Apple TV has released the first trailer for Mayday, an upcoming action-comedy movie starring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh. The Cold War adventure sends Reynolds behind enemy lines, where his dangerous military mission quickly turns into an unexpected survival story filled with explosions, chases and awkward humour.
The trailer introduces Reynolds as Lieutenant Troy “Assassin” Kelly, a confident US Navy pilot sent on a secret mission over Soviet territory. When his aircraft goes down, Troy becomes stranded in Russia with enemy forces searching for him. His only hope of survival comes from Nikolai Ustinov, a former KGB agent played by Branagh, who appears unusually fascinated by American culture.
- Movie: Mayday
- Release date: September 4, 2026
- Streaming platform: Apple TV
- Runtime: 1 hour and 51 minutes
- Genre: Action, comedy, adventure and spy thriller
- Directors: John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein
- Main cast: Ryan Reynolds, Kenneth Branagh, Maria Bakalova, Marcin Dorociński and David Morse
What Happens in the Mayday Trailer?
Minor trailer spoilers follow.
The Mayday trailer begins with Troy preparing for a classified operation during the height of the Cold War. His confidence suggests that he expects another successful mission, although the situation collapses after he enters Russian airspace and crash-lands in the wilderness.
Troy soon meets Nikolai, who decides to hide the American pilot instead of reporting him. Their first interactions establish the movie’s buddy-comedy style, with Troy struggling to understand whether his unlikely rescuer can genuinely be trusted.
Nikolai seems far more interested in American music, food and popular culture than Soviet politics. This creates several lighter moments as the two characters attempt to communicate while soldiers close in on their location.
The trailer also shows gunfights, military vehicles, snowy landscapes and several escape attempts. Troy still behaves like a fearless action hero, while Nikolai approaches danger with a calmer and less predictable attitude. Their different personalities appear to drive much of the comedy.
Where Is the Story Heading?
Troy and Nikolai will have to cross Soviet territory while avoiding soldiers, intelligence officers and anyone searching for the missing pilot. Their journey appears to grow into a larger escape mission as Nikolai risks his own safety to help Troy return home.
The central mystery involves Nikolai’s reasons for helping an American officer. His interest in Western culture offers one explanation, although the trailer suggests that he has personal reasons for turning against the people hunting Troy.
The movie also appears to build a genuine friendship between the two men. Troy begins the story as a self-assured pilot who expects to handle every problem alone, but surviving Russia requires him to trust someone he would normally consider an enemy.
John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein wrote and directed Mayday. The filmmakers previously worked together on Game Night and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, which also combined action, character-based comedy and emotional storytelling.
FAQs
Mayday premieres globally on Apple TV on Friday, September 4, 2026. The movie will arrive as a complete feature film, so viewers will not have to wait for weekly episodes.
Mayday is a movie with a reported runtime of 111 minutes. It is currently planned as a standalone Apple Original Film rather than an episodic series.
Ryan Reynolds plays Lieutenant Troy “Assassin” Kelly, a skilled US Navy pilot whose classified operation fails after he enters Soviet territory.
Kenneth Branagh plays Nikolai Ustinov, a former KGB agent who rescues Troy and helps him hide from Soviet forces.
Mayday is presented as an original fictional Cold War adventure. No official details describe the movie as a true story or an adaptation of real events.
The movie is currently scheduled to premiere directly on Apple TV. A wide theatrical release has not been announced.
Mayday arrives on Apple TV on September 4, bringing together Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh for a Cold War escape story with action, humour and an unusual friendship at its centre.
Apple TV costs $12.99 per month in the US, with pricing varying across other regions. Are you planning to watch Mayday when it arrives? Let us know in the comments.
