Netflix's May 2026 lineup of documentaries is here to add a sporty vibe to the Summer heat. Next month’s slate carries 10 documentaries, the majority of which will be sports-centric. But fret not, as sports will not be the only thing the audience has to watch in May. A true-crime and a biographical account have also made their way to the list. Therefore, the list caters to a wide range of audiences, giving a taste of different genres to cope with the heat.

Here’s the complete list of the documentaries coming to Netflix in May 2026.

 Countdown: Rousey vs Carano will land on Netflix on May 6 and will take the viewers to training camp with legendary mixed martial arts fighters Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano prior to their highly anticipated face-off on May 16. To make it more enticing, the documentary has Uma Thurman (Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction) as the narrator.

After amping up the audience with some combat training, Netflix plans to take football fans down memory lane. 

Dropping on Netflix on May 7, this documentary transports viewers back to Brazil's glorious win in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, which featured a dramatic penalty shootout final and many thrilling late winners. In addition to never-before-seen film captured by the players themselves, it includes unique interviews.

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To mix things up a bit, the streaming giant will next treat its members with a biographical account of a beloved Hollywood celebrity.

In this documentary, which features vintage footage, new interviews, and star-studded, never-before-seen home videos, famous comedian and actor Martin Short reflects on a life driven by happiness. Marty, Life is Short makes its way to the alleys of Netflix on May 12.

The slate will now recalibrate itself to the course of sports, particularly football.

This documentary follows the story of Jamie Vardy's extraordinary journey and his ascent to the top against all odds, from part-time football player to Premier League legend. The people who know Vardy the best - his wife Rebekah Vardy, Leicester manager Nigel Pearson, and Leicester teammates Wes Morgan, Marc Albrighton, and Andy King - appear in this docufilm to elaborate on his career and personal life. The documentary will knock on Netflix's door on May 12.

This list will now move from a personal account of a football stalwart to an analysis of a controversial event in the history of the game. 

The French football team's contentious 2010 World Cup and the bus strike that caused national indignation and international headlines are the main subject matter explored in The Bus: A French Football Mutiny, which releases on May 13. The documentary attempts to re-examine the case after 15 years to provide a comprehensive summary of the events.

The streamer again gives a breather from the frequent football entries with a true-crime boiler. 

A teenage girl becomes a prime suspect of murder when she crashes her car into a building, killing her boyfriend and his buddy. The Crash takes the viewers through the true events of a case that appeared to be an accident at first, but quickly became a murder trial. The documentary, releasing on May 15, analyzes the contradictory accounts surrounding the case to help viewers understand the case better.

From the world of true crime, the focus again shifts to football and the unpredictable nature of sports.  

Liverpool was behind 3-0 at half-time in the 2005 Champions League final. What transpired next changed the course of history. Numerous accounts of the Miracle of Istanbul have already been published; feature films on the epic comeback have even been made. However, the documentary releasing on May 19 is expected to be the definitive synopsis of the narrative.

While Liverpool’s 2005 victory was inspiring, the life story of James Rodriguez is not something less than that.  

In this documentary series, which debuts on Netflix on May 21, Colombia's legendary No. 10 James Rodriguez offers unique perspectives on his ascent to stardom, scandals, and aspirations for his squad. He is still a respected figure in Colombian football, even though his career didn't quite reach the enormous heights of other footballing greats.

From a Colombian football icon to a British footballer turned actor, the list is just getting diverse. 

This is the tale of Vinnie Jones (premiering on May 26), who went from being one of football's most infamous hard men to winning the FA Cup. But the most interesting part of his journey was his pivot to acting and starring in some of the most famous titles of Hollywood. Featuring alongside him in the documentary are football players John Fashanu and Bobby Gould, as well as journalist and TV personality Piers Morgan.

To take the audience out of the football field, Netflix has added a tribute documentary to a tennis legend and inspiration.   

This documentary series, which is narrated by Rafael Nadal, the Tennis legend himself, explores his enormous and remarkable career, his lasting legacy, and his last season on the court. It paints a picture of him as a man as well as a player, using never-before-seen archival material and unique access to his private life. The documentary will be available for streaming on May 29. 

The lineup is definitely sports-heavy, but there is something for everyone. The true crime and biographical have been added in between to give the audience a breather and avoid a sense of monotony. So far in the year, Netflix has given viewers some of the best documentaries, and it is expected that the trend continues with the May 2026 slate.

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Which one are you most excited about? Do let us know.