15 Movies To See In May: ‘Happening,’ ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ ‘Men’ & More

With an incredibly eclectic lineup this month, May certainly isn’t slowing down in premiering intriguing and must-see pictures. Even the tentpole Marvel film directed by Sam Raimi looks to possess more thrills than the standard Marvel lineup. From Sundance standouts to music documentaries, and two cinematic spin-offs from fan-favorite shows, this month comes armed with choices for everyone. While we’re seeing the familiar pacing of the early summer blockbuster season, there are plenty of independent and under-recognized titles worth seeking out. 

As we continue to see mostly theatrical releases return to the pre-Covid “norm,” it’s interesting to see which films will also be having their streaming debut. “On the Count of Three,” a 2021 Sundance favorite, and “Emergency” from earlier this year, in particular, look like strong picks that will be available on digital platforms. 

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” 
Another month, another Marvel property making its way to either the big or small screen, and this time it’s the sequel to Benedict Cumberbatch’s debut as the titular character in 2016’s “Doctor Strange.” The Sam Raimi-directed project will see the character, having cast a forbidden spell, grappling with a new threat that may be too much for him and his team to handle. Elizabeth Olsen also returns as Wanda Maximoff, with the story picking up for her following the events of season one of “WandaVision.” Raimi is an enormous draw here, marking his return to the superhero genre for the first time since the divisive “Spider-Man 3.” Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Benedict Wong also return along with new cast member Xochitl Gomez. 
Release Date: May 6 in theaters via Disney.

“Happening”
Directed by Audrey Diwan (“Losing It,”) “Happening”, set in 1963, follows Anne who presumably has a bright future ahead of her. However, those dreams are cut short when she becomes pregnant during her studies and must take matters into her own hands, having to face the shame that comes with having an abortion during this time period. The film stars Anamaria Vartolomei who won the César Award for Most Promising Actress for her leading role in the film along with Sandrine Bonnaire and Kacey Mottet Klein. Our critic praised Vartolomei’s performance, writing “In depicting an age when living one’s truth and relying on one’s community is seen as essential to survival, to watch Anne flounder in a sea of uncertainty hits with even more profound effect.”
Release Date: May 6 in theaters via IFC Films.

“This Much I Know To Be True” 
In the music documentary “This Much I Know to Be True,” Nick Cave and Warren Ellis’ creative process and relationship are brought to the forefront. In his second collaboration with Cave following 2016’s “Once More with Feeling,” Andrew Dominik directs with footage showcasing the two working in bringing to life their last two studio albums, Ghosteen, and Carnage. Our critic who saw the film at this year’s Berlin Film Festival wrote “Its cinematic prowess is not only a reflection of the director’s technical expertise and his insight into capturing their soulful, elegiac music but also a testament to the depth of the relationship built between subject and framer.”
Release Date: May 11 in theaters via Trafalgar Releasing.

“On the Count of Three”
Having already stunned audiences with his deeply personal stand-up special “Rothaniel,” comedian Jerrod Carmichael is poised for another win with his upcoming film, “On the Count of Three,” which he directs and stars in. Carmichael and Christopher Abbott star as Val and Kevin, two chronically depressed best friends who have made a pact to end each other’s lives by the end of the day. As is to be expected, this dark comedy doesn’t go exactly the way the two had planned. Written by Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch the film also stars Henry Winkler and Tiffany Haddish. 
Release Date: May 13 in theaters and digital via United Artists Releasing.

“Pleasure”
Making for a divisive release for NEON, “Pleasure,” directed by Ninja Thyberg in her feature film debut, looks to dig deep into taboo subject matters. Starring Sofia Kappel, the film follows Bella Cherry, a woman who has arrived in Los Angeles to pursue her dream of becoming an adult film star. Soon though she realizes the cost of those dreams and the hurdles she’ll need to scale to rise to the top of this industry. Our critic praised Kappel, writing “The movie’s secret weapon, of course, is Kappel in one of the most impressive debut performances in recent memory.”
Release Date: May 13 in theaters via NEON.