Memorial Day weekend is when the gates of summer open wide. You’ll have a barbecue, you’ll take a dip in the pool. But the best way to cool down and have fun? Watch a movie, of course. (Or a television series that actors love to insist is a long movie split into parts — we’re looking at you,Ewan!) So before you head out to theaters for a giant popcorn or fire up your plethora of streamers, here are our recs:
Movies (in theaters)
Top Gun: Maverick
There’s nothing quite like seeingTom Cruise experience the rush of possible deathinthe name of entertainment,andTop Gun: Maverickis exactly that: An adrenaline-pumping, death-defying sequel to the 1986 hit film. It has even been reported to makegrown men cry,as director Joseph Kosinski follows Maverick’s (and Cruise’s) return to Top Gun, the fighter-pilot school, more than 30 years later to help train a group of graduate pilots for a demanding mission. (And here’s a little tip: The ’86Top Gunisavailable on Netflixuntil May 31, so happy streaming.)
The Bob’s Burgers Movie
No matter which way you cut or slice it,Bob’s Burgersis always a fun time. After years of COVID-related delays,The Bob’s Burgers Movieis finally hitting the big screen and kicking off the summer-movie season. How appropriate when the film itself is a musical-mystery-adventure bonanza of the Belchers trying to get their summer back on track.
Downton Abbey: A New Era
Nothing screams “Memorial Day weekend” like spending two hours with a family of prim and proper Brits, so pull out your classiest tank tops and bring your fine dining (popcorn and Twizzlers) to see theCrawleys’ journey to the south of France.Take your moms, aunts, and grandmothers for an ooh-la-la lavish time at the cinema, darling.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
So first things first:Multiverse of Madnessis directed by Sam Raimi, so hell yeah, it’s worth the trip to the theaters this weekend — well, if you’re interested in Marvel in the first place. And as Raimi’s first superhero venture since hisSpider-Mantrilogy, the style ofMultiverse of Madnessswings further for the fences than any other MCU movie.Raimi brings the horrorwhile Danny Elfman’s electric guitar blazes throughout the score, making what could have been a flat film more dimensional. Oh, and in case you weren’t already convinced withWandaVision,Elizabeth Olsen completely cements herself as a major MCU player here. Her performance — despite the weak writing — rules.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Jamie Lee Curtis’s favorite movieis still going strong in theaters. And why wouldn’t it! It’s a beautifully dizzying multiverse movie with raccoons, rocks, and bagels that features a stunning performance from Michelle Yeoh, and frankly the whole cast as well.Everything Everywhere All at Oncehas been — and still is —themovie of the year, so make sure you see it as it was meant to be seen: on the big screen.
Movies (streaming)
Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers
Against all odds, it turns out thatChip ’n Dale: Rescues Rangersisactually pretty good.The John Mulaney and Andy Samberg film breaks the Disney live-action reboot mold to deliver a funny satire that is clever and full of cheeky animation Easter eggs — includinga wild Ugly Sonic cameo— making it more of a satisfying watch for adults than kids.
The Lost City
You know what, I laughed! WhileThe Lost Citydoesn’t fully live up to an incredible sequence with Brad Pitt, theRomancing the Stone–esque adventure is still an enjoyable romp. Sandra Bullock’s recluse novelist is thrust back into the world in the craziest way, with only her clueless cover model to save her. It’s fun! And Tatum compares his butt to Jamba Juice, so you know, there’s something for everyone here.
Old
Okay, soOldis kind of an oldie: It was releasedlastMemorial Day weekend, but M. Night Shyamalan’s bonkers film was recently dropped on HBO Max. With a wonderful cast(including Gael García Bernal, Vicky Krieps, Thomasin McKenzie, and Alex Wolff),Oldis a tense and occasionally goofy horror story about a group of families stuck on a beach that rapidly ages them to terrifying results. As if getting old wasn’t hard enough.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Maybe it’s because I keep going in with low expectations, butSonicmanages to be a good time (yes, even for a second time). Sure,Sonic 2is too long — kids’ movies should truly not exceed two hours — but there’s still some charm and laughs to be found. Idris Elba as Knuckles, an adorably fierce Echidna warrior,is a great addition. And Paramount, we’re going to need aSonicspin-off that’s just aboutNatasha Rothwell and Shemar Moore’s whole relationship.Thanks!
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
The latestFantastic Beastsis a movie that literally none of us saw in theaters. Did you, reader, even know it came out? Well, if you were waiting for it to hit streaming, your time is now becauseThe Secrets of Dumbledoreis finally on HBO Max. Tune in to learn all of Dumbledore’s secrets. One of the secrets?That Dumbledore has an exclusively gay moment.
TV
Stranger Things
If I could sum up the return ofStranger Thingsin one line, it would be when Gossip Girl says, “You know you love me, XOXO.”Because while you can act cool and complain about those long run-times, or claim that you’re over this immensely popular show, you know as soon as thosehot theme-song synths start bumping,you’ll be sucked in. We are truly just in too deep. Count us incredibly invested in Eleven, Dustin, Lucas, Mike, Steve, Robin, and Nancy. (God, there are so many cast members.) At least Netflix gave bingeing viewers the courtesy or releasing this long season over a long weekend.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Right as I thoughtStar Warswas losing me, they pull me right back in with hot, bearded Obi-Wan (a.k.a. Ewan McGregor). Set ten years after the ending ofRevenge of the Sith,the new limited series follows Obi-Wan as he continues to hide from the Empire — which includes a badass Inquistior (played by Moses Ingram) and Hayden Christensen (!) returning as Darth Vader — while looking after baby Luke Skywalker. Rounding out the cast is Kumail Nanjiani, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Benny Safdie, and Sung Kang.
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 7
All Starsusually delivers, but season 7 boasts an all-winners cast ofDrag Racefavorites and it slaaaaays. Withvictors from past seasonscompeting for the chance to be the “winner of all winners,” the competition is tighter and fiercer than ever. Jinkx Monsoon’s Snatch Game impressionsin episode 2might just be the best thing onDrag Race(or on television, period!). Even if you’ve stopped keeping up with RuPaul’s empire over the past few seasons,All Stars 7is the perfect place to pick it back up.
Angelyne
Emmy Rossum is unrecognizable as Angelyne, the “Billboard Queen” of Los Angeles. A self-made local celebrity, hustler, model, and so much more,Angelynetackles the real-life personality in a refreshing way, using the five-episode series as afauxdocumentary.
Conversations With Friends
If you were a fan of the adaptation of Sally Rooney’sNormal Peoplethen congratulations, because Hulu has a new Rooney series about sad, sexy people. Starring newcomerAlison Oliverand Sasha Lane as best friends/ex-girlfriends,Conversations With Friendsfollows the pair as they become entangled with a married couple, Nick and Melissa (Joe AlwynandJemima Kirke). Like the last Rooney adaptation, expect plenty of love scenes, tears, and a whole lot of misunderstood feelings.
Hacks
After losing her Las Vegas residency, Jean Smart’s Deborah Vance is taking her show on the road and bringing her writer who she loves to hate, Ava (Hannah Einbinder), along for the ride.Hacksbecame such an awards darling that season two almost has as much on its shoulders as its lead character, Vance. Some ofHacksworks,some of it doesn’t,but hey, if you’re here for more Jean Smart, you won’t be disappointed.
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