35 unmissable movies joining Netflix in May including iconic crime thrillers

To keep their millions of subscribers happy, streaming kingpins Netflix have to regularly freshen up their entertainment offerings.

This means that every month, they drop a truckload of original new movies, as well as a handpicked number of classics, onto their platform for us all to enjoy.

Coming to Netflix this May we have a feast of films, including some old disaster classics, heist thrillers, teen romances, brand new horrors, iconic comedies, classy crimers, much-loved rom-coms, satirical sci-fis, animated laughs and a movie where Nicolas Cage loses his mind after his swine pal is pignapped (yep, really).

We’ve selected the 35 best new movies heading to Netflix in the US in May. And here they are…

The Mule (2018) – May 1

Clint Eastwood directs and stars as a 90-year-old horticulturist who accidentally becomes a drug mule for a Mexican cartel. It’s inspired by a true story. And yes, that is as odd as it sounds. Bradley Cooper co-stars in what is one of Eastwood’s more low-key late-career outings. The man’s still got it, though.

The Jerk (1979) – May 1

This was comedian Steve Martin’s big break as a lead actor. He plays Navin R. Johnson, a clueless optimist who was ‘born a poor black child’ (the film’s first line). It’s chaotic, daft and still has some of the wildest physical comedy you’ll see on screen.

Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Twelve (2004) & Thirteen (2007) – May 1

The slickest heist trilogy of the 2000s lands in full. Clooney, Pitt, Damon and Co. rob casinos, art galleries and more, all while looking like they’ve just walked out of a fashion shoot. This trio of fun films make an ideal box set to binge this May.

Eat, Pray, Love (2010) – May 1

Julia Roberts travels through Italy, India and Bali after a rough divorce. Based on the bestselling book, it’s full of food, self-discovery and Javier Bardem being very charming/a tiny bit sleazy. A big ol’ comfort movie if you’re into this sort of thing.

Paul (2011) – May 1

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost hit the US on a geeky road trip and meet a wisecracking alien (voiced by Seth Rogen). Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig show up too. If you liked Hot Fuzz and Superbad, you’ll have fun with this.

Constantine (2005) – May 1

Keanu Reeves plays graphic novel hero John Constantine here, a supernatural detective who chain-smokes, wears a trenchcoat and battles demons in LA. It’s quirky, stylish and Tilda Swinton and Peter Stormare steal all of their scenes. Look out too for Rachel Weisz, Djimon Hounsou, Shia LeBoeuf and – for some reason – Bush singer Gavin Rossdale.

American Gangster (2007) – May 1

The legendary Ridley Scott directs Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe and Josh Brolin in this big, swaggering crime epic. It’s based on the true story of drug lord Frank Lucas. Watch for the killer 1970s outfits and one very memorable Idris Elba scene. This is a seriously underrated crime film.

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) – May 1

Cheese-loving pair Wallace and Gromit take on a monstrous rabbit before the village veg competition. This is classic Aardman stop-motion with loads of clever visual gags and very British humour. It even won an Oscar.

The Lego Movie (2014) – May 1

‘Everything is awesome!’ As this smash hit movie’s catchy theme tune goes. This is a flick that arguably shouldn’t really have worked, but it did. It’s a funny, fast-paced animated adventure packed with fun references and a surprisingly strong message. Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks and Will Arnett lead the voice cast expertly.

Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) – May 1

Ryan Gosling teaches Steve Carell how to pull women. If that appeals, this is the movie for you. Julianne Moore, Emma Stone and Kevin Bacon join the chaos. Smart, watchable and far less cringey (and funnier) than the movie’s weirdly quite terrible title suggests it might be.

Twilight (2008), New Moon (2009), Eclipse (2010), Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (2011) & Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012) – May 1

The full Twilight saga lands. Bella, Edward and Jacob get all angsty, sparkly and occasionally a wee bit bitey across five very 2000s vampire flicks. Love it or hate ’em, they’ll be there for you to watch (again) or ignore (again)

Ali (2001) – May 1

Will Smith bulked up massively and got an Oscar nomination playing heavyweight champion and icon Muhammad Ali in this big budget boxing biopic. Directed by arguably Hollywood’s greatest ever director (Michael Mann), it focuses on Ali’s fights, politics and personality during his peak.

Burn After Reading (2008) – May 1

A gym trainer finds a CD full of info about the CIA and thinks he’s struck gold. Cue blackmail, botched plans and a lot of stupidity. Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Frances McDormand and John Malkovich chew scenery in this quirky classic Coen Brothers comic chaos.

American Graffiti (1973) – May 1

Before Star Wars, George Lucas made this teen hangout movie set over one night in 1962. There are great cars, golden oldies and even a very young Harrison Ford in a cowboy hat. Well worth a watch.

The Walk (2015) – May 1

Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Philippe Petit, who famously walked a high wire between the Twin Towers in 1974. Directed by Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump), the vertigo-inducing final act is as brilliant as it is stomach churning.

Airport (1970), 1975 (1975) & ’77 (1977) – May 1

The disaster movies that launched a thousand spoofs. Hijackings, bombs, mid-air emergencies – these star-studded epics had it all. They laid the foundations for the next 50 years of disaster movies, as well as formed the basis for two of the funniest spoofs ever made (the two Airplane! outings). They’re all fun, but the first Airport is best, anchored by a typically suave performance from one of its stars, the incomparable Dean Martin.

Starship Troopers (1997) – May 1

A bunch of jacked-up space marines battle giant alien bugs in this cult sci-fi satire. It flopped at the time but has aged into a wildly entertaining, tongue-in-cheek cult flick that’s deceptively clever. As well as just a lot of fun.

Hanna (2011) – May 1

The incredible Saoirse Ronan plays a teenage assassin trained in the Arctic by dad Eric Bana. While the really rather evil Cate Blanchett hunts her down. It’s a bit Bourne, a bit fairy tale, with a Chemical Brothers soundtrack that – like Hanna – hits surprisingly hard. This is one of those rare action thrillers that’s not only a great action thriller… It’s a great film full stop. A true modern classic.

Flushed Away (2006) – May 1

A posh pet rat gets flushed into the London sewers and meets a whole underground world of rodents that help open his mind. Aardman and DreamWorks teamed up for this one. It’s fast, funny and full of great voice work, as you’d expect. Voices include the likes of Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Sir Ian McKellan and – for some reason – Shane Ritchie.

Train to Busan (2016) – May 2

Forget snakes on a plane, this is zombies on a train. That’s the pitch. And it totally delivers. This South Korean horror-thriller is fast, intense and surprisingly emotional. Even people who usually hate zombie films end up loving this one.

Heart Eyes (2025) – May 8

A Valentine’s Day slasher with a twisted sense of humour. Heart Eyes follows two co-workers, Ally (Olivia Holt) and Jay (Mason Gooding), who are mistaken for a couple by a masked killer targeting lovers. Directed by Josh Ruben, this horror-comedy blends gruesome kills a with sharp script. It’s fun throughout but its strongest part lay towards the credits, featuring as it does a memorable twist ending that keeps audiences seriously guessing.

Nonnas (2025) – May 9

This new Netflix Original is all about a chef who rediscovers his roots and ends up working with a gang of tough, lovable Italian grandmas. Vince Vaughn, Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco and Talia Shire are involved. Expect pasta, life lessons and a lot of shouting and gesticulating.

Smile (2022) – May 14

A creepy horror flick that became a viral hit thanks to its grinning characters and nightmare marketing. Sosie Bacon (Kevin’s daughter) leads the cast. You’ll never trust a smile again.

Instant Family (2018) – May 16

Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne adopt three siblings and immediately find themselves out of their depth. It’s funnier and warmer than it sounds. Based on the director’s real life experiences with adoption, you expect a two star nothing comedy and you get a surprisingly touching four star tale. We didn’t cry a little bit watching it and you can’t prove that we did.

Fear Street: Prom Queen (2025) – May 23

Netflix’s successful Fear Street horror saga continues with this new prom-themed horror set back in 1988. If you dig slasher kills and retro tunes, you’re in luck. There’s a new cast, but still plenty of R. L. Stine murderousness.

The Wild Robot (2024) – May 24

Animated family film where a robot washes up on an island and has to survive in the wild. Think Wall-E meets The Jungle Book. Based on the hit kids’ book and voiced by the likes of Lupita Nyong’o.

Pig (2021) – May 26

Don’t call it John Wick with a pig. Seriously. Despite its plot and some of the marketing, this tale of a reclusive chef tracking down his stolen truffle pig isn’t quite the straight-up revenge flick it might appear to be. Quiet, weird, thoughtful and quite brilliant – this is Cage at his most unexpectedly moving. This may be the best film you watch all month.

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