Power Ranking May’s Movies of May

The month of May is always a memorable month in the movie world.

Every year Memorial Day Weekend jumpstarts Summer Blockbuster Season as a mix of super hero and budget-bloated action movies combine with established IP sequels draw people out of their homes and into theaters.

May 2026 may be remembered for the death of that line of thinking. Horror DOMINATED the box office and controlled the headlines, spearheaded by the emergence of Curry Barker and Kane Parsons, two new filmmakers who graduated from YouTube and delivered monster commercial hits for Blumhouse and A24 with Obsession and Backrooms.

With that being said, this isn’t a box office ranking or a piece on the current landscape of cinema; this is a personal spoiler-free ranking of the TEN new movies I checked out this month in theaters (plus a radom one I watched on streaming). If you’re interested in a longer form discussion, check out the FANRUN Movie Podcast.

Rankings are slightly based on my expectations and the intention of the movie (i.e., if you’re going for a dumb popcorn action movie like Mortal Kombat II or a deeper, introspective movie reflecting on the pain of unsolved trauma like Hokum or Backrooms, I’m judging on whether or not you landed the plane. Follow me on Letterboxd @ jonreed01.

10. Passenger

In one of horror’s best months ever, this one STUNK. Give their marketing people a round of applause and a raise for putting together a solid trailer that didn’t really have much to do with the actual plot of the movie. Also give props to whomever was able to strategically get this movie released in May sandwiched in between other actual respected horror films.

9. Backrooms

I acknowledge that I may be in the minority here, but this movie was so disappointing. The first 25 minutes of the movie were promising. . . and then you find out they had their fingers crossed the entire time.

However, some movie people I trust say it is very good. I would still recommend watching for yourself if you are a horror fan. Just expect a psychological slow-burn. The ending left people speechless in my theater.

As in everyone just sat there for a minute wondering what the hell just happened.

8. Roommates (streaming on Netflix)

There’s something here with Sadie Sandler (yes, Adam’s daughter). This Rated R comedy has some heart and some moments but doesn’t quite land.

Kind of the perfect “put on in the background and scroll your phone with your lover*” movie. You won’t miss anything of substance while also doing a favor for the Sandman. Which I feel like that is half of what Netflix’s company mission is at this point. Make safe, boring movies while giving Adam Sandler money.

*if you have a lover.

7. Michael

Nothing groundbreaking here. It’s mostly just a vehicle for a fun time and an excuse to listen to Michael Jackson. This first one focuses on Joe(sph) Jackson’s abuse and need for control over Michael and his siblings. It’s a great performance by Colman Domingo. However, the appeal of the movie is just getting to listen to some of the greatest songs ever recorded by one of the most famous and talented people to ever walk on Earth. That’s really all I need in most musical biopics. Although I do need more info on why Janet didn’t sign off on it.

The sequel is going to be incredibly hyped just because of the money the first one was able to bring in.

6. Mortal Kombat II

The first one was pretty terrible. The second one was much, much better. Still only like a 60/100, but that’s a huge step forward.

More fighting scenes, for better or worse, and they developed enough of a plot to get you to care about the outcomes.

Sidenote: who would’ve thought that playing Johnny Cage in this movie would be by far the best thing Karl Urban would do in 2026.

Man, the Boys final season went out with a whimper, huh?

5. I Love Boosters

This is the second movie from Boots Riley, following 2018’s Sorry to Bother You. If you saw that one, you know that it was weird.

I Love Boosters was even weirder.

I’m not sure if Keke Palmer has hit “Bonafide Star” level as a lead actress, but she is one of the more charming and enjoyable lead actresses in the game right now. I like watching her on my screen. She carries this movie.

Like Sorry to Bother You, this movie is making a statement against capitalism, greed, and exploitation. The main difference is that in I Love Boosters, there’s some hope sprinkled in on the working class standing together.

If you can handle weird movies, you will at least appreciate this.

4. Devil Wears Prada 2

I would enjoy watching Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway do pretty much anything.

It’s pretty wild that they were able to successfully put this together TWENTY YEARS after the original. But they did. And the plot worked. And the stars of the movie are still as good, if not better, than they were back then.

Great date night movie.

LARGE GAP

3. Hokum

I hate that this movie kind of fell through the cracks since it was the first horror release of the month. I’d love to see what type of buzz it could have gotten if it came after the box office explosion following Obsession and Backrooms.

Adam Scott plays a smug, mentally broken, grieving writer who heads to Ireland looking for closure from his mother’s death. He stays at the same hotel where his parents fell in love. Except the hotel is “haunted.” And then scary stuff happens.

I watch an unhealthy amount of scary movies. This is one of the rare ones that was able to still give me that feeling that all horror fans chase of actually being uncomfortable.

Hokum is able to beautifully combine a “whodunnit” story with the paranormal, and…  a witch.

Awesome movie.

2. Obsession

You’ve surely seen all of the hype about this movie by now. It is justified.

I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I have seen this three separate times in theaters. I love popcorn and drinking Mountain Dew and watching people react to the experience. And I pay for the Regal Unlimited, so I get to go to all of these for one low monthly price. Let me know if you want my referral code so we can both get a free month. Also let me know if you ever need someone to go to the movies with you.

If you don’t know what the movie is about, keep it that way. Just go in and enjoy the ride.

Writer and Director Curry Barker is now a “made man” in Hollywood. His upcoming film will do huge numbers. His Texas Chainsaw reboot could completely change the way multiple generations think about Leatherface and that franchise. All of the praise and pressure is justified.

I won’t say anything else about this movie. Watch it.

1. The Sheep Detectives

A very heartwarming movie. That also wrecked me.

Hugh Jackman plays a shepherd who likes to read murder mysteries to his sheep. They end up having to solve his (which sucks because that obviously means he dies. Which is sad because he was a great character).

It’s a kids’ movie that I am not sure kids will fully enjoy(???), but you can never go wrong with talking animals.

Great cast. Great message. Beautiful visuals.

Upcoming releases in June that I am interested in

Scary Movie, Power Ballad, Carolina Caroline, Disclosure Day, Toy Story 5, Leviticus, Jackass: Best and Last, The Invite