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 Date | Title | Note |
---|---|---|
5/1 | 3 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) | ||
5/2 | Octonauts: Above & Beyond: Season 2 | Netflix Family |
5/3 | Hold Your Breath: The Ice Dive | Netflix Documentary |
5/4 | 40 Years Young | Netflix Film |
The Circle: Season 4 | Netflix Series | |
El marginal: Season 5 | Netflix Series | |
Meltdown: Three Mile Island | Netflix Documentary | |
Summertime: Season 3 | Netflix Series | |
5/5 | Blood Sisters | Netflix Series |
Clark | Netflix Series | |
The Pentaverate | Netflix Series | |
Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go: Season 1 | ||
Wild Babies | Netflix Documentary | |
5/6 | Along for the Ride | Netflix Film |
Marmaduke | Netflix Film | |
The Sound of Magic | Netflix Series | |
The Takedown | Netflix Film | |
Thar | Netflix Film | |
Welcome to Eden | Netflix Series | |
5/8 | Christina P: Mom Genes | Netflix Comedy |
5/9 | Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War | Netflix Anime |
5/10 | 42 Days of Darkness | Netflix Series |
Brotherhood: Season 2 | Netflix Series | |
The Getaway King | Netflix Film | |
Operation Mincemeat | Netflix Film | |
Outlander: Season 5 | ||
Our Father | Netflix Documentary | |
5/12 | Maverix | Netflix Comedy |
Savage Beauty | Netflix Series | |
5/13 | Bling Empire: Season 2 | Netflix Series |
The Life and Movies of Erşan Kuneri | Netflix Series | |
The Lincoln Lawyer | Netflix Series | |
New Heights | Netflix Series | |
Senior Year | Netflix Film | |
5/14 | Borrego (2022) | |
5/15 | PJ Masks: Season 4 | |
5/16 | Blippi's Adventures | |
Servant of the People: Season 2-3 | ||
Vampire in the Garden | Netflix Anime | |
5/17 | The Future Diary: Season 2 | Netflix Series |
5/18 | Cyber Hell: Exposing an Internet Horror | Netflix Documentary |
Love on the Spectrum U.S. | Netflix Series | |
The Perfect Family | Netflix Film | |
Toscana | Netflix Film | |
Who Killed Sara?: Season 3 | Netflix Series | |
5/19 | The Boss Baby: Back in the Crib | Netflix Family |
The G Word with Adam Conover | Netflix Documentary | |
Insiders: Season 2 | Netflix Series | |
A Perfect Pairing | Netflix Film | |
The Photographer: Murder in Pinamar | Netflix Documentary | |
Rodrigo Sant’Anna: I've Arrived | Netflix Comedy | |
5/20 | Ben Is Back (2018) | |
F*ck Love Too | Netflix Film | |
Jackass 4.5 (2022) | ||
Love, Death & Robots: Volume 3 | Netflix Series | |
Wrong Side of the Tracks | Netflix Series | |
5/22 | One Piece | |
5/23 | Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045: Season 2 | Netflix Anime |
Godspeed | Netflix Film | |
Sea of Love | Netflix Family | |
5/25 | Larva Pendant | Netflix Film |
Somebody Feed Phil: Season 5 | Netflix Series | |
5/26 | My Little Pony: Make Your Mark | Netflix Family |
Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series: Part 3 | Netflix Family | |
5/27 | Stranger Things 4: Volume 1 | Netflix Series |
5/30 | Mighty Little Bheem: I Love Taj Mahal | Netflix Family |
5/31 | Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Season 1 | |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Season 1 |
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Related Topics: Crossing the Streams, Netflix