Netflix is packing its May release schedule with high-profile originals, ranging from the platform’s first-ever live mixed martial arts (MMA) event to new seasons of acclaimed dramas and comedies. This month represents a strategic pivot for the streamer, blending premium scripted content with live sports and global documentary franchises to capture diverse audience segments ahead of the summer blockbuster season.
The lineup features significant returns for fans of The Four Seasons and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, while introducing new limited series from heavyweights like the Duffer Brothers and Tina Fey. Additionally, Netflix is leveraging its growing sports footprint with a major MMA card and a wave of soccer-related programming timed to coincide with global football interest.
The Headliners: Live Sports and Major Premieres
The most notable deviation from Netflix’s traditional catalog model this month is the introduction of live combat sports. On May 16, the platform will broadcast Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano, marking Netflix’s debut in live MMA broadcasting.
This event is not just a fight card; it is a test case for Netflix’s ability to compete with traditional sports networks. By securing two of the most recognizable names in women’s combat sports, Netflix aims to drive simultaneous live viewership, a metric historically difficult for streaming services to achieve compared to linear TV.
The fight takes place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. Beyond the main event, the card includes bouts featuring Nate Diaz, Francis Ngannou, and Junior dos Santos, offering a broad appeal across different fighting disciplines.
In scripted television, two major series anchor the month:
- The Boroughs (May 21): Produced by the Duffer Brothers (Stranger Things ), this eight-episode series blends sci-fi with supernatural horror. Set in a New Mexico retirement community, the show features an ensemble cast including Geena Davis, Alfred Molina, and Bill Pullman. The premise—a seemingly idyllic retirement home hiding a monstrous secret—suggests a tone similar to Stranger Things but aimed at a slightly older demographic.
- The Four Seasons, Season 2 (May 28): Tina Fey’s co-creation returns with eight new episodes. The dramedy, which reimagines the 1981 Alan Alda film, earned Emmy nominations for its cast, including Colman Domingo. The second season picks up after major cliffhangers from the finale, including a character’s death and a surprise pregnancy, promising heightened emotional stakes.
Expanding the Narrative Universe
Netflix continues to expand its most successful franchises while launching new literary adaptations.
Money Heist Universe
- Berlín and the Lady With an Ermine (May 15): This eight-episode spin-off brings back Pedro Alonso as Berlín, the charismatic thief from La Casa de Papel (Money Heist ). The series follows Berlín and his crew as they execute a heist in Seville, Spain. However, the plot twist reveals that the theft of Leonardo da Vinci’s Lady With an Ermine is a decoy for a different, undisclosed target. This release capitalizes on the enduring global popularity of the Money Heist brand.
Literary Adaptations
- Remarkably Bright Creatures (May 8): Based on Shelby Van Pelt’s best-selling novel, this film stars Sally Field as a widow who befriends a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus at an aquarium. Voiced by Alfred Molina, the octopus serves as the unconventional narrator of the story. The film’s success will depend on its ability to translate the book’s unique, whimsical tone to the screen.
- Lord of the Flies (May 4): Jack Thorne, known for Adolescence, develops this four-part limited series adaptation of William Golding’s classic novel. Featuring a cast of largely unknown actors alongside Rory Kinnear and Daniel Mays, the series updates the story of schoolboys stranded on a deserted island. Thorne’s involvement suggests a focus on the psychological and violent impulses of youth, making the 1954 source material feel relevant to contemporary audiences.
Global Sports and Documentary Content
Capitalizing on the global passion for soccer, Netflix is releasing a series of documentaries and scripted miniseries to engage football fans ahead of the World Cup cycle.
- Untold UK: The popular Untold documentary franchise expands with three UK-focused titles:
- Jamie Vardy (May 12)
- Liverpool’s Miracle of Istanbul (May 19)
- Vinnie Jones (May 26)
- Brazil ’70: The Third Star (May 29): This scripted miniseries explores the journey of the Brazilian national team to their third World Cup victory in 1970. It highlights the legacy of Pelé and the team’s status as one of the greatest squads in history, contrasting their on-field glory with the challenges they faced off it.
- The Bus: A French Football Mutiny (May 13): A documentary examining a pivotal moment in French football history.
Other notable documentary releases include Countdown: Rousey vs. Carano (May 6), which provides background on the main MMA event, and USA 94: Brazil’s Return to Glory (May 7).
Additional New Releases
The rest of May’s slate offers a mix of reality TV, animated series, and international dramas:
- A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Season 2 (May 27): The popular mystery series returns for its second season.
- Dr. Seuss’s Horton!, Season 2 (May 1): The animated series continues its adaptation of Dr. Seuss tales.
- Love is Blind: Poland (May 6): A new international iteration of the hit dating show.
- The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek (May 7): A continuation of the Danish crime thriller universe.
- Devil May Cry, Season 2 (May 12): The anime adaptation of the video game series returns.
- Wanda Sykes: Legacy (May 19): A new comedy special from the veteran comedian.
- AFI Lifetime Achievement Award: A Tribute To Eddie Murphy (May 31): A tribute event honoring the legendary comedian and actor.
Conclusion
Netflix’s May lineup demonstrates a dual strategy: reinforcing its strength in high-quality scripted drama with titles like The Boroughs and The Four Seasons, while aggressively testing new territory with live sports broadcasting. The inclusion of major MMA events and global soccer content signals an effort to broaden the platform’s appeal beyond traditional streaming audiences, aiming to capture live-event viewership that has historically eluded digital-first services.
