The Must-See Titles That Are Leaving Netflix in May 2026

If you’re looking for some laughs, a spot of bombastic action, and a cool throwback to the ‘90s, look no further than Men in Black. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones unite for this sci-fi comedy about the secret agents keeping our world safe from alien threats. Meanwhile, Vincent D’Onofrio puts in one of the greatest physical performances on film as the insect-like antagonist.

All three of the original Men in Black movies are on Netflix right now, plus the more recent spin-off starring Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson. Unfortunately, all of them will be mind-wiped from the service on May 7.

Speaking of science fiction, how about a bit of sad Brad pining for his dad… in space? Ad Astra sees Brad Pitt embark on a mission into the depths of the universe to find his AWOL father and confront a few personal issues while also trying to save Earth from an unknown threat. 

It’s a thought-provoking, meditative odyssey that happens to look absolutely stunning, with some of the most jaw-dropping cinematography and use of colour you’ll see in a film this side of the 21st century. Be quick, though, Ad Astra blasts off and leaves Netflix’s orbit on May 10.

Also leaving Netflix on May 10 is the anxiety-inducing yet absolutely riveting horror-thriller mother! from Darren Aronofsky. You really do have to be in the right frame of mind to immerse yourself in this one, but if you do, you’ll get so much out of it: religious allegories, intense claustrophobic scenes, and some truly shocking moments will keep you on the edge of your seat and get that brain ticking into overdrive.

I included this on a list of devastating movies you’ll only want to watch once because it’s such an uncomfortable, complex film to digest, but it really did blow me away the first (and only time) I watched it. Don’t miss your chance to experience it for yourself on Netflix.

War movies simply do not get better than Saving Private Ryan. Chances are, most of you reading this will have seen the Steven Spielberg classic at least once in your life, but it’s the kind of movie you drop everything for if you see it playing on TV, so why not give it another whirl on Netflix this month?

Saving Private Ryan features an all-timer performance from Tom Hanks, not to mention unforgettable set-pieces that are simply perfect from a technical standpoint, no matter how harrowing they may be to watch. You’ve got until May 13 to dive into this epic story of survival and sacrifice.

It can be pretty hard to binge-watch six seasons of any TV show in a short space of time, but if you can do it with any show, it’s Schitt’s Creek. This family-driven sitcom is such an easy watch that, as you invest in the hilarious characters and their trials and tribulations, you’ll find time absolutely flies.

You have until May 16 to cram in all 80 episodes and fall in love with the excellent dynamic between Eugene Levy, Dan Levy, Annie Murphy, and the late, great Catherine O’Hara before Schitt’s Creek leaves Netflix. And after that, queue up Dan Levy’s latest Netflix comedy series, Big Mistakes. 

The most ardent cinephiles among us will likely be keen to watch all the Best Picture winners they can, and an easy one to tick off your list – at least if you’re quick – is Alejandro González Iñárritu’s exploration of the existential, Birdman. With gorgeous visuals, impeccable performances, and a compelling story, it’s a worthy winner indeed. The film also gets bonus points for being a cleverly stitched one-take movie, before the gimmick got a little bit old.

This highly entertaining dramedy will be leaving Netflix on May 19, so if you want to see Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, and Ed Norton putting in some of their best work, hit play on this title soon – and look out for Iñárritu’s Digger, starring Tom Cruise, later this year. 

Fans of all things creepy and kooky should rejoice in the news that Wednesday Season 3 is now actively in development. However, they may also be dismayed to learn that the animated versions of The Addams Family are leaving Netflix on May 20. That’s both the first film from 2019 and its sequel from 2021. I’ve got two young sons who love watching mildly scary movies, so I’ll be hitting play on both of these titles as soon as possible before they disappear. 

Both films feature a pitch-perfect voice cast, including Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard, and Nick Kroll, and thanks to the animation approach, they are able to ramp up the weird and wonderful ways of this iconic family while offering something for adults and kids alike.

It’s nowhere near Christmas, but that really shouldn’t stop you from watching The Holdovers. This hilarious and heartwarming flick will make you laugh, cry, and want to hold your nearest and dearest close (while also wanting to go full passive-aggressive mode on anyone who wrongs you).

You have until May 22 to see Paul Giamatti deliver quite possibly his best-ever performance, and to get to know Dominic Sessa before he stars in the upcoming Anthony Bourdain biopic later this year. This movie is now a staple of my festive viewing each year, but I’m tempted to revisit it earlier while I still can.