At first glance, it looks like May is going to be a great month for Netflix subscribers. We’re getting new seasons of both House of Cards and Master of None, some excellent sci-fi and fight movies, some educational documentaries, etc. But when we look at what’s leaving, we can’t help but wince: The Jurassic Park trilogy, Invincible, Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (Seasons 1-5), Graceland (Seasons 1-3), Bob’s Burgers Season 2, and quite a few others. So it’s going to hurt, but let’s look on the bright side. May is still offering us far more good than bad. Here are the 10 best things coming to Netflix in May.
Sense8 Season 2
May 5
If you’re into action, drama, and sci-fi, Sense8 is going to be one of those shows that blows your mind. The show revolves around the lives of eight random strangers from all over the world who suddenly become emotionally and psychologically linked. These eight people can lend each other certain skills and powers, and if it sounds like a bit of a mind fuck, it’s because it is. Importantly, the show finds interesting and unique ways of addressing different real-world issues like gender, politics, race, and identity—which we definitely appreciate.
The Mars Generation
May 5
If you’ve paid attention to the news at all over the last few years, you’ve noticed that America—once the world’s largest pioneer of space exploration—has dialed back quite a bit on its plans to live among the stars. Not a great way to honor the legacy of the Moon Landings, but maybe we can make up for it. The Mars Generation is a Netflix Original documentary about a group of kids who are training and studying to ensure that this generation will be the first one to put footprints in Martian soil. Look for interviews by esteemed scientists and space travel pioneers like Neil deGrasse Tyson and Elon Musk, as well as the kids with their hearts and eyes focused on what’s out there (and more).
Mindhorn
May 12
A serial killer is on the loose and the only man that may be able to stop him is… A washed up actor from a forgotten 1980’s detective crime drama? Yup. The film’s writing and humor is distinctly British (as is its cast), and it’s great to see a new way of dealing with the nostalgia people have for the 1980s. Tint those glasses rose as deeply as you’d like, 80s entertainment was cheesy as hell.
Master of None Season 2
May 12
The second season of the acclaimed Netflix Original series Master of None debuts May 12, and we’d be willing to bet Season 2 is going to be a whole new type of adventure. What makes Master of None so good is that it’s always funny, but adds to that incredible honesty and relatability. It accomplishes something a lot of “funny shows” tend to miss out on—purposeful authenticity. From the trailer, it looks like Alan Yang (Ansari) somehow winds up in Italy/Europe, rides a scooter, meets a ton of new women he probably won’t date, etc. For that and whatever else he gets up to, we can’t wait.
Inglourious Basterds
May 22
We’re gonna be doing one thing and one thing only, and that’s killin’ Nazis! Ugh, we love this WWII action comedy from Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction, Django Unchained, Reservoir Dogs). The film stars Brad Pitt (in a role eerily similar to the one he’ll be playing in War Machine) as Lieutenant Aldo Raine, a member of the First Special Service Force tasked with putting together a team of Jewish-born American soldiers to go kick Nazi ass. It’s hysterical, crude, and particularly gory. And unless you like Nazis, you’ll likely love this film.
Southpaw
May 24
We love a good fight movie, and when it’s brilliantly written and stars an all-star cast? More please. Southpaw, written by none other than Kurt Sutter and starring Jake Gyllanhaal, Forest Whitaker, and Rachel McAdams, follows the rise, fall, and redemption of Billy “The Great” Hope (Gyllanhaal), a prized boxer whose life is destroyed after his wild antics and hot head result in the murder of his wife Maureen (Rachel McAdams). Billy hits rock bottom and loses his fancy house, as well as custody of his daughter. Billy seeks out the help of trainer Titus “Tick” Wills (Whitaker), who eventually reluctantly agrees to train him for a fight against Miguel—the very man responsible for the death of his wife. It’s a tad on the overly dramatic side, but definitely worth the watch.
Bloodline Season 3
May 26
The only real way to describe Bloodline is: “A complete and utterly mind bending cluster fuck.” It truly is one of those shows you watch, gripping your couch the whole time and yelling, “Oh holy shit!” over and over and over again. We could write paragraphs on the show’s twisted and all-over-the-map plot line, but there just isn’t time. Instead, imagine the hands-down worst family you’ve ever seen, complete with psychotic behavior, murder, and all the other fun stuff bad families are made of. Few would argue that Season 2 was anywhere near as good as Season 1, but we’re optimistic that Season 3, which debuts May 26 and will be the show’s final season, will once again bring the heat.
War Machine
May 26
As years-long subscribers, we’ve been blown away by how much of a media giant Netflix has managed to establish itself as over the last couple years. And if anyone was in doubt of that status, try this. You know you’ve made it when Brad Pitt is starring in one of your original movies.
War Machine stars Pitt as four-star General Glen McMahon, a decorated leader tasked with bringing the war in Afghanistan to an end after eight long and trying years. The film is a brilliant satire/parody that explores the relationship between war and politics, and how the media influence the lives of the world’s shot callers. Pitt isn’t the only name to look out for, either. Notable additions include Topher Grace (no, really), John Magaro, Anthony Michael Hall, and the one and only Alan Ruck. We’re betting this one’s going to be a winner.
Doctor Strange
May 30
The Box Office smash (more than $677 million!) Doctor Strange also makes its way to Netflix in May. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Vincent Strange, a disgraced former surgeon-turned powerful sorcerer who must protect the world from Kaecilius, an evil sorcerer hellbent on destroying everything. Critics and comic book nerds alike praised the film, and we have to agree—if you haven’t yet, check this one out.
House of Cards Season 5
May 30
Another “Oh holy shit, what’s even happening right now?” kind of Netflix Original series, House of Cards debuts its fifth season May 30 and boy, if you thought our actual political sphere was in total chaos, wait until you see this shit. It’s a lot to get into, but the show follows the political career of Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), from his time as South Carolina Congressman to his rise to President of the United States. Season 4 ended in tumult with the Islamic Caliphate (yeah, we know), which appears to have led to a full-on world war (yeah, we know). We’re excited to see where Season 5 ends up, especially knowing the show’s history of going everywhere viewers never thought possible.
Also an Amazon Prime member? Check out what’s new on Prime Video this month.
