Entertainment

What's Coming To Netflix In May 2017 Will Have You Jumping For Joy

Netflix and I are in a stable, committed relationship, and we have been for quite some time, so just to keep life interesting, we like to shake things up once a month. You know, to keep the fire alive — as if you need to when you have partner as compelling as my baby, Netflix. But just when I thought I couldn't have any stronger feelings, the list of what's coming to Netflix in May 2017 has bowled me over once again. And not to get too effusive about my relationship, but the streaming service really does know exactly what I like, and makes sure to get me gifts I can share with all of my friends, too.

There are no last-minute coupons for a free back massage here — Netflix is really putting thought into this with something for everyone. There's Season 5 of the gripping thriller House of Cards, Tracy Morgan's long-awaited comeback special Staying Alive, feel-good family movies like Happy Feet, and romantic treats for your heart and your stomach like Chocolat. All this in a single month — and it isn't even my birthday, or our anniversary, or Valentine's Day. Netflix treats me and my pals like queens every day of the year, and the month of May is no different.

And all that Netflix asks in return is for some quality time with a glass of wine on the couch. Let's raise our glass to the best partner ever — here's to another month of being completely and totally understood.

1. 'American Experience: The Big Burn'

It's hard to make a bad choice when it comes to the compelling documentary series, American Experience. This one is about the largest wildfire in American history, which raged through the Colorado Rockies in the summer of 1910. (May 1)

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2. 'American Experience: The Boys Of '36'

Continue your feeling-smart kick with a trip slightly further forward in history, centering around the 1936 United States rowing team, who found victory at the Berlin Olympics in a country already gripped by Nazism. (May 1)

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3. 'Chocolat'

Word to the wise: Make sure you're stocked up on some treats before watching this classic, starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. Otherwise, the lush visuals will have you putting the movie on pause to run out for some chocolate. (May 1)

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4. 'Decanted'

If you enjoyed other food-and-wine-based documentaries like Somm or Chef's Table, check out this new edition, which explores the wine-making process specifically in Napa Valley, California. (May 1)

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5. 'Don't Think Twice'

Comedian Mike Birbiglia's look into the world of improv is as hilarious as it is charming. Plus, it's much easier to make time for than the improv shows I keep sending you invites to. (May 1)

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6. 'Forrest Gump'

My mama always said, "Life is like your Netflix queue. You never know what you're gonna get." (May 1)

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7. 'Happy Feet'

Animated penguins tap-dancing? That's all I need to hear. Plus, it also features the vocal talents of the late Robin Williams. (May 1)

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8. 'Nerdland'

Paul Rudd and Patton Oswalt provide the voices for this comedic, animated offering about an actor and a screenwriter who come up with a crazy plan to achieve the stardom they've always dreamed of before their rapidly approaching 30th birthdays. (May 1)

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9. 'Raja Hindustani'

Billed as "India's biggest box office hit of 1996," this romance, drama, and musical all rolled into one follows a poor cab driver who marries a wealthy woman, and the obstacles they encounter in their marriage. (May 1)

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10. 'Richard Pryor: Icon'

PBS brings you a look at the career evolution of controversial comic Richard Pryor, who took on previously off-limits topics like sex, drugs, and racism and made his audiences laugh at them. (May 1)

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11. 'Hija De La Laguna'

Translating to "Daughter of the Lake," this documentary is about an Andean woman with the power to speak to water spirits, who must protect the lake she believes to be her mother from the encroachment of a Peruvian mining company. (May 2)

Guarango Cine y Video

12. 'Maria Bamford: Old Baby'

Not content with just one venue for a stand-up set, this special follows the comedian Maria Bamford everywhere from park benches to bowling alleys. (May 2)

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13. 'Chelsea' Season 2

You've missed her, but now she's back. Chelsea Handler will return with her signature, straightforward insight on a wide range of topics beginning May 5, with a new episode streaming every Friday.

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14. 'Handsome: A Netflix Mystery Movie'

Watch Detective Gene Handsome as he juggles solving a murder and solving his personal life in this original movie starring Jeff Garlin and Natasha Lyonne. (May 5)

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15. 'Spirit Riding Free' Season 1

An animated, Oscar-nominated classic moves from the big screen to the small one. The wild horse Spirit's journey continues on Netflix. (May 5)

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16. 'The Last Kingdom' Season 2

The critically-acclaimed story of England's violent beginnings returns for a second season only on Netflix, and you won't want to miss it. (May 5)

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17. 'The Mars Generation'

Kids these days — always wanting to become astronauts and go to Mars. Wait, what?? Follow the journey of young minds dreaming big. (May 5)

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18. 'The Host'

If you liked Twilight, check out another page-to-screen project from Stephenie Meyer, about a strange race inhabiting humans and erasing their memories. (May 7)

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19. 'Anne With An E' Season 1

I can't have been the only person who grew up obsessed with Anne of Green Gables, so I feel confident that at least one of you will be able to commit to watching this reimagining of the series when it hits Netflix. (May 12)

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20. 'Master Of None' Season 2

Aziz Ansari and his razor-sharp wit are back as Dev Shah for another endearing, insightful season of the series he both co-created and stars in. (May 12)

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21. 'Sherlock' Series 4

The only thing I've ever found to complain about when it comes to the BBC series Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, is how long it takes to come back between seasons. So zip your lips and keep your eyes peeled for clues if you want any hope of keeping up with Sherlock Holmes himself. (May 15)

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22. 'Tracy Morgan: Staying Alive'

There's a lot to be thankful for as Tracy Morgan returns from his recovery after a near-fatal car accident in 2015, and his very-much-intact irreverence is at the top of the list. (May 16)

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23. 'The Break-Up'

Remember that time when Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn dated in real life? Hopefully their real-world breakup went better than their rom-com one, because duct-taping a line down the middle of your apartment can really wreak havoc on your flooring. (May 16)

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24. 'The Place Beyond The Pines'

Speaking of real life relationships, Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes met on the set of this 2012 drama in the style of a Greek tragedy, which also stars Bradley Cooper. (May 16)

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25. 'Riverdale' Season 1

The first season of the live-action, runaway hit based off of the Archie comic book series will make its way to the streaming platform soon, so you can catch up with all your friends, who've been talking about it for months. (May 18)

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26. 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' Season 3

You can't possibly be in a bad mood while Kimmy Schmidt is around, and Titus Andromedon is singing about Pinot Noir. So give thanks to the Netflix gods, who are bringing the twosome and all their friends (and enemies) back for a hilariously uplifting Season 3. (May 19)

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27. 'Inglourious Basterds'

Quentin Tarantino and an A-List cast, plus Nazis — what could go wrong? (May 22)

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28. 'Southpaw'

You had me at "boxing movie starring Jake Gyllenhaal," but I will stay for Rachel McAdams, Forest Whitaker, and Naomie Harris as well. (May 24)

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29. 'Bloodline' Season 3

The bad news is, your favorite, Kyle Chandler-starring series Bloodline has been canceled. The good news is, there's one more season, and it comes to Netflix next month. (May 26)

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30. 'House Of Cards' Season 5

Now more than ever, we need this fictional take on the ruthlessness of Washington, D.C. The Underwoods will return for a fifth season of ambition and cruelty late in the month, this time directed at each other. So now no one is safe, and I'd suggest sleeping with one eye open. (May 30)

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31. 'Marvel's Doctor Strange'

It's always a good day when I can put Benedict Cumberbatch on a list more than once. He stars as the neurosurgeon-turned-superhero Doctor Strange in Marvel's 2016 offering. (May 30)

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32. 'Sarah Silverman: A Speck Of Dust'

The frank and hilarious comedian Sarah Silverman has a new special out, and it will be all yours by the end of the month, for your hooting and hollering pleasure. (May 30)

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