Happy May, New York City!
Spring has officially settled in, bringing with it blooming florals, golden-hour strolls, and that first real hint of summer in the air. In short, it’s the perfect time of year for a post-dinner movie plan (or three).
And yes, it’s cinematic in every sense of the word. This May brings a stacked slate of releases: long-awaited sequels, buzzy indie drops, sweeping dramas, and a few big-screen spectacles that feel tailor-made for summer nights.
Whether you’re in the mood for something nostalgic, something chaotic, or something that’ll have you staring at the credits in silence, there’s a little bit of everything waiting at the theater. 🍿
Here are all of the new movies coming to NYC theaters this May.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 (May 1)
What it’s about: Though it likely requires no intro, The Devil Wears Prada 2 reunites Miranda and Andy in a fashion world that’s traded glossy pages for algorithms, as legacy media fights to stay relevant in the digital age.
Why we recommend: Sharp, stylish, and a little savage, this sequel promises biting commentary, iconic one-liners, and wardrobe choices that should (and likely do) have their own billing.
🎟️ Get your ticketsAnimal Farm (May 1)
What it’s about: Animal Farm reimagines George Orwell’s classic as a star-studded animated fable where a farm’s animal uprising spirals into something far more sinister: power shifts, rules get rewritten, and the promise of equality slowly curdles into control.
Why we recommend: With a stacked voice cast (hello, Seth Rogen, Kieran Culkin, and Woody Harrelson) and Andy Serkis at the helm, this one leans into bold visuals and big performances—perfect if you’re curious to see a fresh (and very talked-about) take on a classic.
🎟️ Get your ticketsHokum (May 1)
What it’s about: NEON’s latest installment is an R-rated mystery ride packed with offbeat characters and the kind of twists you won’t see coming.
Why we recommend: If you like your movies a little weird and a little wild, this is your ticket.
🎟️ Get your ticketsMortal Kombat II (May 8)
What it’s about: Mortal Kombat II levels up the 2021 reboot with bigger battles, bloodier showdowns, and a certain cocky fighter entering the arena.
Why we recommend: Loud, chaotic, and gloriously over-the-top, exactly what you want from a night at the movies (finish them).
🎟️ Get your ticketsSheep Detectives (May 8)
What it’s about: The Sheep Detectives follows a woolly crew of unlikely sleuths cracking cases in the countryside, one baa-ffling mystery at a time.
Why we recommend: There’s a gentle cleverness here that sneaks up on you. It’s light enough for a casual watch but layered with just enough wit to keep adults entertained too, the cinematic equivalent of a cozy afternoon.
🎟️ Get your ticketsBillie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft (May 8)
What it’s about: Billie Eilish pulls you into an intimate, cinematic concert experience tied to her latest era.
Why we recommend: Completely immersive, and made for the big screen,this is as close as it gets to being front row without the resale prices. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just orbiting her sound, this gives you a closer look at the mood, vulnerability, and artistry that define this chapter. Duh.
🎟️ Get your ticketsIs God Is (May 15)
What it’s about: This compelling drama tracks two sisters on a scorched-earth revenge journey that blurs myth, memory, and justice.
Why we recommend: This one doesn’t soften its edges. It’s intense, stylized, and emotionally heavy in a way that demands your attention.
🎟️ Get your ticketsObsession (May 15)
What it’s about: Obsession centers on a relationship (or fixation) that crosses a line and keeps going. What starts as intrigue tightens into something claustrophobic, where every choice feels like it’s leading somewhere worse.
Why we recommend: It builds dread slowly, letting tension simmer rather than explode. If you like horror that lingers in your head instead of just jump-scaring you, this one fits the bill.
🎟️ Get your ticketsStar Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (May 22)
What it’s about: It’s the perfect day for this addition. May the fourth be with you all! Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu expands the duo’s story into a full-scale cinematic mission, with higher stakes, wider worlds, and a few surprises along the way.
Why we recommend: There’s something undeniably fun about seeing this story scale up. It keeps the emotional core intact while delivering the kind of scope and spectacle that only a theater can really do justice to.
🎟️ Get your ticketsThe Breadwinner (May 29)
What it’s about: The Breadwinner follows a well-meaning but overwhelmed dad trying to keep everything afloat as responsibilities pile up faster than solutions.
Why we recommend: It taps into that very real “how is everyone else doing this?” feeling, but keeps things light enough to laugh through the stress. Easy to watch, easy to enjoy.
🎟️ Get your ticketsBackrooms (May 29)
The premise: Backrooms drops you into an endless maze of flickering fluorescent hallways, where reality feels just slightly… off. What starts as a glitch becomes a nightmare as the space stretches on forever—and something may not be as alone as it seems.
Why we recommend: Born from one of the internet’s creepiest urban legends, this taps into a very specific kind of dread. If you like horror that creeps under your skin instead of shouting at you, this one’s worth getting lost in.
🎟️ Get your ticketsMore from Secret Film Club
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