“Downton Abbey: A New Era”
Fans of period dramas will get their fill this month with the return of The Crawley family in “Downton Abbey: A New Era.” Following the family, as they go on a journey to the South of France to uncover the mystery of the dowager countess’s newly inherited villa, “Woman in Gold,” and “The Art of Racing in the Rain” director Simon Curtis steps up to the plate for the sequel following the 2019 film. Nathalie Baye, Hugh Bonneville, Samantha Bond, Dominic West, Tuppence Middleton, and many, many more star.
Release Date: May 20 in theaters via Focus Features.
“Men”
Filmmaker Alex Garland is no stranger to cerebral science fiction films, with titles such as “Annihilation” and “Ex Machina” under his belt. With his upcoming project, “Men,” he seemingly leans into a more literal depiction of horror. Jessie Buckley, Rory Kinnear, and Paapa Essiedu star in a story about a woman dealing with the aftermath of a personal tragedy who must deal with what appears to be a stranger stalking her. Garland also penned the script, which, by all accounts, looks like it could be his most unsettling film yet.
Release Date: May 20 in theaters via A24.
“A Chiara”
“A Ciambra” filmmaker Jonas Carpignano returns with his latest film, “A Chiara,” which follows a 15-year-old girl who is desperately searching for the truth behind her father’s disappearance in Calabria. Swamy Rotolol, in the titular role, leads a cast comprised of many of her family members. Our critic praised Carpignano’s approach to the material, writing “He’s not quite deconstructing the gangster picture, but he succeeds in draining all its allure. We can see this demimonde through the accessible vantage of an outsider, horrified and yet drawn in all the same.”
Release Date: May 27 in theaters via NEON.
“Top Gun: Maverick”
Tom Cruise returns to one of his most iconic roles 30 years later in the upcoming sequel “Top Gun: Maverick.” Miles Teller, Glenn Powell, and Jennifer Connelly also join the cast as the film, directed by Joseph Kosinski (“Oblivion,” “Only the Brave,”) checks in on Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, one of the top aviators for the Navy. The film will see the actor pass the baton to a new wave of performers as Maverick trains a group of graduates for a special assignment while confronting fears borne from the ghosts of his past.
Release Date: May 27 in theaters via Paramount Pictures.
“The Bob’s Burgers Movie”
As one of television’s most popular animated series, it’s been a long time coming for “The Bobs Burger’s Movie” to make its way to the big screen after its original date was pushed back by almost two years due to the pandemic. Following the characters fans have come to love, the film follows the family as they deal with a ruptured water main which creates a sinkhole at the front of Bob’s Burgers. Kristen Schaal, H. Jon Benjamin, Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, and John Roberts all reprise their roles for the film.
Release Date: May 27 in theaters via 20th Century Studios.