May is here, and while that brings the summer movie season in theaters, there are plenty of sizzling streaming suggestions too. Yes, it’s time for the Nerd’s Watch, the place to find out all the best genre titles coming to Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Peacock, and more. Plus, we do the work for you. These are just the titles we think you’d care about.
What follows is a list of the best stuff on all the big streaming services. We look at all those long, annoying lists and whittle them down to a few dozen titles that we think are noteworthy this month. Some are new, some are old, but either way, we’ll tell you why you should care. Or at least joke about it.
13 Going on 30 (May 1 on Netflix)
Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, and even Andy Serkis star in this heartwarming comedy about a 13-year-old girl who gets to become her 30-year-old self. Just lovely all around.
Jennifer’s Body (May 1 on Netflix)
Karyn Kusama’s 2009 horror film wasn’t a hit upon release, but every single day, the cult following grows, and rightfully so. Now, a spot on Netflix should only inspire people to join the cause as they watch Megan Fox eat evil men.
Starship Troopers (May 1 on Netflix)
One of the best sci-fi films of the 1990s is this action-packed satire about teenagers who join the military to travel the galaxy and battle killer bugs. It works on so many levels, and we’ll love it forever.
Waterworld (May 1 on Netflix)
Oh look. They made a movie based on the incredible stunt show at Universal Studios Hollywood! *Checks notes.* Oh, it’s the opposite? That doesn’t seem right. Anyway, Kevin Costner, sci-fi action—it’s weird but worth watching.
Black Phone 2 (May 16 on Netflix)
We absolutely adored this 2025 horror sequel from director Scott Derrickson, starring Ethan Hawke and Mason Thames. It’s everything good about the original, turned up a notch and made into a slasher movie. If you missed it in theaters, definitely check it out.
Nope (May 18 on Netflix)
As we patiently await whatever director Jordan Peele has for us in the future, why not look back at his fun, subversive alien invasion movie starring Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer?
The Punisher: One Last Kill (May 12 on Disney)
The Punisher won’t appear in Daredevil: Born Again season two, but a week after that show ends, we’ll get to see what the popular character is up to in this Marvel one-shot. It should also tee up events in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
Only Lovers Left Alive (May 1 on Hulu)
It still feels almost surreal that director Jim Jarmusch made a quiet, lovely vampire movie starring Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton. But he did. And it’s just as weird and fun as you’d expect.
The Prestige (May 1 on Hulu)
The film that many consider to be Christopher Nolan’s best is coming to Hulu this month. Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman star as rival magicians in this twisty, turny thrill ride.
Arco (May 22 on Hulu)
One of the most buzzed-about animated films of 2025 that didn’t feature “KPop” or “Demon Hunters” comes to streaming, and we can’t wait to get wrapped up in its incredible visuals.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (May 1 on HBO Max)
Are you counting the seconds until Miles Morales and the Spider-Verse crew return to theaters? If so, Across the Spider-Verse coming to HBO Max could serve as a nice way to pass that time.
Battlestar Galactica (May 1 on Paramount+ and Pluto TV)
One of the best sci-fi shows ever returns to streaming this month. The first four seasons, the prequel miniseries, and the film spinoff are all coming to both Paramount+ and Pluto TV, while the prequel show, Caprica, is also coming to Paramount+. Read more about all of it here.
Scary Movie 4 and 5 (May 1 on Paramount+)
The Scary Movie franchise returns to theaters this summer, and while it’s not necessarily a franchise you’re going to need to catch up on, if you’d like to do that, the two more recent installments are coming to Paramount+.
Super (May 1 on Paramount+)
Before he became arguably the most prolific and important filmmaker in superhero history, James Gunn showed off his love for the genre with this incredible 2010 film starring Rainn Wilson and Elliot Page. It’s brutal, it’s hilarious, and it’s a must-see.
Cowboys & Aliens (May 1 on Peacock)
Every few years I think to myself, “You know what? Jon Favreau directed a sci-fi western movie starring Han Solo and James Bond. I know I thought it was bad in the past, but that can’t be true, right?” And then I give Cowboys & Aliens another shot. Now that it’s back on streaming, I’ll probably make that mistake again.
Galaxy Quest (May 1 on Peacock)
Anytime this wonderful Star Trek-inspired sci-fi comedy starring Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Sam Rockwell, and others comes to streaming, I will let you know. Because it’s that good.
Hugo (May 1 on Peacock)
Legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese doesn’t often make films that stray from reality, but in 2011, he did just that with Hugo. And while it’s not one of his best films, it’s still fantastic. Oh, and a bonus. One of the other genre films on Scorsese’s resume, Shudder Island, is also coming to Peacock May 1.
The Martian (May 1 on Peacock)
Feeling Project Hail Mary withdrawal? Here’s some good news. The equally excellent film adaptation of Andy Weir’s first book, starring Matt Damon, is coming to streaming.
The Mummy (May 1 on Peacock)
Fresh off the news that the fourth Brendan Fraser Mummy film got moved up a few months, the Brendan Fraser Mummy trilogy is coming to Peacock. Which, yes, means that The Mummy Returns and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor are there too.
Stardust (May 1 on Peacock)
One of the most underrated fantasy films in recent memory arrives on Peacock. Truly. If you haven’t seen this, watch it tonight. Just a wonderful film starring Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Robert DeNiro, Sienna Miller, Ricky Gervais, and many more. Matthew Vaughn directs.
Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair (May 22 on Peacock)
It’s finally here. After years of only being available in select theaters, Quentin Tarantino’s ultimate vision of Kill Bill is coming to streaming. Plus, lots of other Tarantino films, too. Death Proof, Django Unchained, The Hateful Eight, Inglorious Bastards, Jackie Brown, Planet Terror, and Reservoir Dogs are all also coming.
Tales From the Crypt (May 1 on Shudder)
The Cryptkeeper emerged from his slumber and brought a gift. The entire run of this iconic horror show is coming to streaming for the first time. Read much more about it here.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (May 1 on Tubi)
Ang Lee’s poetic, unforgettable action film starring Chow Yun-fat and Michelle Yeoh is always worth a rewatch, and you can do just that this month.
The Mist (May 1 on Tubi)
With news of a new reimagining of this Stephen King story on the way, now is a great time to watch this Frank Darabont version and say, “How could anyone make something better than that?” Because this one is quite effective.
Let the Right One In (May 28 on Tubi)
Matt Reeves remade it as Let Me In, but that can’t touch this 2008 Swedish movie about a young boy who befriends a vampire who only appears to be his age. It’s gorgeous and hugely emotional.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
