Football Legends, True Crime Thrills, and Rafa Nadal — Netflix’s May 2026 Documentary Lineup Is Unmissable

May 2026 is shaping up to be Netflix’s biggest documentary month of the year. With the FIFA World Cup just around the corner, the streaming giant is leaning hard into football history — but there’s also a gripping true crime bombshell, a Martin Short retrospective, and a tearful farewell to one of tennis’s all-time greats. Here’s everything dropping and why you should care.

All 10 Netflix Documentaries Coming in May 2026

The Docs, Briefly Explained

Countdown: Rousey vs. Carano (May 6) — Narrated by Uma Thurman, this documentary follows former UFC champion Ronda Rousey and MMA legend Gina Carano as they head into training camp before their highly anticipated return to the cage on May 16, live from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. A must for combat sports fans.

USA 94: Brazil’s Return to Glory (May 7) — A look back at Brazil’s famous 1994 World Cup win over Italy in a penalty shootout, featuring exclusive interviews and never-before-seen footage filmed by the players themselves. Perfect pre-World Cup viewing.

Marty, Life is Short (May 11) — Martin Short — Emmy winner, Tony winner, and the beloved face of Only Murders in the Building — takes viewers on a guided tour of his decades-spanning career through classic clips, exclusive interviews, and never-before-seen home movies. Candid, warm, and genuinely funny.

UNTOLD UK: Jamie Vardy (May 12) — From lower-league anonymity to Premier League champion and 200 goals in 500 appearances for Leicester City, Vardy’s rise is one of football’s great stories — and the doc also covers the infamous ‘Wagatha Christie’ scandal involving his wife Rebekah Vardy.

The Bus: A French Football Mutiny (May 13) — A deep dive into the 2010 World Cup scandal where the entire French squad went on strike to protest the expulsion of Nicolas Anelka, sparking global headlines and becoming a symbol of one of football’s most dysfunctional eras.

The Crash (May 15) — The only non-sports documentary of the month, produced by the makers of Don’t F**k With Cats. It investigates the harrowing 2022 incident in which Ohio teenager Mackenzie Shirilla intentionally drove at 100 mph into a brick building, killing her boyfriend and his friend, and was subsequently convicted of 12 felony charges and sentenced to life in prison. Deeply disturbing and compulsively watchable.

UNTOLD UK: Liverpool’s Miracle of Istanbul (May 19) — The definitive retelling of Liverpool’s legendary 2005 Champions League comeback against AC Milan — overturning a three-goal deficit — featuring testimonials from Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Xabi Alonso, and Rafa Benitez among others.

James. (May 21) — A three-part series on Colombian star James Rodriguez — the man who lit up the 2014 World Cup with a golden boot-winning campaign and a dream transfer to Real Madrid — exploring his career highs, personal struggles, and hopes heading into 2026. whats-on-netflix

UNTOLD UK: Vinnie Jones (May 26) — The story of one of football’s most unique personalities — a fiercely physical player who reinvented himself in Hollywood, appearing in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, and Mean Machine alongside heavyweights like Brad Pitt. whats-on-netflix

Rafa (May 29) — Narrated by Nadal himself, this documentary chronicles the Spanish tennis legend’s final season on tour, his enduring legacy, and his personal life — with tributes from Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and John McEnroe. whats-on-netflix An emotional send-off to one of sport’s greatest champions.

As Wikipedia notes, Netflix has been investing heavily in sports documentaries, particularly around major global events — and May 2026’s lineup proves that strategy is only getting bigger and bolder.

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