Apple Original Film Premieres Globally on September 4, 2026
An unlikely friendship takes center stage in “Mayday,” a new Apple Original Film that blends action, comedy, and Cold War espionage into one entertaining adventure.
Premiering globally on Apple TV+ on September 4, 2026, Mayday stars Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh as two men from opposite sides of the Cold War who are forced to work together after a high-risk military mission goes disastrously wrong.
Combining explosive action with sharp humor and heartfelt character moments, the film puts a fresh spin on the traditional spy thriller.
Mayday
- Director: Jonathan Goldstein
- Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Kenneth Branagh, Maria Bakalova, Marcin Dorociński, David Morse, Lovell Adams-Gray, Clark Johnson, Wendy Crewson
- Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Action
- Runtime: 110 mins
Ryan Reynolds Plays a Navy Pilot Stranded Behind Enemy Lines
Reynolds stars as Lieutenant Troy “Assassin” Kelly, a confident and highly skilled U.S. Navy pilot assigned to a top-secret mission deep inside Soviet territory during the height of the Cold War.
When the operation falls apart, Troy is left stranded behind enemy lines with little hope of making it home alive.
His fortunes take an unexpected turn when he crosses paths with Nikolai Ustinov (Kenneth Branagh), a tough former KGB agent whose surprising fascination with American culture makes him anything but a typical adversary.
Although Troy initially believes capture means certain death, the two men form an unlikely alliance that could become Troy’s only chance of survival, and perhaps an unexpected friendship neither of them saw coming.
An All-Star Cast
Leading the action-comedy are two acclaimed actors who bring both humor and emotional depth to the story.
Cast
- Ryan Reynolds as Lieutenant Troy “Assassin” Kelly
- Kenneth Branagh as Nikolai Ustinov
- Marcin Dorociński as Alexander Volkov
- Maria Bakalova as Anna Ustinov
- David Morse as Harold Kelly
From the Filmmakers Behind ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’
Mayday is co-written, co-directed, and produced by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, the filmmaking duo known for blending action, comedy, and adventure in films such as Game Night and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
The film is produced by Skydance Media, with producers:
- David Ellison
- Dana Goldberg
- Don Granger
- Ashley Fox
- Johnny Pariseau
- Jonathan Goldstein
- John Francis Daley
Executive producers include Ryan Reynolds, George Dewey, and John G. Scotti.
A Fresh Take on the Spy Genre
Rather than delivering a traditional Cold War thriller, Mayday embraces the humor found in unlikely partnerships. By pairing an outspoken American fighter pilot with a former Soviet intelligence officer, the film promises a mix of high-stakes action, fast-paced comedy, and heartfelt camaraderie.
With Ryan Reynolds’ trademark wit and Kenneth Branagh’s commanding screen presence, Mayday looks poised to offer audiences an entertaining blend of laughs, suspense, and adventure.
Mayday (2026)
Streaming Premiere
September 4, 2026
Streaming On
Apple TV+
Genre
- Action
- Comedy
- Spy Thriller
Directors
John Francis Daley & Jonathan Goldstein
Writers
John Francis Daley & Jonathan Goldstein
Producers
- David Ellison
- Dana Goldberg
- Don Granger
- Ashley Fox
- Johnny Pariseau
- Jonathan Goldstein
- John Francis Daley
Executive Producers
- Ryan Reynolds
- George Dewey
- John G. Scotti
Cast
- Ryan Reynolds as Lieutenant Troy “Assassin” Kelly
- Kenneth Branagh as Nikolai Ustinov
- Marcin Dorociński
- Maria Bakalova
- David Morse
