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The Netflix weather is here, the days are getting longer, and you know what that means: summer movie season is officially kicking off! And guess what? Netflix is wasting no time getting the party started. This May, they’re rolling out a fresh batch of original films that’ll have you glued to your screen, whether you’re chilling inside with the AC on or hosting a cozy movie night with friends.
From bloody slashers that’ll have you peeking through your fingers, to thought-provoking dramas that stay with you long after the credits roll, to sweet, feel-good movies that’ll warm your heart, Netflix is serving up a little something for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of horror, drama, romance, or just love discovering new stories, there’s definitely going to be a few new favorites waiting for you.
And the best part? You don’t have to leave your couch, line up at the theater, or pay crazy ticket prices. It’s all right there, ready to stream whenever you want.
To make things even easier, we’ve put together a quick guide to seven of the best new movies arriving on Netflix this May. Trust us, you’re going to want to add these to your watchlist ASAP. From pulse-pounding thrills to tearjerkers that’ll make you reach for the tissues, Netflix is making sure your summer is packed with unforgettable movie nights.
So grab your snacks, find your comfiest blanket, and get ready, May is going to be a very good month for movie lovers!
7 exciting new movies that are coming to Netflix in May 2025!
1. ‘The Lego Movie‘ – coming to Netflix on May 1st
Way before Minecraft made its big jump from a gaming obsession to a blockbuster movie, two creative geniuses, Phil Lord and Chris Miller (you might know them from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), did something pretty legendary, they turned the world’s favorite toy, LEGO, into one of the most loved and praised movies of the 2010s with The Lego Movie.
The story follows Emmett, a super cheerful and rule-following LEGO construction worker, who lives in the bright and bouncy city of Bricksburg. In this world, everyone believes that “Everything is Awesome,” but spoiler alert, it’s not as perfect as it seems. Behind the scenes, a villain called President Business is secretly controlling everything, keeping everyone in line.
One day, Emmett’s regular life takes a wild turn when he bumps into a mysterious, badass woman named Wyldstyle at his worksite. While chasing after her, he accidentally discovers something called the Piece of Resistance. Suddenly, Emmett is mistaken for “The Special,” a prophesied Master Builder who is supposed to save the LEGO universe from President Business’s evil plans. There’s just one tiny problem… Emmett isn’t exactly the creative genius everyone hopes for. But hey, with a little bit of heart (and a lot of help), anything’s possible, right?
Teaming up with Wyldstyle, a super dramatic version of Batman (seriously, he’s hilarious), a wise old wizard named Vitruvius, a hyperactive ’80s astronaut called Benny, a unicorn-cat hybrid named Unikitty, and the fierce pirate Metalbeard, Emmett sets off on an action-packed adventure to prove that even an ordinary guy can do extraordinary things.
The movie doesn’t just have an awesome story, it’s packed with a who’s who of Hollywood’s best voice talents. Chris Pratt (before he became Star-Lord!), Elizabeth Banks, Will Ferrell, Will Arnett (who nails the voice of Batman), Nick Offerman, Alison Brie, Charlie Day, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Cobie Smulders, Liam Neeson, and even the legendary Morgan Freeman bring the characters to life.
With nonstop jokes, heartwarming lessons about creativity and teamwork, and some seriously catchy songs (good luck getting “Everything Is Awesome” out of your head), The Lego Movie became an instant classic, showing the world that sometimes the most ordinary people are the ones who can make the biggest difference.
2. ‘Past Lives‘ – coming to Netflix on May 1st
At the 96th Academy Awards, Celine Song made a major splash with her heartfelt first movie, Past Lives, which earned two big nominations – Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. And honestly, it’s no surprise, this film is seriously beautiful. Now, with Song’s new movie Materialists hitting theaters this summer, there’s no better time to dive back into the magic of Past Lives if you haven’t already.
The story centers around Nora and Hae Sung, two childhood best friends from South Korea. Life takes a big turn when Nora’s family decides to move to Canada, forcing the young friends to go their separate ways. Years later, thanks to the wonders of the internet, Nora and Hae Sung reconnect virtually, but even though the spark is still there, life keeps moving forward, and they drift apart once again.
Fast forward to the present: Nora is now living her dream as a writer in New York City, happily married to another author named Arthur. But out of nowhere, Hae Sung, now single, sends her a message, he’s visiting New York and wants to meet up. What follows is an emotional, bittersweet reunion between two people who can’t help but wonder: What if? What if life had played out differently? What if their childhood connection had turned into something more?
The movie is a rollercoaster of emotions, touching on love, destiny, and all those “what could’ve been” feelings that hit you right in the heart.
Past Lives features an incredible cast too: Greta Lee (The Morning Show) as Nora, Teo Yoo (The Recruit) as Hae Sung, and John Magaro (September 5) as Arthur, all bringing so much depth and soul to their characters.
3. ‘Heart Eyes’ – coming to Netflix on May 8th
Sure, Valentine’s Day might be behind us, but if you’re still in the mood for some love… with a side of blood and mayhem, then Heart Eyes is just the movie you need.
This thrilling slasher is all about the Heart Eyes Killer, a masked maniac who makes his big debut every Valentine’s Day. His specialty? Showing up in a new city each year and brutally murdering couples in the most creative, gruesome ways you could imagine. But this year, things take a wild turn. Enter Ally, a young workaholic who’s just trying to survive the chaos of life. She’s got a new coworker, Jay, who’s charming, handsome, and a bit of a heartthrob. The twist? The Heart Eyes Killer mistakes them for a couple, and, well, things go downhill fast.
Now, Ally and Jay must do everything they can to escape the killer’s deadly pursuit through the streets of Seattle. And with their lives on the line, they’ll have to fight back if they want a shot at stopping the Heart Eyes Killer once and for all. Love and bloodshed in the most intense (and oddly hilarious) ways!
Directed by Josh Ruben (Werewolves Within), this slasher romantic-comedy brings you all the thrills of a typical horror movie but with a sweet (albeit bloody) twist. The cast is stacked with stars, including Olivia Holt (Totally Killer), Mason Gooding (Scream), Gigi Zumbado (The Rookie), Michaela Watkins (Casual), Devon Sawa (Final Destination), and Jordana Brewster (Fast and Furious). Get ready for some laughs, some screams, and a whole lot of heart (pun intended!).
4. ‘Nonnas’ – coming to Netflix on May 9th
Vince Vaughn, best known for his roles in Wedding Crashers and other hilarious comedies, takes center stage in the heartwarming new Netflix original film, Nonnas. And the best part? This charming movie is actually based on a true story!
The film follows Joe, a man who’s stuck in a job he doesn’t love and struggling to find joy in his life. His one real source of happiness is his mom, whose cooking is nothing short of legendary. But when his mother passes away, Joe decides to do something incredible to honor her memory: he opens an Italian restaurant, but with a special twist, the chefs aren’t just any cooks. They’re all Italian grandmothers. This fun and heartfelt idea is his way of celebrating both his mother’s legacy and the vibrant culture she loved so much.
Directed by Stephen Chbosky (Wonder), Nonnas boasts an impressive ensemble cast of well-known actors. Alongside Vince Vaughn, you’ll find Academy Award nominees Lorraine Bracco (The Sopranos), Talia Shire (Rocky), and Brenda Vaccaro (Once Is Not Enough). The film also features stars like Joe Manganiello (True Blood), Linda Cardellini (Dead to Me), and Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon (Thelma & Louise), each bringing something special to this delightful story about family, food, and second chances.
5. ‘Smile‘ – coming to Netflix on May 14th
Despite its title, Parker Finn’s 2022 horror hit Smile is definitely not a movie that will leave you feeling cheerful. In fact, it’s far from a happy experience, it’s packed with dark, eerie moments that’ll have you on the edge of your seat!
The story centres around Rose Cotter, a therapist working in a psychiatric ward. Rose’s life takes a terrifying turn when she witnesses a tragic event: a young woman named Laura Weaver commits suicide in front of her, claiming she’s been haunted by a sinister supernatural force. Laura explains that this entity takes the form of people with disturbing smiles. The entity is said to pass on its curse when a victim dies in front of someone else, forcing them to smile as they do so. From that moment, a new person becomes cursed, and the horror continues.
As Rose tries to process what happened, she starts seeing more and more of these creepy smiling faces, each one more unsettling than the last. The same terrifying message keeps echoing in her mind: she’s going to die soon. Desperate to break free from this terrifying curse, Rose learns that the only way to stop it is by ending her life while smiling in front of another person, thus passing the curse onto them. But as the smiling demon continues to haunt her, Rose is pushed to the edge of her sanity, unsure of who she can trust and whether there’s any way to escape the deadly cycle.
The movie stars Sosie Bacon (Mare of Easttown) as Rose, with a talented supporting cast including Jessie T. Usher (The Boys), Kyle Gallner (Strange Darling), Kal Penn (Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle), and Rob Morgan (Don’t Look Up). These performances, combined with the film’s tense atmosphere and spine-chilling visuals, make Smile a haunting ride that’s bound to stay with you long after the credits roll.
6. ‘Fear Street: Prom Queen’ – coming to Netflix on May 23rd
Netflix is bringing fans a fourth installment of the beloved horror series based on R.L. Stine’s iconic books. Fear Street: Prom Queen is here to chill you with its spooky thrills and throwback to the 1980s!
The story takes us to Shadyside High School, where the excitement is building for the 1988 Prom. But things take a dark turn when a mysterious new girl shows up and enters the race for Prom Queen. As she does, the more popular girls in the school start disappearing one by one. The prom turns from a fun celebration to a night of terror as the students realize something deadly is going on.
Matt Palmer, who worked on the intense thriller Calibre, takes the director’s chair for this new chapter in the Fear Street saga. The film boasts a talented cast, including India Fowler (The Agency), Suzanna Son (Red Rocket), Fina Strazza (Paper Girls), David Iacono (The Summer I Turned Pretty), Ella Rubin (Anora), and more. Along with some well-known faces like Chris Klein (American Pie), Ariana Greenblatt (Barbie), Lili Taylor (The Conjuring), and Katherine Waterston (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them), this cast is sure to deliver a mix of chills and drama.
With its mix of horror, mystery, and a 1980s backdrop, Fear Street: Prom Queen looks set to continue the thrilling legacy of the previous movies in the franchise, adding a whole new layer of terror to the prom season. Whether you’re a die-hard Fear Street fan or new to the series, get ready for an eerie, edge-of-your-seat experience as the dark secrets of Shadyside High unfold once again.
7. ‘The Wild Robot’ – coming to Netflix on May 24th
Animation fans, get ready for a heartwarming and visually stunning adventure, as Chris Sanders, the genius behind How To Train Your Dragon, returns to DreamWorks Animation with the highly anticipated film The Wild Robot. This marks one of their finest collaborations to date, offering a unique blend of heart, nature, and technology.
Based on the best-selling children’s novels by Peter Brown, The Wild Robot follows the journey of Roz, a helper robot who washes up on a secluded island. After an unexpected accident, Roz finds herself stranded in a world of unfamiliar animals and landscapes. As she struggles to adapt to her new surroundings, she befriends Fink the Fox and takes on the role of a mother when she helps raise an orphaned gosling named Brightbill. Together, they forge a bond of love and survival in a world that blends the organic and the mechanical.
The film has already garnered critical acclaim, earning three Academy Award nominations for Best Animated Feature, Best Original Score, and Best Sound, a testament to the film’s outstanding animation, music, and immersive storytelling.
The star-studded voice cast brings this touching tale to life with performances by Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave), Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us), Kit Connor (Heartstopper), Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek), Bill Nighy (Love Actually), Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once), Mark Hamill (Star Wars), Ving Rhames (Mission: Impossible), and Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows), among others. These talented actors infuse their characters with emotion, depth, and humor, making The Wild Robot a film for audiences of all ages.