Summer lovin’: The hottest movies hitting Netflix this May
School is coming to an end and summer’s waiting just around the corner – but we’re not quite there yet. If you’re looking for quality content to get you through the tough weeks ahead, Netflix is more than happy to serve up another round of new and classic movies to accompany all that “studying”. Here’s a list of our top picks:
May 1
Amélie (2001)
If you’re in the mood for romance (or just have a sweet tooth), you can never go wrong with this delightfully French delicacy. Audrey Tautou stars as the adorable, eccentric waitress who makes it her mission to help others find love and happiness in their lives.
God’s Own Country (2017)
This striking debut from British up-and-comer Francis Lee proves why new queer cinema is a force to be reckoned with. It’s the story of two young men who get more than they bargained for when they find themselves falling in love on an isolated farm. If that’s not sweet enough for you, baby lambs.
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2009)
An evil elf threatens all-out war against humanity, and it’s up to half-demon superhero Hellboy and his team to take him out. The Shape of Water’s Guillermo del Toro brings his trademark wit and unmistakable gothic flair to this spectacular sequel which really manages to up the ante on the first one. It’s hilarious and action-packed, with some insane monster effects.
Scream 2 (1997)
From the mind of the late, great Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street) comes this blood-soaked sequel, set two years after the events of the original slasher. Expect a bigger body count, more horror movie in-jokes, and new levels of 90s attitude.
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
It’s the best of the Bourne lot, and it’s one of the best spy thrillers of all time. The pesky J.B. (Matt Damon) is brought out of hiding once more, forced to confront the shadiness of his past while evading The Company’s efforts to wipe him out for good.
May 5
Faces Places (2017)
Legendary French filmmaker Agnès Varda (Vagabond) partners up with artist JR (Women Are Heroes) for a simple and life-affirming journey through the French countryside, making large-scale, black-and-white photographs of the ordinary people they meet along the way. This loveable doc was nominated for an Oscar last year.
May 15
Only God Forgives (2013)
This strange, violent follow-up to Drive once again pairs Ryan Gosling (La La Land) with director Nicolas Winding Refn for something completely different in this one, Gosling plays a gangster seeking bloody vengeance for the death of his brother. It may be light on story, but there’s an intensely dark, brutal atmosphere that never quite lets up until it’s done with you.
May 16
The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
A breakthrough for Judd Apatow (The Big Sick) and for a pre-Office Steve Carell, this sweet, perceptive comedy offers an entertaining take at relationships, adulthood, and dressing up like Thor to get your sexual partner in the mood.
The Kingdom (2007)
Peter Berg’s underrated The Kingdom treads a fine line between taut political drama and brutal, heart-pounding thriller. It follows a team of US government agents (including Jamie Foxx & Jennifer Garner) sent to investigate the bombing of an American facility in the Middle East.
Wanted (2008)
This adrenaline-pumping, balls-to-the-wall bulletfest has secret assassin guilds, a train crash, and James McAvoy (The Last King of Scotland) exploding rats. What more could you ask for? How about Angelina Jolie (Girl, Interrupted) and Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby)? How about a brutal keyboard face-smash where the letters fly out and spell F-U-C-K-Y-O-U in mid-air? What else do you want?
May 18
Cargo (2017)
Based on the 2013 viral short of the same name, Cargo is a post-apocalyptic drama about a father (Martin Freeman) racing against the clock to protect his infant daughter from zombie attacks. Even if you’re feeling a little burned-out with zombie content, this one promises to be a gripping and emotional ride with family and honor at its core.
May 19
Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
If you spent a lot of time escaping to magical, imaginary places in your childhood, here’s a movie that gets you. It still holds up today, with some stellar performances from both the kids and the adults. But be warned – this fantasy fable stands out to be a real heartbreaker.
Small Town Crime (2017)
The discovery of a body leads an alcoholic ex-cop down a dark path of redemption and self-discovery. For fans of Tarantino (Pulp Fiction) and the Coen brothers (The Big Lebowski), this seedy neo-noir is one to watch out for.
May 24
Survivors Guide to Prison (2018)
Today, the US houses almost a quarter of the world’s prison population. Director Matthew Cooke (How to Make Money Selling Drugs) offers a comprehensive look at the systems that keep people behind bars with help from more than a few celebrity guests like Danny Trejo (Machete) & Busta Rhymes (Halloween: Resurrection).
May 29
Coco (2017)
Pixar’s wildly popular Mexican musical odyssey is now available to stream, so you’ve finally got an excuse to throw this one on “for the kids” and sing your heart out to “Remember Me” all night long.
May 31
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story (2017)
Alexandra Dean’s endearing tribute to the great inventor, innovator, and movie star Hedy Lamarr (The Strange Woman) uses a mix of archive footage, stills, and interview clips to piece together the story of her many (underappreciated) achievements. Well-known for her Hollywood roles in the Golden Age of the 40s and 50s, Lamarr also helped to revolutionize weapon systems and played a part in the creation of cellphones.
