The Departure of a Classic: ‘Erin Brockovich’ Leaving Netflix
Netflix is set to remove several high-profile movies from its library in May, and one of the most notable titles is Erin Brockovich. This 2000 legal drama, based on a true story, has been a fan favorite for years. Directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Julia Roberts as the titular character, the film tells the story of a paralegal and consumer advocate who played a key role in building a case against Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) over groundwater contamination in the early 1990s.
When Will ‘Erin Brockovich’ Be Gone?
According to Kasey Moore of What’s on Netflix, Erin Brockovich will be removed from the streaming service on May 1. This date marks the departure of over a dozen movies, including 1984’s Dune, the Mission: Impossible series, and the first three films in the Jaws franchise. Fans of the movie have only 11 days left to watch it on Netflix before it disappears from the platform.
A Box Office and Critical Success
The film was a massive success both financially and critically. With a $52 million budget, Erin Brockovich grossed over $256 million worldwide. It received widespread acclaim and was nominated for numerous Academy Awards. Julia Roberts won the Best Actress award at the Oscars, as well as the same honor at the Golden Globes, MTV Movie Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Albert Finney also won multiple awards for his performance as Edward L. Masry, and Soderbergh became the first director in over 60 years to be nominated for Best Director for two different films (Erin Brockovich and Traffic) in the same year. He ultimately won for Traffic.
The movie was recognized as one of the top 10 films of 2000 by the American Film Institute. It currently holds an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.5/10 score on IMDb.
A Star-Studded Cast
Julia Roberts headlined an impressive cast, including Albert Finney as Edward L. Masry, the lawyer who filed the successful lawsuit. Aaron Eckhart played George, Brockovich’s biker boyfriend. Other cast members included Marg Helgenberger, Tracey Walter, Peter Coyote, Conchata Ferrell, and Cherry Jones. Interestingly, the real-life Brockovich and Masry made cameos in the film as a waitress and diner patron.
Julia Roberts Reflects on the Filming Experience
During an appearance on The Late Show last November, Roberts shared her experience of filming Erin Brockovich. She described the process as “easy” and noted that the entire production felt very smooth. “You know, it doesn’t take an enormous amount of effort to do acting…. But it was so easy, that movie. Everybody was so easy. There was just a flow. The days were great, and it was just a job that felt very kind to the inside of me,” Roberts said, according to PEOPLE.
Where Can You Watch ‘Erin Brockovich’ Now?
While Erin Brockovich will no longer be available on Netflix after May 1, it can still be purchased on various platforms, including YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV, Fandango, and Amazon Prime Video. Fans of the film are encouraged to take advantage of the remaining time to stream or buy the movie before it leaves the platform.
