From The Weeknd and Barry Keoghan teaming up to the return of Tom Cruise in yet another Mission:Impossible, here are all the best things to stream or catch in theatres this May.
A warm and witty ensemble comedy created by Tina Fey, The Four Seasons explores what happens when a group of longtime friends tries to maintain their annual holiday tradition, despite one couple’s recent, messy breakup. Over the course of four getaways, the group navigates shifting dynamics, new partners, unresolved tensions and questions whether friendships forged in one chapter of life can survive the next.
Another Simple Favor, Prime Video
Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively return for the much-anticipated sequel to A Simple Favor. Set against the picturesque backdrop of an Italian wedding, Stephanie Smothers (Kendrick) is reunited with Emily Nelson (Lively), only to find that their reunion unravels into a complicated web of secrets, betrayals and unexpected twists.
May 2
Thunderbolts, cinemas nationwide
Bringing together Marvel’s most notorious anti-heroes for a high-octane, action-packed ensemble film, Thunderbolts Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), John Walker (Wyatt Russell) and other morally ambiguous characters are recruited by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) for a covert mission. The team, often at odds with each other due to their varying methods and motivations, is sent on a mission that threatens the balance of the world.
May 6
Nonnas, Netflix
After the death of his mother, a directionless Brooklyn man (Vince Vaughn) decides to honour her legacy by opening a restaurant with the unlikely help of a feisty crew of Italian grandmothers. Played by screen legends Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire and Susan Sarandon, the nonnas bring chaos, heart and plenty of pasta to the table.
May 8
Poker Face Season 2, Peacock
Natasha Lyonne is back as Charlie Cale, the on-the-run sleuth with an uncanny ability to detect lies. Season 2 picks up with Charlie still dodging powerful enemies, now solving a fresh batch of mysteries across America’s backroads. Every episode is a self-contained murder case with its own eccentric cast, format-bending structure and quirky location, from a gothic B&B in Vermont to a pop-up art installation in the Mojave. Guest stars include Cynthia Erivo, John Mulaney and Awkwafina.
Forever, Netflix
Based on Judy Blume’s groundbreaking 1975 novel, Forever is reimagined for a modern audience and centres on two Black teens navigating first love in the vibrant, complicated world of 2018 Los Angeles.
May 9
Summer of 69, Hulu
Summer of 69 stars Chloe Fineman as Santa Monica, a charismatic exotic dancer who becomes an unlikely mentor to Abby Flores (Sam Morelos), an awkward high school senior determined to win over her longtime crush, Max (Matt Cornett), before graduation.
Juliet & Romeo, cinemas nationwide
Set in 1301, at the close of the Medieval era, Juliet & Romeo reimagines the world’s most iconic star-crossed lovers, not as doomed teens, but as history-shaping heroes determined to rewrite the legacy that Shakespeare immortalised. This fresh spin on the classic tale unearths the “true” story behind the legend, with high stakes that ripple all the way to the future of the Empire itself. The biggest twist, however? Forget iambic pentameter. This time, the story is told through original pop music. Starring Rebel Wilson, Jason Isaacs, Jamie Ward, Clara Rugaard, Dan Fogler, and more.
May 16
Murderbot, Apple TV
Starring Alexander Skarsgård and based on Martha Wells’ The Murderbot Diaries, this highly anticipated series follows a self-aware SecUnit (short for Security Unit), a combat android that has hacked its own governor module to gain autonomy. Instead of using its freedom to kill, it prefers watching soap operas and avoiding emotional interaction. When a corporate expedition to a remote planet goes wrong, the reluctant hero is forced to protect a group of naive humans while rolling its eyes at their every decision.
Hurry Up Tomorrow, cinemas nationwide
Hurry Up Tomorrow is a moody, psychological thriller starring Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd), Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan. Directed by Trey Edward Shults, the film follows a troubled musician grappling with fame, regret and identity as he descends into a surreal, dreamlike odyssey through memory and madness. As reality blurs and the past refuses to stay buried, he’s forced to confront the darkest parts of himself before it’s too late.
Overcompensating, Amazon Prime
Created by and starring Benito Skinner, this series centres on Benny, a closeted former high school football player who befriends an outsider in college to fit in. The show explores themes of identity, acceptance and the complexities of navigating college life while dealing with personal insecurities.
In season two of the hit show, nine new strangers connect in ways they could never imagine after being invited by Masha (Nicole Kidman) to join in a transformational wellness retreat in the Austrian Alps. Over the course of a week, she takes them to the brink. Will they make it? Will she? Masha is willing to try anything in the interest of healing all those involved.
May 22
Sirens, Netflix
From the producers of The White Lotus and Big Little Lies, Sirens is a sleek psychological thriller set on a mysterious Greek island. Meghann Fahy plays Devon, a sceptical schoolteacher who travels to an elite, off-grid retreat to “rescue” her sister from what she suspects is a cult led by charismatic power couple Lila and Graham (Julianne Moore and Kevin Bacon). But Devon quickly finds herself seduced by the couple’s luxurious lifestyle and unorthodox philosophies. As group dynamics unravel and power games unfold, Sirens explores desire, delusion and the fine line between liberation and manipulation.
May 23
Fear Street: Prom Queen, Netflix
Starring India Fowler and Suzanna Son, The Fear Street trilogy is back with another slasher instalment, and this time it’s set in the blood-soaked halls of Shadyside High on the eve of prom. Based on R.L. Stine’s 1992 novel, the film follows a group of prom queen candidates who begin to disappear one by one in the week leading up to the big night. Who’s behind the murders? Is it a jealous ex, a vengeful classmate or something more supernatural?
Fountain of Youth, Apple TV
Fountain of Youth follows two estranged siblings (John Krasinski and Academy Award winner Natalie Portman) who partner on a global heist to find the mythological Fountain of Youth. They must use their knowledge of history to follow clues on an epic adventure that will change their lives and possibly lead to immortality.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, cinemas nationwide
Tom Cruise returns as IMF agent Ethan Hunt in the explosive eighth instalment of the long-running Mission: Impossible franchise. Picking up where Dead Reckoning left off, this high-stakes sequel sees Hunt and his elite team racing against time to stop Gabriel (Esai Morales), a deadly assassin with a mysterious link to Ethan’s past – one that predates even his time with the IMF. Gabriel is in pursuit of a powerful rogue AI capable of destabilising global systems and reshaping the balance of power. As nations fracture and trust erodes, Hunt must face not only a formidable enemy, but also the ghosts of his own history.
Friendship, cinemas nationwide
Written and directed by Andrew DeYoung in his feature debut, Friendship sees Tim Robinson as Craig, a socially awkward man living a quiet life with his wife until his new neighbour Austin (Paul Rudd), charismatic and effortlessly cool, invites him over for a casual drink. To Craig’s surprise, he finds himself welcomed into Austin’s close-knit friend group, tasting the kind of camaraderie he’s always longed for. But when Austin suddenly announces that they can’t be friends anymore, Craig spirals. Unwilling to let go, he becomes obsessed with keeping the friendship alive, no matter how unhinged it makes him look.
May 29
And Just Like That, NOW
Season 3 of the Sex and the City spin-off picks up after the vague ending to Carrie’s rekindled romance with Aidan as she adjusts to a quieter life with big choices ahead. Meanwhile, Miranda reevaluates her personal growth and relationships after a tumultuous few years, while Charlotte faces new challenges raising teenagers and rediscovering herself beyond motherhood.
Department Q, Netflix
Starring Matthew Goode and based on the novels by Jussi Adler-Olsen, this series follows detective Carl Mørck as he leads a cold case division in Edinburgh. Tasked with solving long-forgotten crimes, Mørck and his team delve into complex cases that test their skills and uncover buried secrets. The show combines procedural elements with deep character studies.
The Better Sister, Prime Video
In this gripping limited series based on the bestselling novel by Alafair Burke, Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks play estranged sisters whose lives are torn apart (and then forced back together) after a brutal murder. Chloe (Biel) is a successful Manhattan executive with a picture-perfect family, while Nicky (Banks) is the wayward older sister with a troubled past. When Chloe’s husband, Adam (Corey Stoll), is found dead at their Hamptons beach house, long-buried secrets rise to the surface. As the sisters reluctantly reunite to uncover the truth, they’re drawn into a web of suspicion, betrayal and buried trauma.
May 30
Bono: Stories of Surrender, Apple TV
This is a vivid reimagining of Bono’s critically acclaimed one-man stage show, “Stories of Surrender: An Evening of Words, Music and Some Mischief…” As he pulls back the curtain on a remarkable life and the family, friends and faith that have challenged and sustained him, he reveals personal stories about his journey as a son, father, husband, activist and rock star. Along with never-before-seen, exclusive footage from the tour, the film features Bono performing many of the iconic U2 songs that have shaped his life and legacy.