check out Percy Jackson's Sea of Monsters, which is also set to depart in October. And for those who enjoy a bit of dark humor with their streaming, Netflix's new true-crime series might be worth a look.
So mark your calendars. The Fifth Element will be available on Netflix until October 1. After that, you'll have to hunt it down elsewhere. Don't miss your chance to experience this bonkers, beautiful, and utterly unique slice of sci-fi history.
