Square eyes: All the TV shows and movies coming out this week
Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime continue to drop fresh batches of movies and TV shows each month, creating a steady flood of choices that can overwhelm even the most organized queue. This early May 2018 roundup captures the week’s notable premieres and theatrical drops across the major services, along with returning series and a handful of big-screen titles worth tracking.
New and returning shows
May 2
Cobra Kai: Season 1 (2018)
YouTube Red It’s Karate Kid for a new generation! 30 years on from the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament, an iconic rivalry is reignited when Daniel LaRusso learns that his high school nemesis Johnny Lawrence has reopened the infamous Cobra Kai dojo. Stars Ralph Macchio (The Outsiders), William Zabka (Back to School), and Xolo Maridueña (Parenthood).
Colony: Season 3 (2016-)
Amazon Prime Aliens attack Los Angeles, and the city’s residents must choose between collaboration or rebellion, and suffer the consequences. Meanwhile, a former FBI agent and his wife risk everything to protect their family from the invasion. Stars Josh Holloway (Lost), Sarah Wayne Callies (The Walking Dead), and Peter Jacobson (Transformers).
May 4
The Rain: Season 1 (2018)
Netflix Six years after a deadly virus has ravaged the population of Scandinavia, siblings Simone and Rasmus join a group of survivors in their search for safety. They’re also searching for their father, who they believe may have a cure. Stars Iben Hjejle (High Fidelity), Alba August (Below the Surface), and Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen (Department Q: The Keeper of Lost Causes).
Dear White People: Season 2 (2017-)
Netflix Students of color face the prejudices, micro-aggressions, and racial politics of daily life at their predominantly white Ivy League college. Stars Logan Browning (Powers) and DeRon Horton (Burning Sands).
May 6
I’m Dying Up Here: Season 2 (2017-)
Hulu / Amazon In the tough world of the 70s LA stand-up comedy circuit, a club owner named Goldie mentors a group of wannabe comics who are willing to sacrifice it all for a shot at success. Stars Melissa Leo (The Fighter) and Ari Graynor (The Disaster Artist).
Sweetbitter: Season 1 (2018)
Starz When a young woman moves to New York and stumbles into a waitressing job, she finds herself drawn into the chaotic but alluring world of drugs, drinking, lust, dive bars, and fine dining. Stars Ella Purnell (Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children), Evan Jonigkeit (Whisky Tango Foxtrot), and Caitlin Fitzgerald (It’s Complicated).
Vida: Season 1 (2018)
Starz A pair of Mexican-American sisters must confront a difficult past when they return to their old neighborhood in search of the truth about their mother’s identity. Stars Melissa Barrera (Perseguidos) and Mishel Prada (Fear of the Walking Dead: Passage).
Legacy of 2018 Streaming Originals
Many of the series featured that week launched during a decisive stretch for scripted originals on newer platforms. Cobra Kai moved from YouTube Red to Netflix and ran six seasons until 2025. Dear White People and Vida spotlighted diverse storytelling on Netflix and Starz. The period marked visible growth in prestige TV on streaming services, with shows that later built cult followings even after some ended early.
Where to Watch These Titles Today
Platform rights shift over time, so availability looks different now. Cobra Kai sits on Netflix; Colony remains on Amazon Prime and other services. Many 2018 films such as Tully and Anon stay on Netflix or appear as rental options. Classic titles like Amélie and the Rocky series cycle through major services on regular rotation, making it worth checking current libraries before buying.
Impact on Cast Careers
Several performers from these projects saw clear momentum afterward. Xolo Maridueña continued in major projects after Cobra Kai. Melissa Barrera moved into horror and other genres with growing visibility. Supporting casts from Dear White People and Vida advanced into film and additional series, reflecting the way 2018 streaming roles often served as launch pads for broader work.
Theatrical Releases That Defined Early May 2018
The week mixed comedies, thrillers, and family films with varying box-office results. Tully and the Overboard remake opened May 4 with mixed-to-positive reviews for Charlize Theron and Anna Faris. Bad Samaritan and The Cleanse offered genre thrills on limited releases. The Son of Bigfoot targeted younger audiences on the first of the month, rounding out a slate that balanced adult dramas with lighter fare.
Streaming catalogs evolve quickly, yet the titles that surfaced that first week of May still offer a snapshot of how platforms were reshaping what viewers could watch at home or in theaters. Whether revisiting a completed series or catching a film that has since moved libraries, the week remains a useful checkpoint for tracking the shift toward on-demand viewing habits that continue today.
