Disney+ has a little something for every kind of fan in May 2023. The streaming service already kicked things off on a high note with the release of Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 in honor of May the 4th. The anthology series introduced yet another set of nine short films. But this time instead of keeping it strictly anime-focused, Volume 2 showcased a wide variety of animation styles from different animation studios across the globe. Star Wars fans who have not yet dived into Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 will want to do so soon because Disney+ is packing way more original content for May 2023.
Crater, an original sci-fi family adventure film first acquired as a script by 20th Century Fox in 2017 before the Disney acquisition, is finally making its way to streaming after years of development. Co-produced by Shawn Levy and Dan Levine under their 21 Laps Entertainment banner, Crater brings loads of fresh thrills and wonder as one of the more unique Disney+ original films as of late. Similarly, American Born Chinese is bringing its own one-of-a-kind flavor to the platform this May as a new Disney+ original series. The Asian-led action comedy is adapted from Gene Luen Yang’s 2006 graphic novel of the same by writer/creator Kelvin Yu with Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi) serving as a director and executive producer.
On another note, the Muppet fandom can dive into a new series with The Muppets Mayhem on Disney+ in May 2023. The show is all about the beloved Muppet musical group Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. Finally, subscribers can look forward to the long-awaited Disney+ debuts of Spider-Man: Homecoming and Venom on May 12, 2023. These two films come shortly after when the classic Sam Raimi trilogy and 2012’s The Amazing Spider-Man were added in April. Discover more on our monthly recs below then check out the full list of everything coming to Disney+ in May 2023. You can also find out what’s coming to and about to leave from Netflix, Prime Video, and HBO Max right here on DiscussingFilm.
Our Recs:
Star Wars: Visions
Star Wars: Visions has once again proved that some of the brightest and most thrilling stories in a galaxy far, far away often come from where you least expect them. Boasting an array of unique tales from the most promising animation studios from across the globe, Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 is an absolute must-watch on Disney+ in May 2023. With Volume 3 already reported to be in early development, there’s no reason to further delay diving into this spectacular anthology series.
The nine studios featured in this newest collection of shorts are El Guiri (Spain), Cartoon Saloon (Ireland), Punkrobot (Chile), Aardman (United Kingdom), Studio Mir (South Korea), Studio La Cachette (France), 88 Pictures (India), Triggerfish (South Africa), and D’art Shtajio (Japan). D’art Shtajio, in particular, made their short in collaboration with Lucasfilm Ltd. (United States). Still not convinced to give Star Wars: Visions a shot? Read why the series ranks high in our full list of Star Wars shows ranked worst to best.
Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 is now streaming on Disney+!
The Muppets Mayhem
Muppets fans have finally been treated to another new show with The Muppets Mayhem. Developed by Adam F. Goldberg, Jeff Yorkes, and famed Muppet performer Bill Barretta, The Muppets Mayhem is unlike the majority of titles in the franchise since it doesn’t focus on Kermit and the usual gang. Instead, audiences follow the Muppet musical group Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem as they navigate the modern music industry and try to record their first-ever platinum album.
In true Muppet tradition, The Muppets Mayhem is filled with celebrity guest appearances, but this time they’re mainly all related to music. The long list of recognizable faces that pop in includes Paula Abdul, Steve Aoki, Zedd, Lil Nas X, Desiigner, Charlamagne Tha God, Tommy Lee, deadmau5, Billy Corgan, Kesha, Ziggy Marley, and “Weird Al” Yankovic. The Muppets Mayhem is the fourth Disney+ original release from the Jim Henson Company followed by Muppets Now, Earth to Ned, and Muppets Haunted Mansion.
The Muppets Mayhem is now streaming on Disney+!
American Born Chinese
Based on the 2006 graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang, American Born Chinese follows Jin Wang (Ben Wang), an average teenager who’s struggling to juggle his high school social life with his family duties at home. When Jin crosses paths with Wei-Chen (Jim Liu), the new Taiwanese exchange student, he soon finds himself entangled in an epic war between the Chinese mythological gods themselves. American Born Chinese is adapted by showrunner Kelvin Yu (Bob’s Burgers) with Destin Daniel Cretton (who will soon helm Avengers: The Kang Dynasty) serving as a director and executive producer. The one and only Lucy Liu is also confirmed to be directing an episode.
Aside from its exciting and far-out concept, all eyes are on American Born Chinese for it will feature an Everything Everywhere All at Once reunion of sorts. The show features Michelle Yeoh as the bodhisattva Guanyin, Stephanie Hsu as the goddess Shiji Niangniang, James Hong as the Jade Emperor, and Ke Huy Quan as Freddy Wong, an actor who had a prominent role in a ’90s sitcom called “Beyond Repair” that is being rebooted in the present day. Rounding out the stellar Asian cast ensemble is Yeo Yann Yann, Chin Han, Daniel Wu, Hong Huifang, Poppy Liu, Ronny Chieng, Rosalie Chiang, Lisa Lu, Leonard Wu, and Jimmy O. Yang. With this level of representation in a fantasy series, American Born Chinese will surely find no trouble leaving a mark on Disney+.
American Born Chinese premieres on Disney+ May 24, 2023!
New Disney+ Arrivals for May 2023
Coming May 2
A Small Light: Limited Series (2 episodes)
Coming May 3
Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All (All Episodes Streaming) *Disney+ Original Series Premiere
Eureka! (Season 1, 6 episodes)
Coming May 4
Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 (All Episodes Streaming) *Disney+ Original Series Premiere
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures Season 1 (Episodes 1-7 Streaming) *Disney+ Original Series Premiere
Coming May 5
Charles: In His Own Words
Entrelazados Live! *Disney+ Original
Coming May 9
A Small Light: Limited Series (2 episodes)
Coming May 10
Life Below Zero (Season 20)
Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa (Season 4)
The Muppets Mayhem (All Episodes Streaming) *Disney+ Original Series Premiere
Coming May 12
Crater *Disney+ Original Film Premiere
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Venom
Coming May 16
A Small Light: Limited Series (2 episodes)
Coming May 17
Critter Fixers: Country Vets (Season 5)
Saturdays (Season 1, 4 episodes)
Coming May 23
A Small Light: Limited Series (2 episodes)
Coming May 24
American Born Chinese (All Episodes Streaming) *Disney+ Original Series Premiere
Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life Season 2 (Episodes 1-6 Streaming) *Disney+ Original Series Premiere
Kiff (Season 1, 4 episodes)
Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends (Season 2, 5 episodes)
Coming May 26
Wild Life (Season 1)
Coming May 31
Firebuds (Season 1, 6 episodes)
UPDATED 05/18/23: Multiple titles are now being removed from both Disney+ and Hulu due to cost-cutting measures, these include:
- The Mysterious Benedict Society [Disney+]
- Big Shot [Disney+]
- Turner & Hooch [Disney+]
- Willow [Disney+]
- The Making Of Willow [Disney+]
- Just Beyond [Disney+]
- The World According To Jeff Goldblum[Disney+]
- Pistol [Hulu]
- Dollface [Hulu]
- The Quest [Hulu]
- The Hot Zone [Hulu]
- Y: The Last Man [Hulu]
- Maggie [Hulu]
- Little Demon [Hulu]
- The Premise [Hulu]
- Love In The Time Of Corona [Hulu]
- Everything’s Trash [Hulu]
- Best In Snow [Hulu]
- Best In Dough [Hulu]
- The One And Only Ivan [Disney+]
- Timmy Failure [Disney+]
- Be Our Chef [Disney+]
- Magic Camp [Disney+]
- Howard [Disney+]
- Earth To Ned [Disney+]
- Foodtastic [Disney+]
- Stuntman [Disney+]
- Disney Fairy Tale Weddings [Disney+]
- Wolfgang [Disney+]
- It’s a Dog’s Life With Bill Farmer [Disney+]
