Fans of epic period dramas and star-studded casts have only a few more weeks to catch Babylon on Netflix. The 2022 R-rated film, directed and written by Oscar-winning filmmaker Damien Chazelle, is scheduled to exit the streaming platform on Sunday, June 7, 2026. The news was first reported by What's on Netflix, a reliable tracker of streaming content changes.
Babylon is a sprawling tale set in 1920s Hollywood, during the pivotal transition from silent films to sound cinema. The narrative follows three main characters: Manny Torres (Diego Calva), an ambitious immigrant eager to make his mark in the movie industry; Nellie LaRoy (Margot Robbie), a fierce and self-destructive actress determined to become a star; and Jack Conrad (Brad Pitt), a silent-film legend struggling to adapt to the new era of "talkies." Their intertwined stories show the heights of fame and the depths of obsolescence as Hollywood evolves around them.
The supporting cast is equally impressive. Tobey Maguire plays James, a menacing and influential figure in the underworld of Hollywood. Jean Smart portrays Elinor St. John, a gossip columnist who wields power over reputations. Li Jun Li takes on the role of Lady Fay Zhu, a cabaret singer and lesbian temptress, while P.J. Byrne appears as Max, a studio executive. The ensemble also features many other familiar faces, including Jovan Adepo, Olivia Hamilton, and Max Minghella.
This film marks Chazelle's most ambitious project to date. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and love for music-driven narratives, Chazelle had previously won the Academy Award for Best Director for La La Land (2016) and received acclaim for Whiplash (2014) and First Man (2018). With Babylon, he set out to create an unflinching, hedonistic portrait of early Hollywood—complete with lavish parties, racial tensions, and the crushing pressure of innovation. The film runs approximately three hours and is rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use, and language.
Despite its pedigree, Babylon failed to connect with audiences or critics upon its theatrical release on December 23, 2022. The film's budget ballooned to an estimated $80 million, yet its global box office gross was only around $65.2 million. It faced stiff competition from other holiday releases and was also adversely affected by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had already delayed its original planned release from December 2021. Additionally, the film's polarizing content—blending slapstick comedy with tragic drama—may have alienated some viewers.
Critical reception was mixed, a surprising outcome for a Chazelle film. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 57% approval rating based on 350-plus critic reviews, with an audience score of 52%. Metacritic gave it a weighted average score of 61 out of 100 from 63 critics, while the user score stands at 7 out of 10. While some praised the performances, particularly Robbie's fearless portrayal of Nellie, and Chazelle's visual flair, others criticized the film's excessive runtime and uneven tone.
At the 95th Academy Awards in 2023, Babylon received three nominations: Best Costume Design, Best Original Score (by Justin Hurwitz), and Best Production Design. However, it failed to win any Oscars. This was a marked contrast to Chazelle's earlier works, which had garnered numerous awards and nominations. Nevertheless, the film has developed a cult following among cinephiles who appreciate its risky ambition and historical sweep.
The departure of Babylon from Netflix is part of a regular cycle of licensing agreements between studios and streaming services. Sony Pictures (via Paramount Pictures for distribution) likely has a multi-year deal with Netflix that is expiring, and it remains to be seen whether the film will move to another streaming platform or become available on Blu-ray/digital purchase. For those who haven't seen it, now is the time to experience this grandiose, messy, and visually stunning ode to the birth of sound in cinema.
Interestingly, the film's portrayal of Hollywood's transition from silent to sound is historically grounded, even if the characters are fictional. Real-life figures such as John Gilbert, whose voice reportedly did not fit the new talkie format, and Clara Bow, whose accent and offscreen scandals threatened her career, are embodied in characters like Jack Conrad and Nellie LaRoy. Chazelle drew upon extensive research of that era, including the works of historians like Kenneth Anger. The film also showcases the early days of film technology, with scenes depicting synchronized sound recording, early cameras, and the chaotic collaborative environment of a major studio.
The performances have been highlighted as a strong point. Margot Robbie, already known for her roles in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) and I, Tonya (2017), fully commits to the wild, tragic arc of Nellie. Her character's descent from rising star to desperate addict is both harrowing and captivating. Brad Pitt, playing a silent-film matinee idol whose fame wanes, brings a nuanced vulnerability to the role. And Diego Calva emerges as a breakout, carrying much of the emotional weight as Manny mourns the loss of a world he helped create. Tobey Maguire's performance as the grotesque underworld figure is also noteworthy, marking a departure from his earlier roles in the Spider-Man franchise.
From a technical standpoint, Babylon is a feast for the senses. Cinematographer Linus Sandgren (who also shot La La Land) uses vibrant colors and sweeping camera movements to immerse viewers in the excess of the 1920s. Justin Hurwitz's score, a mix of jazz, dissonant electronica, and romantic melodies, earned an Oscar nomination. The costume design, by Mary Zophres, meticulously recreates the fashions of the era, from flapper dresses to sharp suits. The film's production design brings to life sprawling outdoor sets, decadent mansions, and gritty backlots.
Despite its mixed reception, the film has not disappeared from cultural conversations. In recent months, online forums and social media have seen a resurgence of interest in Babylon, with some declaring it an underrated gem. The impending Netflix exit may prompt a final surge in viewership. However, it also highlights the transient nature of streaming rights: even major films can vanish from libraries without warning, encouraging audiences to stream while they can.
Beyond the narrative of the film itself, the financial failure of Babylon serves as a cautionary tale for studios investing in high-budget original period pieces. It struggled to recoup its production costs, let alone marketing expenses. The film's underperformance may have influenced subsequent decisions at Paramount and other studios to greenlight similarly risky projects. However, Chazelle has not been deterred; he is reportedly developing a new project, possibly a crime thriller, that may once again push boundaries.
As June 7 approaches, viewers should take advantage of this opportunity to watch Babylon on Netflix. Whether for the first time or as a rewatch, the film offers a bold, unfiltered look at an essential chapter in entertainment history. Its themes of ambition, change, and the cost of success resonate today as much as they did in the Roaring Twenties.
Source: AOL.com News