From action-packed stories to romantic thrillers, it’s time to grab the popcorn.
May is shaping up to be a strong month for screen time, with everything from family-friendly adventures to edge-of-your-seat horror and glossy crime dramas. Whether you’re heading to the cinema for a big-screen fix or settling in for a boxset night at home, here’s what to watch across Netflix, cinemas and streaming platforms this month.
Cinema
The Sheep Detectives: 7 May
With a voice cast led by Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Galitzine, and Nicholas Braun, The Sheep Detectives offers a woolly twist on the classic murder mystery. The animated comedy follows George, a shepherd who reads detective novels to his flock each night, assuming they cannot understand a word. However, when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep spring into action. Following clues, questioning suspects and proving far smarter than anyone expects, the flock sets out to crack the case.
Hokum: 7 May
Irish horror takes centre stage in Hokum, a supernatural thriller starring Adam Scott, Austin Amelio and Peter Coonan. The story follows an author who travels to a remote part of Ireland to scatter his late parents’ ashes. What should be a quiet and reflective journey quickly descends into unease when he discovers that his rented accommodation may be haunted. With an isolated setting, a grief-stricken protagonist and a creeping sense of dread, Hokum looks set to deliver an atmospheric dose of psychological horror.
Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard And Soft: The Tour: 7 May
Billie Eilish brings her sold-out world tour to cinemas with Hit Me Hard And Soft: The Tour. Presented in immersive 3D, the concert film captures the Grammy-winning artist at the height of her powers, combining live performances with the scale and spectacle of a cinematic release. Co-directed by Billie Eilish and James Cameron, the film promises to place audiences inside the world of the taour, from the emotional intensity of the music to the visual ambition of the staging.
The Wizard of Kremlin: 14 May
Starring Alicia Vikander, Jude Law, and Paul Dano, The Wizard of Kremlin is a political drama set in post-Soviet Russia. The film follows a young filmmaker who is drawn into Vladimir Putin’s inner circle as the future leader rises through the political ranks. What begins as image-making soon becomes a dangerous game of influence, corruption and control. As ambition and power collide, every decision carries consequences. Expect a tense, character-driven drama that explores the machinery behind political myth-making.
The Mandalorian and Grogu: 21 May
The Star Wars universe returns to the big screen with The Mandalorian and Grogu. Once a lone bounty hunter, Din Djarin continues his journey alongside his young apprentice Grogu in a new cinematic adventure. Pedro Pascal returns as the Mandalorian, with Jeremy Allen White and Sigourney Weaver joining the cast. Fans of the Disney+ series can expect the same blend of galaxy-spanning action, unlikely companionship and emotional stakes, now expanded for the cinema screen.
Asad: 21 May
Arabic cinema gets a major release this month with Asad, a historical drama starring Mohamed Ramadan, Razane Jammal, Ali Qassem and Kamel El Basha. Set against a turbulent historical backdrop, the film follows Asad, a defiant figure whose fight for freedom becomes a battle against oppression. Blending romance, rebellion and survival, the story explores the human cost of slavery and the courage required to challenge an unjust system. With its strong regional cast and sweeping subject matter, Asad looks set to be one of the month’s most talked-about Arabic releases.
Series and Streaming
Swapped: 1 May (Netflix)
Netflix starts the month with Swapped, an animated comedy with a high-concept twist. The film follows a tiny woodland creature, voiced by Michael B. Jordan, and a majestic bird, voiced by Juno Temple, who are sworn enemies of the Valley. When the pair unexpectedly swap bodies, they are forced to put their differences aside and work together. Packed with family-friendly humour, odd-couple energy and colourful animation, Swapped turns a familiar body-swap premise into a wild adventure about empathy, teamwork and seeing the world from another perspective.
Tucci In Italy: 12 May (Disney+)
Stanley Tucci returns to the table in Tucci In Italy. The new season sees the actor and food enthusiast explore five more Italian regions, uncovering culinary traditions that are often overlooked by tourists. From Naples and Campania to Sicily, Le Marche, Sardinia and Veneto, the series examines how food, history and identity are deeply intertwined. Expect regional rivalries, family recipes, local produce and plenty of scenic Italian storytelling. For anyone who likes their travel shows with warmth, culture and a very good plate of pasta, this is essential viewing.
Wanda Sykes: Legacy: 19 May (Netflix)
Wanda Sykes returns to Netflix with Legacy, her third stand-up special for the platform. Filmed at Hampton University, where Sykes studied, the special brings the Emmy-winning comedian back to a setting that helped shape her early life. Directed by Julie Dash, Legacy promises the sharp observations, fearless humour and social commentary that have made Sykes one of America’s most distinctive comedic voices. Expect an hour of punchy material covering life, culture, politics and everything in between, delivered with her signature mix of intelligence and bite.
Ladies First: 22 May (Netflix)
Sacha Baron Cohen and Rosamund Pike lead Netflix’s satirical comedy Ladies First. Cohen plays Damien Sachs, a powerful advertising executive whose life revolves around status, money and casual relationships. Just as he is preparing to become CEO, he wakes up in a parallel world where women hold the power and the rules have changed. Rosamund Pike plays Alex Fox, a formidable colleague now at the top of her game. Based on the French film I Am Not An Easy Man, the comedy flips gender dynamics to explore privilege, power and perspective.
Spider-Noir: 27 May (Prime Video)
Nicolas Cage enters the Marvel universe in Spider-Noir, a live-action series based on the Spider-Man Noir comics. Set in 1930s New York, the series follows Ben Reilly, a weary private investigator who is pulled back into his past life as the city’s only superhero. Expect shadowy streets, mobsters, mystery, femme fatales and a darker spin on the Spider-Man mythos. The series will be available globally on Prime Video from 27 May, with viewers able to watch in black-and-white or colour.