20 Best Movies To Stream In May 2024 That You Need To Watch Now
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20 Best Movies To Stream In May 2024 That You Need To Watch Now
May the flicks be with you (sorry). A new month means new movies coming to all your favorite streaming services. And we're rounding up the best ones that you shouldn't miss in May 2024.
This month is bringing plenty of streaming options, both old and new. No matter your taste in film, there's something here for every fan of the silver screen. We've combed through scores of titles coming to the various platforms in May to deliver a list of the best viewing experiences for you. We've got superhero flicks, newly released award-winning films, sports movies, beloved childhood classics, Shrek--you name it.
Some of these movies are expecting a new installment in the franchise at some point in the near future, so you can make sure you're all caught up and refreshed on them now. And a few are brand-new, buzzy, and sure to be the topic of pop-culture discourse--don't miss your chance to be ahead of the curve.
From recent Oscar winners to throwback marathons of your favorite old series, these are some of our most-anticipated films debuting this month on Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Max, and Peacock. Happy streaming!
1. Jumanji (1995)
Where to watch: Netflix
Available: May 1
Why it's worth a watch: It's a childhood classic that can still whisk you away to an immersive fantasy world. Plus its cast features Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst, and the late Robin Williams. Oh, and way too many jungle animals.
2. Hulk (2003)
Where to watch: Netflix
Available: May 1
Why it's worth a watch: Eric Bana's Bruce Banner deviated from the superhero movie norms of the time, mixing thoughtful backstory with exciting visual effects. Before the MCU brought Marvel to the forefront of pop culture, Hulk gave it a shot.
3. Shrek (2001)
Where to watch: Netflix
Available: May 1
Why it's worth a watch: We don't care how old you are, the animated comedy classic about an ogre turning a fairytale world upside down is always a good time. Make it a marathon with the fourth installment, Shrek Forever After (2010), also streaming May 1. Keep scrolling to see where to find the second and third Shrek installment this month.
4. Madame Web
Where to watch: Netflix
Available: May 14
Why it's worth a watch: Call it a flop, or call it a new cult classic. Dakota Johnson's foray into the world of Sony superheroes got pretty widely panned by critics, but there's something fun about watching an actress with no sense of urgency try to save people from imminent death. We're just bummed the infamous "He was in the Amazon with my mom when she was researching spiders right before she died" line got left on the cutting room floor.
5. Airplane! (1980)
Where to watch: Prime Video
Available: May 1
Why it's worth a watch: It's a sophomoric, slapstick comedy that's made a slew of best-comedies-of-all-time lists. It also just so happens to feature NBA icon Kareem Abdul-Jabar in one of its leading roles--and he's hilarious.
6. The Blues Brothers (1980)
Where to watch: Prime Video
Available: May 1
Why it's worth a watch: John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd star as the titular brothers in the musical action/comedy based on an iconic Saturday Night Live sketch. The movie sees the brothers racing around Chicago in the coolest car around, along with some excellent musical performances throughout.
7. Poltergeist (2015)
Where to watch: Prime Video
Available: May 1
Why it's worth a watch: This is one of the best "haunted house" movies you'll ever have the pleasure of watching. And while you're at it, make it a whole scary movie day with Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986) and Poltergeist III (1988).
8. Mad Max (1979)
Where to watch: Max
Available: May 1
Why it's worth a watch: Mad Max is coming to Max this May--say that five times fast. Still not enough Max? Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981) and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) also join the streaming service the same day. Why not have yourself a marathon before the next film in the saga, Furiosa, hits theaters?
9. Get Out (2017)
Where to watch: Peacock
Available: May 1
Why it's worth a watch: Jordan Peele's horror thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat and looking for clues the entire runtime--even if you already know what the twist is. You'll also be seriously disturbed by just about everything that unfolds throughout.
Where to watch: Peacock
Available: May 1
Why it's worth a watch: Steven Spielberg's dinosaur action film is a classic for a reason. Not only did it revolutionize visual effects, it launched a massive franchise that is still going over 30 years later. Also newly available: The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) and Jurassic Park III (2001).
11. No Time to Die (2021)
Where to watch: Peacock
Available: May 1
Why it's worth a watch: Daniel Craig's final run as James Bond faced a series of production setbacks (including the pandemic) but became an epic sendoff worth the wait. While we await word on who will slip into the tuxedo to play 007 next, why not revisit a genuinely good Bond movie?
12. Shrek the Third (2007)
Where to watch: Peacock
Available: May 1
Why it's worth a watch: There doesn't actually need to be a reason to watch Shrek. Shrek is the reason. You know it's true and so do we. And hey, keep the Shrek party going this month--Shrek 2 (2004) is also already available on Peacock.
13. Spy Kids (2001)
Where to watch: Peacock
Available: May 1
Why it's worth a watch: An action flick that's nostalgic for you and fun for the whole family. Also joining Peacock on May 1: Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002), Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003), and Spy Kids: All the Time in the World (2011). Those should all keep you pretty busy.
14. Wonder Woman (2017)
Where to watch: Peacock
Available: May 1
Why it's worth a watch: Patty Jenkins delivers an epic superhero movie starring Gal Gadot and Chris Pine. After being introduced in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Wonder Woman getting her own adventure is long overdue. Thankfully, the movie delivers on the hype.
15. Die Hard (1988)
Where to watch: Hulu
Available: May 3
Why it's worth a watch: We're far from Christmas, but that doesn't mean you have to wait another seven months for the iconic Bruce Willis action film. The rest of the franchise is also newly streaming on Hulu: Die Hard 2 (1990), Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995), Live Free or Die Hard (2007), and A Good Day to Die Hard (2013).
16. The Iron Claw (2023)
Where to watch: Max
Available: May 10
Why it's worth a watch: The haircuts may be heinous, but this critically acclaimed sports biopic starring Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, and Lily James about the Von Erich family of professional wrestlers is powerful and heartbreaking in equal measure.
17. American Fiction (2023)
Where to watch: Prime Video
Available: May 14
Why it's worth a watch: Cord Jefferson's dramedy based on a 2001 novel follows a frustrated novelist who writes a stereotypical satire of what the publishing industry sees as "Black" books, only to find to his dismay that it's the book that finally makes him famous. Featuring an all-star cast including Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, and Keith David, it won the Oscar this year for best adapted screenplay and received nominations for best picture and best actor.
18. BlacKkKlansman (2018)
Where to watch: Prime
Available: May 14
Why it's worth a watch: Spike Lee landed his first directing nomination at the Oscars for his provocative film, loosely based on a true story about a police department's first Black detective setting out on a mission to infiltrate the local Ku Klux Klan chapter.
19. Creed (2015)
Where to watch: Prime
Available: May 16
Why it's worth a watch: Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone star in the first Rocky spin-off about Rocky Balboa training the son of Apollo Creed. Jordan and Stallone work together wonderfully, as the latter passes the torch.
20. Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Where to watch: Max
Available: May 26
Why it's worth a watch: Zack Snyder delivers the first live-action Batman and Superman pairing, in addition to giving audiences a first glimpse at Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman. In fact, pairing it with Wonder Woman over on Peacock could be an interesting double feature.