May 2025 is packed with bold storytelling, dark thrills, and mature themes as a fresh lineup of R-rated movies hits theaters and streaming platforms. From action-packed sequels to chilling horror adaptations and literary-inspired dramas, this month’s releases are sure to spark conversation—and a fair amount of controversy.
Here’s a look at the R-rated films arriving in May 2025, what they’re about, and what viewers can expect in terms of tone, genre, and content.
| Release Date | Title | Genre | Starring |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1 | Another Simple Favor (Amazon Prime) | Comedy, Crime, Mystery, Thriller | Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Allison Janney |
| May 2 | Shadow Force | Action, Thriller | Kerry Washington, Omar Sy, Mark Strong |
| May 9 | Clown in a Cornfield | Horror | Katie Douglas, Kevin Durand |
| May 9 | Friendship | Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Sport | Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd |
| May 16 | Final Destination: Bloodlines | Horror | Tony Todd, Rya Kihlstedt |
| May 16 | Hurry Up Tomorrow | Musical, Psychological Thriller | The Weeknd, Jenna Ortega, Barry Keoghan |
| May 23 | Fear Street: Prom Queen (Netflix) | Horror, Mystery, Thriller | India Fowler, Suzanna Son, Fina Strazza |
| May 30 | Bring Her Back | Horror | Sally Hawkins, Billy Barratt |
| May 30 | Jane Austen Wrecked My Life | Comedy, Romance | Camille Rutherford, Pablo Pauly |
R-Rated Films Coming Out in May 2025
Another Simple Favor (Amazon Prime Release)
Rated R for violence, sexual content, nudity, language throughout, and suicide.
Releasing May 1, 2025, Another Simple Favor is a darkly comedic crime thriller starring Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, and Allison Janney. The film follows Stephanie Smothers and Emily Nelson as they reunite on the picturesque island of Capri for Emily’s extravagant wedding to a wealthy Italian businessman.
But their glamorous reunion quickly unravels when murder and betrayal come into play. A sequel to A Simple Favor, this follow-up promises plenty of sharp twists and stylish suspense.
Shadow Force
Rated R for violence, and language throughout.
Shadow Force is a high-stakes action thriller starring Kerry Washington, Omar Sy, and Mark Strong. The story follows an estranged couple who must reunite and go on the run with their young son after becoming targets of a deadly shadow organization—an elite unit of operatives they once worked for.
With relentless enemies on their trail and trust hanging by a thread, the family is forced into a desperate fight for survival. Packed with explosive action, suspenseful twists, and emotional intensity, Shadow Force delivers a gripping tale of loyalty, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to protect the ones they love.
Clown in a Cornfield
Rated R for bloody horror violence, language throughout and teen drinking.
Clown in a Cornfield is a chilling horror film starring Katie Douglas and Kevin Durand. The story follows high school senior Quinn Maybrook and her father as they move to the small town of Kettle Springs, Missouri, in search of a fresh start after a personal tragedy.
But their hopes are quickly dashed as they discover a deep generational divide within the town—adults desperate to preserve tradition and teens yearning for change. When a harmless prank spirals into chaos, the town’s eerie mascot, Frendo the Clown, turns into a bloodthirsty killer, stalking the youth through the surrounding cornfields. Blending classic slasher thrills with sharp social commentary, Clown in a Cornfield delivers a terrifying look at the dangers of repressed anger and cultural division.
Friendship
Rated R for language and some drug content.
Friendship is a 2024 American comedy film marking the directorial debut of Andrew DeYoung, who also penned the script. Starring Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd, Kate Mara, Jack Dylan Grazer, Josh Segarra, and Billy Bryk, the film blends awkward humor with emotional insight.
The story centers on Craig, whose quiet life is thrown into chaos with the arrival of a charismatic and mysterious new neighbor, sparking an unexpected and increasingly bizarre bond. Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2024, as part of the Midnight Madness lineup, Friendship is set for a limited U.S. theatrical release by A24 on May 9, 2025, with a wider release following on May 23. With its mix of quirky charm and offbeat comedy, the film promises a unique take on male friendship and suburban malaise.
Final Destination: Bloodlines
Rated R for strong violent/grisly accidents, and language.
Final Destination: Bloodlines is a chilling new chapter in the iconic horror franchise, starring Tony Todd and Rya Kihlstedt. The story follows college student Stefani, who is haunted by vivid nightmares of a deadly tower collapse from the 1960s. As the visions intensify, she uncovers a terrifying truth—they are not just dreams, but inherited premonitions passed down from her grandmother, who once cheated Death by saving lives during the original disaster.
Now, decades later, Death is back to claim what was once denied, targeting the remaining survivors and their descendants. With time running out and fate closing in, Stefani must unravel the past to stop a new wave of horrifying deaths before it’s too late. Final Destination: Bloodlines delivers the franchise’s signature blend of suspense, supernatural terror, and inventive, gruesome twists of fate.
Hurry Up Tomorrow
Rated R for language throughout, drug use, some bloody violence and brief nudity.
Hurry Up Tomorrow is a bold fusion of musical storytelling and psychological thriller, starring The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye), Jenna Ortega, and Barry Keoghan. Inspired by The Weeknd’s sixth studio album, the film follows a fictionalized version of the artist—an insomniac musician spiraling toward a mental breakdown.
As his grip on reality frays, he encounters a mysterious stranger who pulls him into a surreal, existential journey that blurs the lines between dream and delusion, fame and identity. Visually arresting and sonically immersive, Hurry Up Tomorrow promises a haunting, genre-defying experience that dives deep into the psyche of a tortured artist in search of meaning.
Fear Street: Prom Queen (Netflix Release)
Rated R for strong bloody violence and gore, teen drug use, language and some sexual references.
Fear Street: Prom Queen is the chilling fourth installment in Netflix’s Fear Street film series, based on the classic R.L. Stine books. Set in 1988, the story unfolds at Shadyside High, where prom season turns sinister as the popular “It Girls” competing for Prom Queen begin to vanish one by one.
Starring India Fowler, Suzanna Son, and Fina Strazza, the film follows a gutsy outsider who unexpectedly finds herself in the running for the crown—and at the center of a deadly mystery. As prom night descends into chaos, she must unravel the town’s dark secrets to survive. Blending nostalgic ‘80s vibes with slasher thrills and suspenseful twists, Prom Queen brings a fresh dose of horror to the Fear Street saga.
Bring Her Back
Rated R for strong disturbing bloody violent content, some grisly images, graphic nudity, underage drinking and language.
Bring Her Back is a haunting and emotionally charged horror film starring Sally Hawkins and Billy Barratt. After the death of their mother, a grieving brother and sister are taken in by a foster mother who soon introduces them to a mysterious new sibling.
But what begins as an attempt at healing quickly descends into terror, as the children uncover a disturbing secret about their new “brother”—one that threatens to unravel their reality. With an R rating and direction from the filmmakers behind Talk to Me, Bring Her Back promises a deeply unsettling experience, blending psychological dread with visceral horror in a chilling exploration of grief, family, and the supernatural.
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life
Rated R for language, some sexual content and nudity.
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is a heartwarming romantic comedy starring Camille Rutherford and Pablo Pauly. Agathe, a delightfully awkward aspiring writer working at the iconic Shakespeare & Co. bookshop in Paris, longs for a love story worthy of Jane Austen and a breakthrough in her writing career.
Struggling with writer’s block and a hopelessly single life, she jumps at the chance to attend a Jane Austen Writers’ Residency in the English countryside. There, amid tea, typewriters, and romantic tension, Agathe finds herself caught in an unexpected love triangle. As her Austen-esque adventure unfolds, she must confront her fears, embrace her voice, and discover that the best stories—both on the page and in life—are the ones you write for yourself.
May 2025 proves that R-rated films are more than just shock and gore—they’re bold, genre-defying, and often deeply personal. Whether you’re a horror buff, a drama devotee, or a thrill-seeker, this month’s releases offer something unforgettable.