Must Watch: Best of May 2025
Must Watch: May 2025
Welcome to WatchMojo, and in this installment of Must Watch, were looking at movies, shows, podcasts, and more that defined pop culture in May 2025.
#10: Overcompensating (2025-)
During his senior year of college, comedian Benito Skinner - known as Benny Drama on social media - came out as gay. This semi-autobiographical Prime Video series takes Skinner back to his freshman year as a journey of self-discovery begins. Having been Valedictorian, homecoming king, and a football star in high school, Benny enters college with his future mapped out. This path isnt true to who Benny is, though, inspiring him to improvise a new one. Accompanying Benny is Wally Barams Carmen, whos similarly trying to figure herself out. While in the tradition of raunchy college comedies, Overcompensating is a thoughtful coming-of-age story that challenges the notion of perfection. In reality, those who have seemingly achieved perceived perfection are often the ones holding themselves back.
#9: Mike Birbiglia: The Good Life (2025)
Life is full of difficult questions. Mike Birbiglia doesnt have all the answers, but he comes bearing humorous anecdotes. In the comedians latest Netflix special, Birbiglia reflects on his father, becoming a parent himself, and where the two intersect. One minute, Birbiglia reflects on a stroke that his dad endured, leaving the audience dead silent. The next, Birbiglia somehow manages to find humor in this personal tragedy. Even at its darkest, Birbiglias comedy always comes from a place of sincerity. Whether venting about childrens birthday parties or unpacking his meeting with the late Pope Francis, Birbiglia ties everything back to the biggest question: what is the good life? However you interpret the answer, youll walk away from this special wiser.
#8: The Four Seasons (2025-)
You dont need to see the original 1981 film to follow this Netflix series, although those who have are more inclined to understand the Alan Alda cameo. Hes far from the only familiar face in an ensemble piece that allows Colman Domingo to explore his comedic side while Tina Fey and Will Forte stretch their dramatic muscles. Steve Carell, who has been juggling comedy and drama for much of his career, again balances both as a man prepared to leave his wife of 25 years. This shakes up his friend group over the next year as the other couples begin to examine their own marriages. Some relationships last, others dont, but friendship bonds these people even during the worst times.
#7: Friendship (2024)
Speaking of friendship, what if we told you that Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd made a buddy picture from A24. The results are every bit as bizarre as Robinsons fans would hope. Those whove seen I Think You Should Leave know that Robinson has a reputation for pushing uncomfortable comedy to levels we didnt know existed. Writer/director Andrew DeYoungs first feature, which premiered at TIFF last September, is in sync with Robinsons brand of cringeworthy humor. Of course, nothing else is in sync as Robinsons character confronts a world gone mad. Or maybe hes the one going insane. Either way, Friendship had us laughing ourselves silly. If the person sitting next to you laughs along, then theyve passed the friendship test.
#6: Big Mouth (2017-25)
Season 8
One day, youre navigating the awkward moments that puberty springs upon you. The next youre still going through changes, but hopefully better-equipped to deal with whats ahead. This sets the tone for the final season of Netflixs longest-running animated series. The former middle schoolers find that depression, anxiety, and relationship problems are even more prevalent in high school. At the same time, it opens them to new experiences that may lead to more mistakes, yet room for growth as well. The future may be uncertain, but since theres nowhere to run, its better to face that blank horizon with a friend by your side. Big Mouth has been a true friend, telling us everything about sex that our parents and teachers were too afraid to.
#5: Bring Her Back (2025)
Australian filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou, or RackaRacka as YouTubers might know them, generated plenty of commotion with their first feature, Talk to Me. With Bring Her Back, the brothers deliver another atmospheric, unapologetically disturbing work of horror. At the center is a devilish performance from Sally Hawkins as a foster mother whos more than meets the eye. While Hawkins brings her signature enthusiasm to the role, weve never seen her as somebody so demented. Nonetheless, Hawkins finds the humanity in a woman plagued by grief, driving her to unspeakable measures. The film also spotlights young talent like Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, and Jonah Wren Phillips, who hold their own against Hawkins towering performance. The results will have you drowning in dread.
#4: Deaf President Now! (2025)
Gallaudet University was the first college dedicated to deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Despite this, hearing individuals largely made up the faculty for nearly a century. When the students demanded that the Board of Trustees finally elect one of their own, the response was equally condescending and infuriating: deaf people are not ready to function in a hearing world. These words proved to be the last straw, sparking a vocal student protest. Although Deaf President Now made headlines in 1988, the fact that many modern audiences probably arent aware of this milestone is a reminder of how the community has been largely hidden throughout history. In this inspiring documentary, the central figures refuse to go unseen and unheard any longer.
#3: Poker Face (2023-) Season 2
The first half of this crime comedys second season sticks to the proven howcatchem formula as Natasha Lyonnes Charlie encounters a slew of suspicious guest stars, including Cynthia Erivo, Giancarlo Esposito, and John Mulaney. Being a Rian Johnson production, though, Poker Face isnt afraid to subvert expectations either. The shifting settings and revolving door of characters throw a few curveballs, some quite literal. One of the overarching plot threads also reaches a crucial turning point early in the season, leaving Charlie and the audience to question, So, whats next? For now, Charlie is doing what she does best: befriending strangers and unraveling murder mysteries that she just kind of stumbles upon. Like Columbo, Charlie Cale is a character we simply enjoy watching. Thats not BS.
#2: Final Destination Bloodlines (2025)
Some franchises never die, even when the word final is in the title. After nearly a decade and a half, Final Destination returned with a vengeance. Bloodlines not only quickly became the series highest-grossing entry, but the best-reviewed as well. The Rube Goldberg-esque deaths havent lost their over-the-top touch as another group attempts to break the cycle. The film builds upon the franchises mythology, finally providing more insight into the mysterious William Bludworth, played by the late Tony Todd. Its sad to think this is one of Todds last roles. Given the nature of this franchise, though, its a poetic final bow for one of the greats. With or without Todd, we have a feeling Final Destination is far from finished.
#1: Thunderbolts* (2025)
From one long-lasting franchise to another. In the opening of Thunderbolts*, Yelena Belova sums up how weve felt about the MCU for a while now. Ever since Endgame, theres been an empty void in this ongoing saga. Maybe theres something wrong with us, the audience, or maybe were just bored. Yelena wasnt expecting a ragtag group of fellow rejects to reinvigorate her life. Just as the Thunderbolts give each other a new purpose, this film has restored many fans interest in the MCU. Although there have been some other good Marvel movies as of late, Thunderbolts* is the first in a while that took the series to new places, thematically and tonally. These arent the heroes anyone asked for, but theyre the ones Marvel needed.
What did you watch this past month? What do you need to catch up on? Let us know in the comments.