After a rather calm start to 2026 in terms of major original films, Netflix steps on the accelerator in May. Between the arrival of classics like Scarfacephenomenon series such as Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 and explosive sports documentaries, the program resembles a special public holiday schedule. Long weekends promise to be busy in front of the screen.
The month also features an XXL arthouse film with The Brutalistthe new fantasy series The Boroughs: Rebel Retreat produced by the Duffer brothers, without forgetting the complete The Handmaid’s Tale: The Handmaid’s Tale. Add to that the live combat Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano and a big family animated film, Crossed adventuresand we have one of the biggest months of the year for new Netflix releases May 2026.
New Netflix releases May 2026: which films and series will create an event?
On the cinema side, the centerpiece is called The Brutalistavailable May 12. This 3h35 fresco follows the architect László Tóth, played by Oscar winner Adrien Brody, in his post-war American exile, with a staging designed for patient film buffs. From May 1st, Crossed adventures opens the ball on the family side: a Skydance animated comedy produced by the director of Rapunzel and produced by John Lasseter, which focuses on a body swap between a small woodland animal and a majestic bird.
In series, the curiosity of the month is The Boroughs: Rebel Retreatexpected on May 21. Created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews and produced by the Duffer brothers, it brings together Alfred Molina, Bill Pullman and Geena Davis in a supernatural investigation led by retirees facing a dark secret, between X‑Files and spy comedy. On May 6, The Handmaid’s Tale: The Handmaid’s Tale arrives in full, with its six seasons ready for massive bingeing.
Cult licenses are not forgotten. On May 1st, Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 arrives as a whole, with the highly anticipated Shibuya arc put into images by the MAPPA studio, while the complete 30 Rock joins the catalog for sitcom lovers. On May 12, Devil May Cry season 2 is aimed directly at fans of Capcom’s action game, and on May 3, the classic Scarface comes to strengthen the in-house film club.
What will the Netflix program for May 2026 offer you according to your desires?
If you live for Japanese animation, May 2026 is clearly your month: Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 on May 1, Devil May Cry season 2 on May 12 and the arc One Piece: Drum on May 15 make up a perfect trio between dark fantasy, demonic fights and the great pirate saga. For a lighter evening, Crossed adventures ticks all the boxes of the ideal general audience film for the weekends at the beginning of the month.
Lovers of strong stories and politics will be able to continue Investigation into a state scandal (May 15), the doc The Bus: The Blues on strike (May 13), which reopens the Knysna case, then Mercato (May 19) behind the scenes of football. Thrill fans will meet on May 19 with The Monkeya horror film announced as one of the recent shocks in the catalog.
Finally, sports fans have a real mini‑festival: May 17, the fight Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano is broadcast live, surrounded by content like Countdown: Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano. On May 12 and 19, the collection The other side of sport looks at Jamie Vardy then a “Miracle in the final”, before concluding the 26th with Vinnie Jones. On May 29, Rafa completes the offer for tennis fans.
Netflix May 2026 calendar: when do these highlights arrive on the platform?
May 1st launches hostilities with Crossed adventures, Jujutsu Kaisen season 2, the complete 30 Rockbut also Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Lolita in spite of myself Or Lords of Dogtown. May 3rd sees the arrival Scarfacefollowed on the 5th by the French comedy Joint custody.
May 6, big milestone with The Handmaid’s Tale: The Handmaid’s Tale (seasons 1 to 6) and the docu-reality show The Exes from Hell season 2. May 12 combines Devil May Cry season 2, The Brutalistas well as docs like The Other Side of Sport: Jamie Vardy. On the 13th, The Bus: The Blues on strike arrives, just before the horror of The Monkey on the 19th.
The end of the month remains busy: May 21 marks the launch of The Boroughs: Rebel Retreaton the 25th that of CrunchLabs by Mark Rober season 4, before Rafa (May 29) then the duo Our worst neighbors 1 and 2 (May 31) conclude a Netflix May 2026 program designed to chain binge-watching sessions.