If you've been meaning to catch George Clooney and Julia Roberts in a tense, financially charged thriller, now's the time. Money Monster, Jodie Foster's 2016 high-wire act, is set to leave Netflix on June 1, 2026. The film, which also features a young Jack O'Connell, is a rare breed: a star-driven action-thriller that managed a theatrical release in the streaming era.
Released in the wake of the 2008 recession and the Occupy Wall Street movement, Money Monster taps into raw economic anger. Clooney plays Lee Gates, a flamboyant TV financial guru who's taken hostage live on air by Kyle Budwell (O'Connell), a viewer who lost everything following a tip from Gates. Roberts plays Patty Fenn, the show's director, who must navigate the crisis from the control room while millions watch. The film is a taut, 98-minute ride that blends the satire of Network with the claustrophobic tension of Dog Day Afternoon.
Critics were mixed but intrigued. Money Monster holds a 59% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus calling it a "strong cast and solidly written story" that rides "a timely wave of socioeconomic anger." Commercially, it was a modest success, grossing nearly $100 million worldwide against a $30 million budget. That's a far cry from the $400 million-plus of Ocean's Eleven or the $200 million of Ticket to Paradise, but it still proved that star power could draw crowds to a mid-budget thriller.
For fans of the genre, Money Monster is a reminder of a time when studios regularly bet on A-list names for contained, high-concept thrillers. Today, those stories often land directly on streaming platforms—think Extraction or The Rip. But Foster's film was one of the last to get a wide theatrical release before the shift became permanent. If you're looking for more gripping true stories, check out The Best Netflix True Crime Docuseries That Will Keep You Up at Night.
The film's departure is part of a broader June 2026 exodus from Netflix. Also leaving is the acclaimed indie Shiva Baby, starring Rachel Sennott and Molly Gordon, which you can read about in our dedicated article. Meanwhile, Netflix's own hit series The Boroughs continues to dominate globally, as reported in this May 2026 update.
If you haven't seen Money Monster, it's a sharp, well-acted thriller that still resonates. Clooney and Roberts have undeniable chemistry, and Foster directs with a steady hand, keeping the tension high without losing sight of the film's social commentary. It's a perfect weekend binge—especially if you pair it with another underrated thriller like Ridley Scott's The Counselor, which also deserves a second look in 2026.
So mark your calendars: Money Monster streams on Netflix until June 1, 2026. After that, you'll need to find it elsewhere. For more streaming updates and recommendations, stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot.
