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WeirdThe 13 Best Things Coming to Netflix: May 2019
By Claire Spellberg
@c_spellberg
Published
May 1, 2019, 9:00 p.m. ET
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Ranked by their Rotten Tomatoes Critic Scores!
Photos: Everett Collection, NETFLIX; Illustration: Dillen Phelps
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Knock Down the House
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
What's been colloquially described as "Netflix's AOC documentary" is actually much, much more. A Sundance Film Festival darling, Knock Down the House follows four progressive female candidates, one of whom is Ocasio-Cortez, as they battle heavily-favored incumbents in the 2018 midterm elections. Of the four women profiled, only AOC went on to win her election, but regardless of the results, each has a powerful story to tell about the major shift coming to American politics.
[Stream Knock Down the House on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
What's been colloquially described as "Netflix's AOC documentary" is actually much, much more. A Sundance Film Festival darling, Knock Down the House follows four progressive female candidates, one of whom is Ocasio-Cortez, as they battle heavily-favored incumbents in the 2018 midterm elections. Of the four women profiled, only AOC went on to win her election, but regardless of the results, each has a powerful story to tell about the major shift coming to American politics.
[Stream Knock Down the House on Netflix]
Photo: Netflix
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Bathtubs Over Broadway
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Another award-winning doc, Bathtubs Over Broadway follows comedy writer Steve Young as he stumbles upon the strange world of industrial musicals -- Broadway-style shows made by and for employees of major corporations. Young embarks on a journey to learn everything he can about these productions, a task that leads him into the forgotten corners of vinyl stores and helps him forge unlikely friendships. With appearances from David Letterman, Martin Short, Florence Henderson, and more, Bathtubs Over Broadway is a feel-good doc you won't want to miss.
[Stream Bathtubs Over Broadway on Netflix May 9]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Another award-winning doc, Bathtubs Over Broadway follows comedy writer Steve Young as he stumbles upon the strange world of industrial musicals -- Broadway-style shows made by and for employees of major corporations. Young embarks on a journey to learn everything he can about these productions, a task that leads him into the forgotten corners of vinyl stores and helps him forge unlikely friendships. With appearances from David Letterman, Martin Short, Florence Henderson, and more, Bathtubs Over Broadway is a feel-good doc you won't want to miss.
[Stream Bathtubs Over Broadway on Netflix May 9]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Hairspray (1988)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
Before there was Nikki Blonsky, there was Ricki Lake. Set in 1960s Baltimore, John Water's Hairspray tells the story of Tracy Turnblad (Lake), a "pleasantly plump" teenager who dreams of becoming a dancer on a local TV station. Once she lands the role, Tracy learns that the program is rife with racism, and she begins using her newfound fame to fight for racial integration. While Hairspray didn't clean up at the box office, it has since become a cult classic that fans of the 2007 remake are sure to enjoy.
[Stream Hairspray on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
Before there was Nikki Blonsky, there was Ricki Lake. Set in 1960s Baltimore, John Water's Hairspray tells the story of Tracy Turnblad (Lake), a "pleasantly plump" teenager who dreams of becoming a dancer on a local TV station. Once she lands the role, Tracy learns that the program is rife with racism, and she begins using her newfound fame to fight for racial integration. While Hairspray didn't clean up at the box office, it has since become a cult classic that fans of the 2007 remake are sure to enjoy.
[Stream Hairspray on Netflix]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Moonlight
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
If you've been waiting for Barry Jenkins' Oscar-winning drama to hit Netflix, you're in luck: Moonlight's exclusive Amazon window ends this month. The 2016 Best Picture winner follows young man Chiron in three stages of his life: as a child (Alex Hibbert), as a teenager (Ashton Sanders), and as an adult (Trevante Rhodes). At each stage, Chiron grapples with his self-identity and sexuality, as well as what it means to be a black man growing up in America.
[Stream Moonlight on Netflix May 21]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
If you've been waiting for Barry Jenkins' Oscar-winning drama to hit Netflix, you're in luck: Moonlight's exclusive Amazon window ends this month. The 2016 Best Picture winner follows young man Chiron in three stages of his life: as a child (Alex Hibbert), as a teenager (Ashton Sanders), and as an adult (Trevante Rhodes). At each stage, Chiron grapples with his self-identity and sexuality, as well as what it means to be a black man growing up in America.
[Stream Moonlight on Netflix May 21]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Pose: Season 1
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
Decider's fifteenth best show of 2018 is finally making its Netflix debut. Ryan Murphy's latest FX drama is set in 1980s New York in the LGBT world of African-American and Latino drag culture. The show's ensemble cast (a group that included Mj Rodriguez, Indya Moore, Dominique Jackson, and Angelica Ross, among others) helps shine an important light on an often-underrepresented era of queer history -- and one that is certainly not represented on cable. Pose will return to FX on June 11, so be sure to catch up on this glitter-filled drama before the Season 2 premiere.
[Stream Pose: Season 1 on Netflix May 10]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
Decider's fifteenth best show of 2018 is finally making its Netflix debut. Ryan Murphy's latest FX drama is set in 1980s New York in the LGBT world of African-American and Latino drag culture. The show's ensemble cast (a group that included Mj Rodriguez, Indya Moore, Dominique Jackson, and Angelica Ross, among others) helps shine an important light on an often-underrepresented era of queer history -- and one that is certainly not represented on cable. Pose will return to FX on June 11, so be sure to catch up on this glitter-filled drama before the Season 2 premiere.
[Stream Pose: Season 1 on Netflix May 10]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Snowpiercer
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
Is there anything Chris Evans can't do? In Snowpiercer, Bong Joon-ho's 2013 sci-fi action flick, Evans stars as Curtis Everett, a lower-class passenger aboard the Snowpiercer train. For over 15 years, the Snowpiercer has carried the last humans alive on Earth after an attempt to counteract global warming went awry, and now, in 2031, its passengers are starting to get restless. Tired of living in brutal conditions, Curtis leads a revolt against the elite at the front of the train -- a challenge that soon proves deadly. Will Curtis free his fellow lower-class passengers, or will the entire train meet their demise? Watch Snowpiercer to find out.
[Stream Snowpiercer on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
Is there anything Chris Evans can't do? In Snowpiercer, Bong Joon-ho's 2013 sci-fi action flick, Evans stars as Curtis Everett, a lower-class passenger aboard the Snowpiercer train. For over 15 years, the Snowpiercer has carried the last humans alive on Earth after an attempt to counteract global warming went awry, and now, in 2031, its passengers are starting to get restless. Tired of living in brutal conditions, Curtis leads a revolt against the elite at the front of the train -- a challenge that soon proves deadly. Will Curtis free his fellow lower-class passengers, or will the entire train meet their demise? Watch Snowpiercer to find out.
[Stream Snowpiercer on Netflix]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
Another Oscar-winning flick, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton as Martha and George, a middle-aged couple with serious issues. When they invite another couple, Nick and Honey, over for a drink, chaos ensues as Martha and George begin hurling insults and verbally abusing each other. Mike Nichols' dramedy went on to be nominated for 13 Academy Awards (it won five, including Best Actress for Taylor), so if you're in the mood for some quality classic fare, look no further than this thought-provoking flick.
[Stream Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
Another Oscar-winning flick, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton as Martha and George, a middle-aged couple with serious issues. When they invite another couple, Nick and Honey, over for a drink, chaos ensues as Martha and George begin hurling insults and verbally abusing each other. Mike Nichols' dramedy went on to be nominated for 13 Academy Awards (it won five, including Best Actress for Taylor), so if you're in the mood for some quality classic fare, look no further than this thought-provoking flick.
[Stream Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? on Netflix]
Photo: Everett Collection
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The Flash: Season 5
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
Like its fellow CW counterparts, The Flash hits Netflix eight days after wrapping its fifth season. The Arrow spin-off centers on Barry Allen (Grant Gustin), a crime scene investigator who uses his super-human speed to fight crime. In Season 5, Barry's daughter from the future, Nora, inadvertently unleashes a serial killer named Cicada who is obsessed with killing metahumans (essentially superheroes). If you're a fan of The Flash, don't miss the drama's critically-acclaimed fifth season when it hits Netflix on May 22. If not, now's the perfect time to catch up before Season 6 debuts in the fall.
[Stream The Flash: Season 5 on Netflix May 22]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
Like its fellow CW counterparts, The Flash hits Netflix eight days after wrapping its fifth season. The Arrow spin-off centers on Barry Allen (Grant Gustin), a crime scene investigator who uses his super-human speed to fight crime. In Season 5, Barry's daughter from the future, Nora, inadvertently unleashes a serial killer named Cicada who is obsessed with killing metahumans (essentially superheroes). If you're a fan of The Flash, don't miss the drama's critically-acclaimed fifth season when it hits Netflix on May 22. If not, now's the perfect time to catch up before Season 6 debuts in the fall.
[Stream The Flash: Season 5 on Netflix May 22]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Easy: Season 3
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
Joe Swanberg's anthology returns to Netflix this month for its third and final season. In Easy Season 3, fan-favorite characters return for one last attempt at diagnosing their relationship woes. Elizabeth Reaser, Zazie Beetz, Marc Maron, Dave Franco, and more are back as part of the stacked ensemble cast, so be sure to binge-watch your way through the anthology comedy when it premieres May 10.
[Stream Easy: Season 3 on Netflix May 10]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
Joe Swanberg's anthology returns to Netflix this month for its third and final season. In Easy Season 3, fan-favorite characters return for one last attempt at diagnosing their relationship woes. Elizabeth Reaser, Zazie Beetz, Marc Maron, Dave Franco, and more are back as part of the stacked ensemble cast, so be sure to binge-watch your way through the anthology comedy when it premieres May 10.
[Stream Easy: Season 3 on Netflix May 10]
Photo: Netflix
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Nailed It!: Season 3
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
Are you ready for more fabulous baking fails? Baking competition Nailed It! returns to Netflix this month with a new batch of episodes. In Season 3, expect to see a Marvel episode, a Michelangelo challenge, and edible fashion moments, as well as guests appearances from actress Felicia Day, YouTube baking sensation Rosanna Pansino, and more.
[Stream Nailed It!: Season 3 on Netflix May 17]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
Are you ready for more fabulous baking fails? Baking competition Nailed It! returns to Netflix this month with a new batch of episodes. In Season 3, expect to see a Marvel episode, a Michelangelo challenge, and edible fashion moments, as well as guests appearances from actress Felicia Day, YouTube baking sensation Rosanna Pansino, and more.
[Stream Nailed It!: Season 3 on Netflix May 17]
Photo: Netflix
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Colony: Season 3
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
Have you already binge-watched your way through Netflix's sci-fi Originals? Next, check out Colony, USA Networks' drama series set in a dystopian, near-future Los Angeles that has been taken over by alien forces. Amid the chaos, FBI special agent Will Bowman (Josh Holloway) and his wife Katie (Sarah Wayne Callies) attempt to locate their son, who was separated from them the day that the extraterrestrial forces first arrived. Colony was canceled after its third season on USA, but now that it's on Netflix, viewers who missed out will get to enjoy the entire series in one addicting chunk.
[Stream Colony: Season 3 on Netflix May 2]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
Have you already binge-watched your way through Netflix's sci-fi Originals? Next, check out Colony, USA Networks' drama series set in a dystopian, near-future Los Angeles that has been taken over by alien forces. Amid the chaos, FBI special agent Will Bowman (Josh Holloway) and his wife Katie (Sarah Wayne Callies) attempt to locate their son, who was separated from them the day that the extraterrestrial forces first arrived. Colony was canceled after its third season on USA, but now that it's on Netflix, viewers who missed out will get to enjoy the entire series in one addicting chunk.
[Stream Colony: Season 3 on Netflix May 2]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Outlander: Seasons 1 and 2
Season 1 Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
Time traveling sex fans, rejoice! On May 27, the first two seasons of Starz drama Outlander will be available to stream on Netflix in all their sexy glory. Watching Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan get it on in various time periods is sure to satisfy any viewer, but be forewarned: the drama is so good that it may convince you to purchase a Starz subscription to finish watching Seasons 3 and 4.
[Stream Outlander: Seasons 1 and 2 on Netflix May 27]
Season 1 Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
Time traveling sex fans, rejoice! On May 27, the first two seasons of Starz drama Outlander will be available to stream on Netflix in all their sexy glory. Watching Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan get it on in various time periods is sure to satisfy any viewer, but be forewarned: the drama is so good that it may convince you to purchase a Starz subscription to finish watching Seasons 3 and 4.
[Stream Outlander: Seasons 1 and 2 on Netflix May 27]
Photo: Everett Collection
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Zombieland
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
Young Emma Stone! Mad cow disease! Road trips! Zombieland has it all. This 2009 zombie comedy follows a college kid nicknamed Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) as he travels home through a zombie apocalypse to see if his parents are still alive. Along the way, Columbus meets three other survivors, Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Stone), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), and the group decides to head out for a supposedly zombie-free amusement park near Los Angeles. What follows is a hilarious and bizarre take on the zombie comedy genre with a surprisingly sweet ending. Stream it now before the sequel, Zombieland: Double Tap, premieres in October 2019.
[Stream Zombieland on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
Young Emma Stone! Mad cow disease! Road trips! Zombieland has it all. This 2009 zombie comedy follows a college kid nicknamed Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) as he travels home through a zombie apocalypse to see if his parents are still alive. Along the way, Columbus meets three other survivors, Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Stone), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), and the group decides to head out for a supposedly zombie-free amusement park near Los Angeles. What follows is a hilarious and bizarre take on the zombie comedy genre with a surprisingly sweet ending. Stream it now before the sequel, Zombieland: Double Tap, premieres in October 2019.
[Stream Zombieland on Netflix]
Photo: Everett Collection
