The 10 best things to watch on Netflix this May

Apr 28 2017, 10:02 am

As far as original programming goes, April was a record month for Netflix with a bunch of new releases that included the surprise hit 13 Reasons Why.

That young adult drama sort of snuck up on people similar to last year’s Stranger Things, but as the controversial show about teen suicide continues to be one of the most popular and talked about programs on the platform, is there another big hit brewing in the month of May?

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Below is our pick of this month’s best movies and TV shows on Netflix. Make sure to check out our complete list of what’s coming to Netflix this month and feel free to give us some of your recommendations.

Sense8 – Season 2

Release Date: May 5
Creator: The Wachowskis
Cast: Aml Ameen, Doona Bae, Jamie Clayton, Tina Desai

Finally, season two has arrived for one of the most original science fiction programs on television. Created by the Wachowskis (The Matrix Trilogy), season two focuses on the scandals and celebrations that have strengthened the Sensates’ bond as they try to rebuild their lives and outsmart Whispers. This is show is very unique and once it gets its hooks into you, you’ll be addicted.

The Mars Generation 

Release Date: May 5
Director:  Michael Barnett

Can we please move to Mars? This documentary is all about sending humans to the red planet but can humans survive a trip to Mars? What is the likelihood of colonization? Through interviews with experts and the people who want to give it a shot, this documentary looks at the history and future of impact of putting humans on the big red planet.

Master of None – Season 2

Release Date: May 12
Creator: Aziz Ansari
Cast: Aziz Ansari, Eric Wareheim, Kelvin Yu, Lena Waithe

One of the funnier shows on Netflix, season two has Dev visiting Italy, looking for love in New York and wrestling with life’s biggest questions as he looks to push reset button. Aziz Ansari is fantastic in this show and if you haven’t watched season one, now is your time to get caught up on the lols.

Moonlight

Release Date: May 21
Director: Barry Jenkins
Cast: Trevante Rhodes, André Holland, Janelle Monáe, Ashton Sanders, Jharrel Jerome, Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali

Academy Award winner Moonlight will finally get some Netflix love and if you still haven’t seen this deep character study, give it a go. This film is about an African-American gay man growing up in a rough Miami neighbourhood.  The story is broken out into three parts as it focuses in on what life was like for him as a child, teenager, and young adult. This is an emotionally charged movie that deserves your attention.

The Girl with All the Gifts 

Release Date: May 25
Director: Colm McCarthy
Cast:  Gemma Arterton, Glenn Close, Paddy Considine, Anamaria Marinca, Dominique Tipper, Sennia Nanua

Last month I mentioned the original zombie film from South Korea called Train to Busan that’s currently playing on Netflix. Now, there is an even more original tale of the undead with The Girl with All the Gifts.  This takes place in a dystopian future where a scientist and teacher go on a journey of survival with a special young girl named Melanie.

Bloodline – Season 3

Release Date: May 26
Creator:  Todd A. Kessler
Cast: Kyle Chandler, Ben Mendelsohn, Linda Cardellini, Norbert Leo Butz, Jacinda Barrett, Sam Shepard, Sissy Spacek, John Leguizamo

Just to be able to watch two great actors in Kyle Chandler and Ben Mendelsohn work together is reason enough to pick up this series. The third and final season lands this month with Kevin’s desperation driving him deeper into his criminal dealings while Jon is torn between silencing and protecting Eric. You think your family is screwed up? You ain’t seen nothing yet.

War Machine (Netflix Original Film)

Release Date: May 26
Director: David Michôd
Cast:   Brad Pitt, Tilda Swinton, Topher Grace, Emory Cohen

This is Netflix’s biggest original film release and with Brad Pitt starring, it’s going to get a lot of eyeballs. Inspired by a true story, that of a rock star military general who stops at nothing to try and win the “impossible” war in Afghanistan; this looks like a quirky satire that packs a very powerful punch.

F is for Family – Season 2

Release Date: May 30
Creator:  Bill Burr, Michael Price
Cast: Bill Burr, Laura Dern, Justin Long, Debi Derryberry, Sam Rockwell

Bill Burr is back with season two of his animated series F is for Family which takes place in the 1970s when kids could roam freely, and parents could spank their children with normal household items. This raunchy comedy series has lived to swear another day and is loosely based on stand-up comic Bill Burr’s childhood.

House of Cards – Season 5

Release Date: May 30
Creator:  Beau Willimon
Cast: Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Jayne Atkinson, Neve Campbell, Joel Kinnaman

Many people are looking forward to season five of House of Cards, but the political drama’s biggest competition is the real-time drama currently going on in the White House. That said, it will be nice to get back to Frank and Claire Underwood as they consolidate their power to win the White House by any means possible.

Marvel’s Doctor Strange 

Release Date: May 30
Director:   Scott Derrickson
Cast:  Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Mads Mikkelsen, Tilda Swinton, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benjamin Bratt, Scott Adkins, Benedict Wong

This film is Marvel’s most psychedelic story to date. Doctor Strange the an origin story about a neurosurgeon that goes on a journey of physical and spiritual healing but is drawn into the world of mystic arts.

Trevor DueckTrevor Dueck

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