Inverse Recommends

11 astonishing sci-fi shows and movies on Netflix in May 2021

“I finally invent something that works!”

by Robin Bea
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

Netflix is all about brains this month, with plenty of zombies and high-concept sci-fi in the rotation.

Here are the 11 best sci-fi shows and movies on Netflix in May 2021.

11. The Mitchells vs. the Machines

The Mitchells vs. the Machines uses the tech behind Into the Spider-Verse’s incredible animation for the story of a family forced to look away from their screens to save humanity from robots.

10. Oxygen (May 12)

This claustrophobic thriller follows a woman who awakes with no memories inside a cryogenic stasis chamber and has only an uncooperative AI to help her escape.

9. Back to the Future series

Who doesn’t love Back to the Future? All three movies in the essential time travel comedy trilogy are back on Netflix, and they make for a great triple feature.

8. Army of the Dead (May 21)

Hot on the heels of the Snyder cut, Zac Snyder’s follow-up to his 2004 Dawn of the Dead hits Netflix this month. Army of the Dead is a combination zombie-heist movie, starring Guardian’s of the Galaxy’s Dave Bautista.

7. Zombieland

If you like your zombie movies on the sillier side, Zombieland has you covered. It’s got a likable main cast, some wildly gory zombie action, and a scene-stealing cameo by Bill Murray.

6. Resident Evil: Extinction & Afterlife

The Resident Evil movies might not qualify as “good,” but they’re some of the best bad movies around. The story is already well underway by the start of Extinction, but it doesn’t make more sense if you start from the beginning anyway.

5. iZombie

Newly undead med student Liv Moore finds that eating brains lets her absorb her meal’s memories and uses that knowledge to solve crimes. From its goofy premise, iZombie tells a surprisingly fun detective tale with a gruesome twist.

4. Kingdom

Unlike the other zombie stories here, Kingdom is dead serious. Its heroes fight not only zombies, but also political rivals in 14th century Korea, making it a great choice if you’re still not over the end of Game of Thrones.

3. Love, Death & Robots (May 14)

Love, Death & Robots returns with another series of bite-sized episodes about — well, it’s in the title. Here’s hoping it can match the production value of the first season but avoid the rampant sexism.

2. The Midnight Gospel

Based on Duncan Trussell’s podcast, The Midnight Gospel is like talking to a stoner about metaphysics at a party — if that stoner had a great sense of humor and the party was decorated by Adventure Time creator Pendleton Ward.

1. Jupiter’s Legacy (May 7)

Jupiter’s Legacy almost feels like a twist on The Watchmen, following a superpowered family living in the shadows of the world’s first superheroes — their parents.