Apple TV+ is revving up for one of its most ambitious action-adventure films yet: Mayday, a star-powered thrill ride featuring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh in leading roles. Directed by the duo behind Game Night and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves—Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley—Mayday is shaping up to be a major 2025 tentpole release for the streaming platform.
This marks another high-profile collaboration between Apple Original Films and Skydance, with Ryan Reynolds also bringing his production label, Maximum Effort, into the mix. While Apple is keeping plot details tightly under wraps, the caliber of talent both in front of and behind the camera points toward a cinematic adventure designed to rival theatrical blockbusters.
The Cast Is Stacked
Joining Reynolds and Branagh is an eclectic and impressive supporting cast:
- Maria Bakalova (Borat 2, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)
- Marcin Dorociński (The Queen’s Gambit)
- Lovell Adams-Gray (Power Book II: Ghost)
- Clark Johnson (The Wire, Homicide: Life on the Street)
- Alex Mallari Jr. (Ginny & Georgia, The Adam Project)
It’s a globally diverse ensemble, likely hinting at an international scope for the film’s story.
What’s It About?
Apple hasn’t revealed the full synopsis yet, but sources close to production describe Mayday as an action-adventure film with espionage elements. Given the team’s background—Goldstein and Daley are known for blending genre thrills with witty, fast-paced scripts—it’s safe to expect a sharp, energetic mix of tension, humor, and blockbuster spectacle. Think Mission: Impossible with a dose of Reynolds’ trademark charm.
Production Details
Filming wrapped in Montreal in early May 2024, with the working title Blackbird. The shoot spanned several months and included action-heavy sequences, suggesting the film will deliver on scale as well as star power. Montreal doubled as various international locales, hinting at a globe-trotting storyline.
When Will It Premiere?
Mayday is scheduled to premiere on Apple TV+ in 2025, although Apple has yet to lock in an official release date. With filming complete and post-production underway, a late 2025 release seems likely—possibly positioning Mayday as a fall or holiday-season flagship title.
Wait, Isn’t There Already a “Mayday” on Apple TV+?
Yes—actually, two of them. One is a surreal war fantasy starring Grace Van Patten, and the other is a low-budget thriller involving an air marshal played by Michael Paré. But Apple’s new Mayday is unrelated and aims for a much higher tier of audience appeal. This project stands to redefine the name entirely—likely becoming the definitive Mayday for the streaming generation.
Why It Matters
Apple TV+ has been steadily growing its film slate to compete with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, and Mayday is another major step in that direction. Following hits like Argylle, Killers of the Flower Moon, and Napoleon, Apple is signaling that it’s not just a platform for prestige dramas—but also a serious player in the blockbuster space.
With Mayday, the streamer is betting on proven talent and big-budget thrills to expand its global reach and subscriber appeal.
Image: Mint Mobile
Key Takeaways
- Apple TV+ is working on a new action-adventure film “Mayday” with Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh up front.
- Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley are directing; you might know them from some well-loved action comedies.
- Apple TV+ already has two different “Mayday” films, each with their own stories and casts.
Overview of Apple TV+ Mayday
Apple TV+ has actually got two projects called “Mayday”—there’s a UK crime drama series, and then there’s the upcoming action movie with Reynolds and Branagh, which is set in the Cold War era.
Synopsis and Plot Summary
The UK crime drama Mayday series is about a small village reeling after a 14-year-old girl vanishes. The show digs into how the community tries to cope with the loss and the uncertainty.
The new Mayday film, though, is going in a totally different direction. Plot details are still mostly a mystery, but it’s set in 1987 during the Cold War. Seems like it’ll follow some kind of high-stakes mission—spy stuff, maybe? We’ll have to wait and see.
Apple TV+ also dropped another Mayday project back in 2021, which had its own unique story, not connected to either the UK series or this new Reynolds-Branagh film. If you’re curious, there’s an official trailer for that one.
Production and Filming Locations
This latest Mayday movie is a pretty big collaboration between Apple Original Films and Skydance. Ryan Reynolds’ own company, Maximum Effort, is in the mix too.
They’ve been filming in Montreal and Budapest—so, a little North America, a little Europe. Makes sense for a Cold War story, right?
It’s a solid team all around. Apple Studios is still pushing hard into original movies, and Skydance is adding this to its growing list of action flicks.
They haven’t shared many details about when, exactly, filming took place, but it’s clear this is a major investment for everyone involved.
Key Cast and Crew
Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh are the big names here. Reynolds, of course, is known for his action chops and that sharp sense of humor, while Branagh brings a bit of Shakespearean gravitas (and, let’s be honest, he’s directed a few blockbusters himself).
Behind the scenes, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein are writing and directing. You might remember them from “Game Night” and “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.” They’re pretty good at mixing action with a little something extra.
This upcoming film is a joint effort—Apple Original Films, Skydance, and Maximum Effort are all in on the production.
With that lineup, you’d expect a movie that’s both a crowd-pleaser and maybe a bit more creative than your average action flick.
Genre and Themes
Mayday is firmly in the action-adventure camp, with Cold War vibes all over it. Set in 1987, so we’re talking about the tail end of that tense period between the world’s superpowers.
Cold War stories are always packed with espionage, double-crosses, and big political stakes. There’s a lot of natural tension to mine there.
No word yet on which themes will stand out, but these movies usually dig into loyalty, blurred morals, patriotism, and the price people pay for global power games.
With Reynolds and Branagh together, it’s probably safe to expect a mix of action and some heavier moments that actually look at the era’s complicated realities. Since it’s set in 1987, maybe it’ll touch on the Cold War winding down—or those last big moments before it ended.
Release, Promotion, and Related Information
The buzz around Apple TV+’s “Mayday” has been building ever since the project was announced. It’s not every day you get this much talent in one place, both on camera and behind the scenes. Apple’s clearly got a plan for how they’ll roll it out to audiences.
Release Dates and Distribution
“Mayday” is a team-up between Apple Original Films and Skydance. There’s no official release date yet, but as of spring 2025, production seems to be moving along.
Odds are, Apple will stick to its usual game plan: a limited theatrical run, then streaming on Apple TV+. That’s worked out for their other big movies.
Apple TV+ is on pretty much every device you can think of, so once it’s out, subscribers worldwide should be able to watch. You’ll need a paid subscription, which you can manage through your Apple account.
No word yet on the MPAA rating—still too early for that.
Marketing Materials and Trailers
There aren’t any official “Mayday” trailers out yet (as of May 2025). Usually, Apple drops teasers and posters 3-6 months before release, so keep an eye out for:
- Teaser trailers
- Full trailers
- Character posters
- Behind-the-scenes sneak peeks
- Social media campaigns
Expect the marketing to lean heavily on Reynolds and Branagh—they’re the big draw. The recent casting of Maria Bakalova will probably show up in the promos, too.
Apple likes to promote its originals both on its own platforms and in more traditional ways—think trailers in theaters, online ads, that sort of thing.
Related News and Other Apple TV+ Projects
“Mayday” has been popping up in the trades ever since it was announced. Some of the bigger updates:
- The initial news about Reynolds and Branagh signing on
- Casting updates, including Maria Bakalova
- Progress reports as filming moves along
If you’re a Reynolds fan, you might be keeping an eye on “Deadpool 3” while you wait for this one to land.
Apple TV+ is still adding to its original film and series lineup, competing with the other big streamers for top-shelf content. They’re clearly betting on star power to bring in new subscribers.
Legal Notices and User Guidelines
Everything related to “Mayday” on Apple TV+—trailers, posters, the movie itself—is protected by copyright. You can’t just grab and share them without permission.
Apple TV+ has its own rules for subscribers:
- Don’t share your account beyond what’s allowed
- No recording or redistributing content
- Follow the guidelines if you leave reviews or comments
If you spot mistakes, missing info, or spoilers in Apple’s listings, there are ways to report it. Apple does seem to care about keeping things accurate.
Trademarks for “Mayday” and Apple TV+ are registered and protected. The Apple logo and Apple TV+ name? Yeah, those are official Apple Inc. trademarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apple TV+ actually has two separate “Mayday” productions—a UK crime drama about a missing girl, and a dreamlike film starring Grace Van Patten. Here are some quick answers about these titles.
What is the release date for ‘Mayday’ on Apple TV+?
The “Mayday” film with Grace Van Patten is already available on Apple TV+. It’s about Ana, who finds herself in a surreal world, fighting alongside an army of girls in a never-ending war.
The UK crime drama series “Mayday” is also streaming now on Apple TV+. That one follows a village’s response after a 14-year-old girl goes missing.
Who are the main cast members in the ‘Mayday’ series on Apple TV+?
The UK crime drama “Mayday” comes from the folks behind “Broadchurch” and features a cast focused on the aftermath of a teen girl’s disappearance and how it shakes up village life.
For the film “Mayday,” Grace Van Patten leads as Ana, finding herself in a bizarre, war-torn world with an army of girls fighting on the coast.
Is ‘Mayday’ available for streaming on other platforms besides Apple TV+?
Both “Mayday” productions are only on Apple TV+ right now. You can watch them through the Apple TV app on supported devices.
Apple TV+ works on smart TVs, streaming sticks, game consoles, and more. Just set up the app and you’re good to go.
Where can I find the official trailer for ‘Mayday’ on Apple TV+?
You’ll find trailers for both the “Mayday” film and series right on their Apple TV+ pages. Check out the Grace Van Patten movie or the UK crime drama series for official previews.
Apple usually posts trailers on their YouTube and social channels too.
How many episodes are there in the first season of ‘Mayday’ on Apple TV+?
The UK crime drama “Mayday” follows the search for a missing girl in a small village. The exact episode count isn’t listed in the sources, but since it’s from the “Broadchurch” team, it’s probably a limited series that really digs into the community fallout.
Will ‘Mayday’ on Apple TV+ be accessible in all countries at launch?
Apple TV+ content doesn’t always launch everywhere at the same time. Right now, both the “Mayday” film and series are up in the US—you can see for yourself at their Apple TV US URLs.
If you’re outside the US and wondering if you’ll get access, honestly, your best bet is to open the Apple TV+ app where you are or poke around the Apple website. These content libraries can be a bit unpredictable, thanks to licensing stuff that changes from country to country.
