Picture Credit: NEON
As we head into the early summer months, Netflix is turning up the heat and delivering a much-needed breath of fresh air to its movie library. After a jam-packed start to the year, the streaming giant is ramping things up with a stellar lineup of heavy-hitting Original features and an incredibly strong roster of licensed titles in the US. Whether you’re in the mood for an Oscar-winning drama, bone-chilling horror, or some laugh-out-loud comedy, here are our picks of the best new movies on Netflix.
As always, we’re going to split this article into two sections: first, we’ll cover the most-anticipated (and best) and biggest new Netflix Original movies. A few we’ll have been able to watch already, and a few are yet to be released, so bear that in mind. Then, we’ll move specifically onto licensed titles set to release in the US, but note that other regional availability will likely vary dramatically.
For the full list of new movies and new series dropping throughout May, keep it locked here on What’s on Netflix.
Most Anticipated Netflix Original Movies for May 2026
Swapped (2026)
Added to Netflix:May 1st
Kicking off the month was Swapped, a brand-new animated family-friendly adventure hailing from Skydance Animation, their second from the massive output deal Netflix signed, which kicked off with Spellbound and will continue later this year with Ray Gunn.
The story follows a mismatched duo whose wild journey takes flight when a magical mishap forces them to navigate life in each other’s shoes. Reviews for the movie were pretty good across the board, but as you may already know, the movie is breaking Netflix records, having the most amount of views in a week ever for a Netflix animated film, and the best launch of any Netflix animated movie ever.
In our review, we wrote: “Leaps and bounds from Skydance’s Spellbound in terms of animation, Swapped has an endearing sensitivity & impressive world design to help overcome its narrative challenges.”
Remarkably Bright Creatures (2026)
Added to Netflix:May 8th
Based on the beloved, bestselling novel by Shelby Van Pelt,Remarkably Bright Creatures was easily one of the most highly anticipated Netflix Originals of the year. The film stars the legendary Sally Field alongside Lewis Pullman, following a widow who forms an unexpected and profound connection with a giant Pacific octopus. As it turns out, this highly intelligent sea creature might just be the key to unraveling the lingering mystery of her son’s disappearance. Bring your tissues for this one—it’s guaranteed to be a beautifully poignant tearjerker.
Ladies First (2026)
Coming to Netflix:May 22nd
If you need a good laugh this May, look no further thanLadies First. Directed by Thea Sharrock (Me Before You,Wicked Little Letters), this new comedy boasts a powerhouse leading duo in Sacha Baron Cohen and Rosamund Pike, and it’s already turning heads and causing controversy amongst some of the worst people on the internet, exactly as it was probably planned.
That’s because the movie is a critical parody where the main character finds his life upended when he wakes up in a parallel world dominated by women. With the rules of engagement changed, he goes head-to-head with a fiery female colleague. It sounds at the very least interesting on paper, will the execution pay off? We’ll get to find out soon.
Best Licensed Movies Coming to Netflix in May 2026
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Added to Netflix:May 1st
Picture Credit: 20th Century Fox
Kicking off our licensed recommendations is a film that has rightfully earned its status as a cult classic.Jennifer’s Bodystars Megan Fox as a popular high school cheerleader who is possessed by a hungry demon, turning her into a succubus with a taste for her male classmates. Left to stop her gruesome reign of terror is her nerdy best friend, played by Amanda Seyfried.
This got added to both Netflix in the United States and the United Kingdom and it’s the first time I’ve seen it again in what must be over 15 years. It’s campy, sometimes funny, very much a product of that era with the outfits and references and honestly, it’s still fun all these years later.
Green Book (2018)
Added to Netflix:May 1st
If you’re looking for a prestige cinema, the 2018 Best Picture winner Green Book touched down on the first of the month. The film follows a working-class Italian-American bouncer (Viggo Mortensen) who takes a job driving a world-class African-American classical pianist (Mahershala Ali) on a concert tour through the 1960s American South. Their unexpected bond anchors the film, driven by two phenomenal central performances that make it a compelling, emotionally satisfying ride.
Black Phone 2 (2025)
Coming to Netflix:May 16th
In case you missed it, Netflix has been getting new Universal movies shortly after their initial run on Peacock, following their theatrical run, since the beginning of the year. It’s brought a bunch of great titles to Netflix for a 10-month stretch, and next up is Black Phone 2.
Blumhouse’s 2022 horror phenomenon The Black Phone was a massive critical and commercial success, and now its terrifying sequel is making its way to Netflix. Ethan Hawke returns in all his creepy glory alongside Mason Thames. If this follow-up is anything like the original, you can expect unbearable tension, dark twists, and a deeply chilling atmosphere. Horror fans definitely won’t want to miss this one.
Nope (2022)
Coming to Netflix:May 18th
Sticking on the horror theme, Jordan Peele has firmly established himself as a modern master of the thriller/horror genre, and Nope is a stunning sci-fi spectacle that demands your attention. Starring Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer as horse-training siblings living in a lonely gulch in inland California, the film follows their attempts to capture evidence of an uncanny, predatory UFO hovering over their ranch.
It’s easily the best-looking film of the three main horror Peele films that have been released thus far, but ranks just below Get Out, but above Us for me.
True Romance (1993)
Coming to Netflix:May 19th
Written by a then-up-and-coming Quentin Tarantino and directed by Tony Scott,True Romanceis a relentlessly entertaining, hyper-violent joyride. The story follows a comic book nerd (Christian Slater) and a call girl (Patricia Arquette) who fall madly in love, steal a suitcase full of mob cocaine, and hit the road to Hollywood with ruthless gangsters hot on their trail. Packed with an incredible ensemble cast and Tarantino’s signature crackling dialogue, it’s an absolute ’90s classic.
Dead Man’s Wire (2026)
Coming to Netflix:May 28th
If you missed this critically acclaimed true-crime thriller during its theatrical run earlier this year, you’re in for an absolute wild ride.
Directed by Gus Van Sant in his first feature film in six years,Dead Man’s Wire transports viewers back to 1977 for an intense, 63-hour live-broadcast hostage standoff. Bill Skarsgård delivers a captivating, live-wire performance as Tony Kiritsis, a desperate, working-class man who feels cheated out of a commercial real estate deal. Armed with a sawed-off shotgun, Tony takes a mortgage broker (Dacre Montgomery) hostage, rigging a deadly wire from the trigger to the man’s neck. Boasting an impressive 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and an absolute powerhouse supporting cast that includes Colman Domingo, Al Pacino, and Cary Elwes, this is easily our most anticipated movie for the month on the licensed side, particularly given that it’s going to be the SVOD debut for the flick.
Ferrari (2023)
Coming to Netflix:May 24th
Closing out our list for May is Michael Mann’s sleek and intense biopic, Ferrari. Set during the summer of 1957, the film follows ex-racer turned entrepreneur Enzo Ferrari (Adam Driver) as he navigates a bitter crisis in his personal life and a financial threat to his auto empire. In a desperate bid to save his company, he pushes his drivers to the absolute limit in the treacherous 1,000-mile Mille Miglia race across Italy. The racing sequences are visceral and thrilling, making this a gripping weekend adrenaline rush.
Are you going to be checking out any of these movies upon their arrival on Netflix this month? Let us know in the comments below, and check out our other previews of the best new series on the way, along with roundups of the new documentaries and reality TV.
