Credit: Netflix

Every movie and series coming to Netflix this May

Mon 27 April 2026 14:00, UK

While the world was desperately waiting for March to get over, April disappeared in a blink. Before you know it, May is here, and so is the massive list of new and old content coming to Netflix. Loads of recognisable films are coming in with some new, very anticipated movies and series that might end up being better than expected. You know the type: nothing too loud but plenty to chuck on when you can’t decide what to watch.

The start of the month is where most of the action is. By now, you should know that the first of every month is when Netflix drops the most content. In this list, Schindler’s List is probably the biggest name, and why not? It’s Spielberg, it’s won a pile of Oscars, and it’s got a great story. Most people have already watched it, but if you haven’t, do it before Netflix removes it again.

Right next to that, you’ve got The Breakfast Club, which is an old classic high school comedy with actors like Molly Ringwald. It’s a sweet drama about just five teenagers stuck in detention, but it works because the characters actually feel like real people. It’s one of those films that has aged surprisingly well. Then there’s Pretty Woman, a cult classic, the famous “Big mistake, huge” scene of which people still die to recreate.

Then Netflix throws in Borat just to mix things up a bit. Sacha Baron Cohen’s natural skills, while he makes people roll on the floor laughing, is something you’d only expect from him. It’s not for everyone, but you can’t deny it’s memorable. Completely different vibe from everything else dropping at the same time.

If you’re not in the mood for anything too heavy, the Meet the Parents films are all coming on Netflix together. It’s basically awkward situations stacked on top of each other, with Ben Stiller constantly digging himself into deeper trouble while Robert De Niro watches on. A very easy concept with very little brainstorming from you. Just enjoy!

But May on Netflix isn’t only about shallow films. It’s also a bit of a run of films based on real-life stories, like Green Book, which is in there, following a road trip through the American South and focusing on race and class. It picked up Best Picture, though people still argue about it. Erin Brockovich is another one, and we also have The Theory of Everything turning up, focusing on Stephen Hawking’s life: more about the personal side of things.

As you get further into the month, Netflix starts bringing in some newer stuff. Black Phone 2 is probably the one that’ll get the most attention. The first film did well because it kept things simple. No throwing jump scares at you every five minutes, so there’s a bit of pressure on the sequel to not mess that up.

For something completely different, Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie is clearly aimed at families. If you’ve got kids, it’ll probably be on repeat whether you like it or not. And then there’s Ladies First, it has Sacha Baron Cohen again and Rosamund Pike involved, which might sound like an odd pairing, but that’s what makes it interesting. Could go either way, that one.

On the series side, it’s a similar story. Nothing massively overhyped, but a few that could be worth a watch. Lord of the Flies is probably the most important one. Turning that story into a series gives it more room to explore how everything falls apart, but it’s also the kind of adaptation that people will pick apart if it isn’t made.

Then you’ve got Legends, set in 90s Britain, with undercover operations and drug networks. Sounds like it’s aiming for that slightly gritty crime drama feel. Whether it actually pulls that off is another question, but the setting alone gives it a bit of an edge.

The Chestnut Man is back as well, carrying on with its slow, moody crime story. And Devil May Cry returns for another season, which already has its audience sorted, so it’ll tick along nicely.

Later in the month, The Boroughs stand out just because it’s doing something a bit different. A retirement community dealing with a strange threat isn’t your normal setup, so at least it’s trying something new.

All in all, May isn’t about big releases; it’s more of a steady stream of decent options. A few proper classics, some newer additions, and enough variety that you’ll always find something to watch, even if you go in with no plan.