There are a ton of new movies coming to Netflix in May, but these flicks should go straight to the top of your must-watch list. At the beginning of every month (and throughout the month), Netflix adds a host of content to the platform. While many things sadly depart, just as many new things become available for subscribers to watch.
It’s always a hearty mix of new and older films, with a few Netflix original movies sprinkled in as well. There are often classics on top of theatrical releases fresh from cinemas. What makes Netflix such an appealing platform is the breadth of its catalog, and there’s no rhyme or reason to the things that are added each month.
As of May 1st, most of the new movies on Netflix this month have hit the homepage. However, some of the must-watch movies will be coming later in the month. Regardless of when they arrive on Netflix, these films represent the best of what the streamer has to offer. There’s no telling when they might leave the platform, so time is of the essence to watch them.
This list features a few Netflix original movies that are sure to cause a stir, but most of the picks are films from the past. There are nostalgic favorites as well as classic hits with sequels on the horizon. There’s a little bit of something for everyone, which perfectly exemplifies the Netflix streaming experience. With so many things vying for attention, start with these choice Netflix picks.
Jennifer’s Body (2009) – May 1st
Jennifer’s Body is a misunderstood horror comedy from the 2000s that has since become a cult classic. It stars Megan Fox as a high school girl who becomes possessed after a local rock band tries to sacrifice her to Satan. Banking on its bonkers premise, Jennifer’s Body is actually a sly social critique.
The movie is penned by Diablo Cody of Juno fame, so it has a witty and sarcastic quality. This condemned the film to be misinterpreted upon release. It’s a perfect movie to revisit on Netflix because it both has a nostalgic quality for those that remember it, and is a brilliant hidden gem waiting to be discovered by a new generation of horror fans.
Jumanji (1995) – May 1st
Before Jumanji became a massive franchise, it was a standalone family adventure film that permanently scarred millennials. Decades after being sucked into a board game, Alan (Robin Williams) returns to the real world to play Jumanji once again. The darkness of its premise is often overlooked because of the nostalgic power the movie possesses.
It’s hard to recommend the film for modern youngsters, but it’s a great watch on Netflix for viewers of a certain age. There’s a quaint sense of fun to the film that’s sadly lacking in modern family movies, even if it does go way too far in some places. Robin Williams’ performance alone makes Jumanji a must-watch in 2026.
Under The Skin (2013) – May 1st
Under the Skin is one of Scarlett Johansson’s best movies, but it’s also her most underrated. In the film, she plays an alien who disguises itself as a human woman in order to seduce and capture men. The sci-fi horror flick is unlike any movie of its era, and puts a fascinating spin on the aliens on Earth subgenre.
Unlike a lot of tune in and tune out movies on streaming, Under the Skin is a real thinker. Its bleak story is a critique of the transactional nature of society, and there are moments that border on surrealism. There are plenty of science fiction films on Netflix each month, but none as original as Under the Skin.
The Land Before Time (1988) – May 1st
Disney doesn’t have a monopoly on great animated films, and The Land Before Time is proof. The late 1980s gem concerns an orphaned dinosaur who sets out with his friends to find the Great Valley so that he may be reunited with his species. Don Bluth’s character designs and direction turn the long-extinct dinosaurs into lovable heroes.
Though it is a certified blockbuster, and spawned over a dozen sequels, The Land Before Time is sadly overlooked. It’s inclusion in the Netflix catalog might help more youngsters discover its charms, or at least give older fans a chance to reminisce with Littlefoot and his pals.
Meet The Parents (2000) – May 1st
It’s one of the iconic comedies of the early 2000s, and Meet the Parents is getting another sequel later in 2026. A shy male nurse (Ben Stiller) visits his girlfriend’s parents for the first time, but things don’t go smoothly. The film updates the classic farce formula for the modern age, taking things just one step further each time.
Stiller and co-star Robert De Niro have amazing chemistry, and the dramatic acting icon proves he’s actually hilarious. All three Meet the Parents movies join Netflix on May 1st, so the blockbuster comedy series is a must-watch for any subscriber who loves a good laugh. Focker-in-Law is due to release in theaters on November 25th.
Remarkably Bright Creatures is due to be Netflix’s next big hit original movie, if the book’s success is any indication. It concerns a widow who forms an unlikely bond with an octopus while working nights at the local aquarium. At the heart of the story is a mystery that helps them both find a new lease on life. Oscar winner Sally Field headlines the movie hitting the homepage on May 8th.
The book is an all-time bestseller, and the movie is bound to recapture some of that magic. Netflix is especially good at bringing popular novels to life, and Remarkably Bright Creatures is a story tailor-made for the streamer’s model. Lewis Pullman and Star Trek‘s Colm Meaney also round out the stellar cast.
Black Phone 2 (2025) – May 16th
The further exploits of the nightmarish Grabber come to Netflix on May 16th, and the sequel takes the horror franchise in a brave new direction. A young girl is haunted by dreams that lead her to a snowy camp and a face-to-face meeting with the infamous Grabber (Ethan Hawke). Instead of simply copying the first film, Black Phone 2 is fiercely original.
Knowledge of the first film is a must, and certainly makes the sequel much scarier. It’s an ideal movie to stream on Netflix because it makes for a perfect spooky night in. Though it isn’t as good as its predecessor, Black Phone 2 is still an endlessly entertaining horror romp with plenty of memorable moments.
Ferrari (2023) – May 24th
Michael Mann’s Ferrari is a slick and stylish portrait of a dynamic man. It stars Adam Driver in the title role as he gambles his company’s entire future on a dangerous race across Italy. Despite being a notorious box office bomb, Ferrari is an excellent film that is just waiting to be discovered by a public that missed it the first time around.
Mann’s exaggerated style is offset by Driver’s realistic and down-to-earth performance. Though the narrative certainly wanders and is a bit unfocused, the whole package makes it worth the going. It’s the sort of movie that might just have a renaissance on streaming, and join the long list of films that found new life on Netflix.
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