The theater business is shifting gears. We’ve moved past the spring break holdovers and are staring down the barrel of a massive summer blockbuster season. May isn’t just a bridge month this year. Not at all. April was dominated by the King of Pop, while May is embracing significant franchise returns, high-fashion drama, and a horror slate that could drive anyone to madness. 

If you’re looking for the most anticipated movies coming out in May, this is the month where the summer heat officially begins.

What’s Actually Dropping?

• The High-Fashion Sequel: The Devil Wears Prada 2 hits theaters May 1.
• The Supernatural Mystery: Adam Scott in Hokum on May 1.
• The Streaming Gem: Sally Field in Remarkably Bright Creatures on Netflix May 8.
• The Action Rematch: Mortal Kombat II arrives May 8.
• The Survival Play: Henry Cavill and Jake Gyllenhaal in In the Grey on May 15.
• The Franchise Giant: Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu lands May 22.
• The Viral Scare: Backrooms (A24) arrives May 29.

The Devil Wears Prada 2: Miranda Priestly’s Digital Era

May 1 is the day the fashion world comes to a halt. Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt reunite nearly twenty years after the original film became a cultural touchstone in The Devil Wears Prada 2. The tale catches up with Miranda Priestly, dealing with the demise of traditional print media, while her ex-aides are now power players in their own right. 

Early buzz from Collider characterizes the script as sharp, mean, and perfectly timed for 2026. It isn’t just nostalgia—it is a look at how power shifts in the digital era. Whether you are there for the outfits or just want to hear those scathing one-liners, the film is the definitive way to kick off the month.

Also Read: 10 Powerful Chrome Extensions to Supercharge Work in 2026

Hokum: Adam Scott Goes Dark

Hokum is the latest from Damian McCarthy (the guy behind Oddity), and it too drops May 1. It stars Adam Scott as a novelist heading to an Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, only for him to find that the place is “occupied.” 

ScreenRant even refers to this as a contender for horror-of-the-year, which you can always count on McCarthy, who has an uncanny ability to make the most mundane of rooms feel terrifying. If you like your scares intimate and atmospheric, don’t sleep on this.

Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Different Kind of Connection

If you are skipping the theater, Remarkably Bright Creatures arrives at Netflix on May 8. Sally Field & Lewis Pullman star in this adaptation of the best-selling novel about a widow who meets and befriends a giant Pacific octopus (voiced by Alfred Molina) at a local aquarium.

That may seem strange, but the story delves into grief and friendships in old age with so much depth. The film was flagged by What’s on Netflix as an early awards contender for Field. The perfect “stay-at-home” film for a rainy evening when you want a story that actually has a soul.

Mortal Kombat II: Johnny Cage Finally Arrives

Following the 2021 reboot, Mortal Kombat II is set to explode into theaters on May 8. The big news? Karl Urban is finally stepping into the boots of Johnny Cage. The fan-favorite cocky movie star was the missing piece of the first film, and the hype around his performance is massive.

This sequel is doubling down on the practical effects that made the fatalities so visceral last time. IGN reports that the production moved to May to better position itself for a summer box office explosion. If you want high-octane action and a theater that’ll be cheering at the screen, this is your pick.

In the Grey: Guy Ritchie’s New Action Masterclass

Also dropping May 15, In the Grey features heavy hitters like Henry Cavill and Jake Gyllenhaal alongside Rosamund Pike. Guy Ritchie’s survival thriller centers on a team of extractors who are hunted after a job goes awry. 

Anyone familiar with Ritchie’s snappy dialogue will no doubt be pleasantly surprised, as this one looks a lot more serious in tone. It’s a “man-on-the-run” story using the chemistry of Cavill and Gyllenhaal. If you want a thriller that prioritizes grit over green screens, put this on your list.

The Mandalorian and Grogu: Star Wars Returns to Cinema

May 22 marks a massive moment. Din Djarin and his tiny, green partner are making the move from Disney+ to theaters after years on the small screen. The Mandalorian and Grogu, of course, are the first Star Wars films to debut in theaters since 2019. Jon Favreau is directing to make sure the gritty “space western” environment carries over to the IMAX format. 

It is reported that the film serves as a bridge between the TV series and a larger galactic conflict. Well, according to Deadline, this is Disney’s big investment in returning the “event” feel to the franchise.

Backrooms: From Internet Legend to the Big Screen

Closing out the month on May 29 is Backrooms. If you’ve spent any time on the internet, you know the yellow-walled, liminal space horror of the original viral videos. They have partnered with A24 and James Wan to create a full-length feature film to turn Kane Parsons’ vision into a full-scale feature starring Chiwetel Ejiofor. It’s a huge risk, but the “creepypasta” audience is huge. Expect this one to dominate social media discussions for the entire weekend.

Also Read: Is NYC Still The Greatest City In The World Or Losing Its Edge In 2026

The Final Word on May’s Lineup

May 2026 is proving that variety is the key to getting people back into seats. We’re getting high-fashion nostalgia, brutal martial arts, internet-born horror, and a return to a galaxy far, far away. Whether you’re heading to the multiplex for the scale of The Mandalorian or looking for the quiet dread of Hokum, the month is stacked.

Well, the summer season has officially started, the popcorn is buttery, and the movies are actually worth the price of admission. What are you seeing first?

FAQs

Is the new Star Wars movie a separate story?

It is set after the events of the Disney+ show but is intended as its own theatrical event. And you don’t really need to have watched every episode to follow the action.

What is Hokum about?

It is a supernatural horror film surrounding a grieving author and an Irish inn with secrets. It’s directed by Damian McCarthy.

Is Backrooms a found-footage movie? 

While still honoring the original found-footage shorts, this feature is embracing a more traditional cinematic look to expand the lore.

Who plays Johnny Cage in the new Mortal Kombat? 

Karl Urban, best known for appearing in The Boys, will play the part.

Is In the Grey an action movie or a drama?

An action thriller bombshell with a heavy focus on character survival and Ritchie’s signature grit.