Netflix Releases for May 2026: The Complete List of This Month's Movies and TV Shows

Netflix’s May 2026 releases include more than 35 new titles, including movies, series, and documentaries. The month kicks off with a major wave of releases on May 1 (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Ben-Hur, the complete 30 Rock series, and Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2), followed by Scarface on May 3, *The Brutalist* on May 12, *Berlin* and *The Lady with the Ermine* on May 15, *The Monkey* on May 19, and *The Boroughs: Rebel Retirement* on May 21. The month wraps up with the documentary *Rafa* (May 29) about Rafael Nadal, timed to coincide with the French Open, and the comedy *Our Worst Neighbors* on May 31.

Key points to remember

• 17 movies, 13 TV series, and 6 documentaries released or scheduled to premiere on Netflix France in May 2026.
• May 1 features 7 movies (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Ben-Hur, Lolita Despite Myself, Scarface…) and 2 TV series (30 Rock, Jujutsu Kaisen S2).
• Three major events: The Brutalist (May 12), Berlin spin-off (May 15), Rafa (May 29).
• A brand-new live MMA event on May 16: Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.

What new Netflix releases are coming in the first week of May 2026?

May 1: The Big Wave at the Start of the Month

May 1 marks the peak of new releases for the month. On the movie front, Netflix added the following titles all at once: *Mr. & Mrs. Smith* (Doug Liman, 2005, starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie), *Ben-Hur* (the 2016 version by Timur Bekmambetov), *Me, Myself & Minx* (the teen classic starring Lindsay Lohan), *Lords of Dogtown* (the skateboarding biopic starring Heath Ledger), *Spell* (a horror film by Mark Tonderai), *The Women of His Dreams* (a romantic comedy by the Farrelly brothers), and *Crossed Adventures*. Seven movies in one day.

On the TV series front, two major releases on the same day: the complete collection of *30 Rock* (seasons 1 through 7), Tina Fey’s cult sitcom, and *Jujutsu Kaisen* Season 2 for anime fans. Netflix’s strategy for the first of the month is clear: a large batch of catalog titles to bolster its lineup in the face of competitors who are doing the same thing at the same time.

May 2–May 7: Continuation and Consistency

On May 2, *Two Sisters for a King*, a historical drama about the Boleyn sisters, is released. May 3 marks the arrival of *Scarface*, the classic film by Brian De Palma starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana. On May 5, *Garde Alternée* (the comedy by Alexandra Leclère starring Valérie Bonneton and Didier Bourdon) is added to the catalog.

May 4 brings *Horton!* Season 2 to streaming services. May 6 is a big day: *Hell's Exes* Season 2 AND the complete *The Handmaid's Tale* (all six seasons), the cult dystopian series starring Elisabeth Moss, adapted from the novel by Margaret Atwood. May 7 sees the arrival of *Legends*, a fantasy series.

On May 8, Netflix is adding *Such Remarkable Creatures* (a historical miniseries adapted from Tracy Chevalier’s novel) and *Jennifer’s Body* (the 2009 slasher film starring Megan Fox, which has found a new audience among Gen Z).

What's coming to Netflix in the second week of May 2026?

May 9–14: The Ascent to The Brutalist

On May 9, *Tendre et Saignant*, a French romantic comedy, is set to be released. May 12 is the big day for movie lovers this month: *The Brutalist*, Brady Corbet’s film starring Adrien Brody as a Jewish architect and Holocaust survivor. A multiple winner at the 2025 Golden Globes and nominated for 10 Oscars, the 3-hour-and-35-minute film is finally coming to Netflix.

On the same day, *Devil May Cry* Season 2 (the animated series produced by Adi Shankar, based on the Capcom video game) premieres, and the documentary *The Other Side of Sport: UK—Jamie Vardy* kicks off the two-episode miniseries dedicated to iconic British sports figures.

May 13 brings Season 4 of *Perfect Match* (the dating reality TV show). May 13 also marks the release of the documentary *Le Bus: Les Bleus en grève*, which looks back at the incident during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa when the French national team refused to go to practice. May 14 sees the release of *Nemesis* (miniseries) and *Âme sœur* (French film).

For a broader selection of major series from the catalog, the "Best Netflix Series " page remains a good resource to supplement with these new additions.

May 15–18: Berlin and MMA Live

May 15 marks the biggest TV series release of the month: *Berlin: The Lady with the Ermine*, season 2 of the *Money Heist* spin-off centered on the character played by Pedro Alonso. Season 2 premieres on May 15 with eight episodes, blending crime action and intrigue centered on a historic painting, along with two documentaries: *The Accident: Investigation into a State (Criminal) Scandal* and *One Piece: Drum* (an animated documentary on the Drum arc of the franchise).

On May 16, Netflix scheduled a brand-new live event: an MMA bout between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, continuing the event-driven strategy it began with Tyson vs. Paul in 2024 and the Garcia vs. Bullard boxing match. Live sports have become a mainstay of Netflix’s programming.

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What new Netflix releases are coming in the third week of May 2026?

May 19–24: The Monkey and The Boroughs

May 19 is a busy day for movies. *Mercato* (a French comedy) and *The Monkey* (the Stephen King adaptation by Osgood Perkins, who directed *Longlegs* in 2024) are joining the catalog. *The Monkey* is a horror film based on Stephen King’s 1980 short story “The Monkey.”

On May 21, *The Boroughs: Rebel Retirement* hits streaming platforms. Produced by the Duffer brothers (creators of *Stranger Things*), it’s a horror series set in a retirement home. The tone is unapologetically “senior horror,” in the vein of *Don’t Breathe* or productions with generational twists.

May 22 brings *Ladies First* (movie) and *Mating Season* (series). May 22 is also the day before the start of the French Open (May 24–June 7): Netflix is taking advantage of the weekend to release its new titles before attention shifts to tennis and Prime Video’s lineup.

May 25 through May 31: the end of the month

On May 26, the second episode of *L'Envers du sport* will air, this time focusing on Vinnie Jones, the former Wimbledon FC defender turned actor (*Snatch*, *Lock, Stock*).

May 27 brings *Sur la branche* (film) and *Meurtre mode d'emploi* Season 2 (crime drama series). May 28 sees the arrival of *Les Quatre Saisons* Season 2 (Netflix adaptation of Alan Alda's comedy).

On May 29, the film *Avec ou sans enfants* will be released, along with the documentary *Rafa*, which focuses on Rafael Nadal. The date is no coincidence: Netflix is releasing the documentary during Roland Garros, the major clay-court tournament where the Spanish player triumphed 14 times between 2005 and 2022.

May 31 wraps up the month with *Neighbors* AND *Neighbors 2*, featuring Seth Rogen and Zac Efron, for a comedy-filled night to end the month.

Which Netflix movies should you watch first in May 2026?

If you had to pick just five movies from May 2026, the must-see quartet would include *The Brutalist* (May 12, a 3-hour-35-minute look at postwar America), *Scarface* (May 3, the De Palma classic), *The Monkey* (May 19, a Stephen King horror film), and *Mr. & Mrs. Smith* (May 1, a Brangelina action-romance). For lighter viewing, *Our Worst Neighbors* (May 31) and *Lolita Despite Myself* (May 1) are the obvious choices.

Looking at the broader landscape of the best Netflix movies helps put these new additions into context within the existing catalog. For fans of the upcoming releases, the article on Netflix releases for June 2026 provides the June schedule, including *Avatar: The Last Airbender* Season 2, set to premiere on June 25.

What were the standout TV series in May 2026?

Three series dominate this month’s lineup. The Handmaid’s Tale: The Complete Six Seasons (May 6) is a must-watch for newcomers or for a complete rewatch before the franchise comes to an end. Berlin (May 15) is the highly anticipated *Money Heist* spin-off, and *The Boroughs: Rebel Retirement* (May 21) is the horror gem produced by the Duffer Brothers.

For anime fans, *Jujutsu Kaisen* Season 2 (May 1) and *Devil May Cry* Season 2 (May 12) cover both the shonen and seinen genres. On the reality TV front, *Perfect Match* Season 4 (May 13) continues the platform’s dating franchise.

For the monthly global hub and the month-by-month list, the page dedicated to the Netflix New Releases hub centralizes confirmed and scheduled releases.

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Detailed instructions can be found on the page about sharing a Netflix account. This is the easiest way to split the monthly bill among two or three users, while complying with the platform's terms and conditions.

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Frequently asked questions

How many Netflix releases are there in May 2026?

Netflix France has scheduled more than 35 major releases for May 2026: 17 movies, 13 series, and 6 documentaries. May 1 alone features 9 releases (7 movies and 2 series), and the pace continues with 2 to 4 releases per week through May 31.

What is Netflix's big movie release for May 2026?

*The Brutalist*, available since May 12, 2026, is this month’s major movie release. Brady Corbet’s film, starring Adrien Brody (3h35), received 10 Oscar nominations in 2025 and won three Golden Globes, including Best Drama.

What sports documentaries will be available on Netflix in May 2026?

Four sports documentaries in May 2026: Behind the Scenes of Sports, United Kingdom: Jamie Vardy (May 12), The Bus: Les Bleus on Strike (May 13, a look back at the 2010 World Cup), Behind the Scenes of Sports, United Kingdom: Vinnie Jones (May 26), and Rafa (May 29), a documentary on Rafael Nadal during the French Open.

Is there a live event on Netflix in May 2026?

Yes, on May 16, 2026, Netflix will broadcast a never-before-seen MMA fight between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano live. This is the platform’s fourth major live event since Tyson vs. Paul in November 2024, as part of its live sports strategy, which has become a cornerstone of Netflix’s programming.

When will the next new Netflix releases be available?

After May 2026, the June lineup kicks off on June 1 with *Creed III*, *My Hero Academia* Season 6, and *Summer of '36*. Details on June releases are summarized in the article dedicated to what's coming in June, with *Avatar: The Last Airbender* Season 2 on June 25 as the main highlight.