Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter
Mother of the Bride, another romantic comedy from Netflix's movie division, is the newest entry on this list. We've also removed Scoop from this guide as we don't consider it to be new anymore.
Searching for all of the new Netflix movies to arrive since late April? We've got you covered. Below, you'll find a small list of the biggest new movies (whether they're good or not) to join Netflix's movie back catalog. Our collection includes Netflix Originals and licensed films, too, so fans of the streamer's first-party offerings have something to peruse alongside their third-party cousins.
If you're in the market for even more recommendations, our guide on the best Netflix movies is also worth reading. Bookmark that page for later, though, and read on to learn all about the newest films to be released on the world's best streaming service.
New Netflix movies: May
Mother of the Bride
Release date: May 10
Runtime: 90 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)
Cast: Brooke Shields, Miranda Cosgrove, Sean Teale, Chad Michael Murray, Rachael Harris and Benjamin Bratt
Director: Mark Waters
Rotten Tomatoes (RT) score: 21% (critics); 30% (audience)
Are you ready for another underwhelming, easy-to-watch Netflix rom-com? Mother of the Bride is aimed squarely at you if so. Cosgrave plays Emma, who reunites with her mom Lana (Shields) to drop some unexpected news: she's getting married. In Thailand. In exactly one month. To make matters worse, the person that Emma is to be wedded to is none other than Will (Bratt), who broke Lana's heart years earlier.
As its RT ratings suggest, critics and general viewers have not had a good time with Mother of the Bride. Prepare yourself for an onslaught of generic jokes, hackneyed slapstick-based set-pieces, and cliched-yet-sincere narrative. Another of this year's new Netflix movies to leave at the proverbial altar.
Watch Mother of the Bride on Netflix.
Unfrosted
Release date: May 3
Runtime: 96 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)
Cast: Jerry Seinfeld, Melissa McCarthy, Hugh Grant, Jim Gaffigan, and Amy Schumer
Director: Jerry Seinfeld
RT score: 39% (critics); 56% (audience)
Netflix's penchant for releasing terrible comedies continues apace with Unfrosted, a film that satirizes the creation of the world-famous Pop-Tart brand. No, really, that's what it's about.
With an all-star cast and a wild take on the story behind the beloved toaster pastry's development, you might expect this to be a decent watch. Unfortunately, Unfrosted is as stale as an uneaten Pop-Tart that's been left on a plate for a day or two. We're sure it'll appeal to fans of childishly silly comedy films, but Unfrosted is a not-so-delicious addition to Netflix's original movies library. Devour one of this guide's other new Netflix movies instead.
Shrek
Release date: May 1 (US and Australia only)
Runtime: 89 minutes
Age rating: PG (US) / 12 (UK)
Cast: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow
Directors: Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson
RT score: 88% (critics); 90% (audience)
One of the best animated movies released this century, 2001's Shrek is must-see for film fans of all ages. With its hilarious subversion of fairy tales, iconic voice cast performances, smooth animation, banging licensed soundtrack, and more than its fair share of crudeness that only adults will pick up on, it's a bona fide classic that's also written itself into meme *ahem* folklore.
For the uninitiated: Shrek stars Myers as the titular green, reclusive ogre, whose swamp gets overrun by fairy tale creatures after they're turfed out of their homes by the villainous Lord Farquaad (Lithgow). With the aid of his annoying new bestie Donkey (Murphy), Shrek makes a pact with Farquaad to rescue Princess Fiona (Diaz) in return for getting his swamp back. Cue all manner of ridiculously over-the-top set-pieces, narrative twists, and plenty of laugh-out-loud, awkward and innuendo-based jokes.
Watch Shrek on Netflix. (NB: UK users can stream Shrek on Sky/NOW TV).
New Netflix movies: April
Rebel Moon – Part 2: The Scargiver
Release date: April 19
Runtime: 123 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)
Cast: Sofia Boutella, Ed Skrein, Djimon Hounsou, Michiel Huisman, Doona Bae, Anthony Hopkins, and Fra Fee among others
Director: Zack Snyder
RT score: 16% (critics); 49% (audience)
After the lackluster reception to its forebear – read our spoiler-light review of Rebel Moon Part 1 before watching Snyder's new Netflix duology – Rebel Moon Part 2 had the opportunity to completely change people's opinions on the filmmaker's burgeoning sci-fi epic universe.
Unfortunately, The Scargiver fails to give Snyder's Rebel Moon franchise a vital shot in the arm. Sure, it's more action-packed than its predecessor – indeed, Rebel Moon Part 2 sees Kora (Boutella) and her merry band of freedom fighters take on the tyrannical Imperium in a frantic, David versus Goliath, last stand battle on the idyllic moon of Veldt. But, while it makes us for lost time on the frenetic spectacle front, it similarly lacks compelling melodrama, fully rounded characters, or anything that we haven't seen from a sci-fi film of this scope and scale before. One for Snyder fanatics to enjoy, but there's little else here to enjoy for many other viewers. Watch one of these three sci-fi epic sagas instead of Rebel Moon Part 2.
Watch Rebel Moon – Part 2: The Scargiver on Netflix.
New Netflix movies: what's coming in 2024?
There are many more new Netflix movies to look forward throughout 2024. Here's a full rundown of what else is on the way in May and beyond:
- Thelma the Unicorn (May 17)
- Atlas (May 24)
- My Oni Girl (May 24)
- A Part of You (May 31)
- Baki Hanma vs Kengan Ashura (June 6)
- Hit Man (June 7)
- Ultraman: Rising (June 14)
- Trigger Warning (June 21)
- Drawing Closer (June 27)
- A Family Affair (June 28)
- Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (July 3)
- Blame the Game (July 12)
- Find Me Falling (July 19)
- Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie (August 2)
- The Union (August 16)
- Incoming (August 23)
- Family Pack (Q3 2024)
- Carry-On (Q4 2024)
- The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep (Q4 2024)
- The Electric State (expected 2024)
- Joy (expected 2024)
- Spellbound (expected 2024)
- That Christmas (expected 2024)
- Untitled Wallace and Gromit movie (expected 2024)
For more Netflix-based coverage, read our best Netflix shows and best Netflix documentaries guides. Alternatively, find out how to sign up to Netflix or get the lowdown on whether it's worth cancelling your Netflix subscription.
