May is unquestionably one of the busiest months for college students. May is typically when students endure a major second-semester slump, or if you’re a graduating senior, you may be experiencing the excitement of planning your graduation or struggling with the senior slide. Whatever the situation may be, it’s time to take a moment to relax from the anxieties school may bring by watching some new movies and shows that are set to be released in May 2023.
This month is all about spin-offs and sequels to some of the most popular television and film franchises. This month also brings new seasons of shows, and let’s just say the tea is hot! What are you waiting for? Grab a snack, unwind, and use this article to help you decide what to watch this month.
Netflix
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (May 4)
It hasn’t been long since Netflix surprised us with the announcement of the Bridgerton spin-off series, Queen Charlotte, back in March — and I’m on the edge of my seat. If you need a refresher on what to expect from the series, it will take place simultaneously in Queen Charlotte’s past and in the present Bridgerton timeline. The show covers a young Queen Charlotte’s rise to power, as well as the drama that comes with it, such as her friendships and her romance with King George of England. The show is set to run for six episodes in the first season, and I’m honestly eager to binge-watch the full season from beginning to end.
Queer Eye Season 7 (May 12)
“From beignets to ben-yays”: The Netflix television poster for Queer Eye Season 7 perfectly encapsulates what to expect from this new season. The Fab Five will take on the big city of New Orleans, assisting residents in need of all things cuisine and wine, interior design, fashion, grooming, and culture.
XO, Kitty Season 1 (May 18)
If you enjoyed To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, you won’t want to miss the follow-up of the franchise, which focuses on the youngest Covey sister, Kitty. Kitty resumes her quest for love with her long-distance boyfriend, Dae, immediately following the events of the third TATBILB movie. She may not be in a long-distance relationship for long, as she is awarded a scholarship to study at Dae’s school, the Korean Independent School of Seoul, or KISS for short. There, she will discover more about her Korean ancestry and her mother’s past, as well as deal with the standard teenage struggles of love and drama.
The Ultimatum: Queer Love (May 24)
The Ultimatum, the messy and drama-filled dating reality show, is back, but this time with an entirely queer-identifying cast of women and nonbinary people. If you’re unfamiliar with The Ultimatum‘s premise, it was created by dating reality host royalty, Vanessa and Nick Lachey, and follows couples who are at a crossroads in their relationship, where one person is ready to settle down while the other is not. The show put their relationships’ loyalty to the test by allowing each couple to date other people on the show in order to figure out what they seek in a relationship and maybe choose a different partner.
Disney+
Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All (May 3)
Ed Sheeran, the award-winning singer-songwriter, is not only preparing to release his latest album, – or Subtract, on May 5 — which is the completion of his equations-themed albums — but he also has plans for his own Disney+ special. The Sum of It All, a limited docuseries, follows Sheeran as he reflects on his incredible rise to fame, his loved ones, and, of course, his success as one of the world’s most successful global music superstars.
American Born Chinese Season 1 (May 24)
American Born Chinese is based on the 2006 novel of the same name and follows Jin Wang as he juggles life as an average high school teen while attempting to fit in. On his first day back to school, he’s tasked with guiding a foreign exchange student, Wei-Chen; however, Wei-Chen is actually a supernatural being. Jin becomes entangled in a battle between Chinese mythical gods and assists Wei-Chen in fighting off evil entities that threaten the world’s safety. So, not your average high school experience. The television adaptation features Oscar Award winners Michelle Yeoh and Key Huy Quan, as well as Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu (it’s like an Everything Everywhere All At Once reunion!). It also serves as the introduction of newcomers Ben Wang as Jin and Jimmy Liu as Wei-Chen.
Hulu
White Men Can’t Jump (May 19)
A film starring Jack Harlow? Already, I’m intrigued! White Men Can’t Jump is a 2023 remake of the 1992 film of the same name, starring Jack Harlow as Jeremy, a white basketball hustler who bets on people who underestimate his abilities on the court. He eventually meets Kamal after winning a bet between the two, and the two join forces to win big money in an upcoming basketball tournament. Will they be successful?
The Kardashians Season 3 (May 25)
Honestly, I have no idea how the third season of The Kardashians will turn out, especially given the surprising announcement that Kylie Jenner and Timothee Charlemet are now reportedly dating (which, I might add, was not on my 2023 bingo card), as well as rumors that another Jenner sister, Kendall Jenner, is (potentially!) dating Latin trap and reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny. According to the Hulu synopsis for the third season, “the cameras return as Kris, Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, Kendall, and Kylie invite viewers back into their lives as they navigate motherhood, co-parenting, and building their own empires,” so you’ll have to tune in to see what new stories await the family.
Theaters
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (May 5)
Calling all Marvel fans: Don’t miss the third installment of the beloved Guardians of the Galaxy film franchise! The film returns to the gang as Rocket’s past catches up with him and threatens his life. Meanwhile, Peter Quill as Star-Lord, still mourning Gamora’s death, tries to save Rocket and reunite the team, which may lead to their annihilation.
Fast X (May 19)
It’s almost time to say goodbye to the iconic Fast & Furious film franchise, since the 10th installment will be one of the last. But don’t worry, the conclusion will be split into two parts, the first of which, Fast X, will be released on May 19. Dominic “Dom” Toretto will be up against Cipher, who has joined forces with Dante, the son of Fast Five villain Hernan Reyes, in the current installment. Dante’s ultimate purpose is to bring Dom down, and he accomplishes this by focusing on Dom’s greatest weakness: his family, particularly his son.
The Little Mermaid (May 26)
This May, one of the most anticipated featured films will be released in theaters. The Little Mermaid retells the classic Disney princess narrative of Ariel, the young mermaid who thrives on an adventure before falling in love with a human and sacrificing her voice to learn more about him and become a human herself. The film features Halle Bailey, half of the famed singing-sister duet Chloe x Halle, as Ariel, and iconic comedian Melissa McCarthy as Ursula. On May 26, you can bet I’ll be at the movies with a bag of popcorn in hand!