‘Instant Family’ and Every Other Movie Leaving Hulu and Netflix This Week

It’s a busy week for library titles on streaming, with a mix of docs, dramas, and stand-up sets set to cycle off two major platforms. Below you’ll find quick, factual refreshers on each project—who made it, who stars in it, and what it’s about—plus the exact date it’s leaving and which service it’s departing from.

The window runs from Monday, 9/15 through Sunday, 9/21. If any of these have been on your list, this is the week to make time—each entry below includes a short overview along with the day it exits Hulu or Netflix so you can plan a last watch.

‘Somewhere in Queens’ (2023)

Ray Romano’s feature directorial debut follows Leo Russo, a Queens-based dad who sees his shy son’s high-school basketball hot streak as a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Romano stars alongside Laurie Metcalf, with supporting turns from Sadie Stanley and Jacob Ward. The film was co-written by Ray Romano and Mark Stegemann and centers on family dynamics, first love, and the pressures wrapped up in sports dreams.

The story tracks Leo’s attempts to keep his son motivated—sometimes by meddling—while his wife pushes for boundaries and honesty. This title is leaving Hulu on Wednesday, 9/17.

‘Dakota’ (2022)

A family adventure drama, this film stars Abbie Cornish as a widowed mom whose farm and family are changed by the arrival of a former service dog and its handler. Tim Rozon and Lola Sultan co-star in a story that folds in themes of healing, community, and responsibility. The movie was directed by Kirk Harris.

Set against small-town challenges—financial pressures, local politics, and a farm to keep running—the film uses the bond between a veteran, a child, and a retired K-9 to drive its plot. This title is leaving Hulu on Wednesday, 9/17.

‘Bad Axe’ (2022)

This documentary from director David Siev chronicles his Cambodian-Mexican American family in Bad Axe, Michigan, as they fight to keep their restaurant going during the pandemic while navigating community tensions. The film features Siev’s parents and siblings and blends family history with a portrait of small-town America.

Shot over months, it captures organizing, generational stories, and the weight carried by refugees and first-generation kids pursuing stability. This title is leaving Hulu on Wednesday, 9/17.

‘The Guns of Navarone’ (1961)

A World War II men-on-a-mission classic directed by J. Lee Thompson, this adaptation of Alistair MacLean’s novel stars Gregory Peck, David Niven, and Anthony Quinn as Allied commandos sent to destroy massive German guns. The screenplay was written by Carl Foreman, with supporting roles for Anthony Quayle, Stanley Baker, and Irene Papas.

Set in the Aegean, the story follows a perilous infiltration, climbing, sabotage, and frayed loyalties under fire, with music by Dimitri Tiomkin accenting large-scale action. This title is leaving Netflix on Monday, 9/15.

‘The Guv’nor’ (2016)

This documentary examines the life and legacy of Lenny McLean—bare-knuckle fighter, bodyguard, and later an actor known for his role in ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’. Directed by Paul Van Carter, it features interviews and archival material that trace McLean’s rise, his notoriety, and his family relationships.

Framed by perspectives from those who knew him best, it explores the myths and the man, delving into street fighting culture and the transition to on-screen work. This title is leaving Netflix on Monday, 9/15.

‘Bad Words’ (2013)

Jason Bateman makes his feature directorial debut and stars as a 40-year-old who exploits a loophole to enter a national spelling bee. The comedy co-stars Rohan Chand, Kathryn Hahn, and Allison Janney, with a screenplay by Andrew Dodge that pairs sharp banter with an unlikely friendship between the protagonist and a precocious competitor.

The plot follows road-trip antics, sabotage, and a growing bond that complicates the lead’s grudge-fueled motives, all set against the structure of televised competition. This title is leaving Netflix on Tuesday, 9/16.

‘Travelin’ Band: Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall’ (2022)

This music documentary chronicles Creedence Clearwater Revival’s 1970 ascent and presents their Royal Albert Hall performance from that year. Narrated by Jeff Bridges and directed by Bob Smeaton, it features restored concert footage and context about band members John Fogerty, Tom Fogerty, Stu Cook, and Doug Clifford.

The film pairs the full show with a timeline of the group’s prolific run, capturing the sound and staging of a peak live set at one of London’s most storied venues. This title is leaving Netflix on Tuesday, 9/16.

‘Subira’ (2018)

A Kenyan coming-of-age drama set on the coast, this film follows a young Muslim woman who longs for freedom beyond the strict expectations of her conservative community. Directed by Ravneet Sippy Chadha and led by Brenda Wairimu, it explores identity, marriage, and the pull between tradition and self-determination.

Moving from the islands to the city, the narrative examines family authority, personal passion—especially swimming and the sea—and the compromises demanded by culture and class. This title is leaving Netflix on Tuesday, 9/16.

‘Dr Jason Leong: Hashtag Blessed’ (2020)

This stand-up special features Malaysian comedian and former medical doctor Jason Leong delivering observational comedy about work, family, social media, and modern life. It highlights his shift from medicine to comedy, with stories shaped by Southeast Asian experiences and global travel.

Structured as a single performance, the set builds around cultural contrasts, parenting, and everyday absurdities, offering a snapshot of his voice at that moment in his career. This title is leaving Netflix on Tuesday, 9/16.

‘Instant Family’ (2018)

A family comedy-drama inspired by the real-life adoption experiences of director-co-writer Sean Anders, the film stars Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne as a couple who unexpectedly foster three siblings. The cast includes Isabela Merced, Gustavo Quiroz, and Julianna Gamiz, with supporting roles for Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro.

The plot follows the learning curve of foster-to-adopt parenting—caseworkers, court dates, and school hurdles—balancing humor with the realities faced by children and new caregivers. This title is leaving Netflix on Tuesday, 9/16.

‘The Stronghold’ (2021)

Released internationally under this English title, ‘BAC Nord’ is a French crime thriller directed by Cédric Jimenez and set in Marseille. The film stars Gilles Lellouche, François Civil, Karim Leklou, and Adèle Exarchopoulos, following an anti-crime brigade working the city’s toughest housing projects.

Inspired by real events, the story dives into surveillance, informants, pressure to deliver results, and the fallout from a corruption investigation that ensnares the unit. This title is leaving Netflix on Wednesday, 9/17.

‘Kountry Wayne: A Woman’s Prayer’ (2023)

This stand-up special spotlights comedian Kountry Wayne (Wayne Colley), known for his online sketches and national tours. The performance zeros in on dating, fatherhood, faith, and the social media era, distilled into a single hour with his Southern cadence and storytelling style.

Structured in themed chunks, the set moves through relationships, money, and personal growth, reflecting the persona he’s built across platforms and live shows. This title is leaving Netflix on Friday, 9/19.

‘The Persian Version’ (2023)

Written and directed by Maryam Keshavarz, this dramedy centers on an Iranian American woman navigating a complicated relationship with her immigrant mother. The cast includes Layla Mohammadi, Niousha Noor, and Tom Byrne, and the film weaves bilingual dialogue, family secrets, and bicultural identity into its cross-generational narrative.

The plot connects past and present across continents, balancing romance and family revelations with humor and stylized storytelling that earned festival recognition. This title is leaving Netflix on Saturday, 9/20.

Share which of these you’re queuing up before they go in the comments!