Image Credit: Showtime
As we often say here, what Netflix gives, Netflix eventually takes away. While the streaming giant has been leaning heavily into licensing major third-party shows over the past few years, those deals come with strict expiration dates. Now, we’re looking ahead to May 2026, and it’s shaping up to be a pretty tough month for TV departures in the United States, so here’s an exclusive rundown of all the shows that should be on your radar. If you’re planning on watching, start now, or if you’re in the middle of watching one of these – hurry up!
This list is just a few of the titles set to leave Netflix in May 2026, and we’re covering all of the removals, whether they’re movies or series, in our full guide to the month’s departures.
Here’s a look at the major licensed series we know are leaving Netflix US so far in May 2026:
Departure on 21st May
Blue Mountain State (seasons 1–3)
The iconic classic college football comedy has had a surprisingly checkered history with Netflix. Originally airing on Spike TV, the raunchy comedy starring Alan Ritchson as the unforgettable Thad Castle has come and gone from the service several times over the past decade.
Its latest stint on Netflix is ending after two years (it was added back in May 2024, having previously streamed). For most of the late 2010s), which means you have a limited amount of time to get your fill of BMS Mountain Goats. Given Ritchson’s recent massive success with Reacher, the show has enjoyed a bit of a resurgence in viewership on Netflix, so it’s a shame to see it take off the air once again. Along with the series, the film Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland (2016) is also scheduled to depart on the 1st of the month.
Departure on 21st May
Documentary Now! (Seasons 1-4)
Image: IFC
If you’re a fan of hyper-specific comedy, this is going to sting. Created by Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers, and Rhys Thomas, this IFC series is an absolute masterclass in parody. Hosted by Helen Mirren, each episode mimics a famous documentary, from Gray Gardens (the legendary “Sandy Passage” episode) to Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present.
The show was a staple of Netflix in the late 2010s, though it ran for a short run in 2022 and was later renewed with a fourth (and final?) season. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you have until late May to watch all 28 episodes. Be careful, though, if you only have an ad-tier subscription to Netflix, this is one of the few titles that remains blocked.
Departure on 21st May
Wildfire (seasons 1–4)
Image Credit: ABC Family
For those looking for a cozy, nostalgic treat, this mid-2000s ABC Family drama Forest fire Has been a hidden gem in the Netflix library. Starring Genevieve Cortez (now Padalecki), the series follows a young woman who gets a chance to work at a family-run horse farm after spending time in a juvenile detention center.
appears to be in the vein of deep chase And virgin river always perform incredibly well on Netflix, and Forest fire Was a great licensed addition to that roster. All four seasons, consisting of 51 episodes, will be moving away from the platform on May 21, exactly two years after they were added.
Departure on 21st May
Act Your Age (Season 1)
Image Credit: Bounce TV
This multi-cam sitcom originally aired on Bounce TV and made a splash when it first arrived on Netflix. Starring comedy heavyweights Kim Whitley, Tisha Campbell and Yvette Nicole Brown, the series centers around three successful women in their 50s who are living their best lives together in the Washington DC area.
Netflix has been a great secondary home for the series, helping it reach a much wider audience beyond its original network run. Unfortunately, its licensing window was relatively short, only two years, and it will expire with the rest of the May 21 departures. Sadly, the series never received a season 2 renewal.
Departure on 31st May
Dirty John (seasons 1–2)
Image Credit: USA Network
Originally airing on Bravo and USA Network, this true-crime anthology series was a huge hit when it first premiered. The first season features Connie Britton and Eric Bana adapting the hit podcast about a charismatic con man who infiltrates a wealthy family. The second season focuses on “The Betty Broderick Story”, starring Amanda Peet and Christian Slater in telling the gripping tale of an infamous divorce and double murder.
While Dirty John was branded as a Netflix Original in several international territories, it remained a licensed property in the United States. It’s been on a long leash, with the series now ending just five years after a second season was added. Documentary Now! As such, this series is not available on Netflix’s ad tier.
Departure on 31st May
Your Honor (Seasons 1-2)
This is undoubtedly the biggest loss of this month. Starring Bryan Cranston, this Showtime prestige thriller was a certified monster hit when Netflix licensed it back in the summer of 2024. It dominated the Netflix Top 10 for weeks, proving once again the power of the “Netflix bump” for premium cable drama.
Cranston plays a respected New Orleans judge whose life spins out of control after his teenage son is involved in a hit-and-run that is linked to an organized crime family. As is standard in many of these Paramount/Showtime deals, Netflix secured exactly a two-year term. The show debuted on Netflix US on May 31, 2024 and is scheduled to depart exactly 24 months later.
Which of these series will you finish before leaving Netflix? Let us know in the comments below.
