The Best Netflix Originals Coming in May 2023

Netflix has more than 50 new releases coming out in May — it’s a lot to sort through in an already seemingly endless catalog of documentaries, TV shows, and movies. There are of course plenty of highly anticipated releases coming this month, like Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, XO, Kitty, and Season 3 of I Think You Should Leave (and don’t worry, we’ll be diving deeper into those soon). But we’ve handpicked seven Netflix originals to stream next month, ranging from insightful documentaries about well-known figures to satirical animated comedies and even more reality dating shows.

Love Village (May 2)

This Japanese reality show is a more wholesome version of Netflix’s other dating series: Singles 35 and older move into a house in the countryside for a chance at love. Many have failed relationships, kids, and other baggage that they’re bringing to the table — will they be honest about what they’re looking for or fall into old patterns? Atsushi Tamura (Rea(L)ove) and Becky (Ainori Love Wagon: Asian Journey) host and provide commentary on all the action.

Jewish Matchmaking (May 3)

Following the success of Indian Matchmaking, this reality series focuses on a matchmaker pairing up Jewish couples who want a partner who also prioritizes their culture. Matchmaker Aleeza Ben Shalom has just one golden rule: “Date ’em until you hate ’em.” The daters come from the U.S. and Israel and promise to be just as picky — and entertaining — as some of the Indian Matchmaking cast members.

Queen Cleopatra (May 10)

Jada Pinkett Smith is the executive producer and narrator of this documentary series taking a closer look at the Egyptian queen beyond how she’s been depicted elsewhere in Hollywood. The series features interviews with experts alongside dramatic and cinematic re-enactments to highlight Cleopatra’s culture, connections to other prominent leaders of the time, and her fight to protect her throne.

Ultraman, Season 3 (May 11)

This will be the final season of the anime, which follows Shinjiro, the son of Ultraman, and his fight to protect Earth from an alien threat. Even though Shinjiro has been channeling his inherited powers for good, there’s an evil force that is bubbling just beneath the surface. Whether or not he gives into the darkness of Ultraman remains to be seen.

Mulligan (May 12)

Creators Robert Carlock (30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) and Sam Means (The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) have assembled a hilarious ensemble to voice their new animated show. Nat Faxon, Chrissy Teigen, Tina Fey, Sam Richardson, Dana Carvey, Phil LaMarr, Ayo Edebiri, Daniel Radcliffe, and Ronny Chieng all star in the series as survivors of an alien attack who must rebuild civilization as they know it.

Anna Nicole Smith: You Don’t Know Me (May 16)

This documentary is the latest reassessment of maligned women of the ’90s. Director Ursula Macfarlane (Untouchable, Charlie Hebdo: 3 Days That Shook Paris) focuses on the unseen aspects of Anna Nicole Smith’s life, piecing together home videos and other never-before-seen footage with interviews with friends and family who haven’t spoken about Smith’s life before. With this project, she’s attempting to offer a new perspective on the star’s highly publicized life and humanize her behind the headlines.

FUBAR (May 25)

Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in this action-comedy as a CIA agent who discovers his daughter is also an agent, his first leading role in live action television ever. Just after his retirement, Luke (Schwarzenegger) is pulled back in for one more job. His partner? His daughter, Emma (Monica Barbaro). The cast includes Milan Carter, Fortune Feimster, Travis Van Winkle, Jay Baruchel, Andy Buckley, Aparna Brielle, Barbara Eve Harris, Fabiana Udenio, and Gabriel Luna.

Look for more promising premieres from Netflix and other programmers in our monthly preview, running on April 28. You can check out a complete list of Netflix’s comings and goings here.

Brianna Wellen is a TV Reporter at Primetimer who became obsessed with television when her parents let her stay up late to watch E.R.