There is something electric about glancing at Netflix’s Top 10—it tells you what everyone is watching, what you are missing out on, and sometimes even sets up a weekend plan. In May, the streaming giant’s content in India has taken an interesting turn with a variety of global thrillers, Indian courtroom dramas, throwback returns, and some niche titles long overdue for a share of the spotlight. Let’s dissect what people are streaming most on Netflix right now — and why they’re so good.
Top 10 Netflix Movies – May 2025
1. Sikandar
Starring Salman Khan, it is an action-drama with high octane. The movie is about Sanjay “Sikandar” Rajkot, a strong man who battles against a corrupt system in his quest for justice and in defending victims of a tragic accident, most time involving a retaliatory politician.
2. The Diplomat
No, not the American one — this Indian iteration ventures into political games of chess and diplomatic double-crossings that verge uncomfortably close to real-life events. Absorbingly thorough, suave, with a crackle of good writing.
3. Jack
This is not a run-of-the-mill thriller. Jack starts slowly but builds up into a psychological rollercoaster that plays around with your mind until the very end. If you enjoy slow burners that pay off, this one’s for you.
4. Good Bad Ugly
An indie sleeper that’s crept its way up the charts. The sheer nature of the film lies in its rawness — a moral issue played out on a gritty Indian landscape. It’s brutal, truthful, and strangely poetic.
5. Mission: Impossible- Dead Reckoning
Tom Cruise proves once again that age is just a number. This high-octane actioner brings everything you’d expect — stunning stunts, spy drama, and popcorn-worthy thrills.
6. Court: State vs A Nobody
Indian legal thrillers usually fall flat — not this one. Court is a masterclass in building tension, reminding us that sometimes the most subdued of stories make the biggest noise.
7. Fear Street: Prom Queen
For teen-nostalgia-infused horror buffs. Netflix does R.L. Stine proud in a slasher-flick horror film that pairs prom-night superficiality with evil secrets.
8. Officer on Duty
A lesser-known but cherished gem, Officer mixes crime and ethics, where a morally complicated police officer is trapped between duty and individual tragedy. The cinematography adds to the suspense, as the movie is impossible to turn away from.
9. Deva
sharp cop unravelling a high-stakes case, the film blends action with emotional depth and moral dilemmas. Pooja Hegde adds substance to the story, making Deva a gripping, fast-paced thriller that redefines the Bollywood cop genre.
10. Chhavva
A historical action drama based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, son of the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Starring Vicky Kaushal, it depicts Sambhaji’s valour, strategic brilliance, and unwavering fight against the Mughal Empire, showcasing his legacy and sacrifices for the Maratha kingdom.
Top 10 Netflix Series – May 2025
1. The Royals
A dramatised version of the British monarchy, the show delves deep into palace rumours, private scandals, and the pressure of wearing the crown. Think The Crown, but grittier and less sanitised.
2. American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden
A suspenseful recounting of the manhunt that defined a generation, this docu-series uses archival footage and electrifying narration to bring history to life as a thriller.
3. RAW
For wrestling fans, no introduction is needed. WWE RAW brings the big-time action, drama, and athleticism of pro wrestling to your living room, with weekly battles, gravity-defying stunts, and beloved superstars. If sports entertainment with adrenaline is your cup of tea, RAW remains a reliable option.
4. Sirens
This overlooked Korean mini-series has drawn global attention. 24 women from different professions compete on a remote island. It’s something other than the usual Top 10.
5. Bet
Adapted from the Japanese manga “Kakegurui.” This Netflix series is set in an elite boarding school where students’ social standing is determined by high-stakes gambling. A new transfer student, Yumeko, arrives to challenge the school’s intense hierarchy.
6. Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders
Documentary-based on true events, this docu-series true crime show deconstructs the 1982 Chicago poisonings. Methodical, sinister, and uncannily human.
7. Tastefully Yours
A romantic dramedy within a food blogger’s life, it is an energetic escape with warm experiences and drool-inducing shots.
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8. Our Unwritten Seoul
In contemporary South Korea, this slice-of-life drama is a musical poem of music, heartbreak, and urban dreams.
9. When Life Gives You Tangerines
The series centres on Ae-sun, who is struggling on Jeju Island, and Gwan-sik, a man who assists her in overcoming these challenges. The series delves into themes of resilience, love, and the unbreakable strength of family.
10. Dabba Cartel
An Indian thriller that peels back the dabbawalas and drug cartels’ world. Imagine Sacred Games, but in Mumbai’s lunch mafia.
Highlights
- Sikandar and Court finding favour as cult among Indian thrillers
- Mission: Impossible- Dead Reckoning continues to attract huge viewership
- True crime fans relishing American Manhunt and Tylenol Murders
- Increasing popularity of Marathi and Korean content
- Dabba Cartel—the season’s best-kept secret Indian thriller
Final Thought
These titles capture a larger viewer shift — marrying blockbuster appeal to regional narrative, true crime to fiction, and high-octane drama to depth. Netflix’s algorithm is apparently tuning in more keenly to India’s diverse sensibilities, and the outcome is binge-worthy.
Writer – Subham Choudhary