5 new Netflix movies and shows you need to stream this week (May 18-24)

Netflix is adding 23 new movies, shows and live events to the streaming service this week, and there are more than a few new titles worth adding to your watchlist. Top of the list is “Ladies First,” a new comedy movie starring Sacha Baron Cohen and Rosamund Pike that opens with him as a chauvinist boss before quickly flipping the script and putting her in charge. There’s also “The Boroughs,” a new sci-fi series with just a hint of horror vibes.

But the biggest thing coming to Netflix this week is Formula 1. For the first time, Netflix will stream an entire Grand Prix weekend, showing every practice, qualifying round and race from the Canadian Grand Prix. Having been to the Canadian Grand Prix myself, this race is my favorite on the F1 calendar, so Netflix fans can consider access to this live sporting event a major win.

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Netflix Top New Release Dates: May 18-24, 2026
Release Date	Title	Category	Why It’s a Must-Watch
May 19	“Wanda Sykes: Legacy”	Stand-up comedy special	The iconic comedy returns to Hampton University for a new, searing special.
May 21	“The Boroughs”	Science fiction series	New science fiction series produced by the Duffer Brothers (“Stranger Things”).
May 22	“Ladies First”	Comedy movie	Incredible cast that includes Rosamund Pike and Sacha Baron Cohen.
May 22	“Mating season”	Animated comedy series	New show from the creators of “Big Mouth.”
May 22-24	Canadian Grand Prix 2026	Live sports event	Netflix is livestreaming the entire F1 weekend in Montreal.

Malcolm McMillan

Malcolm has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. Every week, he hunts down the top shows and movies to watch on Netflix.

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Genre: Comedy movie

What it’s about: Damien (Sacha Baron Cohen) is, as the trailer says, “an asshole.” Alex (Rosamund Pike) is one of his employees. But their roles are suddenly reversed when blunt force trauma to the head sends Damien to an alternate plane of existence, where male and female gender roles are reversed; that means the women are in charge.

Why you should watch it: After watching the trailer, I’ll admit that I’m worried this movie will try to commit to the bit a little too hard. But I’m also a sucker for fart jokes, a pope named Beatrice and Rosamund Pike, so I’m still comfortable declaring it a must-watch on Netflix this week.

Watch “Ladies First” on Netflix starting May 22

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Genre: Live sports event

What it’s about: The Canadian Grand Prix is the fifth race in the calendar this year, and will be instrumental in determining if Lando Norris can defend his title against resurgent Mercedes and Ferrari teams.

Why you should watch it: For the first time, Netflix is livestreaming an F1 weekend. That means Practice, Sprint Qualifying, the Sprint Race, Qualifying and the Grand Prix itself will all be available to watch live as part of your subscription.

Watch all Canadian Grand Prix events live on Netflix from May 22-24

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Genre: Science fiction series

What it’s about: The titular Boroughs of this sci-fi series is a retirement community out in the New Mexico desert. And it’s where Mr. Sam Cooper’s (Alfred Molina) family just dropped him off to spend the rest of his days. But this elderly community isn’t all that it seems, and something (or some things) dangerous is lurking in the shadows, and just beneath the surface.

Why you should watch it: If you like your sci-fi blended with a bit of horror, then “The Boroughs” looks like the show for you. Well, at least, based on the trailer. If that’s not enough to sell you, though, the cast featuring Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard and Bill Pullman should do the trick.

Watch “The Boroughs” on Netflix starting May 21

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Genre: Adult animated romantic comedy series

What it’s about: “Mating Season” is an adult animated romantic comedy starring Nick Kroll as Ray, June Diane Raphael as Fawn, Zach Woods as Josh and Sabrina Jalees as Penelope. Except they’re not a group of human friends. Instead, they’re a pack of wild animals (literally) exploring love, sex, and the universal need to perpetuate the species.

Why you should watch it: If you like Nick Kroll’s brand of comedy, particularly the Netflix animated comedy series “Big Mouth,” then you’ll enjoy “Mating Season.” I can’t wait to start watching once it arrives on Friday.

Watch “Mating Season” on Netflix starting May 22

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Genre: Stand-up comedy special

What it’s about: Wanda Sykes returns to her alma mater, Hampton University, for her third Netflix comedy special. In “Legacy,” the iconic stand-up tears into everyone from President Trump to Robert F. Kennedy, and everything from the return of measles and hating on Cybertruck owners.

Why you should watch it: If you lean a certain way, politically, then you’ll probably find a great deal of catharsis in “Legacy.” If you lean the other direction … well, then you’ll probably have a bad time. I don’t think I need to elaborate further than that. I’ll let the trailer speak for itself.

Watch “Wanda Sykes: Legacy” on Netflix starting May 19

Everything new on Netflix: May 18-24

MAY 18

“Abraham Lincoln” season 1
“FDR” season 1
“Grant” season 1
“The Great War”
“Law and Order” season 23-24
“Navy SEALs: America’s Secret Warriors” seasons 1-2
“Nope”
“Theodore Roosevelt” season 1
“Thomas Jefferson” season 1
“Washington” season 1

MAY 19

“Untold UK: Liverpool’s Miracle of Istanbul” (UK) (Netflix documentary)

At half-time in the 2005 Champions League final, Liverpool were 3-0 down. What happened next made football history — as players recall in this documentary.

“Wanda Sykes: Legacy” (Netflix comedy special)

Wanda Sykes returns to her alma mater with a fearlessly funny takedown of everything from the state of the world to the cultural clash over washcloths.

MAY 20

“Carizzma” (AR) (Netflix series)

Caro Pardíaco, bubbly influencer and full-time diva, has it all — until her 30th birthday looms and a creepy stalker threatens to kill… the vibe.

MAY 21

“The Boroughs” (Netflix series)

In a seemingly perfect retirement community, a crew of unlikely heroes must stop an otherworldly threat from stealing the one thing they don’t have: time.

“James.” (CO) (Netflix documentary)

James Rodríguez, Colombia’s iconic No.10, shares exclusive insights on his rise to fame, scandals and hopes for his team in this documentary series.

MAY 22

F1 Canadian Grand Prix: Practice 1 (CA) (Netflix live event)

The fifth race of the 2026 F1 season begins with a free practice session.

F1 Canadian Grand Prix: Sprint Qualifying (CA) (Netflix live event)

Before the Grand Prix, racers will compete in an abridged Sprint Race to add to their 2026 point totals. This session will determine the starting grid order.

“Ladies First” (Netflix film)

A ladies’ man finds his life upended when he wakes up in a parallel world dominated by women. With the rules of engagement changed, he goes head-to-head with a fiery female colleague in a playful satire about what happens when the script is flipped.

“Mating Season” (Netflix series)

From the creators of “Big Mouth” comes this wildly raunchy adult animated comedy about love, sex and relationships set in the animal world.

“Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie”

MAY 23

F1 Canadian Grand Prix: Sprint (CA) (Netflix live event)

Before the Grand Prix, racers will compete in an abridged Sprint Race to add to their 2026 point totals.

F1 Canadian Grand Prix: Qualifying (CA) (Netflix live event)

The fifth race of the 2026 F1 season continues with a qualifying session to determine the starting grid order.

MAY 24

F1 Canadian Grand Prix: Race (CA) (Netflix live event)

The fifth race of the 2026 F1 season takes place at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal.

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