If you like wild action movies and big concepts, May looks like a great month, with Furiosa, IF, and Boy Kills World all examples of films in big original worlds. You can also strap in for a new film in the Apes franchise, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, which is hoping to restart and kick off a new trilogy of films. 

Here are all the new films coming to Australian cinemas in May 2024. Look for the explosion (💥) for the three things I’m most excited to watch this month. In the comment section below, let me know what you’re looking forward to seeing in cinemas this month. 

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MAY 2

Boy Kills World

A dystopian fever dream action film that follows Boy, a deaf mute with a vibrant imagination. When his family is murdered, he is trained by a mysterious shaman to repress his childish imagination and become an instrument of death.

Fremont

A former US military translator stationed in Afghanistan returns to San Francisco to put her life back in order. Working at a fortune cookie factory, in a moment of sudden revelation, she decides to send out a special message via cookie.

Golda

True story war drama on the high-stakes responsibilities and decisions that Golda Meir, also known as the ‘Iron Lady of Israel’ faced during the Yom Kippur War.

Tarot

Based on the book by Nicholas Adams, this horror follows a group of college friends who begin dying in ways connected to their tarot card readings.

MAY 9

Housekeeping for Beginners

Dita never wanted to be a mother, but circumstances force her to raise her girlfriend’s two daughters, tiny troublemaker Mia and rebellious teen Vanesa. A battle of wills ensues as the three continue to butt heads and become an unlikely family that must fight to stay together.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Many years after the reign of Caesar, a young ape goes on a journey that will lead him to question everything he’s been taught about the past and make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.

💥(1): The previous three Apes films were fantastic, and although this is the start of a supposed new trilogy, I’m excited to jump back into this world. Things look to be moving closer to the Planet of the Apes timeline that we all know as we jump ahead many years post-Caesar reign.

Monster (Kaibutsu)

When her young son Minato starts to behave strangely, his mother feels that there is something wrong in this Cannes award-winning suspense drama from filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda (Shoplifters).

Discovering that a teacher is responsible, she storms into the school demanding to know what’s going on. But as the story unfolds through the eyes of mother, teacher and child, the truth gradually emerges. 

💥(2): I don’t know much about Monster outside of it being a well-crafted film and story that can demand a lot from its viewers. A bunch of people I respect have said it’s fantastic, so I can’t wait to watch it. Sometimes, it’s just word-of-mouth that’s enough to keep me excited. 

My Ex-Friend’s Wedding

Oscar winner Ariana DeBose and Oscar nominee Amanda Seyfried star alongside Megan Stalter (Hacks) and SNL’s Chloe Fineman for this comedy from the director of Blockers. On the eve of their former best friend’s wedding, four of their childhood friends receive a drunken voicemail from her, confessing that she believes she is making a mistake. The four friends then decide to stop the union.

MAY 15

Fight to Live

Wild child, mother, abuse survivor, UFC contender, bare-knuckle boxing champion, Bec Rawlings is many things, but above all, she’s a fighter. This documentary looks at a young woman’s journey from victim to conqueror; from a troubled young kid in Launceston, to a terrified mother protecting herself and her children from an abuser, Bec has been through hell and come out a woman comfortable in her own skin, living on her own terms, and dominating in one of the world’s toughest sports.

MAY 16

Greatest Days

A feature adaptation of The Band musical following five best friends who have the night of their lives seeing their favourite boy band in concert.

Twenty-five years later their lives have changed in many different ways as they reunite for one more epic show by their beloved band, to relight their friendship and discover that maybe their greatest days are ahead of them.

IF

Ryan Reynolds stars in this family film as a man with the ability to talk to other people’s imaginary friends and discovers that some of them are harbouring a resentment and anger after being forgotten and left without any friendship or love. John Krasinski writes, directs and voice acts alongside Steve Carell and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

The Strangers: Chapter 1

Madelaine Petsch (Riverdale) stars in this first entry of a trilogy in The Strangers horror franchise. From director Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2). 

In Chapter I, a young woman starts a new life with her fiancé. Suddenly, during a road trip stop in a remote vacation rental in the woods, they become the prey of a mysterious gang of masked strangers who attack without warning or reason.

The Way, My Way

The true story of a stubborn, self-centred Australian man who decides to walk the 800-kilometre-long Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route through Spain. He doesn’t know why he’s doing it… but one step at a time, it will change him and his outlook on life forever. Based on Bill Bennett’s best-selling memoir of the same name.

MAY 23

Radical

Eugenio Derbez (CODA) stars in this Sundance award-winning drama, based on the true story of a teacher who attempts a radical new approach towards his students.

In a Mexican border town plagued by neglect, corruption, and violence, a frustrated teacher tries a radical new method to break through his students’ apathy and unlock their curiosity, their potential… and maybe even their genius. 

Furiosa

Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen’s Gambit) is Furiosa, the one-armed renegade warrior from George Miller’s Oscar winner Mad Max: Fury Road, in this story taking place before she met Max. Co-stars Chris Hemsworth and Emmy winner Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Candyman).

💥(3): Fury Road is one of the greatest action films of all time. Here’s a prequel, with more on Furiosa and George Miller still directing, with Chris Hemsworth playing what looks like a wild villain new to the franchise. The trailer is also one of the best of the year. How could you not be excited about this?

MAY 30

Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle

Despite a strong field, Karasuno High volleyball team advances past preliminary round of Harutaka tournament in Miyagi prefecture to reach the third round.

The Beast

In the near future, when emotions have become a threat, Gabrielle has plans to undergo a treatment that will rid her of any strong feelings until she finds herself drawn to a mysterious and possibly dangerous man. 

The Garfield Movie

Based on the popular comic strip, Chris Pratt voices the grumpy, sarcastic, Monday-hating, lasagna-loving cat in this family film.

Unsung Hero

When David Smallbone’s successful music company collapses, he moves his family from Australia to the States, searching for a brighter future in this faith-based drama. 

With nothing more than their seven children, suitcases, and their love of music, David and his pregnant wife Helen set out to rebuild their lives. Based on a true story, Helen’s faith stands against all odds and inspires her husband and children to hold onto theirs. With their own dreams on hold, David and Helen begin to realise the musical prowess in their children, who would go on to become two of the most successful acts in Inspirational Music history: five-time Grammy Award-winning artists for KING + COUNTRY and Rebecca St. James.

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Am I missing anything from this list? If so, please let me know in the comment section below, and I’ll be sure to add it!  

You can also check out what’s coming to streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and more on our ‘What’s Streaming’ page. 

[Descriptions & cinema dates gathered from Flicks.com.au]