Netflix in May 2021: the best new films and TV shows coming this month

As if that weren’t enough, Nordic fantasy series Ragnarok has also returned for a highly anticipated second season, the second half of Lucifer’s fifth season has dropped, and there’s also the final season of The Kominsky Method, aka the incredibly underrated Chuck Lorre comedy series, to get stuck into, too.

If you’re in the mood for a new thriller series (and, let’s face it, who isn’t?), then try Black Space, which is all about a rogue detective. If you fancy something a little different, there’s Eden (which is, you guessed it, a sci-fi anime series about a pair of robots secretly raising a young girl). And Dennis Quaid headlines Blue Miracle, which is a biopic of about a guardian and his kid seeking to win a fishing competition

Elsewhere, we have new German horror film The Strange House, which dropped to much acclaim on 14 May. People are still binge-watching The Sons Of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness, a new true crime series that’s a guaranteed must-watch for armchair detectives everywhere. And Money, Explained is helping viewers untangle all the ways our credit card might be screwing us, how student loans became a crisis, and why most of us won’t be able to save enough for retirement (gulp).

Then we have The Upshaws, which dropped on 12 May and is proving incredibly popular; no surprise, considering it breathes new life into the traditional American sitcom format.  And the much-anticipated second part of Who Killed Sara? is now available for streaming, too.

Throw in Milestone, a poignant film about a bereaved truck driver, and you genuinely have something for everyone to enjoy.

With all that to enjoy and more, here’s our pick of what’s new on Netflix this month.

Please note that this article will be updated regularly to include new titles.

School Of Rock – 1 May

Jack Black is at his high-energy best as School Of Rock’s Dewey, an amateur rock star posing as a substitute teacher. But, with zero teaching experience or qualifications, how is he going to pass the time? By training the students to form a band, obviously!

Tamara Drewe – 1 May

In this smart romcom, successful novelist Tamara (Gemma Arterton) returns to her hometown to sell her mother’s house. However, it’s not long before she catches the eye of several old flames…

Premonition – 1 May

Is Premonition really Sandra Bullock’s best film? Absolutely not, but this is a twisty thriller with an interesting premise – and it has a lot to say about foresight, family and faithfulness, too.

Below Deck – 1  May

Fancy following the crew of a multi-million dollar charter boat? Netflix has got you covered, as it’s dropping multiple seasons of this highly-rated reality series on 1 May.

Colony (Season 3) – 2 May

Finally, we’re about to be gifted the final season of this popular sci-fi series starring Josh Holloway and Sarah Wayne Callies.

Selena: The Series (Part 2) – 4 May

Before she became the Queen of Tejano Music, Selena Quintanilla was a young girl from Texas with big dreams and an even bigger voice. Picking up where the first part of Selena: The Series left off, these new episodes will explore what it really took for her to become the most successful female Latin artist of all time.

The Sons Of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness – 5 May

David Berkowitz, who referred to himself as Son of Sam, killed six people and wounded seven others in a series of attacks carried out in New York City between 1976 and 1977.

Following the biggest manhunt in New York history, he was finally apprehended by police, and is currently serving six consecutive life sentences. But this documentary will see filmmaker Joshua Zeman explore Berkowitz’s crimes, and try to assess whether or not the killer truly acted alone.

And Tomorrow The Entire World – 6 May

In this intimate German drama, an anti-fascist law student infiltrates a regional neo-Nazi group to find out more about a planned attack that threatens her friends.

Jupiter’s Legacy – 7 May

In this exciting new Netflix series, the world’s first generation of superheroes must look to their children to continue the legacy. But tensions rise as the young superheroes, hungry to prove their worth, struggle to live up to their parents’ legendary public reputations — and exacting personal standards.

Milestone – 7 May

Directed by Ivan Ayr of Soni fame, this film follows Ghalib, a truck driver who finds himself struggling to come to terms with his grief, all while facing the existential threat of losing his job to an eager young recruit. 

Monster – 7 May

Based on the novel of the same name by Walter Dean Myers, Monster tells the story of Steve Harmon, a 17-year-old student whose world comes crashing down around him when he is charged with felony murder. 

Money Explained – 11 May

Money, Explained breaks down the weaknesses we all share when it comes to money, the devious ways they’re exploited, and the best strategies out there to navigate it all.

Oxygen – 12 May

As per the official Netflix synopsis for the psychological thriller: “The film tells the story of a young woman who wakes up in a cryogenic pod.

“She doesn’t remember who she is or how she ended up there. And, as she’s running out of oxygen, she must rebuild her memory to find a way out of her nightmare.” 

Dance of the Forty One – 12 May

Based on true events, this series (set at the end of the 19th century) sees Ignacio de la Torre rise in the political sphere after marrying the daughter of the president of Mexico, Porfirio Díaz. However, Ignacio leads a double life, and everything comes to a head when he meets Evaristo, the 42nd member of the society. Expect secrets, glamourous parties, and scandalous police raids aplenty in this period drama.

The Upshaws – 12 May

Co-created by Regina Hicks and Wanda Sykes, The Upshaws is a new sitcom all about a Black working class family in Indianapolis, who are determined to make it work, and make it to the next level, together.

Halston – 14 May

Directed by Daniel Minahan and executive produced by Ryan Murphy (aka the creator of Pose, The Politician and Ratched), Halston charts the fashion designer’s rise to fame and dizzying excess in 70s and 80s New York.

According to the official synopsis, the show will also depict the “hostile takeover” which left Halston battling for “control of his most precious asset….the name Halston itself”, referencing the disastrous business deals that caused him to lose control of his brand.

Ferry – 14 May

Fans of the hit Belgian-Dutch crime thriller Undercover will definitely want to tune into Netflix’s Ferry, which takes viewers back to the early (and utterly, shockingly corrupt) years of drug lord Ferry Bouman.

The Woman In The Window – 14 May

Based on the A.J. Finn novel of the same name, The Woman In The Window tells the story of an agoraphobic psychologist who, while looking out of her window one evening, appears to witness a brutal attack in her neighbour’s home. But did the crime truly take place, or is her mind playing tricks on her?

I Am All Girls – 14 May

Set against the tense dying days of Apartheid, this tense film – all about a notorious human trafficking ring – is based on real events that unfolded in South Africa in the 1980s. 

Ma – 14 May

Octavia Spencer’s ‘Ma’ seems like the sweetest and most understanding woman ever when she allows a group of teenagers to party in her basement. Too bad, then, that her motives are entirely horrifying…

The Strange House – 14 May

You know the story; a family swaps their city home for one in the middle of nowhere, and quickly realise their countryside paradise is… well, that it’s haunted by some mystery malevolent force. Obviously.

Watch the trailer for yourself below:

As the official synopsis promises: “Hendrik is 16, a big city kid, and vexed to learn that his mother is moving with him and his little brother Eddi to a village in the south of Austria. To make matters worse, the locals shun the new rustic family home. They say it has been haunted ever since a mother poisoned her two sons in there many decades ago. 

“When a sleep- walking Eddi starts carving strange symbols into the walls, Hendrik and his friends set off on a quest to lift the secret of the spooky house.”

Who Killed Sara? (Part 2) – 19 May

Titled ¿Quién mató a Sara? in Spanish, this Netflix Original follows a man seeking his sister’s killer after he was framed for her murder. And there’s a reason the first part of this tense mystery-thriller series was the most popular show on Netflix earlier this year.

Special: Season 2 – 20 May

Ryan really needs to get his shit together. It’s been two months and he still hasn’t spoken to Karen since their fight and he has a gnarly case of writer’s block that’s getting him in hot water with Olivia. Enter Tanner, a fun, flirty dance instructor who charms Ryan despite not being totally available. 

Army Of The Dead – 21 May

Following a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, a group of mercenaries take the ultimate gamble, venturing into the quarantine zone to pull off the greatest heist ever attempted.

Second Act – 21 May

Maya, a lady with little educational qualification but abundance of street smarts, lands a job in a corporate firm when a friend creates a fake profile for her. She must now live the lie convincingly.

Bridesmaids – 21 May

Annie, a jobless chef, is asked by her best friend, Lillian, to be her maid of honour… and things quickly spiral into disaster, of course.

Les Misérables – 21 May

Do you hear the people sing? You will in this Academy Award-winning musical, which follows Jean Valjean, a prisoner, as he breaks parole in order to start life anew. He soon becomes the caretaker of a young girl, but it’s not long before his past comes back to catch up with him.

Notting Hill – 21 May

Notting Hill follows the story of divorced book owner Will, who falls in love with Hollywood’s biggest actor Anna. They live in totally different worlds, which means it takes them a pretty long time to work out that, yes, they love each other and, yes, they want to be with each other. Because at the end of the day, Anna was just a girl standing in front of a boy asking him to love her.

Moments In Love – 23 May

This new season of Master Of None focuses on the love story of Denise (Lena Waithe) and her partner Alicia (Naomi Ackie), intimately illustrating the ups and downs of their marriage, struggles with fertility, and personal growth both together and apart.

Spider-Man: Far From Home – 23 May

The most recent Marvel Cinematic Universe release has joined the streamer’s catalogue, and in this one we see everyone’s friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man face four destructive elemental monsters while on holiday in Europe. Cue him seeking help from Mysterio, a fellow hero with (ha!) mysterious origins…

High On The Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America – 26 May

In the moving four-part docuseries High On The Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America, food writer Stephen Satterfield embarks on a vibrant and powerful culinary journey alongside chefs, historians, and activists that celebrates the courage, artistry, and resourcefulness of the African American people.

Nail Bomber: Manhunt – 26 May

This British produced documentary, which examines the 1999 London bombings, has been praised for veering away from the gritty traditional true crime format to celebrate the resilience of the human spirit, too.

Black Space – 27 May

In this thriller series, a rogue detective with unorthodox means leads an investigation into a massacre committed by unicorn mask-wearing assassins at an Israeli high school.

Blue Miracle – 27 May

In this surprisingly charming film, a guardian and his kids partner with a washed-up boat captain for a chance to win a lucrative fishing competition. Why? To save their cash-strapped orphanage, of course!

Eden – 27 May

In this treat of an anime series, a human girl secretly raised by robots starts to uncover the dark secrets behind her lush, utopian world where humanity has all but vanished. 

Ragnarok: Season 2 – 27 May

As before the second season of this Nordic fantasy series, revolves around teenager Magne, who is struggling to come to terms with the fact that he’s actually the God of Thunder.

Lucifer: Season 5B – 28 May

Lucifer fans will be glad to know that their favourite fun-loving demon is back assisting the LAPD solve some fiendishly tricky criminal cases.

The Kominsky Method – 28 May

The Kominsky Method has earned six Emmy nods and won Golden Globes for Best TV Comedy and Best Actor, so you can bet fans are excited that the third and final season is finally landing on Netflix. Be sure to catch up if you haven’t already; it’s well worth the watch.