May’s 10 TV Premieres Everyone Will Be Talking About, Led by Nicolas Cage’s Superhero Series

Okay, May 2026 is looking just a little bit wild on the TV front. If you thought last year was jammed, this lineup is really trying to outdo itself—between web-slingers, MMA legends coming out of (what felt like permanent) retirement, and yet another Yellowstone spinoff, it feels like everyone is throwing something massive into the ring. As always, the Marvel machine isn’t content with just turning up once; it’s here twice in the top five.

How They’re Measuring Hype

Quick note: this lineup is based on numbers crunched by Diesel Labs, which basically tracks how much noise a show is making across social media—likes, shares, comments, views, all that jazz. They call these 'Attention Signals,' and apparently studios pay a lot of attention to them, since it all translates to pre-release hype.

The Top 10: May 2026’s Most Hyped New Shows & Events

1. Spider-Noir (Prime Video/MGM+)
   Premieres May 25 — 109,567,992 Attention Signals
   Yep, Nicolas Cage is Spider-Man now. Or, more accurately, he’s 'the Spider' in this alt-universe, hard-boiled take on the Marvel icon. This is Marvel’s latest attempt at shaking up the multiverse, and honestly, Cage in the hat and trench coat makes bizarre sense. Lamorne Morris (New Girl) is along for the ride as Robbie Robertson. There’s already an undercurrent of speculation about season 2 before season 1 even hits—so, expectations are sky high.
2. Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano (Netflix)
   Live Event May 16 — 88,915,287 Attention Signals
   This isn’t a biopic or dramatization—Netflix is broadcasting the real thing. Two MMA icons—one who basically built women’s UFC and another who jumped from fighting into action movies (sometimes controversially)—going at it, live. The last time people went this nuts for a streaming fight, it was Jake Paul left-hooking his way through retired athletes.
3. Dutton Ranch (Paramount+)
   Premieres May 15 — 88,104,305 Attention Signals
   The Yellowstone universe refuses to die, and here’s the next chapter. This sequel zeroes in on original series fixtures Beth and Rip. There’s been a showrunner change behind the scenes, hinting that Paramount+ is playing the long game with this property… even if that means keeping the Duttons on your screen until the end of time.
4. The Punisher: One Last Kill (Disney+)
   Premieres May 12 — 65,187,569 Attention Signals
   Jon Bernthal is back as Frank Castle in what sounds like a send-off special. If you remember his Netflix run, you know exactly why Marvel fans don’t want him to hang up the vest. This is one of two Marvel projects cracking the top five.
5. Regular Show: The Lost Tapes (Cartoon Network)
   Premieres May 11 — 41,784,111 Attention Signals
   If you’re nostalgic for Mordecai, Rigby, and all their slackerdom, the cult animated comedy is back almost a decade later. Apparently, Cartoon Network is ready to give this oddball series a new life, which is honestly overdue.
6. M.I.A. (Peacock)
   Premieres May 7 — 25,945,650 Attention Signals
   The Ozark crowd might want to check this out. Bill Dubuque, who co-created that dark midwest drama, is bringing a fresh crime series to Peacock. There’s not a lot of detail out there yet, but the hype is real.
7. Amadeus (Starz)
   Premieres May 8 — 25,716,888 Attention Signals
   Will Sharpe and Paul Bettany headline this re-imagined (and definitely dramatized) look at Mozart and the notorious rivalry with Salieri. If you like your history with plenty of dramatic license and powdered wigs, here you go.
8. The Other Bennet Sister (BritBox)
   Premieres May 6 — 22,767,816 Attention Signals
   For period drama fans who’ve worn out their copies of Pride & Prejudice, this adaptation peeks into the life of shy, overlooked Mary Bennet. Based on the 2020 novel, it’s giving British drama outlets something new to work with.
9. 2026 Kentucky Derby (ESPN)
   Live: May 2 — 10,873,518 Attention Signals
   Basically, if you can stomach mint juleps this early in the year, horse racing’s biggest day is here for your sporting needs.
10. Off Campus (Prime Video)
    Premieres May 13 — 7,175,163 Attention Signals
    If the hockey-slash-romance TV genre is your thing (not exactly over-saturated), Prime Video has just launched this one, adapted from a popular novel series.

A Few Takeaways

So, not only is Marvel flexing its franchise muscles with two very different shows—one live-action, one pulpy noir—but we’re also seeing networks bet big on revivals, sequels, and real-world high-stakes spectacles. And, honestly, it all works: the numbers show that nostalgia and big IPs still bring the heat, new dramas aren’t dead, and audiences still turn up for live sports or anything that looks like a headline-grabber.

If you wanted a month where prestige drama, superheroes, and Netflix-fueled combat all crash together… well, here it is.

'The Spider is back—and let’s be honest, when Nicolas Cage is involved, you at least have to tune in once just to see what happens.'