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It’s May, which means we have a whole new month of new page-to-screen adaptations to get excited about. Whether you’re ready to head to a movie theater and buy a big, expensive (but tasty) tub of popcorn, or if you’ve got a more Netflix-and-chill type of vibe this month, there are adaptations you’re going to want to tune in for. We’re talking new seasons of some of your favorite TV shows, sequels to cult favorites, new horror, new thrillers, new sci-fi, and more. Let’s get into it!
Another Simple Favor (Prime, May 1)
A Simple Favor, the adaptation of Darcey Bell’s novel of the same name, came back waaaaay back in 2018. It was a simpler time, wasn’t it? But now Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick are back to star in Another Simple Favor. Apparently, the film will take place on the island of Capri, Italy, where a murder will take place during Emily’s (Lively) wedding. Also returning for the sequel are Henry Golding, Andrew Rannels, Bashir Salahuddin, and Joshua Satine. Ian Ho. Paul Feig is also returning to direct.
The Walking Dead: Dead City (AMC, May 4)
This Walking Dead spin-off series—based on the characters Maggie and Negan—is returning for a second season this month! Lauren Cohan plays Maggie, traveling with Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) through a post-apocalyptic New York City in search of her son, Hershel (Logan Kim), who has been kidnapped. Season 2 premieres on AMC on May 4, with subsequent episodes releasing every week until June 22.
Clown in a Cornfield (Theatrical Release, May 9)
Adam Cesare’s Clown in a Cornfield is a YA horror novel that was all over BookTok back in 2020, and now it’s a brand new slasher film! Katie Douglas (Ginny & Georgia) stars as Quinn Maybrook, a teen who is terrorized by a killer clown named Frendo. Clown in a Cornfield is directed by Eli Craig, who also directed the cult classic horror film Tucker & Dale vs. Evil. The film will release in theaters and on Shudder on May 9.
Murderbot (Apple TV+, May 16)
Apple TV+ is releasing this sci-fi action/comedy series based on the Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells. Alexander Skarsgård plays the titular Murderbot, a security bot-human who is able to have free thought and is intrigued and appalled by human emotion/fragility. Also starring: David Dastmalchian as Gurathin, Noma Dumezweni as Mensah, Sabrina Wu as Pin-Lee, Tattiawna Jones as Arada, Akshay Khanna as Ratthi, and Tamara Podemski as Bharadwaj. The first two episodes are out on Friday, May 16.
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Nine Perfect Strangers (Hulu, May 21)
Are we getting White Lotus vibes from Nine Perfect Strangers? Yeah, kind of! The first season was based on Liane Moriarty’s novel of the same name. In the original story, wellness coach Masha (Nicole Kidman) led nine guests at her retreat through a controversial wellness regimen. This season sees Masha return in the Austrian Alps with a whole new set of guests, including Henry Golding, Christine Baranski, Murray Bartlett (yes, from The White Lotus), Annie Murphy, King Princess, and more! The first two episodes drop on Hulu on May 21.
Fear Street: Prom Queen (Netflix, May 23)
The next chapter in Netflix’s Fear Street film series is based on R.L. Stine’s novel The Prom Queen. In 1988, students at Shadyside High School are desperate to win the title of prom queen. Then some of them go missing. Is anyone desperate enough to murder? What is happening to these teens? The film is directed by Matt Palmer and stars India Fowler, Suzanna Son, Fina Strazza, David Iacono, Ella Rubin, Chris Klein, Lili Taylor, and Katherine Waterston.
The Better Sister (Prime, May 29)
Thriller limited series are all the rage, and The Better Sister, based on the novel by Alafair Burke, will be one everyone will be talking about this month. Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks play Chloe and Nicky, two sisters who don’t get along but are forced back together after one of their husbands is murdered. You can check out a sneak peek of the upcoming series over at Glamour. All eight episodes will drop on Amazon Prime on May 29.
We’re still hoping for more adaptations of works by authors of color in the upcoming months. For now, let’s keep reading books that tell stories from all different backgrounds. Hopefully, Hollywood will start to recognize the wide range of voices out there in the world of books.
What adaptations will you be watching this month? Make sure to come back next month for more adaptation news!