X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

New Netflix Shows and Movies (May 2022)

Norm MacDonald's final stand-up special is coming soon

liam-mathews
Liam Mathews
Norm Macdonald

Norm Macdonald

Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

Netflix releases so many things each month, that when it sends out its release calendar just before the start of each month, it inevitably misses out on some shows or movies that will end up being released that month. Case in point, Norm MacDonald's secret stand-up special Norm MacDonald: Nothing Special, which we didn't even know existed on May 1, will be released on May 30. It's one of the highlights left to premiere in May, along with Stranger Things Season 4 and Somebody Feed Phil Season 5.

As for what shows and movies you need to watch before they leave Netflix, some good stuff is expiring from Netflix on May 31, like the complete runs of Downton Abbey and Happy Endings, two I Know What You Did Last Summer movies, and sports drama The Blind Side. So catch all those before they're gone.

Below you'll find our picks for the best shows and movies to watch on Netflix in May, as well as lists of everything coming to and leaving Netflix in May. 

The Best Shows and Movies to Watch on Netflix in May

Phil Rosenthal, Somebody Feed Phil

Phil Rosenthal, Somebody Feed Phil

Netflix

All four Jackass movies (First three May 1, Jackass 4.5 May 20)

The Jackass franchise is one of the most important, transcendent, and shockingly durable comedies of the century so far, and that's not a joke. These guys are artists. As if the first three Jackass movies getting added to Netflix at the beginning of the month wasn't enough of a gift, Jackass 4.5 — a deleted-scenes-added version of Jackass Forever, which hit theaters in February — is coming on May 20. You'll laugh so hard you'll cry and gag so hard you'll barf at some of these stunts. [Trailer]

Operation Mincemeat (May 10) 

This is an old-fashioned based-on-a-true-story studio movie that's not too good but not too bad. It's right down the middle(brow). It tells the story of British intelligence agents in World War II who came up with an ambitious, borderline insane plan to conceal the Allied invasion of Sicily from the Nazis. It's a historical drama with some comedic elements and a strong cast led by Colin Firth and Matthew Macfadyen (Succession's Tom Wambsgans) in big glasses and an even bigger mustache. [Trailer]

The Lincoln Lawyer (May 13)

Netflix doesn't do a lot of network-style dramas, so this legal drama from prolific writer-producer David E. Kelley stands out. Long before he became the Big Little Lies guy, Kelley dominated the lawyers-on-TV space with L.A. Law, The Practice, Ally McBeal, and Boston Legal, among others. This is his return to the genre. The Lincoln Lawyer is based on a bestselling novel series by Michael Connelly, who also created Det. Harry Bosch, and follows Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), a Los Angeles defense attorney who doesn't like defending people who are guilty. He was previously played by Matthew McConaughey in the well-liked 2011 movie of the same name. If this show lives up to its potential, it will be a big hit. [Trailer]

Love on the Spectrum U.S. (May 18)

An American edition of the Australian reality documentary series following the dating lives of people on the autism spectrum. If it's anything like the original, the U.S. version will be empathetic and deeply moving. [Trailer]

Somebody Feed Phil (May 25)

Phil Rosenthal, TV producer and creator of Everybody Loves Raymond, is spending his life like all successful people should: traveling the world to eat yummy stuff. Rosenthal's charming food and travel show returns for Season 5 with his own unique brand of foodie-ness. Instead of over-dissecting the origins and health of his food, he mostly puts it in his mouth and says yum (but it is still informative). That kind of everyman alternative to most food shows has made his show a hit and a recognizable face on the food scene. We love this show. 

Stranger Things 4 (May 27) 

The beloved sci-fi adventure series is finally back for its fourth season, after an interminable three-year break. It's Netflix's event of the year. Reed Hastings probably hopes it will single-handedly revive Netflix's stock price. There's a lot riding on this season, and if the trailer is to be believed, the Duffer Brothers & co. are going to deliver. The kids face a new threat from the Upside Down, while Hopper (David Harbour) fights to survive in a Soviet prison camp. The first part of Season 4 drops May 27, with the second half coming in July.  [Trailer]

Norm MacDonald: Nothing Special (May 30) 

In 2020, about a year before he passed away from cancer, Norm MacDonald decided to record a secret stand-up special just in case his health declined. The special, shot in his living room in one take, comes to Netflix at the end of the month as part of Norm's wishes. It's likely going to be a difficult and bittersweet watch for his fans, but Norm loved to make people uncomfortable.


More on Netflix:

Everything Coming to Netflix in May

TBD
Welcome to Wedding Hell (Netflix Series)

May 1
42

3 Ninjas: Kick Back
40-Love

A River Runs Through It

Are You the One?: Season 6

Blippi Wonders: Season 1

Corpse Bride

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Den of Thieves

Dirty Harry

Empire State

Forrest Gump

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle

Hello, My Name Is Doris

Jackass:  The Movie

Jackass 2.5

Jackass 3.5

John Q

Menace II Society

Once Upon a Time in America

Rambo

Rambo: Last Blood

Road to Perdition

Seven Years in Tibet

Soul Surfer

Summerland

The Gentlemen

The Lake House

U.S. Marshals

War of the Worlds

When Harry Met Sally

You've Got Mail


May 2
Octonauts: Above & Beyond: Season 2 (Netflix Family)

May 3
Hold Your Breath: The Ice Dive (Netflix Documentary)

May 4
40 Years Young (Netflix Film)
The Circle: Season 4 (Netflix Series) (new episodes weekly)
El marginal: Season 5 (Netflix Series)
Meltdown: Three Mile Island (Netflix Documentary)
Summertime: Season 3 (Netflix Series)

May 5
Blood Sisters (Netflix Series)
Clark (Netflix Series)
The Pentaverate (Netflix Series)
Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go: Season 1
Wild Babies (Netflix Documentary)

May 6
Along for the Ride (Netflix Film)
Marmaduke (Netflix Film)
The Sound of Magic (Netflix Series)
Thar (Netflix Film)
The Takedown (Netflix Film)
Welcome to Eden (Netflix Series)
Like a Rolling Stone: The Life & Times of Ben Fong-Torres

May 8
Christina P: Mom Genes (Netflix Comedy)

May 9
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War (Netflix Anime)

May 10
Outlander: Season 5
Workin' Moms: Season 6 (Netflix Series)
42 Days of Darkness (Netflix Series)
Brotherhood: Season 2 (Netflix Series)
The Circle: Season 4 (Netflix Series) (new episodes weekly)
Operation Mincemeat (Netflix Film)
Our Father (Netflix Documentary)
The Getaway King (Netflix Film)

May 12
Maverix (Netflix Comedy)
Savage Beauty (Netflix Series)

May 13
Bling Empire: Season 2 (Netflix Series)
The Life and Movies of Erşan Kuneri (Netflix Series)
The Lincoln Lawyer (Netflix Series)
New Heights (Netflix Series)
Senior Year (Netflix Film)

May 14
Borrego

May 15
PJ Masks: Season 4

May 16
Blippi's Adventures
Servant of the People: Season 2-3
Vampire in the Garden (Netflix Anime)

May 17
The Future Diary: Season 2 (Netflix Series)

May 18
The Circle: Season 4 (Netflix Series) (new episodes weekly)
Cyber Hell: Exposing an Internet Horror (Netflix Documentary)
Love on the Spectrum U.S. (Netflix Series)
The Perfect Family (Netflix Film)
Toscana (Netflix Film)
Who Killed Sara?: Season 3 (Netflix Series)

May 19
A Perfect Pairing (Netflix Film)
The Boss Baby: Back in the Crib (Netflix Family)
The G Word with Adam Conover (Netflix Documentary)
Insiders: Season 2 (Netflix Series) (new episodes weekly)
The Photographer: Murder in Pinamar (Netflix Documentary)
Rodrigo Sant'Anna: I've Arrived (Netflix Comedy)

May 20
Ben Is Back
F*ck Love Too (Netflix Film)
Jackass 4.5
Love, Death & Robots: Volume 3 (Netflix Series)
Wrong Side of the Tracks (Netflix Series)

May 22
ONE PIECE: New Episodes

May 23
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045: Season 2 (Netflix Anime)
Godspeed (Netflix Film)
Sea of Love (Netflix Family)

May 24
Ricky Gervais: Supernature (Netflix Special)

May 25
The Circle: Season 4 (Netflix Series) (new episodes weekly)
Larva Pendant (Netflix Film)
Somebody Feed Phil: Season 5 (Netflix Series)

May 26
Insiders: Season 2 (Netflix Series) (new episodes weekly)
My Little Pony: Make Your Mark (Netflix Family)
Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series: Part 3 (Netflix Family)

May 27
Stranger Things 4: Volume 1 (Netflix Series)

May 30
Mighty Little Bheem: I Love Taj Mahal (Netflix Family)
Norm MacDonald: Nothing Special

May 31
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Season 1
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Season 1

Everything Leaving Netflix in May

May 1
Colony: Seasons 1-3 
Hoarders: Season 11
WWII in HD: Season 1

May 3
StartUp: Seasons 1-3
The Clovehitch Killer

May 5
Dead Man Down

May 12
Eye in the Sky

May 19
Rosario Tijeras (Mexico): Seasons 1-2

May 23
Shot Caller

May 24
Uncut Gems

May 31
Battleship

Bill Burr: You People Are All the Same

Chloe

Closer

Coach Carter

Dennis the Menace

Downton Abbey: Series 1-6 

Final Destination 3

Final Destination 5

Free Willy

Hairspray

Happy Endings: Seasons 1-3 

Happy Feet

I Know What You Did Last Summer

I Still Know What You Did Last Summer

New Year's Eve

Sniper: Legacy

Stardust

Sucker Punch

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie

The Blind Side

The Devil's Advocate

The Disaster Artist

The Final Destination

Top Gun

Wild Things

Zoolander