“You Hurt My Feelings”
As the title states, someone’s feelings are going to get hurt in this 90-minute dramedy focused on the little lies we’re all guilty of telling. Julia Louis-Dreyfus stars as a novelist whose marriage is turned upside down when she overhears her husband sharing his reaction to her latest book, a reaction that doesn’t match what he told her. The film stars Tobias Menzies, Michaela Watkins, and Arian Moayed, alongside Louis-Dreyfus.
Release Date: In Theatres May 26 via A24.
“Reality”
Sydney Sweeney is everywhere, shameless on social media and kind of the It girl of 2023. But lest you think she’s just a vapid celebrity/influencer, please note—and you should know this if you watch “Euphoria”—is she’s more than just a pretty face and a real deal actor too. If this isn’t crystal clear from “Euphoria” and “The White Lotus,” well she delivers a “tour-de-force” performance in “Reality,” the story of 25-year-old former American intelligence specialist Reality Winner who is confronted by FBI agents arriving at her home to question her suspected role in the mishandling of classified information. Josh Hamilton, and Marchánt Davis co-star, Tina Satter directs (read our review from Berlin)
Release Date: May 29 via HBO.
“The Little Mermaid”
The same story of Ariel wanting to get her human legs and be a part of our world that we all know and love, but this time in live action. Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” sees Javier Bardem, Melissa McCarthy, Daveed Diggs, Jacob Tremblay, and Awkwafina star as King Triton, Ursula, Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle respectfully, alongside Halle Bailey as Ariel and Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric.
Release Date: May 26 via Walt Disney Studios.
Also in May: “Chile ’76” (Kino Lorber; May 5), “Unrest” (KimStim; May 5), “The Cow Who Sang a Song Into the Future” (Kino Lorber; May 19).
“Spiderman: Across the Spider-Verse Part 1”
Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy, and their team of Spider-people are back again, but this time, they are transported across the multiverse to face off with a villain more powerful than they’ve had to face before. Jorma Taccone, Daniel Kaluuya, and Jason Schwartzman are among the voices you will hear this time around.
Release Date: June 2 via Sony.
“Past Lives”
After 20 years apart, two childhood friends are reunited and have to confront love and destiny. Written and directed by Celine Song, the film originally premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. It stars Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and Joon Magaro. “Past Lives” is distributed by A24 and will be screened at the Independent Film Festival of Boston, the Seattle Film Festival, and the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival in May.
Release Date: June 2 via A24.
“Flamin’ Hot”
The directorial debut for Eva Longoria, “Flamin’ Hot,” is the story of Richard Montanez, the son of a Mexican immigrant and creator of the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Montanez channeled his Mexican heritage and the flavors of his culture to flip the food industry and Frito-Lay upside down. Starring Jesse Garcia, Annie Gonzalez, and Brice Gonzalez.
Release Date: June 9 via Searchlight Pictures
“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts”
Set in the mid-’90s, a pair of archaeologists stumble into a three-way conflict between factions of transformers. While the film has Peter Cullen reprising his role of Optimus Prime, newcomers to the franchise include Ron Perlman, Anthony Ramos, Liza Koshy, Pete Davidson, and Dominique Fishback, and it is directed by Steven Caple Jr.
Release Date: June 9 via Paramount Pictures.
“Blue Jean“
In Georgia Oakley’s acclaimed directorial debut, it’s 1988 England and Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government is about to pass a law stigmatizing gays and lesbians, forcing Jean (a terrific Rosy McEwen), a gym teacher, to live a double life. As pressure mounts from all sides, the arrival of a new student catalyzes a crisis that will challenge Jean to her core. The BAFTA-nominated film won the Venice Film Festival’s People’s Choice Award, as well as four British Independent Film Awards (our review from Cannes).
Release Date: June 9 via Magnolia Pictures.
“Elemental”
Water, fire, land, and air need each other for balance, but there is a hierarchy to the separate lives of the elements. What would happen if they were to co-exist? Pixar’s “Elemental” explores that question in Elemental City, where fire, water, land, and air residents live together but aren’t allowed to mix. Our protagonists are voiced by Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie.
Release Date: June 16 via Disney Pixar.
“The Flash”
Keeping with the recent trend of superhero multiverses, “The Flash” sees Barry Allen use his super speed to change the past and what effects that would have on the present/future. Ben Affleck, Michael Shannon, Michael Keaton, Temuera Morrison, and Ezra Miller star in the Andy Muschietti-directed film.
Release Date: June 16 via Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios.
