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Netflix adds more gripping thriller series, more true crime, comedy, and as always, a show for the kids. I'm not sure, but I believe those are all separate entries. Let's dive in and find out.
You can always rely on Netflix for shows that will absolutely freak you out, amiright? For me, it's usually the bizarre kiddie shows. Yeah, I know that for some people, it's those behind-the-scenes investigations of some sordid true crime. The great thing about your favorite streaming service is that they have something for everyone. And wow, is that ever true this week.
Based on their taglines, the penultimate offerings this week seem like they've been stolen from the Hallmark and Lifetime channels. I mean, two of the three movies involve widows. You know that's the main character in every other movie on those channels.
Then again, if they were that cheesy, they would be on some other streamer The final day is reserved for a bit of self-promotion, and it's well-deserved. Self-promotion by Netflix, not me.
Crime, comedy, and CoComelon gets the week rolling on Netflix
Let's start with CoComelon, the immensely popular animated series that started on YouTube. If you have a preschooler, this is their show. You might wait until they go to bed to watch the standup special, Mike Birbiglia: The Good Life. He shares some rather interesting views on fatherhood and keeping score. And yes, he's one of the best comedians working today.
You certainly need to wait until the kids are in bed to watch Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders. Some of you may not remember, but there was a time when taking a couple of Tylenol that you just opened could unalive you. Through three episodes, the show takes a deep dive into the series of crimes that had everyone in the U.S. on edge.
Time to lighten the mood. Thankfully, F1: The Academy does just that on Wednesday. The seven-part series tells the story of 15 women vying for a spot on the Formula 1 racing circuit. If you feel the need for speed, this is the real deal. Okay, that was really cheesy, but I'm watching this from day one.
Thursday brings three more shows. Losmen Bu Broto: The Series is a drama from Indonesia, set in a family-run hostel. The drama cranks up when the son gets a little too involved with a married guest. Another entry from Southeast Asia is Thailland's Mad Unicorn.
The intense drama follows a young entrepreneur facing cutthroat competition, especially from his old boss. Who hasn't wanted to do that at some point in their lives? I mean, succeed, not suffer.
The show I'm looking forward to more than any other this week is Dept Q. No, it isn't the movie series that began in 2013 with The Keeper of Lost Causes. This is a new British series, based on the same book series by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen. Matthew Goode is an English detective reassigned to Edinburgh to solve a series of cold cases. Make that ice cold. Expect brilliance from Goode in this series from the writer/director of The Queen's Gambit.
Friday brings those Lifetime and Hallmark vibes - but in a good way. A Widow's Game is a tense thriller from Spain, following a young widow (go figure) who becomes the chief suspect in her husband's murder. Fun fact - it's based on a true story.
The Heart Knows is a much sweeter story, in which a heart transplant recipient finds the widow of his donor. Pretty sure there won't be any stabbings in this one. For even more romance, catch the animated Korean film Lost in Starlight. It's all about the ultimate long-distance relationship, and wow, does it ever look good.
Netflix got a little greedy and saved Saturday all to itself. But when you're bringing the annual fan convention of the world's top streamer, it's understandable. Netflix Tudum 2025 will air live at 8:00 pm Eastern, 5:00 pm Pacific. You can catch clips from several of the big hits coming this summer. If you're watching Netflix - and if you aren't, why are you reading this - it's a can't-miss event.
New on Netflix this week: May 25-31
May 26
- Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders
- CoComelon
- Mike Birbiglia: The Good Life
May 28
- F1: The Academy
May 29
- Dept. Q
- Mad Unicorn
- Losmen Bu Broto: The Series
May 30
- A Widow's Game
- The Heart Knows
- Lost in Starlight
May 31
- Netflix Tudum 2025