fbpx

May 2026 Watchlist: 43 Movies and TV Shows to Watch This Month

May 2026 is serving up something for everyone — whether you’re chasing thrills, laughs, or a good cry. From long-awaited sequels and franchise finales to bold indie films and prestige docs, this month is stacked. Fashion returns to the big screen, superheroes swing into theaters, Baby Yoda gets his movie moment, and streaming services are pulling out all the stops. Grab your popcorn — May is not playing around.

Swapped | May 1 | Netflix

A tiny woodland creature (voiced by Michael B. Jordan) and a regal bird (voiced by Juno Temple) find themselves in a body swap mishap. The two sworn enemies are forced to walk in each other’s feathers and fur as they embark on a wild journey together. The animated film is described as a Freaky Friday-like adventure set in the wild, also featuring Tracy Morgan, Cedric the Entertainer, and Justina Machado.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 | May 1 | In Theaters

Nearly twenty years after their iconic turns as Miranda, Andy, Emily, and Nigel — Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci return to the fashionable streets of New York City and the sleek offices of Runway Magazine in the eagerly awaited sequel to the 2006 phenomenon. Andy has grown up and is now a Features editor at Runway, but old tensions and new challenges at the magazine promise plenty of drama.

One Spoon of Chocolate |May 1 | In Theaters (Limited)

Unique (Shameik Moore), a veteran and ex-convict seeking a fresh start in a small town, has an altercation with a gang of locals and begins to suspect they may have something to do with the disappearance of young men in the area — including his cousin. As he digs for the truth, he finds himself the target of not only the gang, but the local sheriff’s office, whose involvement may be even more sinister. Directed by RZA and presented by Quentin Tarantino.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWOA1ZGywLbqmigxE4Qlvuw

Lord of the Flies | May 4 | Netflix

Stranded on an island, a gang of schoolboys create their own community – but when the rules vanish, the beast within awakens.

Citadel (S2) | May 6 | Prime Video

Citadel follows elite operatives of a legendary agency that was destroyed by a ruthless network backed by the world’s most powerful families. When a terrifying new threat emerges, the three agents are pulled back into action. Now they must recruit an unlikely team of skilled new operatives and launch a globe-spanning mission to stop a conspiracy that could reshape humanity. With blockbuster action, shocking betrayals, and an expanded ensemble of mysterious agents, the stakes have never been higher, and anyone could be friend or foe.

Jupiter Jones | May 7 | All Blk

Jupiter Jones, a new legal drama spinoff of its popular original series A House Divided.  The spinoff follows Jupiter as a sharp-witted lawyer and high-powered “fixer” taking on high-profile scandals and conspiracies, all while confronting a haunted personal past. The show is described as a thrilling mix of legal drama, betrayal, and redemption.

Legends | May  7 | Netflix

As drugs flood the streets of ’90s Britain, a team of civil servants is thrust undercover to topple the gangs behind it. Inspired by an untold true story.

M.I.A. | May 7 | Prime Video

Etta Tiger Jonze seeks to avenge her family’s murder and become the most powerful crime queenpin in South Florida.

The Chestnut Man | May 7 | Netflix

From a creepy clue left at a murder scene, detectives hunt for a killer linked to a missing child.

Mortal Kombat II | May 8 | In Theaters

The champions of Earthrealm, joined by Johnny Cage, are forced into battle against one another as they attempt to resist the rule of Shao Kahn, whose rise threatens the survival of Earthrealm and its defenders.

The Takeover | May 8 | In Theaters

The film, which uses hybrid animation, follows Guy Miller, a recent parolee drawn into the street racing scene in Atlanta. Miller is then coerced by international thief Gamal Akopyan to execute a high-stakes diamond heist.

Couples Weekend | May 8 | In theaters

Two couples—Alexandra Daddario/Daveed Diggs and Josh Gad/Ashley Park—whose New Year’s Eve cabin getaway turns chaotic when a blizzard traps them together. After a mysterious, intoxicating drink is consumed, hidden betrayals and infidelities are exposed, leading to a volatile showdown of secrets.

The Sheep Detectives | May 8 | In theaters

The film follows a flock of sheep, led by the intelligent Lily, who utilize the knowledge gained from their shepherd (Hugh Jackman) reading them murder mysteries to solve his murder

Give Me Back My Baby | May 8 | Tubi

When a couple chooses a surrogate for their baby, they unknowingly open the door to an obsession that could cost them everything.

K-Everything | May 9 | CNN

Daniel Dae Kim goes on a quest to discover how South Korea has sparked a global pop culture movement, driving trends in music, food, TV and film.

The Roast of Kevin Hart | May 10 8/7c | Netflix

The Roast of Kevin Hart is a live Netflix comedy special set as the grand finale of the “Netflix Is a Joke Fest.” Hosted by Shane Gillis, comedian and media mogul Kevin Hart takes the “hot seat” to be roasted by his peers.

Zatima (S4B) | May 12 | Paramount+

Zac and Fatima’s relationship is entering a more complicated phase. As they move through major personal milestones, the outside pressure around them starts to hit harder than ever. The official synopsis teases shifting loyalties, emotional strain, and unexpected obstacles that force their entire circle to confront uncomfortable truths. New opportunities are emerging at the same time past tensions resurface—raising the emotional stakes and pushing relationships to a breaking point. At the center of it all are Zac and Fatima, who are now forced to decide how much they can endure without losing what they’ve built.

Cotton Candy Bubble Gum | May 12 | VOD

Carter, a 21-year-old momma’s boy who still lives at home, sees his cushy life crumble before his eyes when his mom gets engaged to a spiteful cop who can’t wait to kick him out. But when Carter gets an opportunity to turn his internship into a full-time assistant position, he offers to pay rent to his mom, who reneges and gives in. The only problem is that he must complete the impossibly long list of tasks his boss throws him, including babysitting his teenage son. But after the antics of his drug dealer friend lead him down a path of chaotic situations, including a standoff with a world-famous rapper, his fortitude, character, and grit are pushed to the limits in this coming-of-age comedy.

Marty, Life Is Short | May 12 | Netflix

Follows the story of comedian Martin Short, exploring his career across film, television, theater and comedy.

The Punisher: One Last Kill | May 12 | Netflix

Frank tries to live without vengeance but is drawn back into action when an “unexpected force” threatens him, forcing him to take on one last, brutal mission.

Good Omens S3 | May 13 | Prime Video

Instead of a full season, it will be a 90-minute special focusing on the aftermath of the Season 2 breakup, featuring a fractured Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) and Crowley (David Tennant) reuniting to handle the “Second Coming” and a new, personal apocalypse.

 

Roosters (S2) | May 13 | Netflix

It follows four Dutch friends continuing to navigate modern life, relationships, and careers while struggling with outdated notions of masculinity in a world of empowered women. The new season shows the men returning, “more confused than ever,” attempting to adapt to new realities.

Nemesis (Series Premiere) | May 14 | Netflix

Nemesis centers on the intense rivalry between two men on opposite sides of the law: Detective Isaiah Stiles and master thief Coltrane Wilder. The series explores themes of obsession, power, and the destruction of personal lives, challenging traditional heist genre norms within a “neo-noir” Los Angeles setting

Is God Is | May 15 | In Theaters

Twin sisters with disfiguring burn scars are ordered by their bedridden mother to kill their abusive father who caused their scars. They must decide whether to seek vengeance or find mercy.

 

Rivals (S2) | May 15 | Hulu

The new season follows a vengeful Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) as he battles to maintain control of Corinium TV against rivals Rupert Campbell-Black and Declan O’Hara in the high-stakes, decadent world of 1980s British television. The season focuses on the escalating war for the franchise, explosive romances, and personal dramas of the Rutshire elite.

The Crash | May 15 | Netflix

A teen slams her car into a building, killing her boyfriend and his friend. What seems like a tragic accident becomes a murder case.

Wanda Sykes: Legacy | May 19 | Netflix

With the trademark wit, Sykes delivers an hour of bold, smart, and laugh-out-loud comedy that cements her legacy as a comedy icon.

Jack Ryan Ghostwar | May 20 | Prime Video

Jack Ryan reunites with CIA operatives to navigate betrayal from an enemy who knows their moves and faces a past once thought settled.

The Boroughs | May 21 | Netflix

In a seemingly picturesque retirement community, a group of unlikely heroes must band together to stop an otherworldly threat from stealing the one thing they don’t have, time.

I Love Boosters | May 22 | In Theaters

A crew of young women is turning shoplifting into a radical act of defiance. Led by Corvette, the Boosters move through Oakland — boosting coveted goods as both survival and protest against a system built on exclusion. When their feud with fashion mogul Christine Smith turns personal and their exploits go viral, they plan one final, audacious heist. With unexpected allies and a little supernatural power on their side, what started as survival becomes something revolutionary.

The Chi (Final Season ) | May 22 | Paramount+

The Chi season eight, the final chapter, focuses on the South Side characters navigating their “coldest winter ever,” featuring high-stakes, life-or-death decisions. The final season promises an emotional conclusion to storylines regarding legacy, conflict, and joy, following the fallout of previous deaths and shifting loyalties among Emmett, Kiesha, Victor, and the crew.

The Mandalorian & Grogu | May 22 | In Theaters

The evil Empire has fallen but Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they enlist the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin and his young apprentice Grogu.

Passenger | May 22 | In Theaters

A few weeks into their van-life adventure, a young couple witnesses a horrific accident that leaves the driver dead. Soon they’re being pursued by a demonic stalker who’s impossible to outrun and follows them wherever they go.

Corporate Retreat | May 22 | In Theaters

A group of corporate executives from a rising tech company are attending a company retreat at a remote desert mansion. The team-bonding trip turns into a blood-soaked competition when the group is trapped in a sadistic game of survival.

Spider-Noir | May 27 | MGM+/Prime Video

Ben Reilly, a seasoned, down on his luck private investigator in 1930s New York, is forced to grapple with his past life, following a deeply personal tragedy, as the city’s one and only superhero.

Brilliant Minds (S2B) | May 27 | NBC/Peacock

Upcoming episodes will focus on Dr. Wolf’s work at the Hudson Oaks psychiatric facility and explore if Dr. Carol Pierce’s theory regarding a hallucination is true.

The Four Seasons (S2) | May 28 | Netflix

After the sudden death of Nick (Steve Carell) in a car accident during a winter ski trip, his close-knit group of friends must come together to grieve while navigating an unexpected revelation — his younger girlfriend Ginny (Erika Henningsen) is pregnant with his child. Following the same structure as the first season, the group embarks on four trips over the course of a year, including a summer getaway to the Jersey Shore, as they learn to support one another through loss, change, and new beginnings.

The Deli Boys (S2) | May 28 | Hulu

Deli Boys Season 2 follows brothers Raj and Mir (Saagar Shaikh, Asif Ali) navigating the chaos of running their late father’s drug empire while drowning in cash and facing new threats. They are joined by Auntie Lucky (Poorna Jagannathan), as they face competition from a Philly casino king (Fred Armisen) and legal troubles.

Star City | May 29 | Apple TV

In a sequel to For All Mankind, Soviet cosmonauts, engineers, and intelligence officers risk everything in an ambitious space program aiming to be the first to reach the moon.

Backrooms | May 29 | In Theaters

After a therapist’s patient goes missing into a dimension beyond reality, she has to enter the unknown to save him.

Criminal Minds: Evolution (S19) | May 28 | Paramount+

The BAU faces a, “dark, cerebral” storyline where they are hunted by an unsub who understands profiling and is manipulating crime scenes to anticipate their every move..

AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy | May 31 | Netflix

Eddie Murphy was honored as the 51st recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award, America’s highest honor for a career in film, on April 18, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The tribute recognized his legendary impact on comedy and film, spanning decades from SNL to Beverly Hills Cop and Shrek. That tribute will stream on Netflix on May 31st

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *