New releases on Netflix this week
It seems like ages ago that Netflix was just a mail-in DVD rental service, attempting to disrupt the landscape of brick-and-mortar video stores. That's probably because nearly three decades after launching in 1997, the streaming giant pumps out so much content—comedies, documentaries, reality shows, and more—that it's hard to remember its humble beginnings. With nearly 270 million subscribers worldwide (as of April 2024) and a diverse online library of programming, Netflix has established itself as the primary platform for entertainment.
You can trace its exponential rise back to 2013 when it began producing "House of Cards," its first prestigious Emmy-winning series with big names behind and in front of the camera that could compete with the best of network and cable dramas. Then came "Orange Is the New Black," "Bloodline," "Narcos," and a host of other high-end offerings. More than 10 years into creating original content, Netflix is now a thriving hub for more than 6,600 movies, series, and specials, from dramas to stand-up to blockbuster movies, many of which feature A-list celebrities and respected auteurs making big swings and taking on dream projects. As of July 2023, more than half of the content on Netflix is originals.
These days, it's hard to break through the clutter, but Netflix's content has repeatedly pulled it off over a variety of genres: dystopian thrillers ("Squid Game"), period dramas ("Bridgerton"), and gripping sci-fi ("Stranger Things), to name a few. And its catalog is only expanding. Stacker compiled a list of the upcoming new releases on Netflix this week, between May 12 to May 18. Take a look at 20 new shows, movies, and specials that could be the streamer's next big hit.
