In Their Own LeagueThe Lineup: The Film’s We’re Eyeing in May (2026)
By Tom Moore and Valerie Kalfrin
Warmer weather is finally upon us and giving us every reason we need to head to theaters to catch some exciting new movies, which May has plenty of. Meryl Streep returns to one of her most iconic roles in “The Devil Wears Prada 2”. After a roughly seven year hiatus, “Star Wars” finally returns to cinemas for a new adventure with “The Mandalorian and Grogu”. And, there’s a good batch of indie horror flicks carrying a lot of hype heading into their releases that we’re keeping an eye on. With these months flying by in an instant in 2026, it’s time to see what movies should be on your radar before they pass us by.
“Silent Friend”: Set In one garden in Germany, the film explores the stories of three lives spanning three eras in time. Directed by Ildiko Enyedi and starring Lea Seydoux, “Silent Friend” starts its limited theatrical release on May 8th, and you can watch the trailer here!
“Couples Weekend”: Who knew that one fallen tree could affect so many lives but that’s what happens when a snowy cabin getaway for two couples takes a deceptive turn. Directed by Nora Kirkpatrick and featuring a stacked cast of Daveed Diggs, Alexandra Daddario, Ashley Park, and Josh Gad, “Couples Weekend starts its limited theater release on May 8th! Watch the trailer here!
“Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D): Music fans are not going to want to miss this concert documentary of Billie Eilish performing in Manchester with a twist of 3D. Co-directed by Eilish and the legendary James Cameron, “Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour” plays in theaters nationwide on May 8th, and you can watch the trailer here!
“Influenced”: Skewering uptown New Yorkers (IYKYK) and social media obsessed women, this comedy sees a social influencer (Jill Kargman) come across celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow and Drew Barrymore on her determined mission to up her follower count. Directed by Rachel Israel, “Influenced” starts its limited theater release on May 8th, and you can check out the trailer here!
“Is God Is”: Two troubled sisters (Kara Young, Mallori Johnson) embark on a cross-country road trip fueled by revenge against their father (Sterling K. Brown) that forces them to confront dangerous characters and lingering family trauma. Directed by Aleshea Harris, “Is God Is” comes to theaters nationwide on May 15th, and you can watch the trailer here!
“Magic Hour”: A getaway to work out kinks in a relationship seems like a sound plan. But when that trip is to the desert, maybe Miami Beach would have been better. A couple work through grief and healing in the desolation of Joshua Tree. Directed by Katie Aselton, “Magic Hour” starts its limited theater release on May 15th, and you can watch the trailer here!
“Saccharine”: A strange twist on a supernatural haunting. This film follows a medical student (Midori Francis) whose odd weight-loss plan causes her to become terrorized by some horrific spirits. Our own Caz Armstrong reviewed this at the Berlin Film Festival and you can read it here. Directed by Natalie Erika James, “Saccharine” starts a limited theater release on May 22nd, and you can check out the trailer here!
“The Currents”: A business trip comes back to haunt a woman (Isabel Aime Gonzalez Sola) who tries to evade the consequences of her impulsive actions. Directed by Milagros Mumenthaler, “The Currents” starts a limited theater release on May 29th, and you can watch the trailer here!
The Word Around the League!
We all need some comfort films!
It’s Mental Health Month and we’re going to be featuring our go to comfort films all through May. We’ll be wrapping up the Atlanta Film Festival thanks to Brian Skutle with more of his smart and insightful reviews. We’ve got lots of great films coming at you from the Seattle International Film Festival, in its 52nd year and going strong. You can take a look at their trailer that just dropped here. We’ve also got more book reviews for upcoming summer reading so stay tuned.
ITOL All-Stars (May 2026 Edition)
This section of The Lineup highlights performances from women in movies releasing during each month that moviegoers should be on the lookout for!
This month’s batch of ITOL All-Stars is full of eye-catching ensembles and some standout indie performances, all bursting with immense talent. First, we’ve got to talk about one of the biggest cinematic reunions of the spring with “The Devil Wears Prada 2”. Not only is Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt reuniting for a new journey through the fierce, sometimes cutthroat world of fashion, but Meryl Streep also returns as Miranda Priestley – one of Streep’s most iconic roles that earned her a deserved Oscar nom. With a trio like that, it’s no wonder this long-awaited sequel just had an incredible opening weekend at the box office.
Another upcoming sequel that features a lot of female talent is “Mortal Kombat II”, which expands its rosters with some beloved women from the games. While Jessica McNamee returns as Sonya Blade, she’s joined by Adeline Rudolph, Tati Gabriele, and Ana Thu Nguyen as they portray fan-fighters Kitana, Jade, and Sindel, respectively. Together, they bring some fresh blood to what’s sure to be one of the most action-packed and gory gaming adaptations of all-time.
Believe it or not, there’s actually another big ensemble of women ready to tear the screen up this May in Boots Riley’s new film “I Love Boosters”. Led by a persistent and comedically-confident Keke Palmer, the film follows a group of shoplifters go toe to toe with a vicious fashion mogul (Demi Moore). Palmer’s band of thieves has so much incredible talent, it’s honestly eye-watering. Naomie Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, and Eiza Gonzalez are sure to make “I Love Boosters” a blast from start to finish alongside Palmer, and the film is likely going to be a great showing for Moore after her astounding work in “The Substance” just a few years ago.
Lastly, we want to quickly highlight some performances in some upcoming indie flicks (and one in a galaxy far, far away) that you should be on the lookout for. Kara Young and Mallori Johnson are sure-to-be breakouts in the upcoming “Is God Is” as a pair of vengeful sisters navigating rough scenarios and their horrific family trauma. Inde Navarrette is set to deliver unshakable chills in Curry Barker’s highly anticipated debut “Obsession” as a woman whose enchanthed obsession with a desperate man takes a disastrous turn. Sigourney Weaver embarks on a new cosmic adventure with her upcoming appearance in “The Mandalorian and Grogu” – now adding “Stars Wars” to her incredible sci-fi resume. Up and comer Lou Llobell shows some big breakout potential in Andre Ovredal’s secretive horror flick “Passager”, which looks scary as hell. And finally, Renate Reinsve’s first big role post-Oscar nomination takes her into the nightmarish-looking “Backrooms”.
#UNDEREPRESENTEDFILMMAKERS
This section of The Lineup puts the spotlight on BIPOC and LGBT+ directors and the films they have releasing this month!
“One Spoon of Chocolate”: An ex-con tries for a fresh start but the past won’t stay buried. Directed by RZA, “One Spoon of Chocolate” is currently playing in theaters in limited release. Watch the trailer here!
“I Love Boosters: A zany comedy about shoplifters with an incredible cast led by Keke Palmer and Demi Moore. Directed by Boots Riley, “I Love Boosters” starts its limited theater release on May 22nd! Watch the trailer here!
