Club Benefits
Netflix just added 39 new movies and shows to kick off the start of May. The first day of the month is typically the biggest day of the month for the streaming service; it's when Netflix adds the majority of the classic, library titles (aka not originals) to its catalogue. But there are a few Netflix original movies you'll want to consider today as well.
That's a lot of new titles to sort through in a single day, though, so I wouldn't blame you if you didn't know where to start. Lucky for you, I've already looked through everything new on Netflix in May, and I know exactly which shows and movies you need to be adding to your watchlist and streaming today. I've picked five movies and shows to add to your watchlist, including a few of my favorite films from this century, like "Burn After Reading" and "Hitch." I've also picked a couple of brand new Netflix Originals that are being released today.
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Malcolm has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. Every week, he hunts down the top shows and movies to watch on Netflix.
5 Netflix shows and movies to stream right now
'Burn After Reading' (2008)
Genre: Black comedy
What's it about? "Burn After Reading" stars Clooney as U.S. Marshal Harry Pfarrer, who is having an affair with Katie Cox (Tilda Swinton), the wife of CIA analyst Osborne Cox (John Malkovich). Between quitting his job and Katie leaving him, Osborne's life is going from bad to worse. But it gets even worse when his divorce leads to Chad (Pitt) and Linda (Frances McDormand) finding a copy of Osburne's memoirs accidentally left at their gym. The pair mistakes this draft for classified CIA records and proceeds to blackmail him.
Why you need to watch it: This movie is the absurdity of the Coen brothers at its finest. There are insane conspiracies that leave quite a few people dead by the time it's over. Abnormal for a comedy? Perhaps. But it's on par for a black comedy directed by the Coen brothers.
Stream "Burn After Reading" on Netflix now
'Den of Thieves' (2019)
Genre: Action crime
What's it about? "Den of Thieves" is a classic crime movie. A team of ex-military thieves led by Ray Merrimen (Pablo Schreiber) decides to pull off the ultimate heist: robbing the Federal Reserve. Key to the plan is Donnie (O'Shea Jackson Jr.), but Det. Nick O'Brien (Gerard Butler) already suspects that Ray is up to something after a previous robbery gone wrong, and he has a feeling Donnie is involved.
Why you should watch it: This movie is more enjoyable than it is good, though I do unabashedly think it's good. Yes, it's too long. But the Benihana scene and the final shootout are worth the price of admission.
Stream "Den of Thieves" on Netflix now
'Hitch' (2005)
Genre: Romantic comedy
What's it about? Hitch (Will Smith) is a professional matchmaker who specialises in teaching men not to blow it on dates with women. He only claims the job is done when (not if) the relationship goes the distance. But his world is turned upside down when he meets Sara (Eva Mendes) while on the job, and finds she's totally immune to his charms.
Why you should watch it: This movie doesn't reinvent the rom-com, but it ticks all the boxes of a good one. It's fun, it's funny; the cast has plenty of chemistry, and you buy that the romantic leads would get together in the end. If you love a good rom-com or just want something on while you chill out, "Hitch" is worth a watch.
Stream "Hitch" on Netflix now
'My Dearest Señorita' (2026)
Genre: Spanish-language drama
What it's about: Adela (Elisabeth Martínez) is an only child, living in 1999 Pamplona, Spain. Their Conservative mother is overbearing, and so Adela leaves for a journey of self-discovery in Madrid. What Adela doesn't know is that she's intersex, and that this journey will explore their intersexuality in ways they won't expect.
Why you should watch it: This Spanish-language drama is actually an adaptation of the 1972 film "Mi Querida Señorita," and it's been garnering some praise in early reviews. It's also featuring an intersex actor in Martínez, a rarity, especially given that they're also portraying an intersex character.
Stream "My Dearest Señorita" on Netflix now
'Swapped' (2026)
Genre: Animated comedy
What it's about: Ollie (Michael B. Jordan) is a Pookoo, a small otter-like creature, whose sworn enemy in "The Valley" is Ivy (Juno Temple), a Kākāpō-like bird known as a Javan. These two constantly fight until one day a magical plant causes them to swap bodies. Now, they have to find another plant to swap back.
Why you should watch it: If you're sick of watching yet another Disney sequel, this original animated comedy looks like it's worth checking out. Plus, it's got a great voice cast that includes Tracy Morgan and Cedric the Entertainer in addition to Jordan and Temple.
Watch "Swapped" on Netflix starting May 1
Everything coming to Netflix on May 1
Here's the full list of all 39 movies and shows arriving on Netflix today:
- "13 Going on 30"
- "48 Hrs."
- "Airport"
- "Airport '77"
- "Airport 1975"
- "Bad News Bears"
- "The Boss"
- "The Breakfast Club"
- "Burn After Reading"
- "Den of Thieves"
- "Domestic Disturbance"
- "Eat Pray Love"
- "Fried Green Tomatoes"
- "Glory" (new series)
- "Green Book"
- "Hitch"
- "Home"
- "Jennifer's Body"
- "Jumanji"
- "Jumping the Broom"
- "La Brea" seasons 1-3
- "The Land Before Time"
- "Little Fockers"
- "Meet the Parents"
- "Meet the Fockers"
- "My Dearest Señorita"
- "National Lampoon's Animal House"
- "Ouija"
- "Ouija: Origin of Evil"
- "Pretty Woman"
- "The Proposal"
- "Schindler's List"
- "Son-In-Law"
- "Starship Troopers"
- "Swapped"
- "Trainwreck"
- "Under the Skin"
- "Veronica Mars"
- "Waterworld"
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