Now Playing: Every Movie Releasing in May You Can Watch in Theatres or at Home

There's no shortage of excellent films these days, and there are plenty of great movies releasing in May, whether you're a regular theatregoer or more comfortable watching at home by renting or streaming the latest blockbusters and indie films.

If you've lost track of the release schedule or you're simply curious about what's in theatres this month, as well as what's landing on streaming and VOD (video on demand — renting or buying on your platform of choice), these are all the films the Concrete Playground team will be watching throughout May.

Not keen on the movies releasing this month? Check out our guide to all the TV shows hitting streaming this month instead.

"Wuthering Heights" — Streaming on HBO Max May 1

Love it, hate it or haven't seen it, "Wuthering Heights" has been one of the buzziest films of the year so far. A deeply personal and evocative adaptation of Emily Bronte's novel, it retells the story of Heathcliff and Catherine through strange setpieces and bright colours, with plenty of moments to spike your endorphins and heart rate along the way.

Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard And Soft: The Tour Live in 3D — In cinemas May 7

Billie Eilish's latest world tour, promoting her award-winning third album Hit Me Hard And Soft, was one of the biggest tours of the decade so far. Only fair then that it gets one of the biggest concert films in history too, directed by the legendary James Cameron. Whether you attended or missed out, this collaboration between two legendary creatives will bring every high and low to life in a concert experience reinvented for the big screen.

Don't Be Prey — In cinemas May 7

The Oceans Seven is one of the hardest challenges a human can undertake, a globe-trotting marathon ocean swim that requires swimmers to cross seven ocean channels unsupported, with distances ranging between 19 and 42 kilometres. This documentary film covers the attempts by Australian swimmer Mark Sowerby, intended as the ultimate challenge to reclaim his life and defy the dangers of the sea.

Mortal Kombat II — In cinemas May 7

The on-screen adaptation of one of the most well-known fighting video game series is returning for round two. A new film needs a new champion, and this time it's Hollywood action star Johnny Cage (Karl Urban) who's being called up to defend Earth. And by defend, we mean by battling otherworldly and mystical warriors in the ultimate (and often fatal) tournament of Mortal Kombat.

The Sheep Detectives — In cinemas May 7

Shepherd George (Hugh Jackman) loves his flock dearly; he even reads them detective novels every night. And it's a good thing he did, because when George is killed in a suspicious "accident", and the local police officer (Nicholaus Braun) is stumped, they have to blow the case wide open. As voice casts go too, this flock is pure gold, featuring Bryan Cranston, Julie Louie-Dreyfus, Patrick Stewart, Brett Goldstein, Rhys Darby, Regina Hall and Chris O'Dowd.

In Pieces Together — Streaming on Binge May 13

Endurance surfer and mental health advocate Blake Johnston lost his father to suicide, and to mark the ten-year anniversary of that tragedy, he set out to break the world record for the longest surf. Bringing together his family and a new community, this documentary film narrated by Luke Hemsworth charts that goal, raising awareness for men's mental health and exploring the depths of human endurance in the face of grief.

In The Grey — In cinemas May 14

A ruthless despot's private island, packed with corrupt cops and a private army? Billions stolen and hanging by a thread before they're gone for good? Simple odds for extraction specialists and hired muscle, Sid and Bronco (Henry Cavill and Jake Gyllenhaal). This is a Guy Ritchie film, after all, so expect full-throttle from start to finish.

Mother Mary — In cinemas May 14

Part ghost story, part love story, part prayer, seance, communion and song — Mother Mary looks to be enriched with spirit beyond its simple premise. On the eve of her comeback performance, a legendary pop star (Anne Hathaway) shows up on the doorstep of her estranged best friend and costume designer (Michaela Coel), hoping for a dress. But she's in for something far deeper than an awkward reunion.

Obsession — In cinemas May 14

Asking somebody out is never easy. But shortcuts should be taken with a grain of salt. So when hopeless romantic Bear (Michael Johnston) wishes on a mysterious charm for his crush Nikki (Inde Navarette) to "love him more than anyone in the entire world," that love quickly becomes a dark and dangerous obsession that goes beyond anything he wanted.

The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo — Streaming on MUBI May 15

Lidia, abandoned as a child in a remote Chilean mining town and raised in a household of drag performers and trans women, witnesses a hysteria of distrust and bigotry when the spread of a mysterious illness is blamed on her found family. This debut from director Diego Céspedes charts the early AIDS epidemic and the surrounding prejudice of the 1980s as a defiant, surreal and poetic queer western.

Passenger — In cinemas May 21

Hitchhikers. Sometimes they're good people, sometimes they're a bit creepy, and sometimes they're demons. Literally. When a young couple on the van life road trip of their dreams witnesses a horrible accident and ensuing death, the dream becomes a nightmare when they realise they're the next target of a supernatural stalker that follows them around every corner, no matter how fast they drive.

Finding Emily — In cinemas May 21

A chance counter at a party, sparks flying and the kind of chemistry that makes time slow to a crawl. It's the stuff of fairy tales. If only he had saved her number. When a desperate quest to find the elusive Emily sets a young musician (Spike Fearn) on a path that crosses with a psychology student (Angourie Rice) in need of a case study, his mission becomes an online sensation and an introspective journey into life, love and the happiness of pursuit.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu — In cinemas May 21

For the first time since 2019, Star Wars is coming back to the big screen. Following on from the first three seasons of The Mandalorian on Disney+, The Mandalorian's and Grogu's next adventure will be the first IMAX-enhanced visit to a galaxy far, far away. Now agents of the New Republic, the beloved duo are continuing their hunt for surviving Imperial war criminals when they become caught in a criminal conspiracy with deadly stakes.

Backrooms — In cinemas May 28

Based on the internet clip created by director Kane Parsons, Backrooms turns unsuspecting spaces into liminal nightmares, where up is down and every corner could hide another terrifying anomaly. Hidden in the storage room of a furniture store, a discovery is made of a seemingly infinite labyrinth of eerie rooms, where reality itself seems twisted, and an ominous presence threatens the lives of those who dare to explore too far.

Power Ballad — In cinemas May 28

Rick (Paul Rudd) is a washed-up musician stuck in a wedding band, so he leaps at the chance for a late-night jam with fading pop star Danny (Nick Jonas). Then, some time later, Rick hears the song he wrote years prior and showed to Danny that night playing on the speakers of his local mall. Not only has Danny recorded and released it, but it was also a hit, and he didn't give Rick a lick of recognition. Spurned on by the robbery of his potential success, Rick sets out to get his recompense from the megastar.

For more movies releasing this month, check your local theatre website or a streaming platform of your choice.

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Images: Supplied | Lucasfilm, A24, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros, Amazon MGM Studios.