5 New Movies to Stream on Netflix in May

April showers bring May flowers, and May flowers bring allergies. Also Pilgrims. The point is, why not keep the pollen at bay for a while and watch a movie? Here are five new-to-Netflix films to check out this month.

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Reese Witherspoon in ‘Legally Blonde’ (Everett Collection)

Legally Blonde (2001)
Reese Witherspoon’s run as America’s sweetheart began with this now classic comedy, which went on to inspire a sequel (Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, also on Netflix this month) and a hit Broadway musical. The story of Elle Woods, California debutante–turned–Harvard Law student, stays fresh by subverting all our rom-com expectations: The dumb blonde is brilliant, the mean girls are sympathetic, and getting the guy is secondary to getting a degree.

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Andre Benjamin as Jimi Hendrix in ‘Jimi: All is By My Side’ (Associated Press/ XLrator Media)

Jimi: All is By My Side (2014)
With so many biopics coming out every year, it’s no wonder that some of them fall through the cracks. But considering the buzz over Andre Benjamin’s performance as guitar legend Jimi Hendrix, it’s surprising that this one didn’t get more attention. Jimi: All is By My Side follows Hendrix during his transformation into a rock star in late ’60s London, aided by the women in his life (played by Imogen Poots and Hayley Atwell). Though writer-director John Ridley (who won an Oscar for writing 12 Years a Slave) was unable to include Hendrix’s best-known hits, Benjamin brings his rock-star bona fides to a few choice covers of ‘60s classics.

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A still from Martin Scorsese’s concert film 'The Last Waltz’ (Everett)

The Last Waltz (1978)
Great concert films are few and far between, and this Martin Scorsese movie ranks as one of the best. The Last Waltz energetically documents the 1976 farewell concert of The Band, including dozens of special guests from the rock-and-roll pantheon. Enjoy the sensation of your jaw dropping lower and lower as one iconic performer after another (Joni Mitchell! Van Morrison! Neil Diamond!) takes the stage to pay tribute to the guys who sang “The Weight” and jammed at Big Pink with Bob Dylan.

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Michael B. Jordan in 'Fruitvale Station’ (AP Photo/The Weinstein Company, Ron Koeberer)

Fruitvale Station (2013)
One of the most talked-about indie movies of 2013, this wrenching drama has only become more relevant over the past two years. Michael B. Jordan stars in the true story of Oscar Grant, a young man who was killed by police at an Oakland, California train station on New Year’s Day 2009. If you’ve been paying attention to trailers, you’ll recognize Jordan as Johnny Storm in this summer’s Fantastic Four movie. He’s also going to play Apollo Creed’s son in the upcoming Rocky spin-off Creed (directed by Fruitvale Station helmer Ryan Coogler). (Coming May 12)

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Christoph Waltz in 'Inglourious Basterds’ (Francois Duhamel/Weinstein Company)

Inglourious Basterds (2009)
The perfect fantasy of a World War II movie, Inglourious Basterds is almost gleeful in its inaccuracy. It’s also a taut, superbly made flick that ranks among Quentin Tarantino’s best ensemble films. Brad Pitt plays the leader of the Basterds, a squad of Jewish-American soldiers who set out to take down Nazi leaders in occupied France. Christoph Waltz won an Oscar for his breakout performance as the terrifying SS officer Hans Landa. (Coming May 22.)

Other movies coming to Netflix in May:

May 1
Beyond Clueless (2014)
No No: A Dockumentary (2014)
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005)
Underclassmen (2015)

May 3
Anita (2013)

May 5
A Few Best Men (2011)

May 6
The Longest Week (2014)
Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas (2013)

May 9
Jinn (2014)
The Liberator (2013)

May 12
Extraterrestrial (2014)
Magical Universe (2013)

May 13
The Identical (2014)

May 15
Cyber-Seniors (2014)
Dawg Fight (2015)
Give Me Shelter (2014)

May 16
First Period (2013)

May 17
Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast (2015)

May 19
Before I Disappear (2014)
Girlhood (2014)
Zombeavers (2014)

May 22
The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob Weir (2014)

May 23
Antarctica: A Year on Ice (2013)
The Boxtrolls (2014)

May 24
Love and Honor (2013)
Welcome to the Punch (2013)

May 27
Before I Go to Sleep (2014)

May 29
Hot Girls Wanted (2015)