We’d be lying if we told you that May wasn’t going to be a bit of a slow month for Netflix, who’s in the midst of making it very clear they’re transitioning toward new and original content—and that’s not bad. May will see the arrival of some fun classics like Bring It On and The Nutty Professor, and even Sixteen Candles will have a visit. But when it comes to new stuff that won’t make you groan on contact (Listen, we like Kirstin Dunst as much as the next guys, but just… ugh!), here are the 10 best new things on Netflix this month:
To Catch A Thief (1955)
Available Now
We’re pleasantly delighted to see a slight shift in Netflix’s offerings for silver-screen classics. To Catch A Thief, a romantic thriller by the late great Alfred Hitchcock, tells the story of a retired cat burglar (Cary Grant) who comes upon his romantic and professional rival, played by Grace Kelly. Set on the French Riviera, the cinematography is absolutely brilliant, and the story is told in a way that only Hitchbock knows how. If you’re a fan of the classics, To Catch A Thief is the real deal!
The Replacements
Available Now
Who doesn’t love this Keanu Reeves classic, starring Keanu Reeves as Keanu Reeves in a football helmet? But really, this 2000 classic is a great turn of the century sports-comedy-slash-light-rom-com that everyone knows and loves. Everyone. Tell us with a straight face that you haven’t been channel surfing at least once in your life, come upon a re-run of this movie on the TNT network, and left it on. We’ll wait.
The Keeping Room
May 4
Another indie flick coming to Netflix this month, The Keeping Room doesn’t look like something we’d ordinarily tell you to keep your eye on, but think about this description: “Freminist Western Movie.” Does it sound ridiculous? Well, the trailer certainly matches that sentiment, and its 68-percent Rotten Tomatoes score seems to agree with our presumption. We’re going to back it.
Marseille
May 5
Marseille is Netflix’s foray into the French language market, and as far as original content goes, we’re super excited about it. Marseille tells the story of Robert Taro (Gerard Depardieu), mayor of Marseille for 25 years, as he struggles to keep his position of power from a younger, sharper protégé-turned-rival Lucas Barres (Benoit Magimel). We can’t say for sure how well it’s going to go over with an English audience (it does offer subtitles), but we can say expectations are very high.
They Look Like People
May 11
This horrific psychological horror film from independent writer and director Perry Blackshear, They Look Like People is a terrifying look into the mind of a man who believes the people around him are turning into creatures made of pure evil, and follows him as he decides whether to protect his friend from the environment around them and the pending conflict, or simply from himself.
Goosebumps
May 11
One of the biggest announcements of the month is the release of Goosebumps, starring Jack Black as R.L. Stein, based on the childhood novels of the same name that scared the shit out of all of us. If you’re looking to take a creepy ride down nostalgia’s past (in an UberX driven by a goofy and irreverent Jack Black), this is definitely your huckleberry.
We Are Still Here
May 15
If you’re looking to whet your appetite for fear, We Are Still Here, a debut from writer-director Ted Geoghegan, looks into the origins of a terrifyingly murderous old house, and the people/things who continue to inhabit it. It’s far less subtle than They Look Like People, so if you love a good horror movie and don’t mind a metric shit tonne of gore, you’ll probably love this one.
American Dad (Season 10)
May 17
Now in its 13th season, American Dad, brainchild of comedy geniuses Seth Macfarlane and Mike Barker, follows the life of Stan Smith and his family as they navigate their ways through their own ridiculous trials and tribulations. If you’ve been living under a rock for the last 11 years and haven’t yet given it a chance, definitely check it out and see what the hubbub is about. Many credit it with being wittier and more succinct than Family Guy, but lacking pretension. It’s definitely a fun show.
Chef’s Table (Season 2)
May 27
Season 1 of this Netflix original really kicked ass, and people are expecting the same kind of fire from Season 2, which will premiere at the end of the month. This season will follow the lives of renowned chefs Alex Atala, Ana Ross, Dominique Crenn, Enrique Olvera, Gaggan Anand, and Grant Achatz.
Bloodline (Season 2)
May 27
In its first season, Netflix’s premiere thriller-drama was pretty well-received by viewers and critics. In it, we met the Rayburn family, a seemingly nice group of people who run a beachside hotel in paradise—the Florida Keys. And of course, as it tends to do, trouble arrives in paradise—and his name is Danny. We admit that our inclusion of Bloodline in this list is rooted at least partly in our skepticism. Without giving too much away, a big thing happened in season 1, and we aren’t really sure how they intend on making things work for another season. Nevertheless, you have our attention for another bingefest.
