Apple TV shows the trailer for "Mayday" starring Ryan Reynolds

A downed Navy pilot, a KGB veteran with a penchant for American pop culture, and a Cold War that suddenly works as a buddy comedy. Apple has released the first trailer for its next original film.

Apple Original Films has released the trailer for the action comedy "Mayday." The film will premiere worldwide on Apple TV on September 4, 2026 – simultaneously in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Ryan Reynolds stars alongside Kenneth Branagh, and with this release, Apple continues a series of film productions with prominent casts, which most recently included "Lucky" starring Anya Taylor-Joy.

A spy thriller that turns itself on its head

Reynolds plays Lieutenant Troy "Assassin" Kelly, a dashing US Navy pilot sent on a secret mission into Russian territory at the height of the Cold War. The mission fails, and Kelly is stranded behind enemy lines. There he is found by Nikolai Ustinov – a taciturn ex-KGB agent with a pronounced weakness for American culture, played by Branagh. From this seemingly unlikely pairing, a partnership of convenience develops, which carries the film.

Apple describes "Mayday" as a genre-bending buddy comedy that flips the spy thriller on its head. The setup can be boiled down to a simple formula: two characters who should actually be shooting each other are dependent on one another.

A directing duo with a comedy background

John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein are directing, writing, and co-producing the film. As a writing team, the duo has worked on films such as "Horrible Bosses" and "Spider-Man: Homecoming," and directed "Game Night" and "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves," two films that blend action and comedy – precisely the genre in which "Mayday" operates.

The film is produced by Skydance Media with David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger, as well as Ashley Fox and Johnny Pariseau for Maximum Effort, Reynolds' production company. Reynolds himself is listed as an executive producer alongside George Dewey and John G. Scotti.

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There is no mention of a theatrical release

In its announcement, Apple mentions only the premiere on its own service – a theatrical release is not mentioned. This distinguishes "Mayday" from "F1," which Apple released in cinemas and which, according to the company, became the highest-grossing sports film of all time. The separation appears deliberate: Big-budget event productions get the big screen, while genre films go directly to the subscription service.

For Apple, the timing is no coincidence. September 4th is ten days before the Emmy Awards, where the service is competing after a record year in nominations. A high-profile film release during the same period of heightened attention is a lever they won't pass up.

Price and availability in German-speaking countries

Apple TV costs €9.99 per month in Germany and Austria, and $12.99 in the US. New customers can get a seven-day free trial, and three months are free with the purchase of a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV. Family Sharing allows one subscription to cover up to six people. The service is also included in Apple One plans starting at €19.95 per month.

Apple's film division is taking shape

After years in which Apple TV was primarily known for its series, its film lineup is visibly expanding. Eddy Cue recently promised the service "better and more." "Mayday" is the kind of film that delivers on that promise: a well-known lead actor, a clearly defined genre, and a deliberately chosen release date. Whether the tone, balancing action and comedy, works will be decided in September. (Image: Apple)