May 2026 brings a packed slate of entertainment across streaming platforms and cinemas, with returning franchises, new adaptations and original films spanning action, romance, fantasy, and documentary storytelling.
Streaming highlights return with major franchises, movies
Prime Video leads the month with the return of “Citadel Season 2,” premiering on May 6. The spy thriller continues the story of elite operatives Mason Kane (Richard Madden), Nadia Sinh (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), and Bernard Orlick (Stanley Tucci), as they confront a renewed global threat linked to the powerful Manticore network.
On May 8, “Love is Never Gone” follows Teo (Joshua Garcia) and Yana (Ivana Alawi) in a romance shaped by betrayal, crime, and redemption across years of separation.
RELATED: Rundown: Prime Video expands local slate with 7 star-studded Filipino originals
Fantasy returns on May 13 with “Good Omens Season 3,” continuing the story of Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) and Crowley (David Tennant) as they face personal fallout while confronting a looming cosmic crisis.
Also premiering that day is “Off Campus,” a college-set drama centered on a university hockey team navigating relationships and adulthood.
“It’s Not Like That” arrives on May 15, focusing on two single parents, Malcolm (Scott Foley) and Lori (Erinn Hayes), as they adjust to co-parenting, grief, and unexpected emotional connections.
Closing the month, “Spider-Noir” debuts on May 27, with Nicolas Cage starring as a 1930s private investigator drawn into a conspiracy that forces him to confront his past.
Movies
“Quezon” premieres on the streaming platform in May 2026, depicting Manuel L. Quezon’s political rise during the American occupation and his rivalry with Emilio Aguinaldo in the 1935 presidential elections.
The film forms part of the Bayaniverse trilogy and focuses on the shaping of early Philippine politics.
RELATED: Review: ‘Quezon’ shows the other side of Manuel L. Quezon | ‘Gayang gaya’: Jericho Rosales’ role in ‘Quezon’ excites Filipinos | ‘What an adventure’: ‘Quezon’ star Iain Glen shares filming experience in Philippines | ‘I feel you ‘nsan’: Manuel Quezon’s kin John Arcilla weighs in amid ‘Quezon’ film controversy
Adding to the month’s streaming highlights, “No Place to Be Single” premieres on Prime Video on May 8, following a single mother in Tuscany whose life is upended when a former flame returns with plans that could threaten her family’s estate—and spark unexpected romance.
“Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War” likewise arrives on Prime May 20, following Jack Ryan as he returns to espionage work to stop a rogue black-ops conspiracy alongside CIA and MI6 allies.
Cinema releases: Action, animation and thrillers
On the big screen, “Mortal Kombat II” opens May 6, bringing back fan-favorite fighters as they face Shao Kahn in a high-stakes battle for Earthrealm.
Also releasing that day is “The Sheep Detectives,” a comedic mystery about sheep that attempt to solve a farm-related crime after a disruptive incident.
On May 8, “Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)” offers an immersive concert film experience directed by James Cameron and Billie Eilish, capturing performances from the singer’s global tour.
READ: Billie Eilish and James Cameron team up for immersive and intimate tour film
Two thrillers close out the month on May 27: “Passenger,” where a road trip turns into a supernatural nightmare, and “Obsession,” which follows the dark consequences of a wish gone wrong.
Netflix adds new originals and returning seasons
Netflix is rolling out a packed lineup this May, headlined by its top pick of the month, “The Wonderfools,” arriving May 15. The Korean action-comedy follows a goofy group of small-town locals who unexpectedly gain superpowers and must face rising evil as doomsday panic spreads. Starring Park Eun-bin, Cha Eun-woo, and Choi Dae-hoon, the series blends chaos, humor, and high-stakes action in a turn-of-the-century setting.
The month’s “Deep Feelings” selections offer a mix of emotional and character-driven stories. On May 8, “Remarkably Bright Creatures” and “The Master Cutter” premiere, followed by “Berlin and the Lady with an Ermine” on May 15. The lineup continues with “Ladies First” arriving May 22.
Returning favorites and familiar titles also make a strong showing this month. “The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek” drops on May 7, followed by “Devil May Cry: Season 2” on May 12. Later in the month, viewers can catch “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder: Season 2” on May 27 and “The Four Seasons: Season 2” on May 28.
Meanwhile, Netflix continues to spotlight Asian content with several fresh releases. “Glory” arrives May 1, followed by “My Dearest Assassin” on May 7 and “The Loved One” on May 14.
The must-watch list keeps growing throughout the month, with “My Dearest Señorita” and “Swapped” both arriving May 1, followed by “Nemesis” on May 14 and “The Boroughs” on May 21. Toward the end of May, viewers can look out for “Calabasas Confidential” and “Rafa” on May 29, and “K-Pops!” on May 30. Still to come is “Jae-seok’s B&B Rules!”, which is set to premiere soon.
Disney+: Documentary spotlight returns with Stanley Tucci, family fave ‘Bluey’
On May 12, “Tucci in Italy” returns on Disney+ for a second season, with Stanley Tucci exploring five Italian regions, including Naples, Sicily, Sardinia, Le Marche, and Veneto.
The series continues to explore Italy’s food culture, regional identity, and historical traditions through travel and culinary storytelling.
Adding to the Disney+ lineup, family-friendly favorite “Bluey” gets a special spotlight on May 20 with the debut of the “Bluey Minisodes” and the televised “Bluey’s Big Play – The Stage Show.”
READ: Bluey and family to bring ‘Big Play’ stage show to Manila in 2026
‘Phantom Lawyer’ on Rakuten Viki
In May, Rakuten Viki expands access to “Phantom Lawyer,” a legal fantasy series starring Yoo Yeon-seok and Esom, where a timid lawyer gains the ability to see and help restless spirits resolve unfinished cases. Following its May 2 finale, all 16 episodes are now available to stream for free with ads across Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
—Rosette Adel
