Despite being known for its huge catalog of movies , the oldest Hollywood picture onNetflixis only from 1973 , and it ’s definitely deserving streaming . Some of thebest picture ever madecome from long before 1973 . downright classic likeCasablancaorThe Wizard of Ozare decades sometime than the ' 70s , and even new classics lack the cutoff , likeThe Godfather , which was made in 1972 . None of those classic are on the biggest streaming service in the world , but there was a time when thebest movies on Netflixincluded films that were nearly a century honest-to-god .

At one point in time , Netflix was a safe haven for anyone who wanted to look out old or obscure movies . It offered a selection of films that physical video recording renting stores like Blockbuster or Family Video but did n’t have the money or outer space to keep in stock . That was one of many reasons Netflix acquire so popular in the first place , and how it ended up making a name for itself . Despite the cyclosis service ’s roots of catering to cinephiles across America , the oldest English - language film presently on Netflix is only 52 years old , but it ’s still worth a watch half a C by and by .

Robert Redford & Paul Newman’s 1973 Movie The Sting Is The Oldest English-Language Movie On Netflix

A Few Bollywood Movies & A Documentary Are Older, But The Sting Is The Oldest Hollywood Movie On Netflix

As Bluesky userWill McKinleypointed out , Robert Redford and Paul Newman ’s 1975 movieThe Stingis the honest-to-goodness English - spoken language film on Netflix . There are a few older entry on the web site , but they include sixBollywood film filmed in Hindi , such asKhoon KhoonandAmrapali , and real - life documentary footage of World War II . In fact , the early 1970s scarcely have any representation on the streaming service at all : the next oldest Hollywood film on Netflix are 1975’sThe Other Side of the Mountainand 1977’sHeroes . Evidently , The Stingis the most " classic " Hollywood film on the entire cyclosis military service .

The Sting Is A Spiritual Predecessor To Ocean’s Eleven & Absolutely Worth Watching

The Sting Features An Enthralling Heist Story & Amazing Chemistry Between Redford & Newman

Though it ’s the oldest movie on Netflix , The Stingis utterly worth view . In many means , The Stingwas the inspiration for George Clooney and Brad Pitt ’s classical holdup movieOcean ’s Eleven . It follows Johnny Hooker ( Redford ) and Henry Gondorff ( Newman ) , two grifters who team up to scam mobster Doyle Lonnegan ( Robert Shaw ) as revenge for killing one of their friends . Hooker and Gondorff hatch a convoluted but dead brilliant scheme that ’s full of gimmick , unexpected minute , and cliff-hanging reveals . It ’s a kickshaw to watch all the defrauder work out together cleanly and see every piece of the puzzle fall into place in one barbarous swoop .

Paul Newman and Robert Redford ’s heist movie , The Sting , is not only herald , but also forever changed the history of the Academy Awards .

Aside from its engaging and thrilling plot , there are plentitude of reasons to loveThe Sting . Redford and Newman are an utterly classic duet , and their alchemy inThe Stingwas some of the best they ever put to screen , bar onlyButch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid . Hooker and Gondorff seem like they ’ve been supporter for decennary , and they have such a great teacher / educatee dynamic that ’s enchanting to find out . On top of that , due to its 1930s circumstance , all the set design , costumes , dialog , and music inThe Stingare superb , and they transport audiences to a whole new time period .

Robert Redford holding up a newspaper with Paul Newman standing behind him in The Sting (1973)

Why Netflix Has So Few Older Movies Now

Original Programming Is More Profitable & More People Watch New Releases Over Classic Films

Unfortunately , there ’s a jolly wide reach of reason Netflix has moved away from pop the question older films . The biggest reason is because Netflix has prioritized creating and housing its own original movies and shows over licence classic films from distributor like Universal or Paramount . Since Netflix have the right wing to its original content , it can keep those project on its site indefinitely , whereas it would have to continually bear licensing fees to extend cinema other company own . It , like many things in this earth , all comes down to money , and Netflix original are only more profitable than classic celluloid .

It , like many thing in this world , all comes down to money , and Netflix archetype are simply more profitable than classic films .

On top of the temptingness of Netflix master , erstwhile classics simply do n’t have as much demand as new movies and shows do . When raw film and shows fall out , they ’re almost guaranteed to draw in million of watcher plainly by virtue of being a young project that audiences have n’t seen yet . Most mass have see a honest portion of the classic moving-picture show in the world , so unless they have an errant desire to rewatchVertigo , only a few hundred people would watch it on any yield daylight . raw movies imbibe in young viewers , andNetflixhas seemingly settle to leave alone old moving-picture show in the dust .

German woman looking shocked and scared in Exterritorial Netflix movie

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The Sting is a 1973 film directed by George Roy Hill , sport Paul Newman and Robert Redford as gyp artist who team up up to execute a complex cozenage against a potent pack honcho . Set in the 1930s , the film elaborately combines elements of suspense , deception , and humour . It was well - received for its engaging plot of land and period - bona fide production design , going on to advance multiple Academy Awards , include Best Picture .

Paul Wesley as Kirk in Star Trek Strange New Worlds

Paul Newman and Robert Redford in an oil painting at the start of The Sting and Phoebe Dynevor in Bridgerton

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Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman) and John Hooker (Robert Redford) at the end of The Sting (1973)

The Sting is a 1973 film directed by George Roy Hill, featuring Paul Newman and Robert Redford as con artists who team up to execute a complex scam against a powerful mob boss. Set in the 1930s, the film intricately combines elements of suspense, deception, and humor. It was well-received for its engaging plot and period-authentic production design, going on to win multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

The Sting - Poster

The Sting is a 1973 film directed by George Roy Hill, featuring Paul Newman and Robert Redford as con artists who team up to execute a complex scam against a powerful mob boss. Set in the 1930s, the film intricately combines elements of suspense, deception, and humor. It was well-received for its engaging plot and period-authentic production design, going on to win multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Paul Newman

Headshot Of Robert Redford In The North America Rights Only

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The Sting