Mayday

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2:36

Mayday

PG-13

2026

1h 50m

Action

Adventure

Comedy

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Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

105 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh team up in "Mayday," a genre-bending, action-packed buddy comedy that flips the spy thriller on its head. When hotshot U.S. Navy pilot Lieutenant Troy "Assassin" Kelly (Reynolds) is sent on a top-secret mission into Russian territory at the height of the Cold War, the operation implodes, leaving him stranded behind enemy lines. Discovered by Nikolai Ustinov (Branagh), a gruff ex-KGB agent with a penchant for American culture, Troy thinks he's toast -- but could an unlikely alliance between the two lead to Troy's rescue and a bond neither saw coming?

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Critics Consensus

A spirited adventure that gets a lot of mileage from clever quips and Kenneth Branagh's extremely amusing performance, Mayday thaws Cold War tensions with good-natured aplomb.

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Jared Richards

The Age (Australia)

Sep 9, 2026

3/5

Ryan Reynolds’ perma-Deadpool edge of slick sarcasm isn’t for me, but it’s put to great use in this Cold War buddy comedy from Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley (Dungeons and Dragons).

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Matt Goldberg

TheWrap

Sep 6, 2026

3/5

The new Daley & Goldstein isn’t the most narratively audacious movie, but it’s a strong reminder that even a streaming comedy can look as good as any blockbuster

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Todd Gilchrist

Variety

Sep 4, 2026

It’s a compliment to call "Mayday" a latter-day "Top Gun" riff, because it satisfyingly meets the needs of that film’s core audience — delivering a buddy comedy, a road movie and an international adventure, with surprising heart.

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Tatat Bunnag

Bangkok Post

3 days ago

I had a good time with Mayday.

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Michael Cook

KLRT-TV

Sep 25, 2026

This is a classic buddy movie, the difference is they're being chased by the KGB. The buddy aspect between Branagh & Reynolds holds up well, the action is well-paced, and there are a few quiet moments, but they serve the overall story.

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Jinal Bhatt

Variety India

Sep 23, 2026

3.5/5

The match-step bromance between Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh, in a film that's written to let them play to their strengths, and the "Top Gun" nods and 80s nostalgia ultimately make this a fun flight worth taking.

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Natalia B

@RT58346972 10 hrs ago

Very funny movie, very thoughtful scenario and great action!

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Lars S

@Slipperyswede 12 hrs ago

Terrible and embarrassing on so many different levels. Another film in which Branagh, should he think himself to be a serious actor (as he clearly does) should feel embarrassed. The film is arse-cloyingly clumsy - one predictable set-piece after another; a sequence of patronisingly dumb scenarios, all of which have been seen before. A film that, having sat through it, really focusses the mind on life‘s very brevity.

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Jon P

@JonPop 13 hrs ago

A whimsical and entertaining film, led by two renowned actors.

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Backes G

@RT26138033 1 day ago

Wish there was subtitles for all the Russian

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Max W

@MaxthorWoo 1 day ago

Ryan Reynolds remains true to his iconic persona, while Kenneth Branagh masterfully tones down Ryan's over-the-top style to just the right level. The genuine chemistry between them, combined with the excellent direction by the dual helmsmen John Francis Daley and Jonathan M. Goldstein, results in natural comedic timing. Mayday may not be the pinnacle of their directorial work, but it stands as a not-bad gem in the realm of lighthearted, buddy comedy films.

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Jonah H

@Delune 1 day ago

I thought it was a really good family night movie! Nothing special, just action, and good comedy!

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John Francis Daley

Director

Jonathan M. Goldstein

Director

Ryan Reynolds

Lieutenant Troy "Assassin" Kelly

Kenneth Branagh

Nikolai Ustinov

Marcin Dorociński

Actor

Maria Bakalova

Actor

Mayday: Exclusive Sneak Peek Clip - Tracking Evasion

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Mayday: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh team up in "Mayday," a genre-bending, action-packed buddy comedy that flips the spy thriller on its head. When hotshot U.S. Navy pilot Lieutenant Troy "Assassin" Kelly (Reynolds) is sent on a top-secret mission into Russian territory at the height of the Cold War, the operation implodes, leaving him stranded behind enemy lines. Discovered by Nikolai Ustinov (Branagh), a gruff ex-KGB agent with a penchant for American culture, Troy thinks he's toast -- but could an unlikely alliance between the two lead to Troy's rescue and a bond neither saw coming?

Director: John Francis Daley, Jonathan M. Goldstein
Producer: David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, Ashley Fox, Johnny Pariseau, Jonathan M. Goldstein, John Francis Daley
Screenwriter: John Francis Daley, Jonathan M. Goldstein
Distributor: Apple TV
Production Co: Skydance Media, Apple Original Films, Maximum Effort
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 4, 2026
Runtime: 1h 50m

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