A legendary adventure comes to life as Christopher Nolan takes audiences on an extraordinary cinematic journey in The Odyssey, the acclaimed filmmaker’s ambitious adaptation of Homer’s iconic Greek epic.
Leading the film is Matt Damon as Odysseus, the fearless king of Ithaca whose long and dangerous voyage home begins after the Trojan War. Joining Damon is an impressive ensemble cast featuring Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron.
Watch the Official Trailer
Set against breathtaking global locations and filmed using brand-new IMAX® film technology, The Odyssey promises a visually spectacular experience crafted specifically for the big screen.
Christopher Nolan, known for blockbuster masterpieces such as Interstellar, Inception, Dunkirk, and Oppenheimer, writes and directs the mythic action epic, bringing fresh scale and emotional depth to one of literature’s most enduring tales.
Homer’s Legendary Tale Reimagined
For centuries, Homer’s The Odyssey has captivated audiences with its themes of courage, survival, temptation, and destiny. Now, Nolan transforms the timeless saga into a monumental cinematic event designed to immerse viewers in Odysseus’ perilous quest across land and sea.
Meanwhile, anticipation continues to grow as moviegoers eagerly await Nolan’s newest large-scale spectacle, which marks the first time the classic story will be presented on IMAX® film screens.
Produced by Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan through their production company Syncopy, the film combines cutting-edge filmmaking technology with an emotionally gripping narrative that is expected to become one of 2026’s biggest theatrical releases.
Opening in Philippine Cinemas July 15
Experience The Odyssey in Philippine theaters, including IMAX, beginning July 15, 2026.
About “The Odyssey”
Cast: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, Charlize Theron
Written and Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Produced by: Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan
Executive Producer: Thomas Hayslip
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is a mythic action epic filmed across the world using groundbreaking new IMAX® film technology. The film brings Homer’s legendary saga to IMAX® screens for the very first time and opens in theaters on July 15, 2026. Distributed locally by Universal Pictures.
Get ready for bone-crushing battles, jaw-dropping stunts, and the brutal tournament fans have been waiting for.
Now showing only in cinemas and IMAX, “Mortal Kombat II” levels up the action with larger-scale fights, devastating fatalities, and fierce new warriors entering the arena. According to producer James Wan, the sequel delivers everything fans loved about the first film — only bigger and far more intense.
“This one is bigger in scope and scale,” says Wan.
The explosive sequel sees Earthrealm’s champions facing their most dangerous threat yet as they battle the terrifying forces of Shao Kahn. Joining the returning fighters is fan-favorite character Johnny Cage, played by Karl Urban, bringing even more energy and attitude into the high-stakes tournament.
Directed once again by Simon McQuoid, the film stars Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Tati Gabrielle, Lewis Tan, Damon Herriman, Chin Han, Tadanobu Asano, Joe Taslim, and Hiroyuki Sanada.
Watch the Trailer Here:
Massive Fight Sequences Took Months to Prepare
With nearly 20 major fight scenes featured throughout the film, the production team spent months carefully planning every punch, kick, and finishing move.
Producer E. Bennett Walsh explains that preparation was essential to making the action sequences feel exciting while also supporting the story.
“We’ve learned that these fights take a great deal of preparation. We have about 20 fights in total and they all had to be carefully choreographed,” he says. “We made video clips so that everyone could understand how they needed to flow, and then broke them up to add in all the technical components that went into shooting them. We doubled the stunt preparation time to five months.”
The filmmakers worked closely with stunt coordinator and second unit director Kyle Gardiner to ensure each battle had its own identity and emotional weight.
“Within each fight you have to find its point of view, as well as the narrative that you need to weave into the story, so that the audience stays with it and doesn’t get fight fatigue. The fights need to have many layers, so that they don’t flatline. With enough time, we were able to design all the fights before we began shooting. That allowed us to take it to the next level and fine tune, which gave us a great advantage.”
For Gardiner, honoring the iconic video game franchise was one of the production’s top priorities.
“We stay true to the game at all times and the truth of the game itself. We have fatalities and brutalities. It’s all there. There’s blood, there’s gore, there’s everything! We pay homage to the game, but then we take it to another level entirely. It’s pretty awesome.”
The cast underwent demanding physical training throughout production, often balancing full shooting days with nonstop stunt rehearsals.
“The cast underwent a huge amount of training. It was quite brutal. They’d work all day, every day, and then if they weren’t on set, they’d be training with us. It was impressive to see them all handle the volume and really step up to the training.”
Director Simon McQuoid praised the cast’s dedication, noting that every sequence required precision, endurance, and emotional performance.
“They make it look effortless, but it’s not easy. They had to understand their performance and their character. As well as learning their actual lines, they also had to learn the fight lines of the choreography. It was a huge amount of work for each little sequence. But they all worked so very hard and I think that hard work really paid off in each and every performance. I mean, it was tough – like running a marathon. There were days where everyone was tired, but with a smile on every face.”
Karl Urban Enters the Arena as Johnny Cage
For Karl Urban, stepping into the world of Mortal Kombat meant jumping directly into stunt rehearsals from the moment he arrived.
“When I landed at the airport to start filming, they picked me up and drove me straight to a stunt rehearsal, because the stunt choreography was such a massive undertaking,” shares Urban. “So, from day one, I was thrown in at the deep end. We had an extraordinary stunt team – one of the best I’ve ever worked with.”
Urban also explored martial arts culture and tournament fighting to better understand Johnny Cage’s personality and fighting style.
Meanwhile, Tati Gabrielle, who portrays Jade, fully embraced the film’s action-heavy production.
“There were so many fight sequences, but I’m very big on stunts. I love them. I’m always like, ‘Can I do more? Can you put me on a wire? I want to do more!’ Every little step needs so many drills. But it’s so much fun. And I felt so badass all the time doing all these great stunts!”
For Adeline Rudolph, who plays Kitana, mastering the character’s signature steel fans became one of the highlights of filming.
“The fans that Kitana fights with were my favorite part. They were so much fun to play around with. Once we were in the training phase, I had a normal pair of fans to begin with, and we just started to play around with those to figure out what felt comfortable and what felt good. I love my fans! I was annoyingly obsessed with them.”
Real Martial Arts Experience Added Authenticity
Several members of the cast brought real martial arts backgrounds to the production, including Max Huang, who trained for years under the Jackie Chan stunt team.
“To me, it’s about telling a story through movement,” says Huang. “I’ve been in the stunt and action world for many years, so it feels natural to me.”
He also praised co-star Ludi Lin for dedicating himself completely to the demanding fight choreography.
“Ludi Lin, who plays Liu Kang, was not so familiar. He trained so hard. He’d text me, ‘Let’s go down to the gym and train the choreography, train the fight.’ He put in so much hard work and I think it really paid off. It shows in our fight together.”
A Bigger, More Explosive Mortal Kombat Experience
For producer James Wan, creating unforgettable action while remaining faithful to the beloved franchise was always the mission.
“We all felt that we wanted to get the fights correct,” says James Wan. “We wanted them to feel special and unique to each of the different characters, but also to depict the characters in the correct way. We spent a lot of time designing the set pieces with the fights, focusing on each combatant’s special traits and abilities, which shaped the sequences while propelling the story forward as well.”
Packed with spectacular battles, iconic characters, and brutal finishing moves, “Mortal Kombat II” promises an adrenaline-fueled cinematic experience fans won’t want to miss.
Things are about to get terrifyingly personal in “Evil Dead Burn,” the newest chapter in the iconic horror franchise that has terrified generations of moviegoers.
The freshly released trailer teases a gruesome and relentless descent into chaos as a grieving family gathering spirals into unimaginable horror. Packed with disturbing imagery, intense scares, and blood-soaked mayhem, the film promises to deliver one of the franchise’s most chilling experiences yet.
Watch the Official Trailer here:
This time, the nightmare unfolds inside a secluded family home where a widow seeks comfort after the death of her husband. But instead of healing, she finds herself trapped in a horrifying battle for survival as dark forces begin possessing her relatives one after another.
As the evil spreads, the family transforms into terrifying Deadites, turning what should have been a solemn reunion into an all-out nightmare.
Directed by Sébastien Vaniček, “Evil Dead Burn” pushes the franchise deeper into brutal psychological terror while maintaining the savage energy fans have come to expect from the legendary series. The trailer hints at horrifying creature transformations, nerve-rattling tension, and shocking sequences guaranteed to leave audiences stunned.
Leading the cast are Souheila Yacoub, Tandi Wright, Hunter Doohan, Luciane Buchanan, Errol Shand, Maude Davey, George Pullar, and Greta Van Den Brink.
Longtime fans and horror enthusiasts alike can expect a terrifying cinematic experience loaded with suspense, carnage, and sinister Deadite chaos when the film arrives in Philippine cinemas on July 8. Distributed locally by Columbia Pictures PH.
About “Evil Dead Burn”
Evil Dead Burn unleashes the franchise’s most savage and terrifying ride to date, blazing onto big screens with an all-new chapter of carnage and demonic mayhem. After the loss of her husband, a woman seeks solace with her in-laws in their secluded family home. As one by one they are transformed into Deadites—turning the gathering into a family reunion from hell—she comes to discover that the vows she took in life… live on even in death.
Director: Sébastien Vaniček
Cast: Souheila Yacoub, Tandi Wright, Hunter Doohan, Luciane Buchanan, Errol Shand, Maude Davey, George Pullar, Greta Van Den Brink
The Virgin Labfest (VLF) officially comes of age in its 21st edition, stripping down all pretense of innocence while showcasing the bold Filipino voice and spirit. As it nurtures emerging and established playwrights, directors, actors, and designers, it revels in the artistic and creative desires expressed through fearless storytelling.
Guided by the theme Hubo’t Hubad, this year’s VLF reflects on the many ways people reveal themselves. It invites audiences to engage with works that expose layers of identity, memory, and vulnerability.
Offering a deeper understanding of the human experience, the country’s theater festival of untried, untested, and unstaged one-act plays returns with 12 “virgin” scripts this June 3 to 28, 2026, at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater).
Unrestrained tales of the human experience
Featuring new works by eight “virgin” playwrights and four returning playwrights, VLFXXI: HUBO’T HUBAD elaborates on the unbridled truths of humanity’s essence after blooming into a passionate community of untold narratives over the last two decades.
Anthony Kim Vergara’s PASSWORD123, PILIPINAS321 centers on Blackteam, an underground cyberspace operation disguised as a technical support center. With his cousin leading the team’s troubling methods, the lead character questions his chosen path as a cybersecurity expert and as a Filipino.
A reporter is about to receive an international award in HUMAN RIGHTS STORY OF THE YEAR by Elijah Felice Rosales. At her farewell party, a former colleague declares she does not deserve the recognition.
PATAYIN ANG MGA SUROT by Floyd Scott Tiogangco occurs on the last night of Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency. While an Oplan Tokhang operation unfolds, tension builds as a couple conducts their own extermination of bedbugs.
A wounded fighter stumbles into a small Marawi hospital in Neil Arkhe Azcuna’s BALOS. Because of his arrival, four medical workers must decide between staying silent to save lives and speaking up to risk everyone’s refuge.
In Alab Usman’s HARAM, three queer Muslims struggle to manage faith and love across borders and barriers.
A former nun turned Philosophy professor and Gab Mactal’s LUALHATI meet again. Their memories of faith and romance emerge on the last night of the wake held at the Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn convent.
Dustin Celestino’s ELEHIYA is an impressionistic montage of conversations of fathers and sons that could have taken place but did not.
A former womanizer meets the love of his life in SHE’S ELECTRIC by Ron Evangelista. However, his friends make a discovery that leads to an insightful discussion on the sexual and philosophical nature of relationships.
Faith Ferrer Lacanlale’s BETAMAX follows a woman who begins to see “human pigs” after a minor road accident. As she ascends to madness, the darkness surrounding her family is brought to light.
A grieving family turns back time with a virtual archive of memories in FOOTPRINT by JEROM CANLAS. While they scramble to make sense of a tragedy, their unspoken feelings inflict a much harsher truth.
Set in Tarlac, two strangers uncover an unexpected connection by exchanging tales of love and disappointment within the walls of a rage booth in John Lapus’ TAKSYAPO!.
Gerald Manuel’s BUHAGHAG follows a young lady who is haunted by a long-haired enigma that corners her into choosing between self-preservation and self-destruction.
In addition to the new plays, VLFXXI: HUBO’T HUBAD revisits three stories from last year’s edition: Ade Valenzona’s POLAR COORDINATES, Rolin Cadallo Obina’s THE LATE MR. REAL, and Siege Malvar’s PRESIDENTIAL SUITE #2.
Valenzona’s POLAR COORDINATES follows a confused student after he fails his Math exam. With the fate of his fragile family and strange feelings for his tutor piling on, he struggles to carve his own path.
Obina’s THE LATE MR. REAL takes place in an isolation facility during the COVID-19 pandemic. With a wall separating them, an estranged couple reexamines the clashing views that led to their marriage’s failure.
A senator is accused of money laundering in Malvar’s PRESIDENTIAL SUITE #2. While she recovers from a heart attack, her children rally for the best course of action to salvage their reputations.
Peeling off innocence and refining raw talent
True to its core of celebrating both budding and veteran playwrights, VLFXXI: HUBO’T HUBAD continues to nourish its garden of talent through its educational components: Staged Readings, Writing Fellowship Program and Showcase, Theater Talks, and Playwrights’ Fair.
Script submissions from VLFXXI come to life through stripped-down reading performances in Staged Readings. Jose Victor Torres’ MGA TATSULOK,M. Manalastas’ THE DEVOURED, Dingdong Novenario’s MANANG, Rafael Jimenez’s SUOR, Juan Ekis’ KASAL(ANAN), and Jay Fernandez’s ANG HULI take the stage.
The VLF Writing Fellowship Program, a two-week mentorship on dramatic writing for the stage headed by award-winning playwright Glenn Sevilla Mas, culminates in a thrilling showcase. The Taiwan International Play Reading Festival (TIPR) will also hold a special staged reading of Ihot Sinlay Cihek’s HOW ROMANTIC: A GUIDE TO MODERN PANGCAH LIFE, alongside the National Art Centre’s PRISON DANCER.
A forum series on the creative processes behind theater, Theater Talks will feature TIPR with speaker Cheng-Han Wu. Jin Yim and Cui Yin Mok of the Asian Producers’ Platform share their insights, together with Shizuoka Performing Arts Center’s Takuya Maehara.
Meanwhile, VLF founder and Palanca-awardee Rody Vera, Liza Magtoto, and Glenn Sevilla Mas host Playwrights’ Fair, peeking into the minds of veteran playwrights. Guest speakers Tanya Lopez, Dessa Quesada-Palm, and Sari Saysay explore the essence of Visayan theater, herstories, and settings in the nation’s current artistic landscape.
Uncovering new narratives charged with immense thirst for artistry, VLFXXI: HUBO’T HUBAD shows are scheduled at 2 p.m. matinee and 8 p.m. gala, while its educational components are slated at 5 p.m. from June 3 to 28, 2026. Tickets are priced at Php800 (regular) and Php1000 (premium), available for purchase at the CCP Box Office and Ticket World. For more updates on the festival schedule and ticket-selling, visit the official pages of VLF, CCP, Tanghalang Pilipino Foundation Inc., and Writers’ Bloc across Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.
I wasn’t sure if I ever wanted a sequel to The Devil Wears Prada. To me, the original was already so perfect, one of those evergreen films you can return to over-and-over again. Anne Hathaway’s Andy Sachs served as the perfect foil, played it so well that matched Meryl Streep’s iconic Miranda Priestly, who really could have won an Oscar for that performance.
It was just as enjoyable to watch the banter and barbs flung with precision at perfect timing by Emily Blunt’s Emily and Stanley Tucci’s Nigel. It’s a film I could come back to and the story in itself was so complete that I had no real desire to see more from them because everything that I needed was there.
So coming into Devil Wears Prada 2 came with a lot of resistance. The trailer didn’t tell me anything other than they were going to be delivering the same level of humor while amping up the glitz and glamour. The story finds Andy Sachs returns to Runway after losing her job due to the layoffs of media workers (and other industries) due to the current capitalist wave.
Twenty years have passed, and Miranda doesn’t even remember her. Miranda herself is struggling to keep the brand afloat amidst the changes and challenges in the field of traditional publishing since the Internet and social media has changed everything.
Andy’s return to Runway isn’t Miranda’s choice and she now has to prove her worth all over again. While the story runs almost beat-for-beat with the 2006 original, the dynamic has shifted quite a bit with Andy more confident and knowledgeable about the world.
The performances are still enjoyable with Meryl Streep given significantly more to do as the film has her on equal screen time and agency as a character than she was in the first film. This is as much her movie as it is Andy’s. They’ve humanized her, the eponymous “Devil” of the film’s title, now left scrambling to keep her budget and her brand alive, and hoping for a promotion for “Head of Global Content” in the publishing company, a position she has spent many years forging.
However, this added storyline and humanizing of her destroys all of the character’s mystery – which some people enjoyed, though I felt lessens her impact on the film – and without that signature coldness, the film feels like it lost some of its signature bite. By grounding Miranda, I felt more inclined to look at the things that the film wants to say.
And while it does mention the changes in the publishing industry – in terms of its business models and being run by billionaires who only care about making a profit and don’t care really about creating something valuable and meaningful outside of economics – it never really gets to go deep and hard into these issues. Maybe it’s not what the film is trying to do but the whole narrative is set on trying to save Runway with a Jeff Bezos-type billionaire character, Benji Barnes (played by Justin Theroux) playing a crucial role in its future, but I felt the film took for granted in showing us what was worth saving in the first place.
The film still regales us with gorgeous outfits and great styling. It features multiple cameos by real superstars and legends of the fashion world. But in this day and age of a possible global recession and a reevaluation of the true cost of luxury, I end up questioning what the point of all of it is.
In the original film, that amazing monologue about “cerulean” was an important narrative beat to show Miranda’s knowledge in the world of fashion and a turning point in Andy’s discovery of what it is she was truly entering but it was also necessary because it made us realise how high fashion is connected to everything – especially back in 2006. As Andy began dressing the part, looking great, she started to attract good things coming to her. The Devil Wears Prada does not have that same moment – to show us how important and necessary high fashion is to the world today – and thus feels like the film sort of stumbles in what it is trying to do.
Yes, we want the characters to succeed because Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, and Stanley Tucci are amazing and their performances truly grab at you. Emily Blunt is also great, but her character now runs adjacent to Runway. But there are so many plot points and narrative twists keeping the story moving, yet it never really stops and gives us a moment to rationalize what high fashion means in 2026. It’s all gorgeous to look at, but who can afford a three thousand dollar handbag in today’s economy? The film never showed me why that matters.
Director David Frankel does a good job at keeping the pace, keeping the plot moving without ever feeling boring, and allowing his actors to shine. We got gorgeous cinematic moments and a lot of good humor reminiscent of the original but I don’t see the same heart that was there that got me to fall in love with the first movie.
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Miranda doesn’t like to be kept waiting. Witness the long-awaited return of Meryl Streep and the original cast in the cinematic event of the season. Check The Devil Wears Prada 2 showtimes here.
As the summer heat rolls in, there’s no better way to cool down than diving into a fresh lineup of must-watch shows and films. This May, Netflix brings a vibrant mix of action-packed adventures, heartfelt dramas, thrilling mysteries, and feel-good stories—perfect for lazy afternoons, weekend binges, or late-night escapes. From small-town heroes discovering superpowers to emotional tales of love, loss, and second chances, this season’s releases promise something for every mood under the sun.
YOUR TOP PICK THIS MONTH
The WONDERfools (Series) Launch date: May 15
A goofy group of townies stumbles into superpowers and fights rising evil as doomsday panic grows in this wild, turn-of-the-century action comedy.
DEEP FEELINGS
Remarkably Bright Creatures (Film) Launch date: May 8
While working nights at a small-town aquarium, a widow bonds with a clever octopus and an adrift young man in this moving drama based on the bestseller.
The Master Cutter (Series) Launch date: May 8
In Baclaran, a former scout ranger turned tailor hides his secret life as a tracker — until he takes in a street-smart girl and is hired to hunt her down.
Berlin and the Lady with an Ermine (Series) Launch date: May 15
Hungry for a new heist, Berlin summons the gang to Seville and turns an ambitious duke into the victim of his own plan: to steal a Da Vinci masterpiece.
A ladies’ man finds his life upended when he wakes up in a parallel world dominated by women. With the rules of engagement changed, he goes head-to-head with a fiery female colleague in a playful satire about what happens when the script is flipped.
FAMILIAR FACES
The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek (Series) Launch date: May 7
After a woman goes missing, the Copenhagen police hunt a stalker who taunts victims with a chilling children’s rhyme. Based on the novel “Hide and Seek.”
Devil May Cry: Season 2 (Series) Launch date: May 12
A war between worlds ignites as Dante confronts his own devils and must battle the only force that mirrors his own: his estranged twin brother, Vergil.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder: Season 2 (Series) Launch date: May 27
The friends reunite for four new seasonal get-togethers, as they process a personal loss and embrace the regrets and reinventions of middle age.
FRESH FROM ASIA
Glory (Series) Launch date: May 5
In a small-town boxing hub, two brothers investigate a shocking murder while navigating a troubled reunion with their father, a renowned coach.
My Dearest Assassin (Film) Launch date: May 7
A woman whose rare blood type puts a target on her back finds protection in the arms of the deadly assassin she loves — together, they fight to survive.
The Loved One (Film) Launch date: May 14
A former couple reunites after many years apart, reflecting on all the memories, love and heartbreak they shared in their decade-long relationship.
A young woman from a traditional family learns she’s intersex, sparking a journey of self-discovery, gender identity and love found in unexpected places.
In a seemingly perfect retirement community, a crew of unlikely heroes must stop an otherworldly threat from stealing the one thing they don’t have: time.
Calabasas Confidential (Series) Launch date: May 29
Fresh out of college, a tight-knit group of friends, exes and rivals returns to hillside SoCal luxury and unfinished drama in this opulent reality series.
Rafa (Documentary) Launch date: May 29
In this documentary series, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Rafael Nadal, reflects on his career, legacy and final season on the court.
K-Pops! (Film) Launch date: May 30
Desperate to achieve stardom, an American musician joins a K-pop talent show in Seoul — only to discover a rising contestant is the son he never knew.
The guest is king — but so is the host! Yu Jae-seok opens his first B&B, where he runs things his way and treats guests to his signature games.
Whether you’re staying in to beat the heat or planning a cozy binge session after a day out, Netflix’s summer offerings are ready to keep you entertained all season long. With stories that spark laughter, suspense, and heartfelt connections, this lineup invites you to sit back, press play, and make every summer moment a little more unforgettable.
This May 2026, Prime Video rolls out an exciting lineup of series and films that promise high-stakes action, gripping drama, and heartfelt romance. From returning global hits to compelling new stories, viewers can expect edge-of-your-seat thrillers, swoon-worthy love stories, and powerful narratives rooted in history and humanity. Whether you’re into espionage, fantasy, or emotional journeys, this month’s releases deliver something for every kind of binge-watcher.
Top-Tier Series Premieres
Citadel Season 2 Premiere: May 6, 2026
The adrenaline-fueled spy saga returns as Mason Kane, Nadia Sinh, and Bernard Orlick are pulled back into action to stop a new global threat. With a fresh team of operatives and a conspiracy that could alter humanity’s future, the stakes soar higher than ever in this action-packed sequel.
Love is Never Gone Premiere: May 8, 2026
A tale of love, betrayal, and redemption unfolds as Teo and Yana’s lives intertwine through crime, sacrifice, and heartbreak. Years after being torn apart, fate brings them back together revealing shocking truths and testing whether love can truly survive betrayal.
Good Omens Season 3 Premiere: May 13, 2026
Aziraphale and Crowley return for their most personal and perilous journey yet. As Heaven prepares for the Second Coming and their friendship hangs in the balance, the unlikely duo must decide if their bond—and the world—is still worth saving.
Off Campus Premiere: May 13, 2026
Based on the bestselling novels, this college drama dives into the lives of elite hockey players and the women around them. Love, heartbreak, and self-discovery collide in a story about growing up and finding connection.
It’s Not Like That Season 1 Premiere: May 15, 2026
Two newly single parents navigate life, family, and unexpected emotions. As Malcolm and Lori adjust to their new realities, they begin to question if their connection is more than just friendship.
Spider-Noir Premiere: May 27, 2026
Set in 1930s New York, this noir-inspired superhero series follows a weary private investigator forced to confront his past as the city’s lone masked hero.
Must-Watch Movies
Quezon May 2026 (TBA)
This powerful historical drama chronicles Manuel L. Quezon’s political rise during the American occupation, culminating in the pivotal 1935 presidential elections that shaped Philippine history.
No Place to Be Single Premiere: May 8, 2026
Set in the picturesque Tuscan countryside, a single mother’s quiet life is disrupted by the return of a childhood friend—with romance, ambition, and family legacy hanging in the balance.
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War Premiere: May 20, 2026
Jack Ryan is thrust back into a dangerous covert mission as a deadly conspiracy unfolds. Joined by trusted allies and a new partner, he faces his most personal and high-stakes battle yet.
From pulse-pounding action to deeply emotional storytelling, Prime Video’s May 2026 lineup delivers unforgettable entertainment across genres. Whether you’re revisiting fan-favorite franchises or discovering new stories, this month’s premieres invite you to sit back, stream, and get lost in worlds where anything can happen.
This May, step into a world where every story is driven by legacy—shaped by love, ambition, sacrifice, and the choices that echo far beyond the present. From deeply personal journeys to larger-than-life battles across cities and galaxies, Disney+ brings together a lineup that explores the forces that define who we are. Whether it’s the influence of a parent, the weight of expectations, or the pull of destiny, these stories remind us that every action leaves a mark.
A GRIEVING FATHER’S LEGACY
The Punisher: One Last Kill Premiering May 13
Peace is a luxury Frank Castle has never truly known. In The Punisher, Jon Bernthal returns as the haunted vigilante attempting to leave behind a life defined by vengeance until circumstances pull him back into violence. Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, this gripping Marvel special dives deeper into grief, justice, and the cost of never letting go.
LEGACIES ON THE LINE
NBA On Disney+
Historic. Pivotal. Defining.
With the NBA 2026 Playoffs finally tipped off, May promises a full slate of high-stakes ball action and sporting mayhem that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Witness history in the making as every game is a chance for players and teams alike to cement the legacies that will define them forever.
Watch every record-breaking, record-making moment on Disney+.
NBA Playoffs Schedule:
Late April to early May: Conference Semifunals (Best of 7 Games)
Mid to Late May: Eastern Conference Finals (Best of 7 Games) Eastern Conference Finals (Best of 7 Games)
LEGACY vs. NEPOTISM
Send Help Premiering May 7
When privilege is stripped away, true character is revealed. Dylan O’Brien and Rachel McAdams star in this darkly comedic survival thriller directed by Sam Raimi, where a corporate power struggle turns into a battle for survival on a deserted island.
Amanda Seyfried portrays a woman who dared to challenge the norms of her time. This musical biopic traces Ann Lee’s journey as she builds a faith rooted in equality and conviction, redefining what it means to lead and inspire.
POWER. AMBITION. LOVE
Perfect Crown (Series Finale) Premiering May 16
Starring Byeon Woo-seok and IU, this sweeping finale brings a story of political strategy and unexpected romance to a thrilling close—where love may be the most dangerous move of all.
THE MAY-HEM FILES
Crime, mystery, and high-stakes drama take over this month with returning series pushing their characters to the brink.
Tracker Season 3 Batch 2 Premiering May 6
Justin Hartley returns as Colter Shaw, now forced to confront a past that turns him into the very target he once chased.
Will Trent Season 4 Batch 2 Premiering May 20
WILL TRENT – “Studio 4B” – When a model is murdered, Will and Faith dive into a twisted art-world conspiracy, aided by Ava, his former flame. Meanwhile, Betty’s instincts turn a routine neighborhood check for Ormewood, Angie and Nico into a critical lead on a dangerous case. TUESDAY, JAN. 20 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) on ABC. (Disney/Wilford Harewood) RAMÓN RODRIGUEZ
In Will Trent, personal history collides with present danger, raising the stakes like never before.
Criminal Minds Season 19 Premiering May 29
The team from Criminal Minds faces evolving threats and shifting alliances in one of its most intense seasons yet.
NEXT GEN-LEGACY BUILDERS
The next generation steps up whether they’re ready or not.
Deli Boys Season 2 Premiering May 28
Saagar Shaikh and Asif Ali lead this chaotic comedy about inheriting more trouble than success.
Welcome to Wrexham Season 5 Premiering May 15
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney continue their inspiring journey of rebuilding a football club and community.
Travis Japan Summer Vacation in The USA Premiering May 1
Travis Japan takes on new adventures in a docuseries about growth, friendship, and global ambition.
MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU: A GALACTIC LEGACY
Celebrate the enduring universe of Star Wars with iconic titles like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Ahsoka, Star Wars Rebels, and Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope—where every battle shapes the fate of the galaxy.
Now Available
Celebrating Our May-Triarch: A Mother’s Day Special
Honor the heart of every family with touching stories like Turning Red, Freaky Friday, Bao, and Coco—each celebrating a mother’s enduring love.
Now Available.
Miniature May-Hems
Family-friendly fun continues with Miraculous Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir Chibi (May 8) and Sofia the First: Royal Magic (May 26).
As the stories unfold, one truth remains: legacies are not simply passed down—they are earned, challenged, and redefined with every choice we make. This May, discover stories that inspire, thrill, and stay with you long after the screen fades to black—because the most powerful legacies are the ones that continue to shape the future.
Unlike other virtual press conferences I’ve attended, the media launch for the new Disney+ crime drama series Gold Land carried a notably more somber tone than usual. It was more serious, this time, mirroring the show’s dark theme of desire and greed. While the cast member Lee Kwang-soo brought flashes of his signature comic timing to the proceedings, he felt more like a “troublemaker” than a comedian this time, a fitting energy as he takes another turn as a villain in this series.
Written by Hwang Jo-yoon and directed by Kim Sung-hoon, the story of Gold Land follows Hee-ju (Park Bo-young), an airport security screening agent whose life is upended when her boyfriend Lee Do-kyung (Lee Hyun-wook), gets her entangled in a smuggling operation involving a dangerous gang. While on transit, Do-kyung attempts to steal the shipment but is caught by the ruthless Park Ho-cheol (Lee Kwang-soo).
Disney+ Gold Land
When Hee-ju discovers the hidden shipment, she realizes the stakes are astronomical: 100 ten-kilogram bars of gold worth a staggering 150 billion won. To survive, Hee-ju must team up with a gangster gone rogue, Woogy (Kim Sung-cheol) and reconnect with her estranged mother, Yeo Sun-ok (Moon Jeong-hee), who she has a serious love-hate relationship, while a corrupt detective in on her tail played by Kim Hee-won.
The first four episodes are explosive, suspenseful, and thrilling. Most notably, Park Bo-young showing a different side of herself never before seen on screen; this marks her first foray into gritty genre drama.
Disney+ Gold Land
Throughout the press conference, the cast remained calm and cool, staying anchored in their characters’ serious personalities, save for Lee Kwang-soo, who couldn’t resist hamming it up for the photographers. Kim Sung-cheol, meanwhile, seemed the most prepared with many different poses. His interactions with Park Bo-young brought a smile to her face and showed off their brilliant chemistry that plays really well to the screen.
Director Kim Sung-hoon, when asked about the show, says it’s about “greed and desire” and that audiences will see Hee-ju’s morality truly tested as we watch her go from being afraid of the gold to being consumed by it. “She wants the gold for herself,” he says, which is interesting, considering that’s not in play in the first four episodes of the ten-episode thriller.
Disney+ Gold Land
On doing the show, Park Bo-young shared that she has always wanted to do a crime show. When she was talking to Kim Sung-hoon, he told her that she would be perfect for the role because her appearance and her public persona would make people believe she would do the right thing and return the gold but that’s not what’s going to happen. The unexpectedness of it is what makes it so compelling on screen. Kim Sung-hoon continues by saying, “Park Bo-young is a very courageous actor. Showing greed is not something you do externally. It’s an interior emotion but she gives such a nuanced performance that you can see her change.” He praised her for her ability to show her character’s evolution throughout the series.
She was praised for not using any make-up to help deglamorize her and to portray Hee-ju as a woman who is exhausted with life and with no hope. She even had to lose weight for the role.
Disney+ Gold Land
Echoing this, Kim Sung-cheol also shared about not needing any make up to play the gangster, Woogy. “It took me five minutes to get ready,” he says. “I would just put sunscreen on and then go straight to set.” Oozing with charm during the press conference, Kim Sung-cheol described his character as someone “without any charisma. He is unafraid of his own desires and he is blunt and frank and shallow.” But he adds that he has a quality to the character that makes him interesting to watch in a show like this.
In the show, the two actors form an unlikely partnership. They don’t trust each other and Hee-ju is really afraid of him but they have history together and as the show progresses, she starts to rely on him and it would make an interesting dynamic to see. The two admit to having a brother-sister bond on set, with Park Bo-young saying, “If I had a little brother, I wish he would be like Kim Sung Cheol.”
Disney+ Gold Land
The director is quick to point out that in this show, “no one is really good or bad.” It seems that the gold bars tempt each character forcing them away from their moral center and the series explores this aspect of humanity.
This is a pervasive theme that is discussed throughout the press conference, and it is Lee Kwang-su who brings in the levity; saying his character has no backstory at play in the show itself so he was given free reign to provide input to his character.
Disney+ Gold Land
In a hilarious exchange that became a running joke of the media launch, Lee Kwang-soo shared that he personally bought his own accessories to adorn Park Ho-cheol, to imply a dark past, and teases the director that he has yet to be reimbursed for the expenses. He even joked saying putting gold plates on his teeth was his idea and that director Kim Sung-hoon liked it so much he told everyone it was his.
Disney+ Gold Land
Jokes aside, Kim Sung-hoon is most grateful to Kim Hee Won, whose character plays a vital role in the ending. He claimed that if it wasn’t for Kim Hee-won, his show wouldn’t work because – while all the characters are important – Kim Hee-won’s detective, Jin-man, whose life collapses as he gives in to his own greed and which gives the show the proper weight near the show’s finale.
The first four episodes of ‘Gold Land’ are now streaming on Disney+, with new episodes dropping each week.
I never got to see the 2007 film ‘Endo’ by Jade Castro so I was coming in without preconceived expectations. I know that playwright Liza Magtoto made big changes in the premise when adapting and modernizing the material, focusing more on today’s gig economy rather than just on contractual workers.
Endo. The Stage Adaptation centers on Leo (played by Royce Cabrera or Esteban Mara), a rider juggling multiple odd jobs to provide for his father and younger brother. His girlfriend Candy (played by Iana Bernardez or Kate Alejandrino) quits her job to be a content creator, an ambition that ultimately leads her to a decision to break up with Leo.
PETA Plus’ Endo: The Stage Adaptation | Photo by Shella Toledo
Coincidentally, Leo keeps connecting with Tanya (played by Jasmine Curtis-Smith or Rissey Reyes-Robinson), a nursing graduate who does a multitude of jobs including online live-selling. Leo and Tanya catch feelings but their tenuous economic situation leaves very little room for planning a proper future. Tanya is more secured with an actual college degree and a plan, which runs counter to Leo’s own mindset of “just getting by” survivalist mindset.
PETA Plus’ Endo: The Stage Adaptation | Photo by Shella Toledo
While the play deals with grounded, such real-world themes, playwright Magtoto and director Melvin Lee choose to present this version of End as a hyper-realistic modern theatrical fantasy. Leo, Tanya, and Candy feel more like archetypes than fully fleshed out characters; the narrative never really sinks too deep into them. Instead, they feel like representations and by doing so, the play creates allowances for improbable coincidences, heightened drama, and a plot that is teetering into the edge of melodrama: because of course, Leo’s father is a diabetic and this will play out later or how every other character they meet are hustlers of every shape and form.
PETA Plus’ Endo: The Stage Adaptation | Photo by Shella Toledo
Director Melvin Lee also imbues the whole play with a bit of a ballet as transitions. An ensemble that acts as “proteans” constantly shifting to play various characters that they meet or becoming physical embodiments of the social and economic forces that keep Leo away from Tanya. In one dramatic scene, Leo tries to reach out for Tanya in a crowded street and the ensemble, as the crowd, suddenly picks up Leo and carries him away.
PETA Plus’ Endo: The Stage Adaptation | Photo by Shella Toledo
The set design is equally metaphorical: the whole center stage lifts up, buoyed by a spring that keeps it from ever feeling stable. It is definitely a metaphor on how unstable the lives of these characters are. Love scenes are portrayed as a choreographed duet between Leo and Tanya.
PETA Plus’ Endo: The Stage Adaptation | Photo by Shella Toledo
The overall effect of these theatrical techniques is that it takes this very grounded story and turns it into something like a dark, urban, modern fairytale. Leo, Tanya, and Candy are just characters in a story that is meant to show us how the system is failing these characters. This stylistic choice softens the inherent bleakness of the material – which it gets – making it more palatable and accessible to a larger audience rather than if it were a straight-up play in the realist mode.
PETA Plus’ Endo: The Stage Adaptation | Photo by Shella Toledo
As a “pretentious” lover of theater, I don’t mind the heavy-handed serious stuff, but I understand why they took this approach. It allows for a younger audience – maybe kids as young as Senior High School students – to be able to come and watch this show. As realistic as it gets, it still has moments of humor, of romance, and of hope.
PETA Plus’ Endo: The Stage Adaptation | Photo by Shella Toledo
The show I attended featured Royce Cabrera as Leo, Jasmine Curtis-Smith as Tanya, and Iana Bernardez as Candy. These are incredibly fine actors, and it took me awhile to realise that they were working on archetypes, playing out the most identifiable features of their characters rather than working on nuanced levels. They each synced with the tone and aesthetics of the play, which helped bring out the intention of the play.
PETA Plus’ Endo: The Stage Adaptation | Photo by Shella Toledo
Cabrera is a powerful presence on stage; capable of that tunnel vision of the typical Filipino male while also bringing out Leo’s vulnerability in the key moments. Curtis-Smith’s Tanya can appear looking very naive and Curtis-Smith is not afraid to put that on full display but there’s a strength that’s there inside which she is able to release at the play’s climax. Bernardez is all narcissistic, chaotic energy turning Candy into a storm that ruins Leo’s peace.
It is an interesting approach to the material, and one which I understand. It talks about the inability of people who are lacking in any real job security to dream and hope. By turning it into a theatrical modern urban fairytale, PETA Plus successfully draws a crowd, keeping them entertained while subtly forcing them to ponder the systemic failures that leave so many of our countrymen behind.
My Rating: 4 Stars
Come for the star power of Cabrera, Curtis-Smith, and Bernardez; stay for the powerful story that refuses to be ignored. Book your tickets for Endo. The Adaptation. The show runs until May 10! Get your tickets via: ticket2me.net/Endo
