Image Credit: DreamWorks Pictures (Universal)/Netflix
Welcome to your weekly look at what’s coming to Netflix! As we approach the latter half of May 2026, Netflix is getting ready to introduce a heady mix of highly anticipated originals, a massive library of historical documentaries, and some major licensed films.
Whether you want to be scared by Jordan Peele NoLaugh out loud with comedy legend Wanda Sykes, or dive into some fascinating historical depth from the History Channel, your watchlist is about to get a lot longer. Let’s take a look at our top three highlights for the week of May 18 to May 24, 2026. You can see what’s to come for the rest of May 2026 here, and get an early look at what’s coming in June here.
The best new movies and shows on Netflix this week
borough (Season 1) Netflix Original
Coming to Netflix: Thursday
produced by stranger things Paired with The Duffer Brothers, this brand new sci-fi series is undoubtedly the biggest release of the week.
Swapping typical teenagers riding bicycles for a group of unlikely heroes in a retirement community, the series follows these seniors as they must come together to fight an otherworldly threat. Hunt? This threat is intended to steal the one thing they don’t have much of: time. Expect plenty of mystery, supernatural thrills, and plenty of heart.
Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie (2025)
Coming to Netflix: Friday
Parents, rejoice (or perhaps, brace yourselves) – the wildly popular Gabby’s Dollhouse franchise has finally taken the leap into a feature-length adventure!
Arriving just in time for weekend family movie night, this real-world/animated hybrid sees Gabby and her grandmother headed to Cat Francisco’s urban wonderland. But when her magical dollhouse is taken away by a crazy cat lady, Gabby must launch a daring rescue mission to reunite the Gabby cats. This animated/live-action mashup will be the longest-running children’s show in Netflix history, with more seasons on the way.
ladies First (2026) Netflix Original
Coming to Netflix: Friday
If you’re in the mood to start your weekend with a great comedy, look no further than ladies First. Directed by Thea Sharrock (Wicked Little Letters, Me Before You), this new feature film boasts the incredible headline pairing of Sacha Baron Cohen and Rosamund Pike. While Netflix has kept the finer details of the plot under wraps, combining Pike’s sharp dramatic-comedy style with Baron Cohen’s famous eccentricities is a surefire recipe for a certified hit.
As always, you can get a daily rundown of what’s new on Netflix via our hub page, which has a number of advanced filters to help you find something new to watch.
This week Formula 1 will also be on Netflix Live for the first time. We have yet to get more coverage on this but it will be live on Netflix on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The full list of new arrivals arriving on Netflix this week
Coming to Netflix on Monday, May 18th
- History Channel Documentaries:
- Abraham Lincoln: Season 1 (2022)
- FDR: Season 1 (2023)
- Grant: Season 1 (2020)
- The Great War (2024)
- Theodore Roosevelt: Season 1 (2022)
- Thomas Jefferson: Season 1 (2025)
- Washington: Season 1 (2020)
- Law & Order (Seasons 23–24)
- Navy Seals: America’s Secret Warriors (seasons 1–2)
- No (2022)
Coming to Netflix on Tuesday, May 19th
- Untold UK: Liverpool Miracle of Istanbul (2026) Netflix Original
- True Romance (1993)
- Wanda Sykes: Legacy (2026) netflix original
Coming to Netflix on Wednesday, May 20th
- Charisma (Season 1) Netflix Original
- Desi Bling (Season 1) Netflix Original
Coming to Netflix on Thursday, May 21st
- James. (2026) Netflix Original
- Monday Late Show (Season 1 – New episodes weekly)
- The Burrow (2026) Netflix Original
- The Unexplained (Season 7)
Coming to Netflix on Friday, May 22
- Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie (2025)
- Ladies First (2026) Netflix Original
- Mating Season (Season 1) Netflix Original
Coming to Netflix on Saturday, May 24th
- Bad Thoughts (Season 2) Netflix Original
- Ferrari (2023)
- Robocar Polly (Season 6)
What are you going to watch on Netflix this week? Let us know in the comments below.
