8 Must-Watch Movies Coming Out In May 2026

Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci reunite to give us what's sure to be one of the best sequels of all time in The Devil Wears Prada 2. Early reviewers are calling it a triumph, and we already know that the cast wouldn't have signed on if they didn't think the screenplay was worthy or their returns merited, so that helps us understand this isn't a cash grab.

At the same time, Bridgerton (2020) fans are also giddy because Simone Ashley also has a role in this as Miranda's new assistant, making the whole thing an absolute treat for anyone who cares about fashion. Like You, Me & Tuscany last month, this is the movie to plan a girl's trip around for a gorgeous good time.

Adam Scott as a horror author visiting an Irish inn, not knowing it's haunted? Sign us up. Maybe Hokum is the alternate version of his character from Leap Year (2010). Director Damian McCarthy returns for what will surely be another atmospheric horror that'll keep fans on the edge of their seats, and pairing him with an actor like Scott feels like it can be a wild treat.

Scott's ability to consistently convey a full range of emotions and deliver heartpounding feelings through whatever his character is experiencing is no small feat, so it's especially exciting to see what he can do with this movie. As another May 1 release, maybe it can be a wildly hilarious double-feature with The Devil Wears Prada 2.

Four years after the release of Mortal Kombat (2021), fans of the original can finally make plans to see the fantasy martial arts sequel return to theaters. Mortal Kombat 2 looks like it'll be an absolute blast, with the visuals from the trailer providing plenty of fun and colorful beats to get excited about.

It might not be the most epic thing you watch this month, but Karl Urban always ensures that if nothing else, the properties he's a part of are a whole lot of fun. These movies also might not be everyone's cup of tea, but they can certainly be something to invest in solely for the bits of banter we see in the trailer, because if nothing else, that'll at least be entertaining.

This one's for the kids and the cozy mystery fans who love off-beat shenanigans in the form of murder. The film is set to follow a bunch of sheep (yes, the animals) who try to solve the murder of their shepherd (Hugh Jackman), and while the premise sounds absurd on paper, even the trailer is surprisingly warm. 

Movies like this often do a really lovely job of giving us something important veiled through an odd concept, so it's going to be exciting to see how that comes into play. The Sheep Detectives feels like something everyone can appreciate, and the fact that it's already got a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score is a promising start. We're in for a whole lot of laughs and emotional payoff, I'm sure of it.

When it comes to Guy Richie movies, we know we're always in for sleek, stylish action and Henry Cavill. There's not a single film from the director that hasn't resulted in an absolute blast for me, personally, so I'll be seated on opening day. In the Grey can be the perfect movie to watch while we wait for The Gentleman (2024) Season 2, and seeing Eiza González in it again after The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024) is everything.

The trailer looks bangin' and off the charts in the way most of Richie's movies tend to be, so there's already a load to appreciate. This one also feels a bit like The Man of U.N.C.L.E (2015), so it might even do favors for us romance fans in some way.

In the past few years, every movie starring Keke Palmer has been an absolute blast, and I Love Boosters seems to be yet another joy ride, just judging by the trailer. Alongside Palmer, the movie also stars Demi Moore, Naomi Ackie, LaKeith Stanfield, Eiza González, Najah Bradley, Will Poulter, Don Cheadle, and more, ensuring that the cast members are enough reason to venture to the theater.

Months like May and June are the perfect time for action films like I Love Boosters, and with the vividness of the trailer, there's so much to appreciate in how bright it is. Guaranteed romps like this not only provide entertainment, but they sometimes end up becoming comfort films, so who knows, maybe that'll be the case here, too.

We might not get The Mandalorian (2019) Season 4, but we're getting our favorite space father/son duo back together in The Mandalorian and Grogu at least. It feels like it's been forever since we last watched a Star Wars movie in theaters, so this release is appropriately timed to give us what we've been waiting for.

The latest Lucasfilm releases have each been incredible in their own right, providing ample entertainment and visual effects that are both nostalgic and fresh. The role that Grogu especially plays in drawing in new younger audiences is lovely, making this movie one that could be a real treat for parents and kids at the theaters.

The newest A24 thriller is one you don't want to miss out on if you love mind-bending narratives like those in Severance (2022). Based on Kane Parsons's viral YouTube shorts, Backrooms will be a longer, more expansive version. It's about a therapist who ventures into another dimension to search for her missing patient, and naturally, things will go bump in the night. 

Chiwetel Ejiofor is already giving us a tremendous amount to appreciate in the trailer alone, so it's going to be riveting to see what's in store with the entire movie. The film might not be suitable for non-horror fans, so tread lightly if this is you, but Pidgeon is certainly worth trying for.