Everything to Stream on Netflix This May
There’s mystery, murder, and a peek into the dark side of old Hollywood awaiting you this month on Netflix.
As April comes to a close, Netflix is set to welcome a bunch of new titles, and whether you’re eager to catch up with the Riverdale gang or you’d prefer a night in with the staff at Seattle Grace on Grey’s Anatomy, there’s truly something for everyone in May.
Along with the Netflix debut of the newest seasons of your favorite cable television series, this month features the return of Netflix's own Kimmy Schmidt. The much-beloved character stars in a new interactive special debuting on May 12, and for her return, Schmidt (Ellie Kemper) is joined by Daniel Radcliffe and Jon Hamm. Other highlights this month include The Half Of It, a coming-of-age comedy generating early critical buzz ahead of its May 1 release, and The Eddy, a Netflix series from the director of La La Land that chronicles the happenings (and the struggles) of a Paris jazz club, which premieres on May 8.
In the rush to consume the month’s best new titles, don’t forget to save some time to bid farewell to the old. Throughout the month, a number of hit releases are leaving Netflix, including the entire Scandal series on May 18. Those with a fondness for romance may also want to get in viewings of Dear John, My Girl, and Ghosts of Girlfriends Past before they leave on May 31.
Prepare your May Netflix viewing list accordingly, and scroll through some of our must-watch picks for the month, along with a complete list of May’s arrivals and departures.
Dead to Me: Season 2
Available May 8
Prepare for another season of secrets and laughs when Dead to Me returns to Netflix for its second season. The dark comedy, starring Christina Applegate as grieving widow Jen and Linda Cardellini as Judy, a new friend with a secret, debuted nearly a year ago, and at the conclusion of the first season, viewers were left reeling from a major cliffhanger. Fans of the critically lauded series will have to tune in to see whether Jen and Judy can handle hiding a major murderous secret together — but based on initial trailers, the unlikely accomplices are in for some trouble, and an unexpected visit from the FBI.
Hollywood
Available May 1
From the mind of Ryan Murphy, the creator of American Horror Story and Pose, comes Hollywood, a series centered on making it in Tinseltown after World War II. For the seven-episode series, Murphy intermingles the lives of real-life 1940s Hollywood legends with a fictionalized group of aspiring stars. Jim Parsons, Darren Criss, Samara Weaving, and Jeremy Pope are among the all-star list of cast members due to star in the drama.
The Lovebirds
Available May 22
Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani star in this romantic comedy with an unexpected twist. Jibran (Nanjiani) and Leilani (Rae) seem to have it all together, but when they’re forced into the center of a murder mystery, their perfect love is put to the test. Attempting to clear their names, they team up to take down a powerful organization.
Uncut Gems
December 25
We’re used to seeing Adam Sandler be the funny jokester in films, but this time he’s taking on a more serious role in Uncut Gems. The drama centers on a New York City jeweler (Sandler) who has a major gambling problem. His infatuation with the thrill of gambling leads him to a series of high-stakes bets in the midst of other external craziness surrounding his life.
Available May 25
Uncut Gems took both the critical world and social media by storm when it was released last year, as many spoke favorably of Adam Sandler’s acting in this high-stakes drama. The thriller will leave you on the edge of your seat the entire time as you follow along with the story of Howard Ratner (Sandler), a jewelry store owner that’s just trying to get his life together, and failing at every turn. When Ratner finds himself facing potential financial ruin over the sale of a rare black opal, he’ll do everything he can to secure a future filled with riches, even if that means putting his life on the line.
Space Force
Available May 29
Some of the biggest names in comedy, including Steve Carell, Lisa Kudrow, John Malkovich, and Jane Lynch, star in Space Force, a fictional comedy based on the very real idea presented by President Donald Trump. Carell leads the series, starring as Mark, the government employee unwillingly pulled into spearheading the force.
Everything Coming to Netflix in May 2020
May 1
All Day and a Night
Almost Happy
Get In
Go! Go! Cory Carson: The Chrissy
The Half Of It
Hollywood
Into the Night
Medici: The Magnificent: Part 2
Mrs. Serial Killer
Reckoning: Season 1
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
Back to the Future
Back to the Future Part II
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Cracked Up, The Darrell Hammond Story
Den of Thieves
For Colored Girls
Fun with Dick & Jane
I Am Divine
Jarhead
Jarhead 2: Field of Fire
Jarhead 3: The Siege
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Masha and the Bear: Season 4
Material
Monthly Girls' Nozaki Kun: Season 1
Sinister
Song of the Sea
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Heartbreak Kid
The Patriot
Thomas & Friends: Marvelous Machinery: A New Arrival
Thomas & Friends: Marvelous Machinery: World of Tomorrow
Thomas & Friends: Thomas and the Royal Engine
Underworld
Underworld: Evolution
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
Urban Cowboy
What a Girl Wants
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
May 4
Arctic Dogs
May 5
Workin' Moms: Season 4
May 7
Scissor Seven: Season 2
May 8
18 regali
Chico Bon Bon: Monkey with a Tool Belt
Dead to Me: Season 2
The Eddy
The Hollow: Season 2
House at the End of the Street
Restaurants on the Edge: Season 2
Rust Valley Restorers: Season 2
Valeria
May 9
Charmed: Season 2
Grey's Anatomy: Season 16
May 11
Bordertown: Season 3
Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics
Trial By Media
May 12
True: Terrific Tales
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy Vs. the Reverend
May 13
The Wrong Missy
May 14
Riverdale: Season 4
May 15
Chichipatos
District 9
I Love You, Stupid
Inhuman Resources
Magic for Humans: Season 3
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power: Season 5
White Lines
May 16
La reina de Indias y el conquistador
Public Enemies
United 93
May 17
Soul Surfer
May 18
The Big Flower Fight
May 19
Patton Oswalt: I Love Everything
Sweet Magnolias
Trumbo
May 20
Ben Platt Live From Radio City Music Hall
The Flash: Season 6
Rebelión de los Godinez
May 22
Control Z
History 101
Just Go With It
The Loverbirds
Selling Sunset: Season 2
Trailer Park Boys: The Animated Series: Season 2
May 23
Dynasty: Season 3
May 25
Ne Zha
Norm of the North: Family Vacation
Uncut Gems
May 26
Hannah Gadsby: Douglas
May 27
I'm No Longer Here
The Lincoln Lawyer
May 28
Dorohedoro
La corazonada
May 29
Space Force
Somebody Feed Phil: Season 3
May 31
High Strung Free Dance
Everything Leaving Netflix in May 2020
May 1
John Carter
May 15
Limitless
The Place Beyond the Pines
May 17
Royal Pains: Season 1-8
May 18
Scandal: Season 1-7
May 19
Black Snake Moan
Carriers
Evolution
The First Wives Club
It Takes Two
Love, Rosie
She's Out of My League
What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Young Adult
Yours, Mine and Ours
May 25
Bitten: Season 1-3
May 30
Bob Ross: Beauty Is Everywhere: Collection 1
May 31
Austin Powers in Goldmember
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Dear John
Final Destination
The Final Destination
Final Destination 2
Final Destination 3
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Looney Tunes: Back in Action
My Girl
The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
Outbreak
Red Dawn
Richie Rich