Mayday Movie: Release Date, Cast, Trailer, Story & How to Watch

Mayday is one of Apple TV’s biggest upcoming action-comedy movies of 2026, starring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh. The film combines Cold War espionage, aerial action, comedy, and an unlikely partnership between a U.S. Navy pilot and a former KGB agent.

The Mayday movie release date is September 4, 2026, when the film will premiere globally on Apple TV. Directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, the movie follows Lieutenant Troy “Assassin” Kelly after a secret mission goes wrong and leaves him stranded behind enemy lines.

Here is everything you need to know about Mayday, including its release date, cast, story, trailer, runtime, and how to watch it.

Mayday Movie Release Date

The Mayday movie release date is September 4, 2026.

Apple has confirmed that Mayday will premiere globally on Apple TV on Friday, September 4, 2026. The movie is being released as an Apple Original Film and is one of the platform’s major September releases.

For the latest official release information, viewers can check the Apple TV Mayday movie page.

Unlike a traditional theatrical release, the film’s confirmed global premiere is on Apple TV, making it available through the platform when it launches in each market.

What Time Does Mayday Release?

Apple has confirmed the September 4 premiere date, but a specific global release time has not been announced in the official information currently available.

Because release times can vary depending on region and platform scheduling, viewers should check the Apple TV listing for their country as the premiere approaches.

Where to Watch Mayday

The Mayday movie will be available to watch on Apple TV starting September 4, 2026.

The official Apple TV listing identifies Mayday as an Apple Original movie and confirms its upcoming availability.

Where to watch: Apple TV

Release date: September 4, 2026

Availability: Global Apple TV premiere

You can check the official Mayday page on Apple TV for availability in your region.

Mayday Movie Cast

The Mayday cast is led by Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh, with several other actors joining the Cold War action-comedy.

Ryan Reynolds as Troy “Assassin” Kelly

Ryan Reynolds plays Lieutenant Troy “Assassin” Kelly, a U.S. Navy pilot who becomes trapped behind enemy lines after a top-secret mission goes wrong.

The character gives Reynolds an opportunity to combine action with the fast-paced comedic style associated with many of his recent movies.

Kenneth Branagh as Nikolai Ustinov

Kenneth Branagh plays Nikolai Ustinov, an eccentric former KGB agent who becomes Kelly’s unlikely ally.

The relationship between Kelly and Ustinov is at the center of the movie, turning the story from a conventional spy mission into an unusual buddy-action adventure.

Other Mayday Cast Members

The confirmed cast also includes:

• Maria Bakalova as Anna Ustinov
• Marcin Dorociński as Alexander Volkov
• David Morse as Harold Kelly

For additional cast and production information, you can check the film’s IMDb listing.

Mayday Movie Story

The story takes place during the Cold War and follows U.S. Navy pilot Lieutenant Troy “Assassin” Kelly.

Kelly is sent on a top-secret mission into Russian territory. But the operation goes badly wrong, leaving him stranded behind enemy lines with few options for escape.

His only real chance of survival is to form an alliance with Nikolai Ustinov, an eccentric former KGB agent played by Kenneth Branagh.

What begins as a dangerous survival situation develops into an unlikely partnership between two men who should be enemies.

The movie mixes espionage and military action with comedy, focusing on the chemistry between Reynolds and Branagh rather than treating the Cold War setting as a completely serious spy thriller.

Apple’s official production information describes the movie as an action-packed buddy comedy.

You can read Apple’s official announcement and production details through the Apple TV Press Mayday page.

What Is Mayday About?

At its core, Mayday is about an American pilot trapped behind enemy lines who must rely on someone he should not be able to trust.

The Cold War setting gives the movie its spy-thriller atmosphere, while the relationship between Troy Kelly and Nikolai Ustinov provides the comedy and character-driven side of the story.

The movie combines:

• A secret military mission
• A pilot trapped behind enemy lines
• Cold War tensions
• A former KGB agent
• A dangerous escape
• An unlikely friendship
• A mix of aerial action and comedy

Mayday Movie Trailer

The official Mayday trailer was released by Apple Original Films in July 2026.

The trailer introduces Ryan Reynolds’ Troy Kelly and Kenneth Branagh’s Nikolai Ustinov and gives viewers a look at the movie’s combination of aerial action, Cold War espionage, comedy, and survival.

Apple officially unveiled the trailer on July 14, 2026, confirming the September 4 Apple TV premiere.

You can watch the official trailer through the Apple TV Press trailer announcement.

The trailer also makes the unusual partnership between Kelly and Ustinov one of the movie’s biggest selling points.

Mayday Movie Director

Mayday is directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley.

The filmmaking duo previously worked together on Game Night and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, bringing experience with action, comedy, ensemble casts, and genre storytelling.

They also wrote the screenplay for Mayday.

For additional production and crew information, see the movie’s IMDb page.

Mayday Movie Runtime

The confirmed runtime for Mayday is approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, or 110 minutes.

The official Apple TV listing currently gives the runtime as 1 hr 50 min.

Mayday runtime: 1 hour 50 minutes

Mayday Movie Genre

Mayday is primarily an action-comedy, while also incorporating elements of adventure and spy-thriller storytelling.

The movie’s Cold War setting and military mission provide the action and espionage elements, while the unlikely relationship between Reynolds’ and Branagh’s characters drives the comedy.

Genres:

• Action
• Adventure
• Comedy
• Spy/Cold War

Apple describes the film as a genre-bending buddy comedy in its official production information.

Why Mayday Could Be One of Apple TV’s Biggest Movies of September 2026

There are several reasons Mayday is attracting attention before its release.

First, the movie brings together Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh, two major stars with very different screen personas.

Second, the film comes from the directors of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, giving it a strong action-comedy background.

Third, the Cold War setting allows the movie to combine military aviation, espionage, survival, and comedy in one story.

Most importantly, Apple is giving the film a global Apple TV premiere on September 4, putting it directly in front of the platform’s international audience.

Apple’s official first-look announcement provides more information about the movie’s September premiere through the Apple TV Press release.

Mayday Movie Reviews and First Reactions

Interest in Mayday movie reviews has started to increase ahead of the film’s release.

However, full audience reviews and final review scores should be treated carefully before the movie premieres. As of September 1, 2026, the film has not yet had its global Apple TV release.

That means viewers searching for Mayday movie reviews should distinguish between early reactions, critic previews, trailer impressions, and actual post-release reviews.

Once the movie premieres on September 4, more complete reviews and audience reactions should become available.

For updated ratings and reviews after release, readers can check the film’s IMDb listing.

Is Mayday Based on a True Story?

No official Apple description presents Mayday as a true story.

The movie is presented as a fictional action-comedy set during the Cold War, centered on Troy Kelly and Nikolai Ustinov.

Its military and espionage setting provides the backdrop for the story, but the movie should not be treated as a historical account of a real mission.

Is Mayday a Remake?

There is currently no indication from Apple that Mayday is a remake.

The 2026 film is an original Apple Original Films production written and directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley.

Because “Mayday” is also a common aviation distress call and the name of other movies and media projects, searching for Mayday movie 2026 is the best way to find information about this specific film.

Will Mayday Be on Netflix?

There is currently no confirmed Netflix release for Mayday.

The confirmed home for the movie is Apple TV, where it will premiere globally on September 4, 2026.

If you’re looking for Mayday online, Apple TV is the platform to check.

You can verify the current official availability through the Apple TV Mayday listing.

Mayday Movie: What We Know So Far

DetailInformation

Movie Mayday

Release Date September 4, 2026

Platform Apple TV

Genre Action, Adventure, Comedy

Runtime 1 hour 50 minutes

Director Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley

Lead Cast Ryan Reynolds, Kenneth Branagh

Main Character Troy “Assassin” Kelly

Cold War Agent Nikolai Ustinov

Production Apple Original Films

Status Upcoming

Mayday Movie FAQs

When is the Mayday movie release date?

The Mayday movie will premiere globally on September 4, 2026, on Apple TV.

Where can I watch Mayday?

You can watch Mayday on Apple TV when it premieres on September 4, 2026.

Who stars in Mayday?

The movie stars Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh, with Maria Bakalova, Marcin Dorociński, and David Morse also appearing in the cast.

What is Mayday about?

Mayday follows U.S. Navy pilot Troy “Assassin” Kelly after a secret Cold War mission leaves him stranded behind enemy lines. He must work with eccentric former KGB agent Nikolai Ustinov to survive and escape.

Is there a Mayday movie trailer?

Yes. Apple released the official Mayday trailer on July 14, 2026.

How long is Mayday?

The Mayday runtime is 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Who directed Mayday?

Mayday was directed and written by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley.

Is Mayday on Netflix?

No Netflix release has been confirmed. The movie’s confirmed streaming home is Apple TV.

Is Mayday based on a true story?

No. Mayday is presented as a fictional action-comedy set during the Cold War.

What genre is Mayday?

Mayday is an action-comedy with adventure and spy-thriller elements. Apple describes the film as a genre-bending buddy comedy.

Final Thoughts

Mayday looks set to be one of Apple TV’s notable movie releases for September 2026. With Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh leading the cast, the film combines Cold War espionage, aerial action, survival, and comedy.

The story follows a Navy pilot trapped behind enemy lines who has no choice but to trust an eccentric former KGB agent. That unusual setup gives Mayday a different identity from a traditional spy thriller.

The movie premieres globally on Apple TV on September 4, 2026, with a runtime of approximately 110 minutes.

For viewers looking for an action movie with comedy, Cold War intrigue, and an unusual buddy dynamic, Mayday is definitely one to keep on the radar.