Marking the official start of the summer season, May (along with June, November, and December) is usually one of the highest-earning months of every year at the box office.
Based on what’s been officially confirmed, that likely won’t happen this year as the eighth installment of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise is the only title where a healthy return is virtually guaranteed.
Here are some of the more interesting looking theatrical and steaming titles coming out next month. Please note: All opening dates are subject to change.
May 1
‘Another Simple Favor’
To director Paul Feig and screenwriter Jessica Sharzer’s immense credit, they ended the 2018 “A Simple Favor” in a manner where a sequel would not only make sense, it would also be warranted. Paroled murderer Emily (Blake Lively) asks Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) to be the maid of honor at her extravagant wedding on the Italian island of Capri. Stephanie, as it turns out, is the woman responsible for her conviction. (MGM/Amazon)
May 2
‘Thunderbolts*
A promotional photo for "Thunderbolts*" Disney/Marvel
This latest installment could either be its salvation or the final nail in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) coffin. Akin to DC Comics’ “Suicide Squad,” the Thunderbolts are a gaggle of misfit supervillains, now antihero crime-fighters. Because the cast includes several respected dramatic and comedic actors, including Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the movie could be halfway decent. (Disney/Marvel)
"The Surfer," coming out in May, features Nicolas Cage. Roadside Attractions
In this pot-boiling dramatic thriller, Nicolas Cage stars as the unnamed title character who returns to his native Australia with his teen son to surf near his seaside boyhood home. This doesn’t go over well with a half-dozen local thugs (led by Julian McMahon). Their method of intimidation steadily increases when the Cage character refuses to back down. (Roadside Attractions)
‘Off the Record’
"Off the Record," similar to "A Star Is Born" stars Rainey Qualley as a lounge singer who makes it big. Quiver Distribution
Based on the trailer, this romantic drama is a remake of “A Star is Born” in all but name. Struggling lounge-singer Astor (Rainey Qualley, sister of Margaret) gets noticed by Brandyn (Ryan Hansen), a rock star in the back half of his career. He mentors her, she gets popular, he goes into full-blown auto-destruct mode, and … well, you know the rest. (Quiver Distribution)
May 9
‘Nonnas’
Older female actors star with Vince Vaughn in "Nonnas." Netflix
Reminiscent of “Moonstruck,” “Big Night,” and “Mostly Martha,” this throwback light comedy stars Vince Vaughn. After the death of his mother, he opens an Italian restaurant in New York and hires his mom’s friends as the cooks. Drea de Matteo and Linda Cardellini co-star along with Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, Susan Sarandon, and Brenda Vaccaro as the frequently bickering chefs. (Netflix)
‘Fight or Flight’
Josh Hartnett's character faces off with hardened criminals in "Fight or Flight." Magnet Releasing
Thanks to an early February release in England, this action comedy from first-time feature director James Madigan currently has a 100 percent critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Suggesting a hybrid of “Con Air,” “John Wick,” and “Bullet Train,” it stars Josh Hartnett as a convicted felon. He’s given an opportunity to expunge his record if he can equalize a deadly assassin during a covert plane trip. The catch: Every other passenger is a hardened criminal. (Magnet Releasing)
‘Long Way Home’
This motorcycle buddy documentary features Ewen McGregor (L). Apple TV+
In this new Apple TV+ docuseries, actor Ewan McGregor and his boyhood friend Charley Boorman chronicle their most recent road trip, something they’ve done for two decades. On this excursion, the men mount vintage motorcycles and visit 17 countries in Scandinavia and Europe over the space of nine weeks. (Apple TV+)
‘Lilly’
Patricia Clarkson's character takes on discrimination in "Lilly." Blue Harbor Entertainment
In this fact-based courtroom drama, the always terrific Patricia Clarkson stars as Lilly Ledbetter, an attorney who was the plaintiff in the 2007, hotly contested landmark “Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company” Supreme Court case. The crux of Ledbetter’s argument was rooted in “equal pay for equal work,” which relied heavily on alleged gender and racial discrimination. (Blue Harbor Entertainment)
May 14
‘American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden’
A scene from "American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden." Netflix
If the quality and thoroughness of this upcoming three-part docuseries is as good as previous similar Netflix efforts about O.J. Simpson and the Boston Marathon bombing, it will be well worth your investment of time. Postponed from March. (Netflix)
May 23
‘Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning’
Another "M:I" in the franchise stars Tom Cruise. Paramount
Unless something totally out of left field occurs, this will likely be the highest-grossing feature of 2025. Tom Cruise (for the eighth time) stars as Ethan Hunt, the leader of a covert IMF (Impossible Mission Force) team; the team is charged with stopping [fill in the blank villain name here] which threatens world peace and order as we know it. Word to the wise: Just because “final” appears in the title, doesn’t mean this will actually be the last “M:I” film. (Paramount)
‘Friendship’
Tim Robinson (L) and Paul Rudd in "Friendship". A24
This slightly-twisted comedy, the feature debut of writer-director of Andrew DeYoung, stars Paul Rudd and SNL alum Tim Robinson as new neighbors that initially bond. In short order, they discover they have nothing in common. One of them handles this as a matter of course, but the other feels slighted and offended. Given that this is distributed by rebel studio A24, expect friction and sparks. (A24)
May 30
‘The Phoenician Scheme’
"The Phoenician Scheme" is a quirky espionage thriller. Focus Features
Director Wes Anderson, his co-writer Roman Coppola, and some of their frequent collaborators (Bill Murray, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlet Johansson, and Bryan Cranston) join forces for something Anderson has never done before. Instead of their usual off-beat, whimsical humor, the filmmakers tackle the often-tricky espionage thriller genre. (Focus Features)
What to Watch for
I’m particularly looking forward to “Another Simple Favor,” “The Surfer,” “Nonnas,” “Fight or Flight,” “Long Way Home,” and “Friendship.”
What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to [email protected]
Michael Clark
Author
Originally from the nation's capital, Michael Clark has provided film content to over 30 print and online media outlets. He co-founded the Atlanta Film Critics Circle in 2017 and is a weekly contributor to the Shannon Burke Show on FloridaManRadio.com. Since 1995, Clark has written over 5,000 movie reviews and film-related articles. He favors dark comedy, thrillers, and documentaries.
