From the most-anticipated series like Heeramandi and Bridgerton Season 3 to romantic films like The Idea of You and Maxton Hall, this month has exciting new releases to keep you entertained. Here are all the new shows and films to watch on OTT platforms this May.
1. Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar
Sanjay Leela Bhansali steps into the OTT space with the much-anticipated series Heeramandi, starring Richa Chadha, Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Sharmin Segal and Aditi Rao Hydari. The filmmaker brings his signature grandeur through the themes of love and betrayal in the lives of courtesans in the pre-Independence era. As per IMDB, the official plot synopsis reads, “Arch nemeses Mallikajaan and Fareedan are locked in a battle for succession of Heeramandi, where courtesans reign as queens. The only hope is young Alam, Mallikajaan’s youngest daughter. But what happens when Alam relinquishes power and chooses the love of one man over the adulation of many?”
Streaming on Netflix on May 1
2. The Idea Of You
Romantic dramas featuring couples with big age gaps are not uncommon but watching Anne Hathaway take on the role of a 40-year-old mum who falls in love with a 24-year-old boyband singer ( played by Nicholas Galitzine) is definitely on my radar. The Idea of You goes beyond romance to explore societal issues, judgement and ageism as larger themes. But if I’m being completely honest, I’m here for the sexual tension and steamy scenes.
Streaming on Prime Video on May 2
3. Bridgerton Season 3 (Part 1)
The first part of the third season is all set to give Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton’s love story the limelight, something that has been in the making for years. However, after Colin shows no interest in courting her, Penelope sets off on a mission to find a husband who will grant her independence in Season 3. Colin returns with swagger after his travels hoping to rekindle his friendship with Penelope. Feelings develop, but not without dramatic twists and turns. There’s also another crisis Penelope faces – hiding her identity as Lady Whistledown, especially now that her best friend Eloise learns about it.
Streaming on Netflix on May 16
4. Atlas
Jennifer Lopez is set to enthral viewers in a new sci-fi adventure film. Atlas revolves around a government analyst (the titular character played by JLo), who wants nothing to do with AI. But when she sets off on a mission in space to fight her oldest foe – the robot warrior who upended her life, technology is her only ally to help her defeat her enemy.
Streaming on Netflix on May 24
5. The Atypical Family
The upcoming South Korean television series stars Jang Ki-yong, Chun Woo-hee, Go Doo-shim and Claudia Kim. The story revolves around Bok Gwi Joo’s family with supernatural abilities but modern-day issues cause them to lose their powers, until Do Da He joins their household, instigating change.
Streaming on Netflix on May 4
6. Manjummel Boys
Based on a true event, this Malayalam survival thriller was first released in theatres in February and is all set to drop on OTT. The intense, gripping film is about a group of boys who go on a vacation to Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu, which turns into a daring rescue mission to save their friend from Guna Caves, a perilously deep pit from where nobody has ever been brought back.
Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar on May 5
7. Maxton Hall – The World Between Us
There’s something about love-hate high school romantic dramas. They’re cliche but everyone is lured into it. And this German web series is going to do the same. Based on Mona Kasten’s 2018 bestseller Save Me from Maxton Hall book series, Maxton Hall – The World Between Us unfolds the electrifying chemistry between quick-witted scholarship student Ruby Bell and arrogant millionaire heir James Beaufor. When Ruby unwillingly witnesses an explosive secret of James at the private school Maxtan Hall, he is determined to silence her at all costs. One thing leads to another and the next thing we see is a spark igniting between the two.
Streaming on Prime Video on May 9
8. Monsters At Work Season 2
Looking for a feel-good watch with your family? Animated series never disappoint. As a part of Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. franchise, Monsters At Work brings back the iconic best friend duo Mike and Sulley along with the new character Tylor Tuskman. It’s best to watch the first season before you start binging on the second, whose official synopsis reads, “In Season 2 of Monsters at Work, Tylor Tuskmon’s journey as a Jokester and his friendship with Val face the ultimate test. When new doors of opportunity unexpectedly open at rival energy company FearCo, Tylor’s co-workers at Monsters Inc. begin to question where his loyalties truly lie. As his Laugh Floor partnership with Val is pushed to the brink, Tylor must discover where he really belongs.”
Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar on May 5
9. The Broken News Season 2
A remake of the British series Press, The Broken News centres around the power struggles in the world of journalism, where each channel battles for the top spot. The show returns with a new season with actors Sonali Bendre, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Shriya Pilgaonkar reprising their roles as Ameena Qureshi, Dipankar Sanyal and Radha Bhargava, respectively.
Streaming on Zee5 on May 3
10. The Midnight Romance in Hagwon
The romantic 16-episode series centres around the relationship between a veteran star tutor Seo Hye Jin and a new lecturer, Lee Jun Ho, who returns to his alma mater. The plot summary states, “After resigning from a big company, Lee Joon Ho returns to the academy where he’d studied, this time as an instructor. He’s motivated by his lingering fixation on his first love, academy teacher Seo Hye Jin who has been a Korean language instructor for the past fourteen years. She became a star after the legendary incident called ‘Miracle of Daechi.’ Just when her life begins to feel settled, former pupil and troublemaker Lee Joon Ho, whom she’d helped get into a prestigious university ten years ago, shows up and stirs up chaos.”
Streaming on tvN on May 11
11. Acapulco Season 3
Starring and executive-produced by award-winning actor Eugenio Derbez, Acapulco returns with its third season, which reconciles past mistakes and exciting new beginnings. In the present story, older Máximo (Derbez) finds himself returning to a Las Colinas he no longer recognises. While in 1985, younger Máximo (Enrique Arrizon) continued his climb up the ladder of success while potentially jeopardising all the relationships he worked so hard to build.
Streaming on Apple TV+ on May 1
