Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, and Keke Palmer in ‘I Love Boosters.’ (2026). Courtesy of Neon By Okla Jones ·Updated May 7, 2026 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…

It’s been an exciting year in the industry if we’re talking about the film and television landscape—shows like Paradise, Hijack, and Euphoria all made triumphant returns, while the long-awaited Michael biopic broke box office records. Now that we’re in the month of May, all the networks and movie studios are beginning to kick their content into high gear. Here are the TV shows, limited series, and big screen flicks that you should look out for in the coming days—featuring Black talent both in front of, and behind the camera.

The Chi, May 22 (Paramount+)

In just a few weeks, Lena Waithe’s love letter to her hometown comes to an end after eight seasons. While the cast has frequently over the years, series OGs Jacob Lattimore, Birgundi Baker, Michael J. Epps, Shamon Brown Jr., and Hannaha Hall are returning for the show’s swan song. The finale last year concluded with a huge cliffhanger between Alicia (Lynn Whitfield), Rashaad (Jason Weaver), and “Trig” (Luke James), so it will be interesting to see how things play out. Also, now that The Chi is over, I’m ready for whatever Lena has up her sleeve next.

Nemesis, May 14 (Netflix)

Helmed by Tani Marole and Power franchise creator Courtney Kemp, Nemesis is a gold, old fashioned cat-and-mouse series; starring Matthew Law and Y’Lan Noel of Insecure fame. I’m always a fan of a cast and crew of color—especially when the story works. Since 2020’s Photograph, Noel has been laying low as of late (well, unless you’re a gamer—he voiced Troy Marshall in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 & 7), so this show serves as a proper reintroduction to the masses.

One Spoon Of Chocolate, May 1

RZA has been on one hell of a press run as of late. After seeing him on Sway’s Universe and The Jason Lee Show, along with Charlamagne tha God raving about this film on the Brilliant Idiots podcast, I said to myself, You know what? One Spoon of Chocolate might be worth taking a look at. It features one hell of an ensemble—Shameik Moore, RJ Cyler, Blair Underwood—and is executive produced by Quentin Tarantino. Also, as if the Jackson family wasn’t already iconic, be on the lookout for a star-making turn from MJ’s daughter, Paris, in the film as well.

Is God Is, May 14

Sterling K. Brown, Vivica A. Fox, Janelle Monáe, Erika Alexander, Kara Young, and newcomer Mallori Johnson all in one film; what more could you ask for? Is God Is is the debut feature film from playwright Aleshea Harris, and it shows that the “revenge dish being served cold” thing isn’t always easy, especially when it involves your father. This film takes viewers on an intense journey through the deep South, and it really makes you look at generational trauma in an entirely different light. 

I Love Boosters, May 22

Boots Riley’s movie was a huge hit at SXSW in Austin, TX, earlier this year, so the anticipation for its theatrical release has reached a fever pitch. 2018’s Sorry To Bother You was as unique a film as any, so with frequent collaborator LaKeith Stanfield returning for I Love Boosters, I’m hoping the duo can remake the magic they did a few years ago. Oh, and I should note that Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, and Taylour Paige are the story’s central characters.

TOPICS:  black films Black TV Shows Euphoria Lena Waithe The Chi Zendaya

The post ‘I Love Boosters,’ ‘Is God Is,’ ‘The Chi’ Premiere, And The Films And TV Shows To Watch This Month appeared first on Essence.

Author: Okla Jones

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