New Releases on May 21, 2026
Three American films launched in Ukrainian cinemas on May 21, 2026, alongside preview screenings of the Ukrainian movie ‘Khreshchatyk 48/2’. The newcomers include ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’, ‘Peru, Love, and a Little Chaos’, and ‘The Passenger’. The official premiere of the Ukrainian feature ‘Khreshchatyk 48/2’ is set for May 28.
Film Breakdown
‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ marks the first full-length Star Wars release since ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’. Directed by Jon Favreau, who also co-wrote the script with Dave Filoni and Noah Kloor, the film had a budget of $165 million. The cast includes:
- Dave Filoni
- Pedro Pascal
- Sigourney Weaver
- Jeremy Allen White
- Jonathan Coyne
- Hemky Madera
Sigourney Weaver plays Colonel Ward, while Jeremy Allen White voices a character named Rotta Hutta. A notable feature is a vocal cameo by Martin Scorsese. Filming took place in California, with some scenes shot in IMAX format. David Klein served as cinematographer, and Ludwig Göransson composed the score. Jon Favreau commented:
“Transitioning the Mandalorian to a feature film was a natural story progression. The characters have grown to a scale that demands the big screen.”
The second American release is ‘Peru, Love, and a Little Chaos’, a romantic adventure comedy directed by Colin Theys. The cast features:
- Rhiannon Fish
- Alec Santos
- Lucía Caravedo
- Fernando Farfán
- Alberto Vírth Revoredo
- Michelle Rosselle
The film was shot on location in Peru.
The third entry is the thriller ‘The Passenger’, directed by André Øvredal. The cast includes:
- Melissa Leo
- Jacob Scipio
- Lou Llobell
Melissa Leo is an Academy Award winner. The budget for ‘The Passenger’ has not been officially disclosed. André Øvredal noted:
“The Passenger is a story about how fear and distrust can destroy a person from within.”
Filming took place in the United States.
The Ukrainian film ‘Khreshchatyk 48/2’, also premiering on May 28, is a family adventure comedy. Directed by Dmytro Avdieiev, with Oleksii Komarovskyi serving as general and creative producer. The cast includes:
- Liubomyr Valivots
- Iryna Kudashova
- Daniel Salem
- Volodymyr Rashchuk
- Oleksandr Yarema
- Natalka Denysenko
- Slava Krasovska
- Tetiana Reshetniak
- Hryhorii Reshetnik
- Khrystyna Reshetnik
Filming for ‘Khreshchatyk 48/2’ took place in Kyiv. The producers have not disclosed the film's budget.
The arrival of three new American films on the Ukrainian market, including the blockbuster ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’, signals a renewed interest in major cinematic projects following pandemic-era restrictions. These releases could boost Ukraine’s box office recovery, which is already gaining momentum. Meanwhile, the debut of ‘Khreshchatyk 48/2’ alongside international titles highlights growing enthusiasm for local cinema, potentially strengthening the domestic film industry’s appeal.
As audiences anticipate the release of 'Khreshchatyk 48/2', it's worth noting how the cinematic landscape is evolving with the introduction of various genres. For instance, the recent lineup also includes the return of popular franchises, such as the revival of the Top Gun series, showcasing the industry's trend of revisiting beloved stories. Such developments highlight a growing demand for both nostalgic and fresh narratives in theaters.