What’s New to Stream on Netflix for May 2022

Looking for a cleanse? Double feature Den of Thieves and When Harry Met Sally.
Netflix May 2022

Crossing the Streams is a series of columns spotlighting all the offerings hitting the big streaming services each month. This time we’re checking out the new Netflix arrivals for May 2022. They include the return of Stranger Things, new international movies, and more!


Netflix Pick of the Month for May 2022

There are newer movies arriving on Netflix for May 2022, and there are arguably better ones — I myself wouldn’t make that argument, but someone might — but honestly, if you’re in the mood for a perfect romantic comedy you can’t do any better than When Harry Met Sally (1989). The Rob Reiner directed, Nora Ephron scripted box-office hit sees a spunky Meg Ryan going toe to toe with a scrappy Billy Crystal, and it’s a hilarious and heartfelt ride no matter how many times you’ve watched it. Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby offer fantastic supporting turns, and the script keeps the laughs coming on a smartly crafted journey towards love.


New Netflix Movies and Returning Shows for May 2022

Louis Leterrier recently made headlines as the probable pick to helm Fast X after the departure of Justin Lin, but you don’t have to wait until next year to check out the man’s directorial chops. The Transporter (2002) and Unleashed (2005) are two terrific action films from the Frenchman, and both are worth seeking out. The rest of his filmography is more of a mixed bag, but his latest film (and first in six years) lands this month for your perusal. The Takedown (premieres May 6th) is an action/comedy about two mismatched detectives brought together for the biggest case of their careers. It’ll be worth a watch if either half of that equation succeeds, but we’re hoping he nails both the thrills and the laughs.

A young man arrives in town with a mystery at his back and violence ahead of him. Thar (premieres May 6th) has a simple enough premise, but this self-described neo-western from India finds additional appeal in its casting. The great Anil Kapoor stars alongside his son, Harshvardhan Kapoor, and if the trailer is any indication they’ve come together for an attractively shot thriller. It also looks to be a film that takes its time to craft characters before turning up the heat.

Stranger Things 4: Volume 1 (premieres May 27th) sees the long-awaited return of Netflix’s most popular series, a sci-fi/adventure show about a group of friends in a small town beset by weirdness, and these kids are getting old. It’s been six years since it premiered in 2016, and none of them look like kids anymore, but hopefully, that won’t stop them from having fun. Some of us gave up on the show back in season two, but the rest of you have another season or two to look forward to. The back half of this season drops on July 1st.


Men Behaving Badly

A collision is imminent between Los Angeles’ most successful bank robbery crew and an elite police unit determined to bring them down. Den of Thieves (2018) is like Michael Mann’s Heat (1995) if Michael Mann’s Heat was dragged through a trailer park in the high, sweaty heat of summer after being doused in alcohol and Axe body spray. Christian Gudegast directs, and while he’s no Mann he knows how to craft a meaty and aggressively entertaining good time. Gerard Butler, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Pablo Schreiber, and more star, and some of them are returning for the recently announced sequel making this month a great time for a watch whether it’s your first, second, or beyond.

Guy Ritchie’s already made two movies since the release of The Gentlemen (2019) and is currently filming another, but the speed with which he’s been working lately isn’t getting in the way of the fun. The script is a bit iffy at times as we’re meant to get behind Matthew McConaughey’s American businessman, but anyone with an appreciation for brilliance will actually be supporting Hugh Grant’s sleazy but flashy crook. It has some laughs, it has a few too many double-crosses, and it features additional gentlemen in the form of Charlie Hunnam, Jeremy Strong, Colin Farrell, and Henry Golding.


The Oldest New Arrival to Netflix for May 2022

Netflix is a lot of things, but a reliable source of older films available for streaming it’s not. The streamer is incredibly stingy when it comes to adding “older” films to its roster, and by older I mean pre-2000 releases. May sees only two movies from the 80s and a single title that’s even older. That title? Dirty Harry (1971). Clint Eastwood had already made a name for himself in westerns, but the debut of the infamous Det. Harry Callahan set the stage for a long-running franchise delivering plenty of thrills and controversial approaches to criminal justice. This first entry pits Harry against a serial killer played by a wonderfully creepy Andrew Robinson, and it remains an engaging ride.


The Complete Netflix List for May 2022

Release DateTitleNote
5/13 Ninjas Kick Back (1994)
40-Love (2021)
42 (2013)
Are You the One?: Season 6
Blippi Wonders: Season 1
Corpse Bride (2005)
Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)
Den of Thieves (2018)
Dirty Harry (1971)
Empire State (2013)
Forrest Gump (1994)
The Gentlemen (2019)
Harold & Kumar Go to
White Castle (2004)
Hello, My Name Is Doris (2015)
Jackass: The Movie (2002)
Jackass 2.5 (2007)
Jackass 3.5 (2011)
John Q (2002)
The Lake House (2006)
Menace II Society (1993)
Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
Rambo (2008)
Rambo: Last Blood (2019)
A River Runs Through It (1992)
Road to Perdition (2002)
Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
Soul Surfer (2011)
Summerland (2020)
U.S. Marshals (1998)
War of the Worlds (2005)
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
You've Got Mail (1998)
5/2Octonauts: Above & Beyond: Season 2Netflix Family
5/3Hold Your Breath: The Ice DiveNetflix Documentary
5/440 Years YoungNetflix Film
The Circle: Season 4Netflix Series
El marginal: Season 5Netflix Series
Meltdown: Three Mile IslandNetflix Documentary
Summertime: Season 3Netflix Series
5/5Blood SistersNetflix Series
ClarkNetflix Series
The PentaverateNetflix Series
Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go: Season 1
Wild BabiesNetflix Documentary
5/6Along for the RideNetflix Film
MarmadukeNetflix Film
The Sound of MagicNetflix Series
The TakedownNetflix Film
TharNetflix Film
Welcome to EdenNetflix Series
5/8Christina P: Mom GenesNetflix Comedy
5/9Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable WarNetflix Anime
5/1042 Days of DarknessNetflix Series
Brotherhood: Season 2Netflix Series
The Getaway KingNetflix Film
Operation MincemeatNetflix Film
Outlander: Season 5
Our FatherNetflix Documentary
5/12MaverixNetflix Comedy
Savage BeautyNetflix Series
5/13Bling Empire: Season 2Netflix Series
The Life and Movies of Erşan KuneriNetflix Series
The Lincoln LawyerNetflix Series
New HeightsNetflix Series
Senior YearNetflix Film
5/14Borrego (2022)
5/15PJ Masks: Season 4
5/16Blippi's Adventures
Servant of the People: Season 2-3
Vampire in the GardenNetflix Anime
5/17The Future Diary: Season 2Netflix Series
5/18Cyber Hell: Exposing an Internet HorrorNetflix Documentary
Love on the Spectrum U.S.Netflix Series
The Perfect FamilyNetflix Film
ToscanaNetflix Film
Who Killed Sara?: Season 3Netflix Series
5/19The Boss Baby: Back in the CribNetflix Family
The G Word with Adam ConoverNetflix Documentary
Insiders: Season 2Netflix Series
A Perfect PairingNetflix Film
The Photographer: Murder in PinamarNetflix Documentary
Rodrigo Sant’Anna: I've ArrivedNetflix Comedy
5/20Ben Is Back (2018)
F*ck Love TooNetflix Film
Jackass 4.5 (2022)
Love, Death & Robots: Volume 3Netflix Series
Wrong Side of the TracksNetflix Series
5/22One Piece
5/23Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045: Season 2Netflix Anime
GodspeedNetflix Film
Sea of LoveNetflix Family
5/25Larva PendantNetflix Film
Somebody Feed Phil: Season 5Netflix Series
5/26My Little Pony: Make Your MarkNetflix Family
Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series: Part 3 Netflix Family
5/27Stranger Things 4: Volume 1Netflix Series
5/30Mighty Little Bheem: I Love Taj MahalNetflix Family
5/31Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Season 1
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Season 1

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Rob Hunter: Rob Hunter has been writing for Film School Rejects since before you were born, which is weird seeing as he's so damn young. He's our Chief Film Critic and Associate Editor and lists 'Broadcast News' as his favorite film of all time. Feel free to say hi if you see him on Twitter @FakeRobHunter.