Netflix is rolling out a seriously wide mix of new movies and shows in May 2025. Subscribers can expect a bunch of fresh originals, some much-loved returns, and a handful of classic films to keep things interesting all month.
Among the big titles? “Dear Hongrang,” a couple of new stand-up specials, and some long-awaited movies like “Past Lives” and “Mid90s.” Not a bad month to be a Netflix user, honestly.
Drama, comedy, action, documentaries—whatever you’re into, there’s probably something new for you to stream. Some highlights: “Football Parents,” the crime series “Angi: Fake Life, True Crime,” and some heavy-hitting classics like “Ali,” “American Gangster,” and “American Graffiti” landing in the library.
What’s New On Netflix in May 2025
If you’re wondering what to watch this month, Netflix has made the answer pretty easy: everything. Whether you’re here for pulse-pounding thrillers, comfort food dramas, prestige documentaries, or the nostalgic joy of vampire love triangles, the May 2025 slate is one of the most jam-packed, genre-spanning lineups the streamer has dropped in a long time.
From the heartwarming to the horrifying, May’s catalog includes high-profile originals, classic movie collections, and buzz-heavy final seasons. We’re getting the emotional finale of Big Mouth, the long-awaited Volume 4 of Love, Death & Robots, and brand-new shows like Sirens, Forget You Not, and She the People that are already generating early heat online. Movie lovers can revisit the entire Ocean’s trilogy, dive into the Twilight saga all over again, or finally stream cult faves like Mid90s, American Graffiti, and Burn After Reading in one place.
There’s also a clear focus on stories about family, loss, and identity this month — likely timed to echo the emotional gravity of Mother’s Day. Films like Nonnas (a culinary dramedy about Italian grandmothers taking over a restaurant), A Deadly American Marriage, and Sarah Silverman: Postmortem tap into themes of memory and legacy, while The Wild Robot offers a more kid-friendly take on parenting, found family, and resilience.
And of course, Netflix isn’t just looking back — it’s also celebrating what’s ahead. May closes out with Netflix Tudum 2025, a massive live event featuring first looks, celebrity appearances, and announcements that’ll shape the months to come.
Netflix Originals to Watch in May 2025
| Release Date | Title | Genre | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1 | The Four Seasons | Drama | A grounded, smart comedy about six friends navigating marriage over decades. |
| May 4 | Conan O’Brien: The Mark Twain Prize | Comedy Special | A major honor for one of late night’s funniest — with tributes from comedy royalty. |
| May 8 | Blood of Zeus: Season 3 | Action/Fantasy | Titans vs. Gods — this season leans into full-blown revenge mythology. |
| May 9 | Nonnas | Drama/Comedy | Vince Vaughn leads a heartfelt kitchen dramedy about grief, memory, and meatballs. |
| May 15 | Love, Death & Robots: Volume 4 | Anthology/Animation | Tim Miller and David Fincher return with more mind-bending shorts. |
| May 22 | Sirens | Thriller | A woman investigates her sister’s twisted relationship with a billionaire boss. |
| May 23 | Fear Street: Prom Queen | Horror | The slasher trilogy returns — this time set at a deadly 1988 high school dance. |
| May 30 | Lost in Starlight | Animation/Romance | An astronaut romance told across galaxies. Looks poised to be this month’s sleeper hit. |
Movie Highlights Coming May 1
Netflix is opening the floodgates with a massive movie drop on May 1, mixing prestige picks, cult classics, and popcorn crowd-pleasers.
| Title | Notable Cast | Genre |
|---|---|---|
| Ali | Will Smith | Biopic |
| Ocean’s Eleven–Thirteen | George Clooney, Brad Pitt | Heist |
| The Twilight Saga (All Parts) | Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson | YA Romance |
| Crazy, Stupid, Love. | Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling | Comedy |
| American Gangster | Denzel Washington | Crime |
| Constantine | Keanu Reeves | Supernatural |
| The Lego Movie | Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks | Animated |
| Dawn of the Dead | Sarah Polley | Horror |
| Eat Pray Love | Julia Roberts | Drama |
| Mid90s | Sunny Suljic | Coming-of-age |
Returning Series & Final Seasons
- Big Mouth: Season 8 (May 23) – The raunchy coming-of-age comedy wraps up with emotional closure and plenty of absurdity.
- All American: Season 7 (May 13) – High school football and real-world issues continue to collide.
- Thank You, Next: Season 2 (May 15) – Turkish rom-com drama returns with even more love-triangle twists.
- Married at First Sight: Season 17 (May 14) – More bold strangers meet at the altar.
- Unseen: Season 2 (May 2) – The South African thriller continues its high-stakes story of survival and secrecy.
Docs, Specials & True Crime Worth Your Time
| Title | Release Date | Why Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Untold: The Liver King | May 13 | The bizarre rise and steroid-fueled fall of a viral fitness influencer. |
| Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders | May 26 | New suspects and a deep dive into one of America’s most terrifying unsolved crimes. |
| American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden | May 14 | A gripping look at the decade-long mission to capture the world’s most wanted man. |
| Fred and Rose West | May 14 | A chilling UK crime story told with newly unearthed audio tapes. |
| Sarah Silverman: Postmortem | May 20 | Raw, funny, and deeply personal tribute to family and loss. |
Family Favorites & Animated Picks
- The Wild Robot (May 24) – Beautifully animated adaptation of the bestselling book. Think WALL·E meets Charlotte’s Web.
- Trolls (May 1) – The original musical adventure that kicked off a colorful franchise.
- The Lego Movie (May 1) – Still one of the best animated films of the last decade.
- Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (May 1) – Stop-motion genius that never gets old.
- CoComelon: Season 13 (May 26) – More musical mayhem for toddlers.
Don’t Miss Netflix Tudum 2025
May 31 — Streaming Live
Closing out the month, Netflix Tudum 2025 returns with its annual fan celebration. Expect exclusive trailers, surprise announcements, and live performances from some of Netflix’s biggest stars and creators. It’ll be the launchpad for what’s coming in late 2025 — so if you’re a fan of Stranger Things, The Witcher, or Bridgerton, don’t miss it.
Netflix May Calendar – By Date
Here’s the cleaned-up, fully date-sorted version of everything coming to Netflix in May 2025, divided by:
- 🆕 Netflix Originals
- 🎬 Movies & TV Shows
- ⏳ Leaving Netflix
📅 May 1
🆕 Netflix Originals
- Angi: Fake Life, True Crime
- The Biggest Fan
- The Four Seasons
🎬 Movies & TV Shows
- Airport
- Airport ’77
- Airport 1975
- Ali
- American Gangster
- American Graffiti
- Burn After Reading
- Constantine
- Crazy, Stupid, Love
- Dawn of the Dead
- Eat Pray Love
- The Equalizer 2
- Hanna
- Home
- The Jerk
- The Lego Movie
- Mid90s
- Ocean’s Eleven
- Ocean’s Thirteen
- Ocean’s Twelve
- The Paper Tigers
- Past Lives
- Sisters
- Starship Troopers
- The Sugarland Express
- Trainwreck
- Trolls
- Twilight
- The Twilight Saga: New Moon
- The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
- The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1
- The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2
- Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
⏳ Leaving Netflix
- About Time, Annie, Apollo 13, Blade Runner: The Final Cut, Dallas Buyers Club, Definitely, Maybe, Erin Brockovich, Europa Report, The Flintstones, Friday, The Frozen Ground, Fury, King Kong, Maid in Manhattan, Next Friday, Notting Hill, Out of Africa, Pompeii, Public Enemies, Queen & Slim, Schindler’s List, Spider-Man (1-3), Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, This Is 40, Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All by Myself, Waterworld, Wedding Crashers, The Whale, Whiplash, The Wiz, You, Me and Dupree
📅 May 2
🆕 Netflix Originals
- Unseen (Season 2)
🎬 Movies & TV Shows
- Peninsula
- Train to Busan
📅 May 4
🆕 Netflix Originals
- Conan O’Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
⏳ Leaving Netflix
- Insidious: The Red Door
📅 May 5
🆕 Netflix Originals
- Britain and The Blitz
- Mighty Monsterwheelies (Season 2)
⏳ Leaving Netflix
- The Peanut Butter Falcon
📅 May 6
🆕 Netflix Originals
- The Devil’s Plan (Season 2)
- Untold: Shooting Guards
📅 May 7
🆕 Netflix Originals
- Full Speed (Season 2)
- Last Bullet
📅 May 8
🆕 Netflix Originals
- Blood of Zeus (Season 3)
- FOREVER
- Karol G: Tomorrow Was Beautiful
🎬 Movies & TV Shows
- Heart Eyes
📅 May 9
🆕 Netflix Originals
- A Deadly American Marriage
- Bad Influence
- Nonnas
- The Royals
⏳ Leaving Netflix
- The Lost City
- Resident Evil: Death Island
📅 May 10
⏳ Leaving Netflix
- Rambo
- Rambo: Last Blood
📅 May 11
🎬 Movies & TV Shows
- ABBA: Against the Odds
📅 May 12
🆕 Netflix Originals
- Tastefully Yours
📅 May 13
🆕 Netflix Originals
- Bad Thoughts
- Untold: The Liver King
🎬 Movies & TV Shows
- All American (Season 7)
📅 May 14
🆕 Netflix Originals
- American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden
- Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story
- Snakes and Ladders
🎬 Movies & TV Shows
- Married at First Sight (Season 17)
- Smile
📅 May 15
🆕 Netflix Originals
- Bet
- Love, Death & Robots: Volume 4
- Franklin
- Pernille (Season 5)
- Secrets We Keep
- Thank You, Next (Season 2)
- Vini Jr
⏳ Leaving Netflix
- The Clovehitch Killer, Crossroads, Madam Secretary (Seasons 1–6)
📅 May 16
🆕 Netflix Originals
- Dear Hongrang
- Football Parents
- The Quilters
- Rotten Legacy
⏳ Leaving Netflix
- The Sum of All Fears, Tully
📅 May 19
⏳ Leaving Netflix
- A Simple Favor
📅 May 20
🆕 Netflix Originals
- Sarah Silverman: Postmortem
- Untold: The Fall of Favre
📅 May 21
🆕 Netflix Originals
- Newly Rich, Newly Poor
- Real Men
- Sneaky Links: Dating After Dark
🎬 Movies & TV Shows
- The UnXplained with William Shatner (Season 6)
📅 May 22
🆕 Netflix Originals
- Sirens
- Tyler Perry’s She the People
📅 May 23
🆕 Netflix Originals
- Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds
- Big Mouth (Season 8)
- Fear Street: Prom Queen
- Forget You Not
- Off Track 2
📅 May 24
🆕 Netflix Originals
- Our Unwritten Seoul
🎬 Movies & TV Shows
- The Wild Robot
📅 May 26
🆕 Netflix Originals
- CoComelon (Season 13)
- Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders
- Mike Birbiglia: The Good Life
📅 May 28
🆕 Netflix Originals
- F1: The Academy
⏳ Leaving Netflix
- Burnt
📅 May 29
🆕 Netflix Originals
- Dept. Q
⏳ Leaving Netflix
- The Silencing
📅 May 30
🆕 Netflix Originals
- A Widow’s Game
- The Heart Knows
📅 May 31
🆕 Netflix Originals
- Netflix Tudum 2025: The Live Event
Key Takeaways
- May 2025 is packed with new movies, series, and specials
- There’s a mix of exclusive debuts and old favorites
- The full schedule makes it easy to add to your watch list
New Movies Premiering on Netflix in May 2025
Netflix is stacking up a pretty broad slate of new movies this month. You’ll see some big original premieres, a few major Hollywood flicks, and some shiny award-winners—yep, all included with your subscription.
Highly Anticipated Netflix Originals
The lineup of Netflix originals in May is looking pretty strong. We’re talking exclusive releases—sequels and new stories from some familiar names behind the camera. This month, the streamer’s hyping up films like Happy Gilmore 2 and The Old Guard 2, both of which are likely to pull in fans of comedy and action (and probably a little nostalgia).
There’s also Tyler Perry’s Straw, which is set to debut and promises Perry’s signature blend of drama (and, let’s face it, a bit of soapiness). Netflix keeps pouring resources into originals, so you can expect solid casts and slick production values. These movies are exclusive to Netflix, so if you want to see them, well, you know where to go.
It’s a strategy that helps Netflix stand out from the usual studio releases and other streaming services, serving up stuff you just can’t find anywhere else. Want the full list? Head over to What’s Coming to Netflix in May 2025 for all the details.
Blockbuster Arrivals
A few blockbuster movies are dropping onto Netflix this month, too, bringing some big-name box office hits back into the fold. Ali, American Gangster, and American Graffiti are just a few of the classics making their way onto the service. These cover everything from drama to thriller, so there’s a little something for everyone who likes a well-reviewed, familiar film.
Plus, you’ve got other heavy hitters like Burn After Reading for those who want a twisty comedy, and a whole batch of airport disaster movies (Airport, Airport ’77, and Airport 1975) if you’re in the mood for a little retro suspense. If you missed these in theaters—or just want to revisit them—May’s your chance. More on these at New on Netflix in May 2025.
Award-Winning Films Debuting
Netflix’s May 2025 lineup also features a handful of films that have picked up awards or festival buzz. These bring some extra prestige (and a bit of variety) to the platform, with both international and English-language movies making their debut.
A couple to watch for: Garbo: Where Did You Go? (2024), which has been getting praise for its documentary style and storytelling, and Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story—a true crime doc that mixes dramatic reenactment with the facts. It’s not your average Netflix drama or thriller, that’s for sure.
These award-winners broaden the appeal, with strong performances and stories that critics and audiences have actually agreed on. If you want to dive deeper, check out Everything New on Netflix in May 2025 for more.
Upcoming Netflix Series and Continuations
May 2025 is bringing back some fan favorites and a bunch of brand-new shows to Netflix. Expect the return of hit dramas, the launch of original comedies and thrillers, plus some international series making their U.S. debut.
Returning Popular Series
Netflix keeps doubling down on series with diehard fans. The drama You returns this May with new episodes, so if you’re still following Joe Goldberg’s wild journey, get ready for more twists. The show’s still a go-to for anyone into psychological thrillers—expect the usual dose of suspense.
Wednesday isn’t dropping a new season this month, but all the previous episodes are still up for grabs if you need a rewatch. Same goes for massive hits like Squid Game—no new seasons yet, but keep an eye out, since Netflix has already teased future returns.
For those into real-life stories, Turning Point: The Vietnam War drops fresh episodes, digging into new angles on the war. If you’re a history buff, it’s worth a look. Between returning dramas, true stories, and documentaries, there’s honestly a lot to pick from.
All-New Series Launches
Several original series are making their first appearance on Netflix in May. One that’s getting a lot of buzz is The Eternaut, an adaptation of a classic graphic novel. Sci-fi meets survival, with a story that’s tense, a little weird, and definitely different from anything else in the Netflix catalog.
Comedies also get some love this month, with new sitcoms promising plenty of laughs and some surprisingly relatable moments. These shows introduce new characters and a fresh sense of humor—perfect if you’re after something a bit lighter. And for the mystery/thriller crowd, there are new series to binge, too. The full May 2025 schedule has it all.
With originals dropping every week, you won’t run out of stuff to stream—no matter what you’re into. Here’s a quick rundown:
| Title | Genre | Why Watch? |
|---|---|---|
| The Eternaut | Sci-Fi | Adaptation of classic |
| New Sitcoms | Comedy | Original humor and cast |
| Thriller Debuts | Thriller | Fresh stories and twists |
Noteworthy International Releases
International shows are a big part of Netflix’s 2025 game plan. May brings in new dramas and sitcoms from Europe and Asia—many of which haven’t been available in the U.S. before. It’s a good month if you’re looking to branch out or just want something with a different vibe.
Top picks? There’s a Korean family drama and a Spanish thriller series that’s building on last year’s buzz. You’ll find English subtitles and dubbed versions for most of these, so accessibility isn’t an issue. Plus, there’s a bunch of animated series from studios outside the U.S., which means more options for families and younger viewers.
If you’re curious about what’s new globally, check out the full list of Netflix shows in May 2025. Netflix is clearly making an effort to bring more international stories and voices into the mix, which—honestly—is pretty refreshing.
Exclusive Titles and Genre Highlights
Netflix’s May 2025 lineup is stacked with new dramas, comedies, documentaries, and family fare. There’s a mix of buzzy originals and some new spins on classics, often with familiar faces leading the way.
Drama and Thriller Standouts
If you’re into drama or thrillers, May’s got some solid picks. Sirens, a new series, is already catching attention with its suspenseful plot and offbeat characters. Black Rabbit keeps the tension high with its intense storytelling and plot twists that seem to come out of nowhere.
Steve Carell and Tina Fey team up in The Four Seasons, which walks the line between serious and emotional. Forever is another one to watch, promising a dramatic look at tough relationships and family dynamics.
Crime and mystery fans: Dept. Q might be your jam, focusing on cold cases and complicated investigations. Netflix is also adding more Murder Mystery movies—so if you love a good whodunit, you’re set for a few binge sessions.
Comedy and Family Features
On the lighter side, comedies like Too Much dig into modern romance with a mix of humor and heart. The Four Seasons (yep, again—Fey and Carell are busy) blends comedy with some real-life messiness.
Family movies get their share of the spotlight, too. Nonna’s is a feel-good film starring Susan Sarandon, Talia Shire, and Brenda Vaccaro, all about family, tradition, and, well, opening an Italian restaurant in ways you probably wouldn’t expect.
Kids and families can also revisit The LEGO Movie, which lands alongside some new family-friendly titles—plenty of animated and live-action picks to keep everyone entertained.
Documentaries and Unscripted Originals
Documentary lovers have a few things to look forward to. Chef’s Table: Legends takes viewers deep into the world of top chefs and legendary kitchens. This season dives into the stories, techniques, and the challenges that come with being the best—foodies, it’s worth your time.
Other unscripted originals like Tastefully Yours follow real-life journeys in food and travel, mixing personal stories with a behind-the-scenes look at the hard work that goes into great meals.
ABBA: Against the Odds is another highlight, exploring the famous band’s wild ride and comeback. It’s got music, interviews, rare footage—the works. For the full list of what’s coming, check out this comprehensive Netflix May 2025 release guide.
Comparisons with Other Streaming Platforms
Netflix is definitely coming in strong for May 2025, with tons of new movies and returning series. Of course, other platforms have their own big releases and exclusives, so the streaming scene is as crowded as ever.
April 2025 Releases Versus May Additions
Looking back at April 2025, most streaming services leaned into broad-appeal titles—lots of family fare and true crime, especially. Netflix saw some big numbers thanks to its documentaries and a few international dramas.
But in May, Netflix is turning up the volume on original programming. Animated hits like Love, Death + Robots, vol. 4 (dropping May 15) and new dramas like Sirens are giving fans plenty of fresh content. There’s a noticeable shift toward original stuff, compared to the more familiar, franchise-heavy releases from the month before.
Meanwhile, Prime Video and Disney+ are doubling down on sequels and franchise expansions. If you compare both months, you’ll spot that May is bringing a stronger batch of exclusives and new seasons all around. It feels like everyone’s fighting for your attention as summer gets closer, and honestly, that’s not a bad thing if you just want more to watch.
Netflix vs. Hulu, Max, and Peacock
Netflix’s May 2025 lineup is hard to ignore—it’s packed with a ton of new originals and those big returning shows everyone talks about. When you stack it up against Hulu, which mostly brings back familiar series and sprinkles in some reality TV, Netflix definitely feels like it’s casting a wider net. You’ve got things like Murderbot and fresh volumes of Love, Death + Robots—clearly, they’re aiming to catch the attention of pretty much anyone, regardless of age or taste.
Max, on the other hand, sticks to what it does best: premium dramas. This month, it’s mostly doubling down on established series with a couple of new miniseries tossed in, but honestly, it’s nowhere near Netflix’s level in terms of sheer volume. Peacock, meanwhile, keeps leaning into reality stuff and those NBCUniversal classics. Both Max and Peacock have their lanes and seem content to stay in them, but I’m not sure they’ll pull in as many different types of viewers as Netflix can with its May lineup.
With so many options and a handful of big-budget premieres, Netflix just keeps hanging onto that top spot for folks who want a lot of variety and frequent new stuff to watch. If you’re someone who knows exactly what genre you want or you’re chasing comfort in old favorites, Hulu, Max, and Peacock probably make more sense.
Disney+, Prime Video, Paramount+, and Apple TV+ in May 2025
Disney+ is pretty much all-in on expanding its family-friendly and Marvel offerings, mainly through spinoffs and animated specials this May. Prime Video’s kind of taking a similar route, dropping a bunch of original films and rolling out new seasons from its big-name franchises. Paramount+ is still banking on CBS and Nickelodeon favorites, but honestly, it’s a bit lighter on the exclusive debuts this time around.
Apple TV+? It’s choosier—launching a handful of buzzy series, but definitely not flooding the calendar like Netflix does. Each of these services seems to have a pretty clear target: Disney+ is for families, Prime Video for genre lovers, Paramount+ for the nostalgic network crowd, and Apple TV+ for those chasing prestige dramas.
Netflix, though, just covers more ground—international stuff, animation, reality, and a few major debuts all dropping in May 2025. If you want the nitty-gritty on what’s coming or which shows are actually worth your time, check out the Seattle Times’ streaming guide or the full rundown at Tom’s Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
May 2025 is shaping up to be a busy month for Netflix, with new series, movies, originals, and documentaries hitting the service. Of course, there are also some titles leaving, so it’s worth keeping tabs on what’s sticking around.
What new series are being released on Netflix in May 2025?
Netflix is rolling out a bunch of fresh series this month. One to watch for is “The Four Seasons,” a comedy with Tina Fey, Colman Domingo, and Steve Carell—pretty stacked cast, right? “Sirens” is also on the list, along with a handful of returning favorites. For the complete rundown, you can always check these detailed release guides.
Which movies will be available on Netflix in May 2025?
There’s a solid lineup of films coming in May 2025. “Happy Gilmore 2” and “Frankenstein” are probably the biggest ones folks are talking about. Plus, every “Twilight” movie is coming back, along with a bunch of other popular picks—see movie updates for May 2025 for the full scoop.
Are there any exclusive Netflix Originals coming in May 2025?
Definitely. Subscribers can expect some brand-new Netflix Originals this month. The new season of “The Old Guard” is a big one, and there are a few original comedy specials on the way too. Netflix keeps pushing out fresh stuff every month, and you can find more details in their official announcements.
What content will be leaving Netflix in May 2025?
Yep, some movies and shows are bowing out in May as licensing deals expire. Netflix usually puts out a list of departing titles before the month kicks off, so you get a last shot to watch before they disappear.
Which documentaries will premiere on Netflix in May 2025?
A handful of documentaries are supposed to drop in May, though Netflix hasn’t spilled all the details yet. Lately, they’ve been mixing things up with nature, history, and true-crime docs, so it’s a safe bet we’ll see more of that this month.
How can subscribers find the complete list of May 2025 releases on Netflix?
Honestly, the easiest way is to check out comprehensive guides to May 2025 releases. These guides usually cover everything—new shows, movies, and even those old favorites making a comeback. Sure, Netflix updates its own “New Releases” section pretty regularly, but, let’s face it, sometimes it’s just quicker to skim through one of those curated lists on other sites if you want the whole picture at a glance.
