April showers bring May flowers — and a whole lot of mystery! Hallmark fans who’ve been bummed about the lack of cozy mysteries in recent months will likely be thrilled by the May 2026 schedule of new movies.
The lineup includes three new mysteries, original movies starring beloved Hallmark hunks Andrew Walker and Tyler Hynes, and a new series from fan-favorite Erin Cahill. Here’s a rundown of what to watch for!
May 2 on Hallmark Channel: ‘Kentucky Roses’
HallmarkGiddy-up! Hallmark Channel will kick off the month of May with “Kentucky Roses,” an original movie developed by longtime Hallmark heartthrob Andrew Walker and one of his best friends — actress and producer (and Kentucky native) Kelly Pendygraft. It premieres on May 2 — the same day as the 152nd annual Kentucky Derby — at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
Created in partnership with Churchill Downs, the prestigious Louisville racetrack where the Derby is held each year, the movie was secretly filmed there in October, just before Walker headed to Miami for the Hallmark Christmas Cruise, he told EntertainmentNow. He co-stars with Hallmark newcomer Odette Annable in the romance, which takes place in the present day and in 1932 at Churchill Downs.
According to the synopsis, Annable plays a greenhouse worker at the track while Walker plays the son of Churchill Downs’ CEO, making for an unlikely pair as they team up “to save the Kentucky Derby rose blanket” and uncover “a generational love story along the way.”
May 8 on Hallmark Channel: ‘All’s Fair in Love and Mahjong’
HallmarkOn Mother’s Day weekend, Hallmark Channel debuts a star-studded new movie about a beloved game that brings lots of moms together — Mahjong! Paul Campbell and Fional Gubelmann star in “All’s Fair in Love and Mahjong,” and the ensemble cast features other Hallmark stars Melissa Peterman, Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe, and Tamera Mowry-Housley.
According to Hallmark’s synopsis, “A school nurse (Gubelmann) turns her love of the game Mahjong into a new path, inspired by a jovial contractor (Campbell) fixing up her home, who encourages her to take a chance on the future.” Fun fact: Campbell actually used to renovate homes and is one of the handiest Hallmark hunks in the land!
May 16 on Hallmark Channel: ‘Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery’
HallmarkLook who’s back! Just a few weeks after the premieres of “Romance at Hope Ranch” and “Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery,” beloved Hallmark star Alison Sweeney leads her 14th movie in the mystery franchise, which she wrote and produced.
She’s joined in “Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery” by Hallmark hunk Victor Webster, who joined the franchise in 2024, and of course, longtime fan-favorite Barbara Niven as Hannah’s quirky mom, Delores. The movie premieres on May 16 at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
According to the movie’s logline, “Hannah is drawn into a new mystery when a high-profile forgery case takes a deadly turn, leaving a key suspect murdered and the lead prosecutor missing. As Chad faces mounting pressure ahead of trial, Hannah works to uncover how the disappearance and murder are connected, following a trail that leads to a complex pawnshop scam. With time running out, Hannah, Chad, and their trusted circle must piece together the truth before the killer strikes again and justice is lost.”
May 23 on Hallmark Channel: ‘True Justice: Eye For An Eye’
HallmarkAt long last, the second “True Justice” movie — filmed in early 2025 — will finally air on May 23 at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Written by Nikki DeLoach and her screenwriting partner, Megan McNulty, the first movie in the franchise aired in 2024. DeLoach returns in “Eye For An Eye” alongside Benjamin Ayres, serving as mentors for the story’s primary characters, led by Katherine McNamara and Markian Tarasiuk.
Hallmark’s synopsis says, “When Sharon Warner, President of Penn Charter’s Parent School Coalition, is convicted for the vehicular homicide of fellow PSC member, the Justice Warriors take a trip back to high school to exonerate a wrongfully convicted wife, mother, and passionate student advocate.”
May 30 on Hallmark Channel: ‘Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Key to the Castle’
HallmarkMeanwhile, Tamera Mowry-Housley’s “Haunted Harmony Mysteries” franchise continues with its third movie, “Key to the Castle.” Filmed in Ireland like the others, this new mystery premieres on May 30 at 8 p.m. Eastern time with Mowry-Housley’s co-stars, Risteard Cooper and Marco Grazzini.
According to Hallmark’s synopsis, “When a ghost hunter show comes to town, it’s up to Gethsemane and Eamon to solve the unexpected murder of the host, allowing the brand-new spirit to cross-over.”
May 2026: ‘Mom’s the Bride’ Docuseries
GettyAlso due to premiere in May is Hallmark star Erin Cahill’s new series, “Mom’s the Bride,” premiering exclusively on Hallmark+. The six-episode, limited docuseries will follow six adult women who help their moms plan the weddings of their dreams. A launch date has not been announced.
In a February social media post announcing the series, Cahill wrote, “It’s a beautiful show about daughters planning their mother‘s weddings. It touches on the role reversal in life between mothers and daughters and also highlights a second chance of love for the mothers and the entire families. We are still filming, but I have laughed and cried with each one of these special families, and I cannot wait to share this show with you all in May, around Mother’s Day! How perfect is that?!”
WOW! That is a fabulous lineup of new productions. Hallmark is where it’s happening!! I’ll be front and center.
Sounds like a great lineup EXCEPT yet another Hallmark + only ! WHY! WHY! Not everyone can afford or even has the ability to (not every cable provider carries a hallmark + station!) sign up no matter how much they want to watch a + movie!
Not another Hannah Swensen movie. When will the people at Hallmark understand that this series is lousy?
There were a few decent movies early in the series but all of the recent ones are awful.
I totally disagree with you, as do most of us! That’s why they are still making Hannah Swensen movies…because most of us love them and think they are great!!!