M. Night Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense is back in the streaming spotlight. The 1999 supernatural thriller starring Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment joined Netflix’s September 2026 lineup, bringing one of Hollywood’s most recognizable psychological horror movies to a new generation.
Netflix lists the film as a 1999 thriller starring Willis, Osment, and Toni Collette, although availability varies by country.
The Sixth Sense Returns to Netflix
The film arrived on Netflix during the first week of September, with multiple streaming guides listing September 5 as its addition date in several markets.
That timing gives subscribers an opportunity to revisit a movie that helped establish Shyamalan as one of the defining filmmakers of supernatural thrillers. The film follows Malcolm Crowe, a Philadelphia child psychologist played by Willis, who begins treating Cole Sear, a frightened nine-year-old who claims he can see dead people.
The story gradually develops through Cole’s relationship with Malcolm. The psychologist attempts to understand the boy’s visions while dealing with unresolved problems in his own life. Shyamalan’s official film site describes Malcolm’s goal as helping Cole overcome his fear while discovering the purpose behind his unusual ability.
Why Bruce Willis’ Performance Still Matters
The Sixth Sense arrived when Willis was already strongly associated with action movies, making his restrained performance as Malcolm Crowe particularly notable. The film places him in a quieter dramatic role, with much of the tension coming from conversations between Malcolm and Cole rather than conventional action sequences.
The movie also became a major commercial and awards success. It earned approximately $672 million worldwide and received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor for Osment, and Best Supporting Actress for Collette.
Rotten Tomatoes currently lists the film at 86% from critics, reinforcing its long-standing reputation among acclaimed late-1990s thrillers.
Haley Joel Osment Remembers the Film’s Defining Moment
The movie’s most famous moment remains Cole revealing his supernatural secret to Malcolm. In a 2019 interview with the Los Angeles Times for the film’s 20th anniversary, Osment explained that he did not realize how significant the scene would become.
“It was just important because it was a crucial moment in the relationship between me and Bruce.”
Osment also recalled that the production environment itself contributed to the scene’s unsettling atmosphere, describing the abandoned hospital location and cold autumn conditions as resembling a haunted house.
