Netflix's ever-shifting library is about to lose one of its crown jewels. Ex Machina, Alex Garland's mind-bending sci-fi thriller from 2013, will exit the streaming service on July 31. If you haven't seen it yet—or want one more rewatch—now's the time.
Garland's directorial debut follows a young programmer (Domhnall Gleeson) who wins a contest to spend a week at the remote estate of a reclusive tech genius (Oscar Isaac). There, he's tasked with administering a Turing test to Ava, a stunningly humanoid AI played by Alicia Vikander. What unfolds is a tense, philosophical battle of wits that questions consciousness, manipulation, and what it means to be human.
Thirteen years later, Ex Machina remains a touchstone of the genre. Its minimalist design, sharp script, and career-defining performances have earned it a spot among the best sci-fi films of the 2010s. It's also become eerily relevant as AI debates dominate headlines. For fans of smart, character-driven sci-fi, this is essential viewing.
Netflix has slapped the dreaded "Leaving Soon" tag on the film, and the official page confirms July 31 as the last day to stream it. It's not alone—other July 31 departures include Kindergarten Cop, Animal House, Borat, and the Meet the Parents trilogy. But for sci-fi lovers, Ex Machina is the biggest loss.
If you're looking for other great sci-fi on Netflix, check out Netflix's 'Bodies', which turns a little-known DC graphic novel into a must-watch thriller. And for more streaming picks, see our Best Netflix Movies to Watch on July 13, 2026.
But don't panic—Ex Machina isn't a Netflix exclusive. It's also streaming on free platforms like Tubi, YouTube, The Roku Channel, Hoopla, and Kanopy (though Hoopla and Tubi will also lose it on July 31). If you want to own it forever, physical copies are available on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD. That's the surest way to avoid streaming heartbreak.
Whether you're a first-timer or a longtime fan, Ex Machina rewards every watch. Its legacy as a seminal sci-fi entry is secure, and its departure from Netflix is a reminder to catch it while you can. After all, great movies have a way of finding new audiences—but only if you make time for them.
