Every month, all the major streaming services add a host of newly acquired (or just plain new) shows, movies, and documentaries into their ever-rotating libraries. So what’s a dedicated reader to watch? Well, whatever you want, of course, but the name of this website is Literary Hub, so we sort of have an angle. To that end, here’s a selection of the best (and most enjoyably bad) literary film and TV coming to streaming services this month. Have fun.

NEW:

“Wuthering Heights” (Streaming Debut)
HBO Max, May 1

Literary bona fides: based on Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights (1847)

If you couldn’t make it to the movie theater in the last two months (fellow parents of small children, I’m looking at you), you won’t have to wait much longer to develop your own opinion on Emerald Fennell’s divisive adaptation of Brontë’s classic. Is it ugly and boring? Is it gorgeous and brave? Will the lightning-fast transition to streaming restart the discourse? We’ll just have to find out together.

Lord of the Flies
Netflix, May 4

Literary bona fides: based on William Golding’s Lord of the Flies (1954)

The first television adaptation of Golding’s novel—developed and written by Jack Thorne, who also wrote Adolescence, came out earlier this year in the UK to general critical acclaim. There are only four 60-minute episodes, but they look pretty great (that is, if you can tolerate a show about how the tenuousness of society right now).

The Other Bennet Sister
BritBox, May 6

Literary bona fides: based on Janice Hadlow’s The Other Bennet Sister (2020)

Hadlow’s continuation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice imagines the fortunes of Mary Bennet, aka the boring (though not entirely ignored) one. The adaptation stars Ella Bruccoleri as the eponymous Mary, who goes on a voyage of self-actualization in London. Richard E. Grant (Mr. Bennet) is naturally there to make faces (and to make everything better, as he always does).

Remarkably Bright Creatures
Netflix, May 8

Literary bona fides: based on Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures (2022)

Shelby Van Pelt’s heartwarming bestseller tells the story of a 70-year-old widow who forms a bond with a giant octopus—who just might unearth a secret that will change her life. No one better for the role than Sally Field!

Amadeus
Starz, May 8

Literary bona fides: based on Peter Shaffer’s 1979 stage play Amadeus

Will Sharpe is Mozart and Paul Bettany is Salieri in this British TV adaptation of the classic play, coming to American screens this month. Is there already a perfect adaptation of Amadeus? No doubt. Should we generally stop remaking things? We should. But can’t hardly go wrong with these two actors, and so I am curious.

Off Campus
Prime Video, May 13

Literary bona fides: based on the Off Campus series by Elle Kennedy (2015-2021)

A pretend-dating romance set on a college campus—with some hockey in there for anyone missing Heated Rivalry.

Rivals (Season 2)
Hulu, May 15

Literary bona fides: based on Jilly Cooper’s Rivals (1988)

The battle is back on in the second season of Rivals, the decadent, soapy ’80s ensemble drama led by David Tennant and Alex Hassell. More fun is more fun!

Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War
Prime Video, May 20

Literary bona fides: based on Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan books

John Krasinski returns as Jack Ryan in a feature film continuation of the series that ended in 2013.

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THROWBACK:

She’s All That (1999)
Starz, May 1

Literary bona fides: based on George Bernard Shaw’s 1912 play Pygmalion (and My Fair Lady)

Nostalgic and tired millennials can rest assured that She’s All That is a literary adaptation, and therefore not embarrassing to watch tonight.

Minority Report (2002)
Hulu, May 1

Literary bona fides: based on Philip K. Dick’s “The Minority Report” (1956)

It may not have made it out of the first round of our bracket, but it’s still worth your time.

Mean Girls (2004)
Starz, May 1

Literary bona fides: Rosalind Wiseman’s Queen Bees and Wannabes (2002)

Speaking of millennial classics that are also technically literary adaptations…

The Prestige (2006)
Hulu, May 1

Literary bona fides: based on Christopher Priest’s The Prestige (1995)

Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, and Scarlett Johansson star in Christopher Nolan’s magician movie, but for the uninitiated, all you really need to know is that David Bowie plays Nikola Tesla. That pretty much explains the vibe.

Under the Skin (2013)
Netflix, May 1

Literary bona fides: based on Michael Faber’s Under the Skin (2000)

An adaptation that manages to be much more disturbing than its source text.