It’s shaping up to be a magical May for film and television, with highly anticipated sequels and long-awaited stories finally hitting the screen. From a galaxy-hopping adventure to the rise of a global superstar, there’s plenty to look forward to this month. Here are some of the most thrilling releases to catch this May:
1. Mortal Kombat II
A sequel to the 2021 live-action reboot of the beloved video game Mortal Kombat, this violent and bloody action fantasy brings in more fan-favorite characters. Among the new faces are Karl Urban as the cocky but cool action film star Johnny Cage and Adeline Rudolph as the steel fan-wielding assassin Kitana. The franchise’s iconic villain Shao Kahn also makes an appearance as fighters are forced into brutal battles that will determine the fate of the world.
In theaters May 6.
2. Remarkably Bright Creatures
Based on the best-selling, award-winning novel by Shelby Van Pelt, Remarkably Bright Creatures is a touching drama about Tova, an elderly caretaker (played by two-time Oscar winner Sally Field) and her bond with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living in an aquarium. When a young man named Cameron (Lewis Pullman) asks Tova for help, the two set out on an emotional adventure in search of Cameron’s father.
Streaming on Netflix May 8.
3. Love Is Never Gone
Love Is Never Gone, the first Filipino teleserye to film in Morocco, is an action-packed and sexy new series starring Joshua Garcia and Ivana Alawi. Garcia plays Teo, a devoted son who falls victim to the alluring Yana (Alawi), a thief tied to a dangerous crime syndicate. As Teo tries to rebuild his life after being wrongfully imprisoned, he discovers the shocking truth about who Yana really is.
Streaming on Prime Video May 8.
4. Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
Everyone’s favorite baby Yoda (aka Grogu) is making the jump from streaming to the theater in the Star Wars universe’s first film since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker. In their first big-screen adventure, the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu are enlisted by the fledgling New Republic who are working to protect the peace that the Rebellion fought for. Directed by Jon Favreau, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu also stars sci-fi legend Sigourney Weaver.
In theaters May 20.
5. Spider-Noir
Nicolas Cage dons the Spidey mask as he stars in Spider-Noir, a Spider-Man spin-off that follows an aging and jaded private investigator named Ben Reilly in 1930s New York who also happens to be a superhero known as The Spider. Heavily influenced by noir films of the 1930s and 1940s, the series embraces a dark, stylized aesthetic that reflects its gritty origins. There are two options to watch: in “authentic” black-and-white or in “true hue” full color.
Streaming on Prime Video May 27.
If you’re looking for something else to watch, there are a ton of other titles to keep you entertained whether at home or at the theater. For Billie Eilish fans, her 3D concert film co-directed by James Cameron (yes, that one) comes out on May 8th, while Halloween comes early with highly-anticipated horror films Passenger and Obsession both premiering on May 27th.
Also, look out for new seasons of Citadel (May 6) and Four Seasons (May 28), while keeping tabs on new streaming shows such as Prime Video’s Off Campus (May 13), Apple TV’s Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed (May 20), and Netflix’ The Boroughs (May 21).
Whether you’re looking to swing from the rooftops with Spider-Man, fly through space with Grogu, or just hang out with a giant octopus, May is full of magical, mysterious, and exciting titles that are sure to keep you entertained throughout the month.