Best New Movies and TV Shows to Watch This Week

☕️ TL;DR

Recent recommendations: [Film] Letters for Grandma, [Film] The Missing Ones, [Film] Romantic Killer, [Film] The Fantastic Transformation Adventure, [British TV Series] Grace Season 6, [Animation] Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, [Animation] Goddess: “What Do You Want to Become After Reincarnating Into Another World?” Me: “The Hero’s Rib”, [Documentary] Believe Me: The Rise and Fall of a False Prophet

Notable new trailers: The Odyssey official trailer, Resident Evil: Outbreak Night first trailer, Evil Dead 6: Inferno official trailer, The World Is Dancing official trailer

Film & TV news highlights: Toy Story 5 officially set for release in mainland China on June 19, Minions and the Big Monster scheduled for July 3, and the remake of One Piece confirmed for February 2027.

[Film] Letters for Grandma

Keywords: Drama / Family
Also Known As: Dear You
Runtime: Around 118 minutes
Where to Watch: Now showing in theaters; Douban link

People say “letters may be short, but feelings run deep” because a handwritten letter can truly carry boundless emotion and immeasurable value.

@潘誉晗: Burdened by overwhelming debt, Xiaowei makes a bold decision — to seek out his grandfather Zheng Musheng. In truth, Xiaowei has never met him. All he knows is that his grandfather once left for Southeast Asia to make a living and supposedly became incredibly wealthy afterward. But when Xiaowei finally flies to Thailand, he discovers that his grandfather passed away long ago. So who exactly has been exchanging letters with his grandmother all these years?

This year’s May Day holiday box office season brought plenty of new releases, but only this film — primarily spoken in the Chaoshan dialect, with neither a famous director nor major celebrity cast — managed to pull off a remarkable word-of-mouth comeback after release.

As the concluding chapter of director Lan Hongchun’s “Chaoshan Family Trilogy,” the film tells the story of two women who have never met, yet support each other solely through letters. In doing so, it introduces audiences unfamiliar with Chaoshan culture to the concept of “Qiaopi” — overseas remittance letters that combined family correspondence with money transfers. During the years when Chinese emigrants ventured abroad to survive, these letters carried their longing for home. Later, amid wartime turmoil, they also became symbols of overseas Chinese communities who continued thinking about saving their homeland even while living abroad.

[Film] The Missing Ones

Keywords: Mystery / Thriller / Crime
Also Known As: Vanishing Point
Runtime: Around 149 minutes
Where to Watch: Now showing in theaters; Douban link

Perhaps your home also hides someone who has “disappeared.”

@潘誉晗: It should have been an entirely ordinary morning — if not for Tang Nuo mysteriously vanishing in the stairwell while heading downstairs. His father Tang Ning had been standing guard at the entrance the entire time, yet somehow never saw him leave. It’s undeniably strange, but in reality, this isn’t the first disturbing incident to happen inside this apartment building. Lin Yutong, who lives alone, was drugged and sexually assaulted by an unknown intruder while asleep in her home one night. She later decides to rent out the apartment, and the new tenant Yan Wu turns out to be a gambler who secretly hides his father’s corpse in order to continue collecting the old man’s pension.

It seems there is more than one missing person inside this building.

The film is adapted from Beibeike’s novel Sea Anemone, which previously received a television adaptation back in 2022 that was also well received. Compared to the earlier version, the film’s biggest strength lies in condensing the story into a much tighter structure, giving the entire movie a significantly sharper pace. At the same time, the director makes excellent use of multi-perspective storytelling, creating an intense atmosphere of suspense throughout. The Chongqing setting adds a surreal urban flavor to the experience, while the heavy use of regional dialects grounds the story in a more authentic reality.

[Film] Romantic Killer

Keywords: Manga Adaptation / Romance / Comedy
Also Known As: ロマンティックキラー / Romantic Killer
Runtime: 105 minutes; Douban link

Compared to love, chocolate wins every time ♡

@SHY: High school girl Hoshino Anzu lives entirely for video games, cats, and chocolate. But the magical being Lili, who feeds on romantic energy, strips all those pleasures away and declares that Anzu won’t get them back until she finds love. As the cold-hearted heartthrob Tsukasa Kazuki, the gentle childhood friend Junta Hayami, and the wealthy young heir Hijiri Koganei suddenly enter her life one after another, can the stubbornly resistant Anzu hold onto her beliefs?

Although the original manga was cancelled early, the franchise has enjoyed surprisingly good luck when it comes to multimedia adaptations. Following the previously recommended Romantic Killer anime adaptation, the live-action film has now arrived right on schedule, and both versions are impressively solid. Director Eiji Hanawa, known for acclaimed live-action manga adaptations such as Kakegurui, clearly knows this genre inside and out. Together with actress Moka Kamishiraishi and members from three different idol groups, the film unleashes an endless barrage of comedic moments across the screen.

Beyond the three main male leads, the movie also includes surprise guest appearances from a mysterious elite secret agent, mysterious dancing swordsmen, mysterious time travelers, and even a mysterious elementary-school detective. By using shoujo manga tropes to parody shoujo manga itself, the film manages to make even the most overused clichés feel fresh again. Faced with opponents each armed with their own romantic “special abilities,” will the rough-around-the-edges heroine continue dodging every relationship flag, or finally succumb to increasingly overwhelming waves of romance? This utterly chaotic love war is determined to put on one unforgettable show.

[Film] Swapped

Keywords: Fantasy / Adventure / Comedy
Also Known As: Swapped
Runtime: 102 minutes
Where to Watch: Netflix; Douban link

Only by standing together can we truly become stronger.

@SHY: Long ago, celestial beasts granted animals the power to transform forms and communicate freely, allowing all creatures to live peacefully together in the same valley — until the power-hungry Flame Wolves destroyed everything. Fast forward to the present: Oli, a mischievous burrowing mouse constantly fighting over food, and Ivy, a Gavin bird, accidentally swap bodies after touching a magical bean pod. These sworn enemies must now work together to find a way back to normal.

Whether by coincidence or not, the premise and themes here strongly resemble Pixar’s recent Beaver Transformation Project, though the execution is entirely different. As the third feature-length film from Skydance Animation, the project is helmed by former Disney veteran Nathan Greno, best known for directing Tangled. He delivers a confidently steady narrative, while newly crowned Oscar winner Michael B. Jordan leads the voice cast, bringing the vividly distinct characters fully to life.

The film uses delightfully imaginative visual design to portray a bizarre ecosystem filled with hybrid plant-and-animal life, with impressively realistic fur textures throughout. As the burrowing mouse learns to soar through the skies and the once-flying bird learns to appreciate the ground beneath its feet, the story encourages audiences to see the world from someone else’s perspective — revealing obvious metaphors for real life along the way. By using sincerity to overcome division and creating harmony amid differences, this warm and charming story becomes a heartfelt family film suitable for audiences of all ages.

[British TV Series] Grace Season 6

Keywords: Drama / Crime
Also Known As: Grace Season 6
Runtime: Around 90 minutes per episode × 4 episodes; Douban link

Solving crimes while trying to rediscover oneself.

@潘誉晗: When Neil is awakened by Becca, he’s sleeping in his car. Becca tells him she has received a voice message from Neil’s wife, Eden. From the trembling panic in Eden’s plea for help, it’s immediately obvious that something terrible has happened. Neil rushes home to search for her, only to find the house in complete disarray — and Eden nowhere to be found.

After receiving the report, Grace and his team launch an investigation. As for what exactly happened the previous night, a severely hungover Eden claims she blacked out completely and remembers nothing. The police also discover that Neil’s first wife died in an accident more than a decade earlier, causing Grace and the others to inevitably begin viewing Neil himself with suspicion.

Season 6 of Grace continues the show’s familiar structure of one case per episode, delivering four compact yet highly effective crime stories. But the appeal of the series extends far beyond its tightly constructed investigations. Detective Grace himself remains the emotional core of the show. His personal struggles are carefully woven into the spaces between each case, allowing viewers to watch a melancholic detective — haunted by the unresolved disappearance of his wife — gradually piece himself back together and rediscover the direction of his life.

[Animation] Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord

Keywords: Action / Sci-Fi / Animation / Adventure
Also Known As: Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord
Runtime: Around 30 minutes per episode × 10 episodes; Douban link

A Star Wars version of Batman.

@潘誉晗: After the Clone Wars, Palpatine’s reign is about to begin. But this animated story takes place on a remote planet called Janix, a small democratic world that has not yet fallen fully under Imperial control. Crime syndicates thrive there, maintaining a delicate and complicated relationship with local law enforcement. A lawless frontier world like this makes the perfect place for Maul to rebuild his criminal empire. Yet Maul understands that he cannot oppose Palpatine alone. And so, he chooses to form an alliance with a young Jedi apprentice.

Created specifically to fill in the missing narrative gap between Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, this new Lucasfilm project aims to answer a long-standing question among fans: what exactly happened to Maul during those missing ten years? That premise alone was enough to generate huge excitement, and thankfully the final result lives up to expectations. Unlike previous Star Wars animated productions, this series features noticeably stronger production values. The visuals are stunning, the action sequences are exceptionally well choreographed, and even the quieter dramatic moments are handled with impressive care.

[Animation] Goddess: “What Would You Like to Become After Reincarnating Into Another World?” Me: “The Hero’s Rib”

Keywords: Novel Adaptation / Fantasy / Comedy
Also Known As: 女神「異世界転生何になりたいですか」俺「勇者の肋骨で」 / My Ribdiculous Reincarnation
Runtime: 23 minutes per episode × total episode count unknown, updated every Tuesday
Where to Watch: Bahamut Anime Crazy; Douban link

Looks like human civilization is doomed this time!

@SHY: After being successively killed by a bear, a bomb, gangsters, a truck, and finally a meteorite, the unfortunate protagonist arrives before the goddess responsible for handling reincarnation procedures. Hoping for a standard overpowered harem-hero fantasy life, he instead learns that the waiting line for reincarnating as a hero stretches 54,932 years long. With everything from monsters to vending machines already claimed by other souls, the destination he ultimately chooses is: “the rib bone of a harem-powered hero.”

People say modern society is unbearably competitive, but apparently isekai worlds are no different. Becoming either a Hero or Demon King through the normal process would take an eternity, forcing reincarnators to seek increasingly absurd alternatives. The reincarnation targets in this series go far beyond imagination. Hermit crabs and tomatoes are merely appetizers. Clocktower second hands and the right-side gate of a demon castle barely qualify as strange anymore. The real insanity begins with concepts like “the voice inside a hero’s head that announces level-ups” or “the awkward atmosphere felt by a lonely single man sitting alone behind a kissing couple.”

Faced with source material that has completely abandoned all restraint, the anime adaptation clearly had no intention of playing things safe either. Every reincarnation segment is handled by different artists from different creative disciplines, resulting in a chaotic blend of CG, stop-motion, live-action, rotoscope animation, ink painting, oil painting, clay animation, collage work, and even paper-craft sequences reminiscent of “Hellshake Yano.” Using every artistic style imaginable to deliver the most unhinged ideas possible, the show pushes creativity far beyond normal limits. Looking across this anime season, only this series truly deserves the title of “the king of spring anime and humanity’s collective nervous breakdown.”

[Documentary] Trust Me: The False Prophet

Keywords: Documentary
Also Known As: Trust Me: The False Prophet
Runtime: Around 48 minutes per episode × 4 episodes
Where to Watch: Netflix; Douban link

How could a cult leader possibly become a prophet?

@潘誉晗: Inside a secluded community in Utah lives the FLDS, a splinter sect derived from Mormonism. Even after mainstream Mormonism abolished polygamy long ago, this group still firmly believes that men taking multiple wives is perfectly natural. The cult’s leader, Warren, was arrested in 2011. Yet even after his downfall, the followers never returned to normal society. Instead, a man named Sam emerged, claiming that Warren had already died in prison and that he himself had received divine instructions from Warren in the afterlife, making him the new prophet.

This revelation is something director Christina simply cannot accept. As a cult expert, she and her husband originally entered the community hoping to better understand the believers and help them. Instead, what they discover is an even more horrifying reality: Sam continues marrying women and fathering children while threatening underage girls, forcing children to witness their parents having sex, and using the cult to amass enormous wealth.

More than a documentary, the series often feels like a horror film written in blood and tears. Fortunately, the filmmaking team demonstrates extraordinary empathy while venturing deep into such dangerous territory. While exposing the horrifying truth behind the cult, they also help many of the abused women finally begin awakening to their own reality.

[Film] Cold War 1994
@潘誉晗：This installment uses the disappearance of Lee Man-bing in 2017 as its starting point. As investigators dig into the case, a long-sealed archive is finally reopened — a classified file dating back to 1994. Inside lies the story of a young Lee Man-bing and Choi Yuen-kei, the power struggle between Hong Kong and British authorities, wealthy tycoons and the criminal underworld. It turns out this battle over power had already begun long before Hong Kong’s handover. As a crucial missing piece of the franchise, Cold War 1994 does an excellent job answering many of the mysteries left behind by the first two films.

[Taiwanese Drama] Fruit
@潘誉晗：It all began with a simple interaction while rescuing a cat on a rainy day. Guoshu suddenly realizes she has developed feelings for Ronghua. But she also knows this secret crush can never be spoken aloud — because Ronghua is her art teacher. Across ten ultra-short episodes, each running less than five minutes, the series delicately captures the hidden emotions of a teenage girl’s first love. Teacher-student romance, same-sex attraction — the themes feel like the forbidden fruit eaten by Adam and Eve: irresistible and sweet, yet dangerous and daring all at once.

[Japanese Drama] Izumi Kyoka Will Not Stay Silent
@利兹与青鸟：This original spin-off story based on Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan places Rohan’s editor and assistant Izumi Kyoka at the center of the narrative. Rohan notices something deeply unsettling about the work of a manga artist named Sean, whom Izumi discovered. When Izumi visits the artist herself, she becomes caught in a string of bizarre and grotesque events. Original Hirohiko Araki creator Hirohiko Araki participated in writing the screenplay, while the directing team also brings extensive experience in horror productions. The atmosphere is exceptionally well crafted, the story remains easy to follow, and the show feels perfect for a gloomy afternoon viewing session.

[Animation] CANDY CARIES
@SHY：A little girl named Candy, who absolutely adores sweets, suddenly discovers that a cavity monster named Caries has taken up residence inside her mouth. Stubbornly insisting that Candy is now her mother, Caries completely turns Candy’s life upside down. What kind of daily life will unfold between this inseparable “mother and daughter” pair? After briefly stunning audiences with its first teaser back in 2021, the long-awaited original work from Tomoki Misato — director of Pui Pui Molcar — has finally arrived. Filled with adorable macaron-inspired colors and exquisitely detailed candy-like textures, this slightly cult-like stop-motion animation somehow manages to make your teeth ache while remaining irresistibly delightful to watch.

[Animation] If Kuzma Sings, the House Goes Dorororo
@SHY：On his way home from school, middle school student Arata Koda encounters a mysterious creature named Kuzma scavenging coins beneath a vending machine. Half bird and half humanoid, Kuzma claims to be a migratory bird raised by humans who traveled all the way from Russia to Japan in order to study migration habits — and soon ends up staying at Arata’s home. Although both the title and characters may initially seem bizarre, the show is ultimately built around warm and cozy slice-of-life storytelling. Its healing atmosphere mixed with faint traces of weirdness creates an unexpectedly charming combination. As Kuzma occasionally whispers honest thoughts in Russian under his breath, the real question becomes: can this strange little creature win your heart?

[Reality Show] Beast Games Season 2
@潘誉晗：Following the massive success of the first season, MrBeast returns once again with a grand prize of five million dollars to launch a brand-new competition season. This time, the format continues the previous season’s battle between strength and intelligence, selecting one ultimate winner from one hundred of the world’s strongest contestants and one hundred of the smartest. The pacing remains extremely tight with no wasted time. Beyond raw physical ability and intelligence, the games also test strategy, trust, and human nature itself.

📅 Trailers of the Week

The Odyssey Official Trailer

On May 5, director Christopher Nolan released the official trailer for his new film The Odyssey, which is set to premiere in North America on July 17. Starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, and Charlize Theron, the film follows Odysseus’ long and impossible journey home after the Trojan War as he defies both gods and fate itself. Source

Resident Evil: Outbreak Night First Trailer

On April 30, the first trailer for Resident Evil: Outbreak Night was released ahead of its North American premiere on September 18. Directed by Zach Cregger (Weapons, Barbarian), the story follows a medical courier sent to Raccoon City who becomes trapped in a full-scale viral outbreak. As the city collapses into chaos and mutated creatures begin hunting survivors, he must find a way to stay alive inside the nightmare. Source

Evil Dead 6: Inferno Official Trailer

On May 6, the official trailer for Evil Dead 6: Inferno was released. The film will debut in North America on July 10. Directed by Sébastien Vaniček (Infested), the movie stars Souheila Yacoub, Hunter Doohan, Luciane Buchanan, Tandi Wright, Lara McDonnell, Maud Wyler, and Kenu Karim. Evil spirits are coming, and no one will be able to escape. Source

The World Is Dancing Official Trailer

On May 7, the TV anime The World Is Dancing released its official trailer ahead of its July 2 premiere. Adapted from the manga by Kazuto Mihara, the series is directed by Toshimitsu Kuroyanagi, written by Sawako Kawamitsu, and animated by Cypic. Set during Japan’s Muromachi period, the story follows “Oniyasha,” the son of renowned Noh master Kan’ami of the Kanze troupe, as he continuously challenges himself through artistic creation. Source

More

The TV anime Drawing Until the End of Life released its official trailer. Adapted from Minoru Toyoda’s manga of the same name, the series is directed by Hiroaki Akagi with series composition by Yuko Fukuda and animation by Shin-Ei Animation. It tells the romantic coming-of-age story of high school student Ai Amikai, who dreams of becoming a manga artist and begins her creative journey after a chance encounter. The series premieres on July 3. Source

Tony, a new biographical film from A24, released its first trailer. Directed by Matt Johnson and starring Dominic Sessa, the film explores the life of celebrity chef, writer, and television host Anthony Bourdain. Beginning in 1975 when the 19-year-old Bourdain worked in a restaurant kitchen, the story traces how food and the people around him gradually shaped both his inspiration and purpose in life. The film will premiere in North America this August. Source

Weird Retirement Town released its official trailer. Produced by the Duffer Brothers, creators of Stranger Things, the series premieres on Netflix on May 21. The story follows a grieving newcomer who, after encountering terrifying monsters, joins a ragtag team of misfit heroes.

📽 Film & TV News Weekly

Toy Story 5 Confirmed for June 19 Release in Mainland China
On May 7, Toy Story 5 released its mainland China release trailer and poster, officially confirming a June 19 premiere day-and-date with North America. Directed by Andrew Stanton and McKenna Harris, the film reunites beloved old friends including Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie as the childhood companions once again join forces to face a wave of powerful new electronic “friends.” Source

Minions and the Big Monster Set for July 3 Release in Mainland China
On May 7, the animated film Minions and the Big Monster released its mainland China release trailer and a brand-new poster, confirming a July 3 release, two days after its North American debut. Directed by Pierre Coffin, written by Brian Lynch, and produced by Illumination, the film promises an unprecedented chaotic comedy showdown. New mysterious allies join the madness while giant monsters relentlessly give chase, turning the entire production into pure comedic mayhem. Source

The One Piece Remake Anime Scheduled for February 2027
On May 5, the remake anime series The One Piece released its first concept visual for Episode 1. The first season is scheduled to premiere on Netflix in February 2027, consisting of seven episodes totaling roughly 300 minutes and covering the first 50 chapters of the manga. The series is directed by Masashi Koizuka, with Hideaki Abe serving as assistant director, Taku Kishimoto handling series composition, Kyoji Asano and Takatoshi Honda as chief animation directors, and animation production by WIT STUDIO. Source

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