The Must-Stream Movies and Shows New on Netflix in May
0Netflix continues to pump out original content at a blistering pace. It seems like they’re operating according to the Walmart manual, creating an environment where you can get everything you need in one place. Yet instead of milk, a TV, and camping gear, Netflix is selling comedy, drama, and everything in between. This month the streaming giant will drop no less than 29 different movies, shows, stand-up specials, and late-night talk shows for your viewing pleasure. It’s a staggering volume that shows no sign of slowing down. While the originals will grab the headlines, there are also a plethora of quality movies and shows that Netflix didn’t manage to produce themselves.
Here’s a few of our must-stream movies and shows on Netflix in May, and don’t forget to check out the complete list of new additions below!
Don’t Think Twice (2016) – May 1
Okay, so I’m not the biggest fan of improv (the enthusiasm just doesn’t sit right with me). But Mike Birbiglia’s dramedy about the internal politics and relationships of an improv troupe had me hooked from minute one. A stellar cast featuring Birbiglia, Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Kate Micucci, and Chris Gethard elevates the piece into a touching and sad story of a group of friends finally realizing there’s an expiry date on their friendship. Birbiglia taps into universal themes of maturation, dependency, and abandonment, and drapes them over the often heartbreaking world of comedy.
The Last Kingdom: Season 2 (Netflix Original) – May 5
The first season of the period drama aired on BBC Two and BBC America, and now Netflix has gotten in on the action for season two. The adaptation of Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon Stories series follows the hotheaded Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a displaced noble in late 9th century England who endeavors to recover his lands amongst the war between King Alfred of Wessex and the invading Danes. The series gleefully delves into the brutal and threadbare world of Dark Ages England, combining action-packed battle scenes and gallows humor. The show reflects not the glorious majesty of King Arthur’s round table but the burnt and battered state of a nation at war. Alexander Dreymon improved in the lead role as the first season progressed, supported by a strong cast including Tobias Santelmann, David Dawson, and Ian Hart. The Last Kingdom also serves as a fictionalized chronicle of the development of a uniquely English national identity, foreshadowing the modern nation.
Master of None: Season 2 (Netflix Original) – May 12
The first season of Aziz Ansari’s spectacular show was a critical darling, holding a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, making several 2015 Top 10 lists, and walking away with an Emmy for Writing for a Comedy Series and a Peabody Award. Ansari’s willingness to explore relevant social topics such as the positive representation of minorities in media, the immigrant experience in the United States, and the differences in a night out for men and women add weight to the show and make it as important as it is funny. None also does justice to romantic comedy with the depiction of Dev and Rachel’s relationship, including a brilliant bottle episode tracking the evolution, and eventual disintegration, of their connection. Season two promises more social relevance, optimistic realism, and Dev indulging in his love of pasta.
The Place Beyond the Pines (2012) – May 16
If one had to describe The Place Beyond the Pines in a single word it would be, “Consequences.” The multi-generational drama from indie auteur Derek Cianfrance explores how the sins of the father are in fact visited upon the son. The narrative moves flawlessly from Ryan Gosling’s brooding bandit, Bradley Cooper’s conflicted cop, and the relationship between their two sons, played by Dane DeHaan and Emory Cohen. The movie is like a condensed version of The Godfather trilogy, not in terms of overall quality, but in how it examines the causal relationship that exists between generations of the same family. The film also features stellar supporting performances from Eva Mendes, Ben Mendelsohn, Rose Byrne, and Mahershala Ali.
War Machine (Netflix Original) – May 26
One of Netflix’s first forays into A-list features, War Machine stars Brad Pitt as larger than life U.S. General tasked to bring an end to the War in Afghanistan but soon finds himself under fire as a result of a journalist’s expose.The film is a very loose adaptation of Michael Hastings’ nonfiction book The Operators, which details the writer’s travels with General Stanley McChrystal in April 2010 and the piece endeavors to show a fictionalized snippet of the absurdity that is/was the execution of the war. From the trailer, it seems that Pitt is channeling his portrayal outsized Lt. Aldo Raine from Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
F is for Family: Season 2 (Netflix Original) – May 30
Bill Burr’s animated series F is for Family doesn’t necessarily have the most original premise, but it’s the way Burr executes this concept that makes it stand out. The show centers around a dysfunctional working class family with a schmucky father coming to terms that his life has fallen well short of his aspirations. Burr’s depiction of Frank Murphy, the disillusioned, perpetually angry is surprisingly nuanced and transcends the one-dimensional misanthrope one usually expects to see in a family sitcom. The series’ treatment of the recession era 70s also helps to develop the overarching theme of the death of the American Dream.
House of Cards: Season 5 (Netflix Original) – May 30
The series that jump-started it all. Netflix’s first original program is still going strong and delivered a most welcome return to form in season four. The key development in the fourth season was making Claire a more active participant in the main action. The rocky growth of her and Frank’s relationship has evolved into a lethal partnership primed to conquer the entirety of the American government. The recently released trailer for season five teases Frank and Claire pursuing a course of action that would see Frank, or Claire, transform themselves into the dictator of America (A depressingly relevant storyline in 2017). Given how the Underwoods seem to be imbued with a combination of teflon and adamantium, they seem to have a pretty good shot of vanquishing any challenger.
Marvel’s Doctor Strange (2016) – May 30
Marvel’s foray into psychedelia became one of the biggest hits of the year and one of the more entertaining entries into the MCU. The film brings the brilliant, narcissistic Dr. Stephen Strange to life in the form of the ever charming Benedict Cumberbatch. As if Sherlock wasn’t proof enough that Cumberbatch could create an emotional connection with an audience while playing a miserable character, he reinforces this talent in his portrayal of Strange. The movie operates as an origin story for the character, showing his induction into the Mystic Arts by The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) and her ally Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor). As it turns out, Strange is a damn quick study and uses his newfound powers to defend the world against the evil Kaecilius, played by the always wonderful Mads Mikkelsen. The film is an eminently enjoyable visual feast, with one sequence in particular especially tremendous. So get your psychotropic of choice ready and enjoy the trippy Doctor Strange.
5/1/17
American Experience: The Big Burn (2014)
American Experience: The Boys of ’36 (2017)
Anvil! The Story of Anvil (2008)
Blood on the Mountain (2016)
Chaahat (1996)
Chocolat (2000)
Decanted (2016)
Don’t Think Twice (2016)
Drifter (2017)
Forrest Gump (1994)
Happy Feet (2006)
In the Shadow of Iris (Netflix Original)
Love (2015)
Losing Sight of Shore (2017)
Malibu’s Most Wanted (2003)
Nerdland (2016)
Raja Hindustani (1996)
Richard Pryor: Icon (2014)
Under Arrest: Season 5 (2016)
5/2/17
Bodyguards: Secret Lives from the Watchtower (2016)
Hija De La Laguna (2015)
Maria Bamford: Old Baby (Netflix Original)
Two Lovers and a Bear (2016)
5/5/17
Chelsea: Season 2 (Netflix Original – streaming every Friday)
Handsome: A Netflix Mystery Movie (Netflix Original)
Kazoops!: Season 3 (Netflix Original)
Sense8: Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Simplemente Manu NNa (Netflix Original)
Spirit: Riding Free: Season 1 (Netflix Original)
The Last Kingdom: Season 2 (Netflix Original)
The Mars Generation (Netflix Original)
5/6/17
Cold War 2 (2016)
When the Bough Breaks (2017)
5/7/17
LoveTrue (2016)
Stake Land II (2016)
The Host (2013)
5/8/17
Beyond the Gates (2016)
Hunter Gatherer (2016)
5/9/17
Norm Macdonald: Hitler’s Dog, Gossip & Trickery (Netflix Original)
Queen of the South: Season 1 (2016)
All We Had (2016)
5/10/17
El apóstata (2015)
The Adventure Club (2016)
5/11/17
Switched at Birth: Season 5 (2017)
The Fosters: Season 4 (2016)
5/12/17
All Hail King Julien: Exiled: Season 1 (Netflix Original)
Anne with an E: Season 1 (Netflix Original)
Get Me Roger Stone (Netflix Original)
Master of None: Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Mindhorn (Netflix Original)
Sahara (Netflix Original)
5/15/17
Command and Control (2016)
Cave (2016)
Lovesong (2016)
Sherlock: Series 4 (2016)
The Intent (2016)
5/16/17
Tracy Morgan: Staying Alive (Netflix Original)
The Break-Up (2006)
The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)
5/18/17
Royal Pains: Season 8 (2016)
Riverdale: Season 1 (2016)
5/19/17
BLAME! (Netflix Original)
Laerte-se (Netflix Original)
The Keepers: Season 1 (Netflix Original)
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Season 3 (Netflix Original)
5/21/17
What’s With Wheat (2017)
5/22/17
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
They Call Us Monsters (2017)
5/23/17
Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King (Netflix Original)
Dig Two Graves (2014)
5/24/17
Southpaw (2015)
5/26/17
Believe (2016)
Bloodline: Season 3 (Netflix Original)
I am Jane Doe (2017)
Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower (Netflix Original)
War Machine (Netflix Original)
5/28/17
Bunk’d: Season 2 (2016)
5/29/17
Forever Pure (2016)
A New High (2015)
5/30/17
F is for Family: Season 2 (Netflix Original)
House of Cards: Season 5 (Netflix Original)
Marvel’s Doctor Strange (2016)
Masterminds
Sarah Silverman A Speck of Dust (Netflix Original)
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