Entertainment
If you’ve made your way through Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ — in the age of social distancing, there is no such thing as enough TV or movies — there are a bunch of new movies and shows on HBO in May 2020. This month, there are several recent releases coming to the network, including the recent Oscar-winning take on an iconic DC villain, Joker, and an early 2000s classic, Josie and the Pussycats. In other words, there’s plenty of new material being added to HBO’s library that will satisfy most everyone’s entertainment tastebuds.
In the movie department, fans can reacquaint themselves with the Crawley family by watching the Downton Abbey movie. If you’re feeling like you’re in need of a good cry, there’s also The Art of Racing in the Rain. But, don’t worry, there are many options if you need something a bit more lighthearted, like Crazy Rich Asians, Something Borrowed, and Little Shop of Horrors (Director’s Cut).
However, if you consider yourself more of a TV person, then you can look forward to Mark Ruffalo’s new limited series, I Know This Much Is True, based on the Wally Lamb novel of the same name. Ruffalo plays the roles of twin brothers, one who is schizophrenic. Melissa Leo, Kathryn Hahn, Rosie O’Donnell, and Juliette Lewis also star in th enew series, which premieres on HBO May 10.
There certainly is a lot to choose from in, so let’s take a look at more of the highlights, as well as the full May list below.
'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' — May 1
My Big Fat Greek Wedding will teach you that Windex can cure anything — oh, and also that sometimes your parents won't love who you love, at least not right away. The 2002 hit rom-com stars Nia Vardalos and John Corbett, alongside a host of supporting actors who make up Vardalos' character's overbearing Greek family.
'Something Borrowed' — May 1
This 2011 romantic comedy, based on the book of the same name, stars Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin as BFFs whose friendship is tested when one of them starts to fall in love with the other's fiancé.
'Betty' Series Premiere — May 1
Premiering at the beginning of May, Betty follows a diverse group of young women navigating their lives through the male-dominated world of skateboarding in New York City. It's a kind of spinoff of Skate Kitchen, the hit from 2018's Sundance Film Festival, and focused on an all-women skateboarding group.
'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again' — May 1
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is the sequel to the 2008 film Mamma Mia. With most of the original cast returning, along with Lily James playing young Donna (Meryl Streep’s character), the musical tells even more of Donna’s story as a young woman. Of course, the music of Abba accompanies the storyline, turning a rom-com plot into an ultra fun dance party.
'John Tucker Must Die' — May 1
Starring Brittany Snow, Sophia Bush, Arielle Kebbel, Ashanti, Jenny McCarthy, Penn Badgley, and Jesse Metcalfe, John Tucker Must Die is pure mid-2000s fun. Is there a more era-appropriate plot than a group of high school girls seeking revenge on their serial cheater ex-boyfriend?
'How Stella Got Her Groove Back' — May 1
This 1998 film stars a well-known cast, including Angela Bassett, Taye Diggs, Whoopi Goldberg, and Regina King, to name a few. The movie follows Bassett’s character, Stella, who, as you guessed it, takes a break from her successful job and tries to get her groove back while on a luxurious vacation in Jamaica.
'Cast Away' — May 1
Only Tom Hanks could play a former FedEx employee (Chuck) stranded on an island who becomes “friends” with a volleyball he names Wilson, and still be America's dad. Hanks was nominated for an Oscar for his role and understandably so. Watching Chuck go through both physical and emotional transformations is heavy-hitting, but also makes for an inspiring story.
'Signs' — May 1
If you’re an M. Night Shyamalan fan who also enjoys a good thriller, you definitely need to watch Signs. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Mel Gibson, Abigail Breslin, Rory Culkin, and Cherry Jones, the film has that trademark Syamalan suspense and, of course, a twist.
'Jaws' — May 1
Jaws is a classic thriller about a killer shark and everyone should see at least once. And it might actually make you thankful you can't go to the beach right now. The movie follows three men as they go on a hunt for a killer shark, and it ends up being as bloody as you can imagine. Starting at the beginning of May, you can also watch Jaws 2, Jaws 3-D, Jaws: The Revenge.
'La La Land' — May 1
La La Land might be most remembered for being the almost-but-not-quite Best Picture winner in 2017, but it's also a musical starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in the lead roles of Sebastian and Mia. The movie follows Sebastian and Mia’s as they navigate their careers and love in Hollywood. There are many other famous faces too, like John Legend and J.K. Simmons.
'Crazy Rich Asians' — May 1
Constance Wu (Rachel) and Henry Golding (Nick) star in this beloved romantic comedy that is the first major Hollywood movie with an all-Asian cast in 25 years. The movie follows Rachel and Nick’s romance as they travel to Singapore to spend time with his very rich, and very particular family.
'Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind' — May 5
The speculation surrounding Natalie Wood’s tragic death continues to haunt and captivate many, but that’s not what HBO’s documentary is about. Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind explores Wood’s life and career through the perspective of her daughter, Natasha Gregson Wagner and others who knew her well. Unseen home movies, photographs, diaries, and more will also be shown.
'I Know This Much Is True' — May 10
Three-time Oscar nominee Mark Ruffalo stars not only in one leading role, but two, playing twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birsdey. According to the official description, I Know This Much Is True focuses on how mental illness affects a family.
'Joker' — May 16
Joker won Joaquin Phoenix an Oscar, but it was also a movie some people either loved or hated. Reviews ranged drastically, but there’s still no denying that Phoenix is a talented actor who made even more of a name for himself in the leading role.
'Downton Abbey' — May 9
Only four years after the hit television series said farewell, the Downton Abbey movie debuted in theaters. The film once again follows the Crawley family and their staff as they prepare for a visit from the King and Queen of England. But, of course, it doesn’t all go exactly as planned.
'The Art Of Racing In The Rain' — May 2
Starring Milo Ventimiglia and Amanda Seyfried, The Art of Racing in the Rain follows the bond between Formula One race car driver Denny and his golden retriever Enzo. The film isn’t a true story, but there are portions that are based on reality. Warning: you may or may not need tissues for this one.
Here's the full list of what's coming in May
May 1
- Betty — Series Premiere
- Western Stars
- Bigger
- Long Gone By
- The Art of Getting By
- Black Knight
- BlacKkKlansman
- Broken Arrow
- Cast Away
- Cinema Paradiso (Director's Cut)
- Cold Mountain
- Contagion
- Cowboys & Aliens (Unrated Version)
- Crazy Rich Asians
- Death at a Funeral
- Dick Tracy
- The Fighter
- Friday Night Lights
- Green Card
- The Hangover Part II
- The Hot Chick
- How Stella Got Her Groove Back
- In Bruges
- Incarnate
- Jaws
- Jaws 2
- Jaws 3-D
- Jaws: The Revenge
- John Tucker Must Die
- Josie and the Pussycats
- Kite Runner
- La La Land
- Little Shop of Horrors (Director's Cut)
- Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
- The Meg
- Michael Clayton
- My Big Fat Greek Wedding
- Nocturnal Animals
- Paul (Extended Version)
- Precious
- Rise of the Guardians
- School of Rock
- Something Borrowed
- This Means War (Extended Version)
- Twins
- Unstoppable
- Wild Hogs
- Your Highness (Extended Version)
May 2
- The Art of Racing in the Rain
May 5
- Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind
May 9
- Downton Abbey
May 10
- I Know This Much Is True — Series Premiere
May 16
- Joker
May 18
- Hard — Series Premiere
May 23
- Ready or Not
May 30
- Lucy in the Sky
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