On the first day of each month, Netflix
Netflix
never fails—we are guaranteed a wealth of cinematic material that’ll keep us wondering what to watch next for hours. This has certainly been the case over the first few days of May, as the streaming service has gifted us with all sorts of great options. From dark indie dramas about addiction and familiar love to sci-fi reboots that reignite storied romances to a surprise documentary from A24 about conservation, there’s sure to be an option for any kind of movie lover. So…where do you start?
Hopefully I can help. Below, you’ll find my picks for the ten best new movies added to Netflix so far in May 2024. Past that, you’ll find a comprehensive list of every single new film available to subscribers. I’m guessing that you’ll find your next movie night flick in this bunch.
The 10 Best New Movies On Netflix In May 2024
The Matrix: Resurrections (2021)
It’s the reboot we never thought would happen. Twenty-two years after the original film’s groundbreaking introduction, The Matrix: Resurrections picks up right where the story left off, thrusting viewers back into the perplexing virtual reality that captivated a generation. In this latest iteration, Keanu Reeves reprises his role as Neo, now living under the guise of an ordinary software developer, haunted by fractured memories of his past life. Lana Wachowski helms this ambitious sequel (this time without sister Lilly), spinning a tale of illusion and reality as Neo’s dormant world begins to crack. Of course Carrie-Anne Moss returns as Trinity, with she and Neo’s chemistry reigniting forgotten passions and pivotal revolutions. Together, they navigate this rejuvenated matrix, challenging viewers to discern truth from illusion in a world that defies the boundaries of human understanding.
Lola (2024)
Directed by Nicola Peltz Beckham, the daughter of a billionaire businessman, Lola was destined to have its haters. But behind the showbiz kid veneer is a deep, honest story that deserves more respect. Co-directed by Bria Vinaite, this dark drama navigates the precarious existence of its titular character, played with raw vulnerability by Peltz Beckham. Struggling to extricate her younger brother from their deleterious home environment, Lola’s life is irrevocably altered by a single night’s tragedy. Beckham’s directorial debut showcases a deep empathy for her characters, skillfully peeling back the layers of addiction and familial love, while delivering a compelling exploration of resilience and redemption. Supported by standout performances from Raven Goodwin and Richie Merritt, this film not only marks Beckham as a formidable force in front of and behind the camera but also delivers a powerful story about the bonds that sustain us through our darkest moments.
Hellboy (2019)
Back in 2004, Guillermo del Toro delivered what many people (including myself) considered to be a confident recreation of the Hellboy comic world while also elevating the superhero formula into a higher form of entertainment. In the 2019 reboot of Hellboy, director Neil Marshall, who gave us horror flicks like The Descent and Dog Soldiers, goes a decidedly different direction tonally, yet delivers a successful, modernized version of the wry superhero’s universe. This time, David Harbour dons the iconic red skin and horns, emerging as a conflicted hero wrestling with his demonic destiny while battling ancient forces bent on Earth’s destruction. Under Marshall’s direction, the film strides into darker territories, blending visceral combat with gothic horror. With Milla Jovovich as his nemesis and Ian McShane as his guide, the narrative arcs into the tumultuous life of Hellboy, exploring his struggle between preordained destruction and the fierce desire to forge his own path.
My Mercury (2024)
A surprise documentary is one thing—a surprise documentary from A24, however? That’ll get your attention. A brand new doc from the hottest production company in Hollywood, My Mercury immerses viewers in the passion and perils of Yves Chesselet, a 28-year-old conservationist who abandons the comforts of urban life to make a new home on the remote Mercury Island off Namibia’s coast. Under his watch, the island transforms into a sanctuary for endangered seabirds, necessitating the removal of 15,000 seals. Directed by Yves’s sister Joelle Chesselet and co-directed by Pippa Ehrlich, who brought the Oscar-winning My Octopus Teacher, this documentary blends intimate diary entries and extensive video footage, capturing Yves’ profound connection with nature against a backdrop of personal and ecological narratives. His journey not only underscores the harsh realities of conservation but also paints a stark portrait of the sacrifices required to reclaim nature’s balance in our Anthropocene era.
You can find the trailer for My Mercury on Netflix.
Mortal Kombat (2021)
The original Mortal Kombat from Paul W.S. Anderson has always been a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine. But for anybody who desired a much more polished blockbuster, the 2021 reboot may have been a welcome surprise. Under Simon McQuoid’s direction, the new Mortal Kombat resurrects the legendary tournament by introducing Cole Young, portrayed by Lewis Tan, a fighter marked by destiny yet ignorant of his powerful lineage. As he’s thrust into a brutal battle that spans realms, the film unleashes a flurry of martial arts mastery and fantastical fatalities that the franchise is known for. Iconic warriors like Sub-Zero and Scorpion return, executing their signature moves in a high-stakes war between Earth and the Outerworld. Starring super watchable all-stars like Tan, Jessica McNamee, and Josh Lawson, this reboot delivers a visceral journey into the heart of combat, where every fight is a dance with death.
Unfrosted (2024)
Jerry Seinfeld has accomplished a great deal during his career. But prior to this moment, he had never directed a movie. But Netflix changed all that with Unfrosted, which catapults us back to the swinging ’60s where we delve into the madcap origin story of the Pop-Tart. In Battle Creek, Michigan, a frantic race between Kellogg’s and Post unfolds—and not for space exploration, but for breakfast supremacy. From the looks of the trailer, Seinfeld injects his trademark humor into this film in which he also stars, celebrating the absurdity of corporate America’s quest to invent a new breakfast classic. The cast, including Jim Gaffigan in a humorously tight suit, along with Melissa McCarthy, Hugh Grant, and Amy Schumer, this comedy aims to deliver a delightful romp that embodies the quirky spirit of the era.
The Best Man Holiday (2013)
Every year, we like to highlight the best Christmas movies, as well as the most underrated ones—and The Best Man Holiday always makes its way onto my personal list. This sequel reunites viewers with the cherished circle of friends from the original film after nearly 15 years, discovering how time and circumstance have shaped their lives. Directed by Malcolm D. Lee, the ensemble cast led by Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, and Nia Long reconvenes over a festive Christmas gathering, where old rivalries and romances reignite amid the joy and camaraderie of the holiday season. The film beautifully balances humor with heartfelt honesty, weaving through themes of forgiveness, growth, and the enduring power of friendship. Every character is rewarded with a compelling story that’s balanced by the electric energy surrounding them. If you’ve never seen the Best Man movies, get on it.
Dark Waters (2019)
Todd Haynes has delivered a number of highly dramatic classics over the years, from his 1990s output of Safe
Safe
and Velvet Goldmine to his recent work with Carol and May December. But one that went criminally overlooked was the 2021 legal thriller Dark Waters, which delves into the chilling depths of corporate greed and environmental desecration through the relentless pursuit of truth by a dogged attorney, portrayed compellingly by Mark Ruffalo. This Haynes film unfolds a real-life saga of an unassuming lawyer who stumbles upon a chemical leviathan poisoning a small town. Supported by Anne Hathaway and Tim Robbins, Ruffalo’s character peels back layers of deceit to reveal a haunting environmental catastrophe. This journey is not just a pursuit for justice but a revelation of how the human spirit can stand firm against a colossal tide of industrial malfeasance.
Shadow in the Cloud (2020)
Each year, we are gifted with all kinds of Oscar-worthy films that capture our hearts with their riveting characters. But…we also get to watch films that aim for something different—something lower…yet also something transcendent? Any way you shake it, I would argue how-did-this-get-made movies like Shadow in the Cloud, which look and feel like nothing else, deserve our attention. Directed by Roseanne Liang, this ridiculous movie pairs high-altitude thrills with supernatural chills, starring Chloë Grace Moretz as a fearless WWII pilot named Maude on a classified mission. Isolated in the belly of a bomber, she not only faces off against an aerial onslaught but also a sinister presence lurking within the aircraft. The film uses its claustrophobic setting to create a pressure-cooker scenario that forces our protagonist to maneuver through this double threat in delightfully entertaining fashion.
Rather (2023)
Not many people expected Frank Marshall, the director of film like Arachnophbia, Congo, and Eight Below, to become a compelling documentary director. But that’s been the case ever since 2020, as Marshall has delivered several musical explorations, like Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story and The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart. Marshall takes a decidedly different direction with Rather, a reverent documentary that chronicles the storied career of Dan Rather, an emblematic figure in American journalism. Through interviews and historical footage, Marshall paints a portrait of a man whose reporting from global hotspots like Vietnam and the Berlin Wall has defined moments of historical heft. Now, at 92, Rather reflects on his enduring commitment to truth and democracy. This film serves not only as a biography but as a mirror reflecting the transformative power of journalism in shaping public consciousness.
You can find the trailer for Rather here.
Every New Movie on Netflix in May 2024
- May 1: Airport (1970); Airport 1975 (1974); Airport ’77 (1977); Blended (2014); Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland (2016); Dark Waters (2019); Deaw Special: Super Soft Power (2024); Down the Rabbit Hole (2024); Eat Pray Love (2010); Girls Trip (2017); Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar (2024); Hellboy (2019); Hulk (2003); Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind (2022); Jumanji (1995); Liar Liar (1997); Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008); Mortal Kombat (2021); Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005); My Mercury (2024); One More Shot (2024); Patriots Day (2016); Public Enemies (2009); Rather (2023); Ride Along (2014); Shrek (2001); Shrek Forever After (2010); Starship Troopers (1997); The Best Man Holiday (2013); The Edge of Seventeen (2016); The Equalizer (2014); The Gentlemen (2019); The Great Wall (2019); The Matrix: Resurrections (2021); The Nutty Professor (1996); The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000); The Wedding Planner (2001); The Young Victoria (2009); Traffic (2000); White House Down (2013); Woody Woodpecker (2018)
- May 2: Beautiful Rebel (2024); Lola (2024); Secrets of the Neanderthals (2024); Shadow in the Cloud (2020)
- May 3: 2 Hearts (2020); Unfrosted (2024)
- May 5: Larva in Mars (2024); The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
