Last updated: May 1, 2024
Netflix has assembled a small list of titles that overflows with action this May. Instead of giving us too many titles to watch at once, they’ve slowed it down and allowed us to revisit some old flames. Are you like me and never finished Mortal Kombat (2021) before it disappeared from (HBO) Max? Then the Flix has you covered! Were you too young to fully appreciate Traffic when it originally premiered? Then check out the star-studded thriller this month. Did the new Mr. & Mrs. Smith series make you want to rewatch the 2005 Angelina Jolie film? The streamer was anticipating that. Again, there are not a lot of titles for genre fans, but there’s just enough to make us feel seen. At least that’s what I told myself as I narrowed my list to five titles that spark the most joy for me this month.
Here’s what I’m excited to revisit on Netflix this month.
A man trying to put his past behind him is dragged back into a world of violence when he meets a young girl in danger. I recently binged this entire Denzel Washington trilogy and have been trying to get my friends to do the same. Not only is it fun, vicious, and weirdly calming, but each installment has at least one scene that nearly kills me. This one sees Denzel’s character get a call letting him know that he has only minutes to save his friends. Then the next scene is him riding Boston’s public transit to the hostage situation. I screamed! This is the thriller for me, and I hope more people take this chaotic journey. The Equalizer 3 is also available on Netflix, so you almost have the whole story.
An American who built his drug empire in London tries to sell it but discovers nothing is as easy as it seems. This cast includes Giancarlo Esposito, Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Colin Farrell, and even Hugh Grant. How am I supposed to be normal about that? It’s also written by Guy Ritchie, so you know it’s going to be a violent and funny weird little time. If you need me, I’ll be watching this and adding stuff to my list of things to not do in London.
Our Hellboy battles an ancient sorceress for the sake of humanity. I respect that this reboot of a popular franchise based on the popular Mike Mignola comics is divisive. However, I also have four seasons of Netflix’s Stranger Things and some new weird Santa baggage after watching Violent Night, which proves I’m going to go wherever David Harbour goes. I will not be unpacking any of that this year, and thank you for not asking me to. The movie also stars Milla Jovovich and Daniel Dae Kim, so what is a nerd to do? I wish I could tell you I haven’t cleared my schedule to watch it more than once this month. However, I don’t see the point in starting to lie to you now, internet friend.
Two kids find an old board game that releases a man, who has been trapped in it for decades. I’m 90% sure my board game obsession started because of this movie. I never found one that did all of this, but this is still the only Jumanji I will recognize. Not only because it’s one of the few age-appropriate movies I liked as a kid but also because it’s one of the many gifts the late Robin Williams gave my generation. I plan to hug my inner moppet and revisit this fantastical world as I pretend the world isn’t as shitty as it is for 104 minutes. I recommend you do the same while it’s on the streamer.
Humans wage war against giant alien bugs in a militaristic future. I don’t do bugs. However, with the recent popularity of Infested and Sting, I think many of you will appreciate knowing this is streaming on Netflix this month. I watched this exactly once as a child and will never do that again. However, congrats to Casper Van Dien and Denise Richards for giving small kids anxiety. Clancy Brown, Rue McClanahan, Jake Busey, and Michael Ironside are also in this futuristic fever dream. If you somehow missed this popular sci-fi action moment, you might want to check it out this May. You truly have to see it to believe it.
Airport
Airport ’77
Airport 1975
The Equalizer
The Gentlemen
Hellboy (2019)
Hulk
Jumanji (1995)
The Matrix Resurrections
Mortal Kombat (2021)
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Outlander: Season 6
Starship Troopers
Traffic
White House Down
Did you also find a few titles in this month’s Netflix lineup that you can’t wait to revisit? Or are you one of the lucky few who will enjoy some of these titles for the first time? Let me know either way at @misssharai.