May 2026’s Best Streaming Titles: Spider-Noir, Rogue One, Galaxy Quest, Kill Bill, Heat

Baa-ram-ewe! Baa-ram-ewe! The Citizen Kane of talking pig pictures, as one critic called it, will start streaming as soon as the new month rolls around. I plan on watching it with my kids, and all the while, I’ll try to wrap my mind around the fact that the man responsible for this charming little film is the same deranged genius who gave us Mad Max.

Robert Altman turns his incisive eye to the foibles of the British gentry in this darkly comic murder mystery. When a murder occurs in the posh country estate of Gosford Park during a lavish hunting party, the entire estate is thrown into chaos and everyone becomes a suspect. Thanks to its star-studded cast, which includes Michael Gambon, Kristin Scott Thomas, Maggie Smith, Clive Owen, and Helen Mirren (to name just a few), Gosford Park is a thoroughly enjoyable whodunit that packs an emotional punch in its final act.

Nicholas Angel is London’s best cop. He’s so good, in fact, that he makes all of the other cops look bad. Which is why he gets transferred to the sleepy town of Sandford, where the crime rate is zero and nothing bad ever happens. But when locals start disappearing, Angel’s convinced something’s going on. Has Sandford gotten to him, or has he cracked the biggest case of his career? Inspired by classic buddy cop films like Lethal Weapon, Hot Fuzz is action comedy of the highest sort (read my review).

When Firefly went off the air after just one season, the series’ fans rallied on the internet, clamoring for more. Due in part to their efforts, writer/director Joss Whedon was able to pitch a full-length feature to give his beloved sci-fi western a bit of closure (read my review). Serenity stars Nathan Fillion as Captain Malcolm Reynolds, who leads his crew of ne’er-do-wells on a mission that could bring the solar system’s totalitarian government to its knees.

Martin Bishop and his team are the best at what they do: hacking and penetrating security systems to uncover their weaknesses. But Bishop hides a dark past that comes back to haunt him and his colleagues when they’re hired by the NSA to retrieve a top secret Russian device that could undermine national security. With its ensemble cast led by Robert Redford, Ben Kingsley, and Sidney Poitier, and a smart and thoughtful plot about espionage and government secrets, Sneakers still feels thoroughly relevant despite being released all the way back in 1992 (read my review).

“Shall we play a game?” That’s the deadly question faced by a young hacker (Matthew Broderick) when he accidentally hacks into a military supercomputer in charge of America’s nuclear weapons. Though a big box office success, WarGames had a much bigger impact. Its representation of the internet, and the unintended impact that computers could have on security, led to the creation of the 1984 Computer Fraud and Abuse Act as well as the first Presidential directive concerning computer security.

After previously voicing the character in the Spider-Verse movies, Nicolas Cage stars in this live-action series as Ben Reilly, a down-on-his-luck private investigator who must re-don his superhero persona to solve a particularly difficult case. Spider-Noir, which also stars Lamorne Morris (New Girl), Li Jun Li, and Brendan Gleeson, will be presented in both black-and-white and retro-looking color versions.

Enter the Dragon was the final film that Bruce Lee completed before his untimely death at the age of 32, and it was the film that sealed Lee’s status as the greatest martial arts actor of all time. Enter the Dragon’s plot is pretty straightforward — Lee must use his skills to infiltrate a martial arts competition run by a ruthless crime lord — but it’s all about Lee’s charisma, lighting fast fists and feet, and superhuman skill with the nunchaku. Enter the Dragon also stars John Saxon, Jim Kelly, Angela Mao, and Bolo Yeung.

Produced by the studio behind Netflix’s Alice in Borderland, Song of the Samurai is a live-action series based on the popular Chiruran: Shinsengumi Requiem manga series. In 19th century Kyoto, the Shinsengumi are tasked with protecting the city. But even as their camaraderie grows, they must struggle with living up to their lofty ideals while battling various threats and enemies. The series stars Yuki Yamada (Godzilla Minus One) and is directed by Kazutaka Watanabe.

Following his gig hosting The Daily Show, Josh Johnson has steadily become one of today’s most popular comedians. After previously appearing in comedy specials for Peacock and Comedy Central, Johnson ventures onto HBO to deliver a set that tackles such topics as family, religion, and relationships.

Based on the best-selling video game franchise, 2018’s Tomb Raider stars Alicia Vikander as the famous adventurer and archaeologist Lara Croft. Determined to find her missing father, Croft follows his trailer to a mythical island located in the Pacific where she encounters other nefarious forces at work. Though nothing mind-blowing, Tomb Raider is a decent enough popcorn film that also stars Dominic West, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu, and Kristin Scott Thomas.

Christopher Nolan may be best known for the “Dark Knight” trilogy — which is arguably the definitive film version of Batman — but in 2006, he directed this entertaining little suspense thriller about the escalating rivalry between two magicians in the late 19th century. As is Nolan’s wont, The Prestige is full of clever little visuals, twists, and turns. Oh, and it features a David Bowie cameo as the legendary inventor Nikola Tesla.

The first Star Wars anthology film follows a ragtag group of Rebel fighters on a mission to steal something that could bring the Empire to its knees: the plans for a new battle station called the Death Star. The film’s cast includes Felicity Jones as the group’s leader, Donnie Yen as a zen-like fighting master, Mads Mikkelsen as a brilliant weapons designer, and Alan Tudyk, who steals the show as the misanthropic droid K-2SO.

Alex Hitchens (Will Smith) is an expert at teaching other men how to woo women. But his latest case may prove his most challenging yet. Adding further complications, Alex finds himself falling for a cynical reporter who seems resistant to his charms, and who could ruin his career. Hitch’s plot may have you rolling your eyes, but it’s still a fun date movie due in large part to Smith’s charisma and comedic timing.

While it’s entirely possible to watch Starship Troopers as a parody of military fascism, you can also just enjoy it for the over-the-top violence as a bunch of clean-cut, attractive teenagers join the military in order to fight an alien insect race. Despite receiving quite the critical drubbing at the box office, it has since inspired four sequels and two TV series.

Set nine years after the events of the acclaimed TV series, Veronica Mars finds Kristen Bell’s redoubtable sleuth returning to Neptune, California in order to try and clear her former boyfriend of murder charges — and uncovering a web of corruption beneath the town’s idyllic facade. Veronica Mars successfully translated everything that we loved about the series (e.g., colorful characters, witty humor, intriguing mysteries) to the movie format without losing a step.

On its surface, The Boroughs seem like an idyllic place to spend your remaining years. But just beneath its surface lies a strange threat, and it’s up to an unlikely group to stop it. Starring Geena Davis, Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, and Bill Pullman, it’s tempting to say that The Boroughs look an awful lot like Stranger Things for the senior citizen crowd. Then again, it is produced by the Duffer Brothers.

When Jake and Elwood Blues (John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd) learn that their old orphanage needs $5,000 to keep going, they decide to track down the members of their old blues band and put on a show to raise the money. Along the way, they’ll demolish a shopping mall, enrage a country band, take on some Nazis, and cause massive vehicular chaos across the state of Illinois. Easily one of the best Saturday Night Live films, The Blues Brothers is a true cult classic.

In this suspenseful thriller set in London and Belfast, Jackie Chan plays a seemingly nondescript man seeking justice for his daughter after she dies in a terrorist bombing. Unfortunately for the bombers, he was a special forces soldier during the Vietnam War, and he’s not afraid to put his deadly skills to use in order to get vengeance. Grim and gritty, The Foreigner is a far cry from Chan’s usual action/comedy blend, but it’s also something of a revelation, and proof that Chan can carry purely dramatic fare.

The premise — actors from a classic sci-fi TV series are kidnapped by aliens who believe the show to be real — makes it sound like Galaxy Quest does nothing but poke fun at all things Star Trek. Which it does, and brilliantly so, but all of its jokes come from a place of love. As a result, it’s the best kind of parody, one that recognizes the inherent silliness of Star Trek while also capturing what makes Star Trek so great in the first place. By Grabthar’s Hammer, indeed.

When Fearless was released, it was touted as Jet Li’s final wushu (i.e., traditional martial arts) film. A loose re-telling of the life of Huo Yuanjia, a real-life martial arts master who helped defend China’s national honor in the early 20th century, Fearless easily ranks as one of Li’s best films (read my review). While it boasts some impressive combat sequences (choreographed by the legendary Yuen Woo-Ping), the film’s ultimate message of piece and forgiveness makes it more than just another martial arts epic.

Young Jojo is under a lot of stress. He wants to fit in with the rest of the Hitler Youth, but he’s too kind-hearted and is mercilessly mocked by his peers. The only one who believes in him is his imaginary friend: Adolf Hitler. But even that friendship gets tested when Jojo discovers that his mom is hiding a young Jewish girl. As you might guess, Jojo Rabbit is far from your typical World War II film, but what else would you expect from writer/director Taika Waititi?

Based on Andy Weir’s best-selling novel, The Martian chronicles the efforts of astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) to survive on Mars after he’s presumed dead and left behind. But even as Watney struggles to stay alive, his NASA comrades and fellow astronauts are mounting a massive rescue effort. Released in 2015, The Martian received numerous awards and accolades, and was nominated for “Best Picture” and “Best Actor” at the Academy Awards (read my review).

If you were to think that Mary and the Witch’s Flower was a long lost Studio Ghibli film, no one would blame you. For starters, it was created by Ghibli alumni at Studio Ponoc, including director Hiromasa Yonebayashi, who previously directed The Secret World of Arrietty. And it has all the hallmarks of a classic Ghibli film, including a spirited female protagonist and lush, richly detailed animation. Even so, Mary and the Witch’s Flower is an utterly charming film that is no less so for feeling familiar (read my review).

Starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, The Mummy is a delightful throwback to the classic action serials of the ’30s and ’40s. When an Egyptologist discovers a map to a hidden city, she enlists the aid of an American soldier of fortune to help her, not knowing that they’re about to face a slew of supernatural threats. Filled with cutting edge (for the time) special effects, and more importantly, a sense of fun and adventure, The Mummy is popcorn cinema par excellence.

After Palestinian terrorists attack the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, a Mossad agent is tasked with tracking down and eliminating eleven Palestinians who were involved in the attack. Based on a true story, Munich may seem a far cry from Steven Spielberg’s use fare, but it’s nevertheless a brutal and riveting thriller about the endless cycle of violence and its consequences. Munich stars Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, Ciarán Hinds, Mathieu Kassovitz, and Geoffrey Rush.

Quentin Tarantino originally released his martial arts-inspired revenge epic in two parts that were released six months apart. After promising for years that he was going to combine the two into a single film, Tarantino finally made good on his promise last year with the release of Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, which features new footage, including an animated sequence by Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell). After screening in theaters, The Whole Bloody Affair makes its television debut on Peacock.

I know that, as a longtime fan of Asian cinema, I’m contractually obligated to denigrate all of John Woo’s Hollywood films. Even so, Broken Arrow is a total guilty pleasure. When terrorists steal nuclear warheads from a crashed bomber, it’s up to a pilot and a park ranger to stop them. But there’s a catch: the lead terrorist is the pilot’s commanding officer, played to scene-chewing perfection by John Travolta. The film also stars Christian Slater, Samantha Mathis, and Delroy Lindo.

What is best in life? Well, as Conan taught us once so well, it is “to crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!” In this classic sword-and-sorcery film, Arnold Schwarzenegger plays one of his signature roles, the titular barbarian who must take on an evil cult to avenge his family’s death.

Ang Lee’s martial arts epic was a huge success when it appeared in 2000, winning numerous awards (including four Oscars) and becoming the most successful foreign film in American box office history. With its dramatic storyline, sweeping cinematography, evocative score, and graceful combat, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon proved that martial arts films could be more than cheesy action comedies, and ushered in a wave of artsy martial arts films including Hero, House of Flying Daggers, and The Promise.

Ridley Scott’s Gladiator was one of 2000’s biggest and most successful films, thanks to an epic plot, incredible special effects, and thrilling action sequences (read my review). Russell Crowe stars as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a disgraced Roman general who is enslaved and forced to compete in Rome’s brutal gladiatorial exhibitions. Gladiator also stars Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed (in his final film appearance), Djimon Hounsou, Richard Harris, and Joaquin Phoenix as the corrupt Roman emperor.

When it was released in 1995, Heat was widely promoted as the first film in which Al Pacino and Robert De Niro appear on-screen together. And while that’s cool, that overlooked the fact that Heat is a scorching (npi) crime thriller about a gang of elite thieves (led by De Niro) and the police officers (led by Pacino) trying to stop them. Directed with panache by Michael Mann, the film oozes style and atmosphere, and features one of the best shootouts in movie history. In 2022, Mann announced that a sequel was in the works.

Sing (Stephen Chow) has one dream in life: to become a member of the feared Axe Gang. But when he encounters a group of reclusive and unlikely martial artists, he’s slowly begins to realize that he could be something more. But not without plenty of hijinks — this is a Stephen Chow movie, after all. Coming on the heels of Shaolin Soccer, Kung Fu Hustle went even further into CGI-fuelled leaps of martial arts slapstick. While Shaolin Soccer is the better film overall, Kung Fu Hustle still has plenty of hilarious delights all its own.

In this harrowing adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel, a hunter discovers a bunch of drug money and decides to keep it — which puts him in the sights of a psychotic hitman (Javier Bardem, in a chilling performance). Meanwhile, the only one who might save him is an aging, world-weary sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones, also giving a fantastic performance). No Country for Old Men may not have the quirky humor that the Coen Brothers are best known for — O Brother, Where Art Thou? this most certainly is not — but its depiction of human evil and darkness is captivating and provocative in its own right (read my review).

I still remember the first time I watched this film, and being absolutely charmed and thrilled by its tale of a group of Shaolin monks who decide to use soccer to promote Shaolin kung fu (with the help of lots of CG effects, of course). Shaolin Soccer is completely bonkers, but also completely enjoyable from beginning to end.