3 Netflix Shows to Binge This Weekend (May 8-10)

Key Takeaways

• Lord of the Flies adaptation holds 96% on Rotten Tomatoes as Netflix's top new series
• Dorohedoro offers a visually inventive anime about a man with a lizard head seeking answers
• Steve Coogan stars in a new British crime drama arriving this weekend

Netflix's May slate is already producing hits. Man on Fire and Unchosen are climbing the Top 10. But this weekend brings three more additions worth clearing your schedule for: a literary adaptation critics are calling near-perfect, a bizarre anime that's earned a cult following, and a British crime drama with serious acting talent.

Lord of the Flies (96% on Rotten Tomatoes)

William Golding's 1954 novel about stranded schoolboys descending into savagery has finally gotten a television adaptation. The four-part limited series comes from Jack Thorne, co-creator of Adolescence, and it's the first time the book has been adapted for the small screen.

The setup remains faithful to the source: a group of 1950s British schoolboys survive a plane crash on an uninhabited tropical island. All the adults die. What follows is an increasingly tense power struggle between two factions. Ralph (Winston Sawyers) and the bespectacled Piggy (David McKenna) try to maintain order through democratic means. Jack, played by Lox Pratt, leads the Hunters toward something darker.

Pratt's casting adds an interesting footnote. He's set to play Draco Malfoy in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series, making this a preview of his ability to portray power-hungry antagonists.

At 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, the series is one of Netflix's best-reviewed releases this year. Four episodes means you can finish it in a single evening.

Dorohedoro: Lizard Heads and Magic Mayhem

If you're looking for something stranger, Dorohedoro delivers. The anime follows Caiman, a man whose head has been transformed into that of a lizard by a sorcerer. He can't remember who did it to him or why. His solution: bite the heads of every magic user he encounters, hoping the man living inside his mouth will recognize the culprit.

Yes, that's the actual premise. The series is set in a grimy world called the Hole, where sorcerers from another dimension use humans as practice targets for their magic. The animation style matches the brutality of the story, mixing CGI with traditional techniques to create something that feels unlike most mainstream anime.

Dorohedoro originally aired in 2020 and earned a devoted fanbase for its blend of horror, comedy, and genuine character depth beneath all the violence. If you missed it the first time, this weekend is your chance.

Steve Coogan's New British Crime Drama

Rounding out the weekend is a new British crime drama starring Steve Coogan. The actor best known for Alan Partridge and The Trip franchise takes on a more serious role in this addition to Netflix's UK crime catalog.

Details remain limited, but Coogan has proven his dramatic range in films like Philomena and Stan & Ollie. British crime dramas have been a consistent performer for Netflix, from Broadchurch alumni projects to newer entries like Bodies. Coogan's involvement suggests this one is aiming higher than typical procedural fare.

What Else Is Trending

Beyond this weekend's new arrivals, Man on Fire and Unchosen continue to dominate Netflix's Top 10. Both launched earlier in May and have maintained strong viewership numbers alongside positive critical reception.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes is the Lord of the Flies Netflix series?

Four episodes. It's a limited series, so the full story is contained in that run.

Is Dorohedoro appropriate for kids?

No. The anime contains significant violence, gore, and mature themes. It's aimed at adult viewers.

Who plays Jack in the Lord of the Flies Netflix adaptation?

Lox Pratt, who will also play Draco Malfoy in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series.

Is Lord of the Flies on Netflix a movie or TV series?

It's a four-part television limited series, marking the first TV adaptation of Golding's novel.

Source: How-To Geek