The annual movie-release calendar goes something like this:
Fall and winter are most often associated with deep-thinking movies, the more cerebral affairs seeking awards glory.
Summer, of course, means blockbuster entertainment — the highly anticipated, highly hyped crowd-pleasers loaded with thrills, animation and action (although every now and then “Oppenheimer” bucks the trend).
Ahhh, and then there is spring, the in-between time when the prestige releases are largely past and popcorn season hasn’t kicked in yet. Studios are a little more judicious when meting out their biggest offerings in the spring, although 2026 is offering such pre-summer fireworks as “Project Hail Mary” (opening March 19), “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” (April 3), “The Devil Wears Prada 2” (May 1) and more.
But the spring film season also allows some wiggle room for indie titles and mid-tier releases to strut their stuff — a good thing since every now and then one of them becomes a breakout hit. Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” went against the grain with an April 2025 release and it earned a ton of money while making Academy Awards history with 16 nominations.
Will that lightning in the bottle strike again this year? Time will tell.
Following are some spring releases that caught our eye and hope to capture that “Sinners’” magic. We’re focusing on films landing in theaters (and a few streamers) coming out between now and May 15.headtrip,
As always, release dates are subject to change.
“They Will Kill You”: If “Ready or Not” hooked up one night with “The Shining,” its love child could well be this blood-soaked horror comedy. A new maid (Zazie Beetz) becomes the target for a monthly sacrifice in a demonic Manhattan building. Will she survive being hunted down by maniacs (Patricia Arquette, Tom Felton, Heather Graham and more)? We want to find out. San Jose native and “Industry” star Myha’la co-stars. When & where: In theaters March 25.
“The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist”: Fearing what AI will mean for his future newborn, award-winning filmmaker Daniel Roher (“Navalny”) seeks answers from those in the know about our globe’s future given the powerful technology. Will it lead to the apocalypse? Or maybe a new age of enlightenment? This documentary plumbs the issue in a personal, entertaining and thought-provoking way. When & where: In theaters March 27.
“She Dances”: Character actor Steve Zahn is a treasure and he’s in fine form stealing hearts as a depressed, grieving dad who hopes to mend his relationship with his daughter (played by his actual daughter, Audrey) while chaperoning her and her bestie to a dance competition. Zahn cowrote the screenplay and it comes from a deeply personal space. Expect it to resonate. When & where: In theaters March 27.
“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie”: Never say game over to the beloved Mario brothers. Mario and Luigi’s 2023 animated outing scored a major box-office victory, and the durable duo return to take on the destructive Koopa King — aka Bowser — and his son, as they jet off over the galaxy. It’s dense with strong voice talent and now adds Donald Glover to the crew, as Yoshi. When & where: In theaters April 1.
“The Drama”: We adore wedding movies, and this cringey one looks like it takes the cake. A surprising revelation divulged unwisely at a dinner party sends shock waves through the impending nuptials of an oh-so-cute couple (Oakland native Zendaya and Robert Pattinson). We RSVP’d “YES” after the promising trailer dropped. When & where: In theaters April 3.
“You, Me & Tuscany”: In its breezy trailer, a flustered, at-wit’s-end Anna (“The Little Mermaid’s” Halle Bailey) exclaims “this is all a big misunderstanding!” That sums up about 80 percent of all rom-coms. While some might yawn over that schematic we find it comforting and are ready to get cozy with the Tuscan scenery, the romance of two unexpected lovebirds (Bailey and “Bridgerton” hunk Regé-Jean Page), the food porn and those “accidental” moments when the ripped love interest must break loose from his drenched shirt. Ahem. When & where: In theaters April 10.
“Exit 8”: Video games continue to be a go-to for movie inspiration this spring. Director Genki Kawamura’s ominous feature might well be the ultimate headtrip, and we’re intrigued. Take the premise: A man stuck in a Kafkaesque subway passage finds his anxiety level rising as he searches for the elusive Exit 8. One misstep, though, sends him back to Square 1 in this claustrophobic tale. The trailer hooked us. When & where: In theaters April 10.
“Hamlet”: We’re always up for a new take of Shakespeare’s oft-told tragedy, especially when it stars Riz Ahmed and is set in contemporary London. We’re buying tickets now. When & where: In theaters April 10.
“The Christophers”: Steven Soderbergh follows up his snaky, sexy thriller “Black Bag” (one of 2025’s best films) with this take-down of the money-grubbing art world. Sir Ian McKellen stars as a retired pop art sensation who is now the target of a greedy inheritance plot to forge and complete his eight unfinished canvases. If sold upon his death, they’d make his offspring rich. Michaela Coel costars. When & where: In theaters April 17.
“Lorne”: Here’s the second focusing on Lorne Michaels, the influential man behind the iconic late-night show “Saturday Night Live,” which continues to nurture the comedic talents of many. Gabriel LaBelle played him in Jason Reitman’s underrated 2024 feature that re-created the first harried airing of the comedy show, titled “Saturday Night.” Now expert documentary-maker Morgan Neville gives us an in-depth look at the brains behind it the show. When & where: In theaters April 17.
“Mother Mary”: You can always count on A24 to come up with a couple of horror films each year that are so original and bizarre you have to add them immediately to your must-see list. Such is the case of David Lowery’s latest curiosity, a stylish thriller about a twisted affair between a pop star (Anne Hathaway) and her fashion designer (Michaela Cole). After we saw the trailer, we asked ourselves: What the hell is going on there? When & where: In limited release April 17, wider release April 24.
“Normal”: Unlikely action star Bob Odenkirk (“Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul”) kicks some major Midwest booty as a temporary sheriff in a duplicitous Minnesota town that harbors bloodthirsty secrets. Director Ben Wheatfield’s over-the-top neo-Western lassoes nonstop mayhem. We ate it up, and think you will too. When & where: In theaters April 17.
“Lee Cronin’s The Mummy”: After eight gut-wrenching years, the Cannons (Jack Reynor and Laia Costa) get the phone call they’ve been so plaintively awaiting: Their daughter Katie (Natalie Grace) has finally been found. But after having been sausaged into a 3,000-year-old sarcophagus during that time, she’s not doing so hot and acting more than a little weird. Uh-oh. Cue the freaky music. When & where: In theaters April 17.
“Apex”: Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton duke it out in the wilderness and that is the big draw of this streaming Australian survival thriller. The trailer makes it look like “The River Wild” on steroids. Icelandic director Baltasar Kormákur (“Everest”) has the kind of track record that suggests he’s the right one for getting our pulse rates up. When & where: Available on Netflix April 24.
“Two Women”: We caught this feminist and ever-so-French dramedy at Sundance and found it to be sexy, sly and memorable. Two apartment-dwelling moms (Laurence Leboeuf and Karine Gonthier-Hyndman) seem to have little in common but become friends and embark on a quest to satisfy themselves and their sexual desires. When & where: In theaters April 24.
“I Swear”: After a lauded release overseas, this biopic received unfortunate notoriety at this year’s BAFTAs. Put that all aside and you’ll discover a powerful drama with an award-worthy turn from Robert Aramayo as Tourette syndrome advocate John Davidson. It chronicles his life and the challenges presented to him in regards to others’ reactions to his condition. When & where: In theaters April 24.
“Michael”: Antoine Fuqua’s look back at the early days of pop sensation Michael Jackson, during his “Jackson 5” stage and onto the the launch of his own career, could be a car wreck or a solid music biopic. We’re curious to see how Michael’s nephew Jaafar Jackson plays the titular King of Pop. Whether they address the scandalous parts of his life remains to be seen. When & where: In theaters April 24.
“Over Your Dead Body”: A couple (Samara Weaving and Jason Segel) seek to repair their broken, gaping relationship by spending time together at a cabin. But each has a plan in this dark comedy/thriller: To kill the other. When & where: In theaters April 24.
“Deep Water”: Renny Harlin’s filmmaking record hasn’t been so hot, but we’re hoping he’ll make a big splash and return to the B-movie absurdity he displayed in “Deep Blue Sea.” Here, a plane crash in treacherous waters leads to survivors fending off sharks. Aaron Eckhart and Sir Ben Kingsley co-star. That’s right, Ben Kingsley! When & where: In theaters May 1.
“Hokum”: A grieving man (Andrew Scott of “Severance”) stays at a creepy inn where he’s come to scatter his parents’ ashes, but starts to unravel after hearing freaky tales about a witch. Could this be the mainstream breakout for filmmaker Damian Mc Carthy (“Caveat” and “Oddity”)? One hopes. He’s due. When & where: In theaters May 1.
“The Devil Wears Prada 2”: Fashion maven Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) returns to make everyone in her diva path wither and wilt in a long-wished-for sequel to the iconic 2006 comedy. She tussles again with not-so-doe-eyed Andy (Anne Hathaway). But really, now, can it hope to be on par with the original? If it doesn’t, we’ll show it the door and tell it to sashay away. When & where: In theaters May 1.
“The Sheep Detectives”: When beloved shepherd George (Hugh Jackman), who’s so sweet he reads mysteries to his herd, is found murdered, it’s up to crime-solving sheep to get the baaaaaaaaad person who did the dirty deed. The trailer is hilarious, making it look like “Babe” crossed with “Shaun the Sheep.” Since we love both of those movies, along with the premise and the film’s cast (Jackman, Emma Thompson, Nicholas Galitzine, Bella Ramsey and more), we’re ready to flock to this one. When & where: In theaters May 8.
“Mortal Kombat 2”: An R-rated square-off ensues when fan fave Johnny Cage (Karl Urban) enters the fray in a sequel to this fight fest that won’t strain your brain by any means but will give you the chance to marvel at all that brawny action. When & where: In theaters May 8.
“Remarkably Bright Creatures”: Author Shelby Van Pelt’s novel became a book club fave and appeared on several best-sellers’ lists. Netflix saw that and now has Sally Field starring as a lonely aquarium worker who forms a tight bond with an octopus in an aquarium. That connection leads to even more connections and surprising revelations. Lewis Pullman, Joan Chen and Colm Meaney co-star. When & where: Available on Netflix May 15.
“Is God Is”: Aleshea Harris adapts and directs this screen adaptation of an award-winning play about two sisters (played by Kara Young and Mallori Johnson) on a revenge road trip to California prompted by the sins of their father. After watching the trailer, you two will suspect there’s a fire in the tank of this fierce dark comedy thriller. When & where: In theaters May 15.
“Obsession”: A shy guy (Michael Johnston) who just wants to be with his secret crush (Inde Navarrette) has his dream come true and promptly learns why “be careful what you wish for” remains a popular saying, as she clings to him in horrific ways. Director Curry Barker’s sophomore feature was one of the buzzier titles at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. When & where: In theaters May 15.
Contact Randy Myers at soitsrandy@gmail.com.