Britney Spears' beloved movie Crossroads leaving Netflix sooner than fans hoped

For as globally adored as Britney Spears is among her devoted fans, you would think that her one and only starring role in a major movie would be more readily available to watch. However, the star's 2002 acting debut in the comedy-drama film Crossroads remained a hard-to-find relic of the early aughts for the better part of 20 years—until Netflix stepped in and secured the rights.

Back in February 2024, in conjunction with the release of Spears' memoir The Woman in Me and in celebration of the movie's 20th anniversary, Netflix snapped up the streaming rights to the Paramount Pictures cult favorite. The movie began streaming on Feb. 15, 2024 and has been available to watch on the platform ever since. But its time is soon coming to an end.

Crossroads starring Britney Spears removed from Netflix in May 2026

With the release of Netflix's new releases coming in May 2026, the streamer also confirmed which titles would be removed. Unfortunately, Crossroads will be one of the casualties of removal in May as the movie's page on Netflix is now showing a removal notice. The last day to watch Crossroads on Netflix is May 20. The movie will be removed on May 21, 2026.

While Crossroads is also available for rent or purchase on various streaming platforms, there currently isn't another major streaming service set to scoop up the film's streaming rights. Naturally, you would assume that Paramount+ would be the logical home for the movie, but it's not available to stream and isn't included on the streamer's list of new releases in May after its Netflix removal.

There's still a chance that Crossroads could make its way to Paramount+ or return to Netflix at some point in the future, but it's also just a bummer that it's being shuffled around at all. Sure, we didn't expected the movie to stay put at Netflix forever, but fans probably still weren't anticipating (Britney reference!) that the movie would only spend two years on the streamer.

During the film's addition to Netflix, it was also re-released in theaters for a very limited event, again to celebrate the release of Spears' memoir. But even the resurgence of the movie hasn't resulted in an extension of its legacy, like a re-release on DVD or Blu-ray. Perhaps when the movie hits 25 years old in 2027, Paramount will roll out the red carpet once more for another celebration.

Crossroads only spent a short amount of time on Netflix, all things considered, but the movie's re-entry into pop culture reminded everyone that it's actually a good movie. Critics weren't kind to it, or Spears' objectively nuanced and poised performance, back in 2002, but time has been kind to this truly underrated masterpiece teen movie from long gone era. Let's hope the movie doesn't end up forgotten all over again.

Make sure to watch Crossroads on Netflix by May 20 before it's removed the next day!

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