Netflix just refreshed its movie lineup for May 2025, bringing some incredible films to our screens! From heartwarming comedies to spine-tingling thrillers, there’s something for everyone this month. Whether you’re planning a cozy night in or looking for weekend entertainment, these top picks will save you endless scrolling time and deliver unforgettable viewing experiences.
1. Nonnas
Vince Vaughn shines in this touching comedy-drama about a man honoring his mother’s memory through food and family. When Joe opens an Italian restaurant staffed entirely by grandmothers, he creates more than just a business—he builds a community.
The stellar cast includes Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, and Talia Shire as the feisty, flour-dusted nonnas who bring authentic recipes and wisdom to the kitchen. Their chemistry is as delicious as the dishes they prepare.
Director Stephen Chbosky balances humor with heartfelt moments, creating a film that celebrates the special bond between generations and the healing power of traditional cooking.
2. The Wild Robot
Stranded on an uninhabited island, service robot Roz must adapt to survive among suspicious wildlife in this stunning animated adventure. Lupita Nyong’o’s voice performance brings remarkable depth to the mechanical protagonist learning to connect with nature.
Director Chris Sanders crafts breathtaking visuals as Roz gradually forms unlikely friendships with the island’s creatures. The film skillfully balances spectacular action sequences with quiet, reflective moments about belonging and adaptation.
Pedro Pascal and Kit Connor round out the excellent voice cast in this sci-fi tale that asks profound questions about consciousness and compassion while remaining accessible for viewers of all ages.
3. Fear Street: Prom Queen
The 80s come alive with deadly consequences in this fourth installment of the popular horror franchise. Set in 1988, the film follows five high school girls competing for the coveted prom queen title, unaware that their rivalry will unleash supernatural forces.
Director Matt Palmer masterfully builds tension through nostalgic visuals and an authentic synth-heavy soundtrack. The young cast delivers convincing performances as their characters transform from typical teens to survivors fighting for their lives during one catastrophic prom night.
Fans of the series will appreciate clever connections to previous Fear Street films, while newcomers will enjoy this standalone slasher that perfectly captures both 80s teen movies and classic horror tropes.
4. Train to Busan
This South Korean zombie thriller takes place almost entirely on a speeding train, creating a claustrophobic nightmare as passengers fight for survival. A businessman and his estranged daughter must navigate not just the undead but also the darkest aspects of human nature when panic spreads.
The film’s relentless pacing never sacrifices character development. Each survivor’s story adds emotional weight to the heart-pounding action sequences that unfold in the narrow train corridors.
Director Yeon Sang-ho elevates the zombie genre with stunning visual sequences and genuine emotional stakes. The father-daughter relationship at the story’s core provides a touching counterpoint to the visceral horror surrounding them.
5. Past Lives
Childhood friends Nora and Hae Sung reconnect after decades apart in this poignant exploration of paths not taken. Their reunion in New York City forces them to confront what might have been if life hadn’t pulled them to opposite sides of the world.
Director Celine Song’s debut film captures the quiet moments between words—lingering glances and hesitant touches that speak volumes about unfulfilled longing. The cultural differences between their Korean roots and American present add rich layers to their complicated relationship.
Gorgeously shot with a deliberate pace that mirrors real-life relationships, this thoughtful drama examines how our past shapes us without determining our future. Its emotional resonance stays with viewers long after the credits roll.
6. Aquarius Rising
Marine biologist Dr. Elena Reyes makes a startling discovery beneath Antarctic ice that could revolutionize our understanding of evolution. Her underwater research facility becomes ground zero for tension when corporate interests clash with scientific ethics.
This science fiction thriller combines stunning underwater photography with thought-provoking questions about humanity’s relationship with undiscovered species. Academy Award winner Viola Davis delivers a commanding performance as Dr. Reyes, whose determination borders on obsession.
The claustrophobic setting—a research station isolated by harsh weather and crushing ocean depths—amplifies the mounting psychological pressure. When communications with the surface world mysteriously fail, paranoia spreads faster than the strange biological phenomenon they’re studying.
7. The Inheritance
Three estranged siblings return to their childhood home after their eccentric father’s death, only to discover the house contains unsettling secrets. What begins as a simple matter of settling the estate transforms into a psychological journey through buried family trauma.
Oscar nominee Rachel Weisz leads the exceptional cast, portraying the eldest sibling whose memories of their father differ dramatically from her brothers’. The sprawling Victorian mansion becomes a character itself, with hidden rooms and cryptic messages challenging everything they thought they knew about their upbringing.
First-time director Priya Sharma crafts a mesmerizing slow-burn mystery that blends elements of horror with profound family drama. The film’s ambiguous ending has already sparked heated online debates about what really happened in that house.
8. Velocity
Former race car champion Maya Ortiz thought she’d left the dangerous world of professional driving behind—until her brother disappears after uncovering corruption in the racing circuit. Her search for answers pulls her back into the high-octane world she abandoned.
Michelle Rodriguez brings raw intensity to Maya, performing many of her own stunts in breathtaking chase sequences across Los Angeles and Monaco. The film balances explosive action with a compelling mystery that explores the dark side of sports financing and gambling.
Director Justin Lin returns to his racing roots with innovative camera techniques that put viewers directly in the driver’s seat. The film’s practical effects and minimal CGI create authentic tension during every hairpin turn and narrow escape.
9. The Archivist
In a near-future where memories can be digitally stored, Thomas Chen works as a memory archivist, preserving the experiences of the dying. When a mysterious client asks him to archive her memories anonymously, he discovers a connection to his own forgotten past.
The film cleverly visualizes memory as Thomas navigates through landscapes that shift between reality and recollection. John Cho delivers a nuanced performance as a man who helps others preserve their histories while running from his own.
This thought-provoking sci-fi drama asks powerful questions about identity and the nature of remembering. As Thomas uncovers government conspiracies tied to memory manipulation, the line between technological advancement and ethical boundaries becomes increasingly blurred.
10. Homestead
Following a global economic collapse, former finance executive Sarah Miller relocates her family to her grandparents’ abandoned farm, knowing nothing about agriculture or self-sufficiency. Their struggle to adapt forms the heart of this surprisingly hopeful post-apocalyptic drama.
Frances McDormand embodies Sarah’s transformation from corporate powerhouse to determined survivor with subtle brilliance. The film avoids typical disaster movie tropes, focusing instead on the community that forms when neighboring families face hardship together.
Stunning cinematography captures both the harsh realities and unexpected beauty of rural life after societal breakdown. Director Kelly Reichardt’s patient storytelling allows authentic moments of human connection to emerge organically amidst the challenges of this new world.