Love movies? Live for TV? USA TODAY's Watch Party newsletter has all the best recommendations, delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now and be one of the cool kids.
Ryan Reynolds just feels right in the cockpit of a fighter plane.
Is it as perfect a fit as him wielding swords while wearing a mask and tight leather? Nah – I mean, the man is Deadpool. Yet in the 1980s throwback action comedy "Mayday," Reynolds definitely has the need for speed as a Navy pilot stuck in the Soviet Union who teams up with a former KGB agent (Kenneth Branagh). Those needing even more action will want to see Adria Arjona – who may or may not be the next Wonder Woman – kicking butt as a protective mom in the thriller "Onslaught." And since we're now in September, it's
time to start your fall entertainment planning, and we've got movie and TV previews for all the things you need to watch.
Now on to the good stuff:
Stream the Ryan Reynolds, Kenneth Branagh buddy comedy 'Mayday'
Not only does Apple TV's "Mayday" take place in the 1980s, the action comedy is an ode to the movies of the era. A Navy pilot (Ryan Reynolds) is shot down in Cold War-era Soviet Union while on a secret spy mission, and an old Russian intelligence officer (Kenneth Branagh) who loves all things American helps the guy out of his dangerous jam. I talked with the costars about how "Top Gun" is a major influence on "Mayday" and their first time seeing the Tom Cruise classic. "As a young kid, you were watching this movie where you never thought airplanes could be that cool," Reynolds says.
"Mayday" is one of several new movies on your streaming services this Labor Day weekend. You might also want to make a couch date for "The Mandalorian and Grogu" on Disney+ and "The Runner" with Gal Gadot on Amazon's Prime Video.
Plan your fall entertainment calendar with the best movies, TV shows
Speaking of Tom Cruise, you just need to wait till next month to see his latest effort "Digger," an all-star dark comedy directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu. (And with Tom transformed into a pot-bellied oil tycoon, it looks like his most fun role since Les Grossman in "Tropic Thunder.") We've got an exclusive peek at that and several other must-see flicks − including "Resident Evil," "Other Mommy" and "Verity" − in our annual fall movie preview.
Don't forget the small-screen stuff, though! Our TV team rounded up a bunch of shows you'll want to binge in the coming months, including Mike Flanagan's take on Stephen King's "Carrie" coming to Prime Video, Marvel's "VisionQuest" on Disney+ and "East of Eden" with Florence Pugh on Netflix.
See Adria Arjona fight the good fight as a mad mom in 'Onslaught'
Those who enjoyed Adria Arjona in the "Star Wars" show "Andor" will want to see her take the lead in the gonzo action thriller "Onslaught," where she plays an Army sniper who must protect her daughter when some rogue super-soldiers invade their trailer park.
Arjona stopped by our New York City studio this week for a photo and video shoot, and my pal Brendan Morrow chatted with her about her "Onslaught" inspiration, her secret role in DC's "Superman" sequel "Man of Tomorrow," and doing stunt work alongside her young costar like running down stairs. The filmmakers "taught me how to fall just in case," she says. "They were like, 'You can break a rib, but do not break the kid.' "
Even more goodness to check out!
- The 2026 box office has been killing it. With "Dune: Part Three" and "Avengers: Doomsday" on the way, can movie theaters finish the year just as strong?
- With a new Netflix documentary, Australian breakdancer Rachael "Raygun" Gunn gets the last laugh after her viral Olympic moment.
- Jaleel White feels the internet ruined a key aspect of his 1990s sitcom "Family Matters."
- Judge Judy nabbed some famous fans to appear on her 30th anniversary special.
- And if you were wowed by the most recent episode of HBO's "Lanterns," Aaron Pierre talks that "beautifully written" John Stewart origin story.
Got thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, compliments or maybe even some recs for me? Email btruitt@usatoday.com and follow me on the socials: I'm @briantruitt on Bluesky, Instagram and Threads.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ryan Reynolds is at his Tom Cruise-iest in Apple TV's 'Mayday'
