The best new films and TV shows to watch in May 2023

Lights, cameras, movies – catch spies, superheroes and superstars. 

Grab the popcorn. Whether you’re after a film or TV show, there are plenty of blockbusters and binge-worthy box sets. This month’s A-listers include Jackie Chan, Priyanka Chopra Jones and Vin Diesel. Here are the best new film and TV shows in May. 

Films

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: 4 May 

It’s time to marvel at Marvel Studios latest film, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The release marks the end of the trilogy and has already been getting great reviews. The story follows a band of misfits who are settling into life on Knowhere. If they do not succeed in their mission to save Rocket’s life, it could lead to the end of the Guardians.

One Ranger: 5 May 

British spy movies aren’t all about James Bond. The action thriller One Ranger fuses British intelligence with Texas justice. We follow a highly skilled Texas Ranger, who is recruited to track down a terrorist and stop him from carrying out an attack in London. There might not be any Tom Ford suits here, but there are cowboy hats.

Blackberry: 11 May 

We’ve been told the origin story of Apple in Steve Jobs and Facebook in The Social Network. Now, it’s time for Blackberry. The film shares the rise and fall of the handset, which revolutionised how people communicated. Judging from the trailer, we’re expecting some funny lines – “we call them crapberries”. The cast includes Jay Barchel, Glenn Howerton and Cary Elwes.

Ride On: 11 May 

The fastest hands in the East (aka Jackie Chan) is back. Showing no signs of ageing – he’s 68 years old now – he stars as a stuntman that can no longer care for his beloved horse, Red Hare. The pair gallop straight into the media spotlight when he finds out that the horse might be auctioned off to cover his debts. 

Fast X: 18 May 

Strap in, it’s going to be an exciting ride. The Fast and Furious franchise started in 2001, and is clearly not running out of steam. Dom Torretto and his family are now facing their most dangerous opponent, the son of Fast Five villain Hernan Reyes, Dante. Dante discovers that Dom has an eight-year-old son and plans to take revenge. Let’s be honest, nobody is here for the sketchy story, instead spectacular stunts – and there are plenty. The film stars Vin Diesel, Jason Momoa, Michelle Rodriguez and Brie Larson.

Love Again: 18 May 

Love Again is making sure it hits the widest demographic with this romantic drama. We never imagined seeing Canada’s finest, Celine Dion and Bollywood superstar Priyanka Chopra Jones starring in the same movie, but we’re not complaining. After a woman’s fiancé dies, she texts his old number, and soon reconnects with a new person. Your hearts will go on. And on.

TV and Streaming

Silo: 5 May 

If you’re looking for a new box set to binge on, then check out Silo. The 10-part drama is based on Hugh Howey’s bestselling dystopian novels. We follow the last ten thousand people on Earth, who are protected from the deadly outside world. The cast includes Rebecca Ferguson, Common and Harriet Walter. The show is available on Apple TV+.

Queen Cleopatra: 10 May 

What does Cleopatra look like to you? The docudrama tells the story of Egypt’s last pharaoh, and is bought to life via interviews and acting. Over the years, actresses from Elizabeth Taylor to Angelina Jolie have played the historical figure. Now, the latest depiction has been causing controversy due to its casting of the black actress Adele James as Cleopatra. The show is available on Netflix.

The Mother: 12 May 

It’s J to the L-O. Jennifer Lopez swaps the stage for the screen, and stars as a military-trained assassin. The lead character is simply known as The Mother, and comes out of hiding to protect the daughter she has never met. She declares: “I’m a killer, but I’m also a mother and I will die protecting her”. The film is available on Netflix.

Anna Nicole Smith: You Don’t Know Me: 16 May

“I would just advise people to follow their dreams, they can come true. I’m living proof,” says Anna Nicole Smith in this documentary. This shares her story from a single mum in Texas to the front of the tabloids. Plus, is has access to her friends and aims to dispel the claims that she married the 89-year-old billionaire, J Howard Marshall, for his money. The show is available on Netflix. 

Selling Sunset: 19 May

Get ready for some serious interior design envy. Now in its sixth season, Selling Sunset is a real estate reality TV show. Catch old and new team members as they battle it out to sell high-end properties, all while wearing the most glamorous outfits. The show is available on Netflix.

XO Kitty: 18 May 

If you are a fan of To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, then this is for you. Jenny Han’s best-selling books were turned into three Netflix films, and now there’s one more. The latest installment follows American Korean, Kitty Covey, as she goes on her own journey to find true love. She moves to Korea and reconnects with her long-distance boyfriend. The film is available on Netflix.