Amazingly, we're almost in May already, so how many movies have you managed to watch at Cineworld during the last few months? While you sit and calculate them we're here with our list of must-see May releases that will keep you busy over the next few weeks.
1. The Fall Guy (released May 2nd in 2D, IMAX and 4DX)
We know that Ryan Gosling can go to both ends of the spectrum, from comedy (Barbie) to action (Drive). In The Fall Guy, Gosling synthesises all aspects of his varied big-screen career to deliver a ridiculously likeable performance as Colt Seavers. He's a stuntman who must reconcile with the fact that his new director, Jody (the equally winning Emily Blunt), is his ex. Even worse, the movie's leading man (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) has vanished and Colt must put his stunt skills to the test to get him back.
The problem is, Colt isn't very accomplished when he's away from the camera. This is the jumping-off point for a charming, frenetic and deeply romantic tongue-in-cheek ride, one that utilises its two stars to their fullest strength while director and action expert David Leitch (Atomic Blonde; Bullet Train) delivers a spirited salute to the often overlooked art of Hollywood stuntwork.
2. Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace (released May 3rd in 2D and 4DX)
Can you feel the disturbance in the Force? That's the sound of a billion Star Wars fans reconciling with the fact that The Phantom Menace is 25 years old. If you were there at the movie's inception in 1999, it's time to relive those memories at Cineworld with our special quarter-century anniversary re-release, which is also available in Cineworld-exclusive, motion-sensory 4DX.
Relive this critical point in the Star Wars saga as Jedi knights Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and the young Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) cross paths with the young Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), later to become Darth Vader. Savour some truly classic scenes that have gone down in movie history from the Tattooine pod race to the double-ended lightsaber battle with the fearsome Darth Maul (Ray Park).
BOOK STAR WARS: EPISODE 1 - THE PHANTOM MENACE TICKETS
3. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (released May 9th in 2D, IMAX and 4DX)
In 2017, War for the Planet of the Apes acted as a stirring conclusion to the rebooted Planet of the Apes saga. Intelligent simian Caesar (Andy Serkis) guided his ape clan to victory and passed on, safe in the knowledge that his lineage would propagate. Some 300 years later, Caesar's ancestors have become even more sophisticated, improving in their speech and cognitive abilities while humans have regressed into an even more primitive state.
When young ape Noa (Owen Teague) runs across feral human Nova (Freya Allen), it sets in motion a dramatic quest of discovery. Meanwhile, ruthless dictator-in-the-making Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand) is looking to take command of the various ape factions for himself. Director Wes Ball (The Maze Runner) marshalls yet more breathless photo-realistic performance capture effects as we bridge more of the gap between these particular Apes films and the 1968 Charlton Heston original.
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4. IF (released May 17th)
Actor-turned-director John Krasinski yielded acclaim for his terrifying A Quiet Place films. He now shifts into a decidedly more family-friendly groove with IF. Ryan Reynolds stars as the hapless dad who realises that his young daughter's imaginary friends (the film's title is an acronym of this phrase) are not only real but possess their own magical society.
So begins a magical journey of discovery that honours the spirit of genre masters like Steven Spielberg (the latter's regular cinematographer Janusz Kaminski has collaborated with Krasinski on IF). The all-star voice cast includes Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Steve Carell.
5. The Strangers: Chapter 1 (released May 17th)
The two previous Strangers films, released in 2008 and 2018, were terrifying home invasion horrors that implored us to lock our doors and keep the lights off. We now go back to where it all began as a young couple (played by Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez) break down in the middle of nowhere and are beset by masked psychopaths. Will you be brave enough to watch the latest suspenseful chiller on the big screen at Cineworld?
6. The Garfield Movie (released May 18th)
Who hates Mondays and loves lasagna? It is, of course, Garfield, the iconic Jim Davis cartoon creation who first appeared in 1978. The sardonic ginger moggie now gets a CG makeover with Chris Pratt voicing the character. Nicholas Hoult, Samuel L. Jackson and Hannah Waddingham are also on vocal duties. It's the latest movie from veteran Disney animator turned director Mark Dindal whose past projects include the likes of The Little Mermaid and The Emperor's New Groove.
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7. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (released May 24th)
Ensure your tank is brimmed and your head is shaved (OK, maybe skip that part) because the latest chapter in George Miller's apocalyptic Mad Max saga is racing its way to our screens. In this prequel to 2015's incendiary Mad Max: Fury Road, Anya Taylor-Joy portrays the younger iteration of Imperator Furiosa, previously played by Charlize Theron. This all-action extravaganza promises to fill in the blanks as to Furiosa's backstory in the Green Place, her connection with the war boys and the origins of her biomechanical arm.
Furiosa's nemesis this time is the twisted master of ceremonies Dementus, played by Chris Hemsworth. Of course, the stunts and effects are set to be the real stars of the show, and in Miller's typical style, they're set to have a palpably physical, in-camera sense of tangibility.
Planning to watch all of these movies when they hit Cineworld screens? Then it's high time you joined Unlimited if you haven't already done so. For less than the price of two tickets per month, you get to enjoy advance screenings, 10% off your favourite snacks and drinks and lots more exciting perks. Hit the link to sign up today.