In a move that has delighted fans of FX's acclaimed series The Bear, creator Christopher Storer dropped a surprise standalone prequel titled Gary on Hulu and Disney+ in May 2026. The film, co-written by Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach and directed by Storer, has quickly become a streaming sensation, climbing to the #3 spot on Disney+'s global top 10 list in just four days, according to FlixPatrol.
Set before the events of The Bear, Gary follows Richie (Moss-Bachrach) and Mikey (Bernthal) on a seemingly simple delivery job to Gary, Indiana. What unfolds is a raw, unflinching portrait of two men wasting time, drinking, doing cocaine, and wandering into a bar, slowly spiraling into the kind of ugly confrontation that fans always sensed was coming. While the plot is deliberately sparse, the emotional weight is immense when viewed through the lens of the original series.
For years, Mikey's presence in The Bear has loomed like a ghost, a tragic figure whose suicide set the entire story in motion. Gary brings him front and center, offering a heartbreaking glimpse into his real struggles and the fragile, doomed friendship he shared with Richie. It's a prequel that doesn't just fill in backstory—it reframes the entire tragedy, making the final season of The Bear even more poignant.
The standalone's rapid rise on streaming has been nothing short of remarkable. In just four days, it has surpassed heavyweights like Zootopia 2, Avengers: Endgame, and Star Wars: Episode I, trailing only Sam Raimi's Send Help and The Devil Wears Prada. This success underscores the deep connection fans have with the characters and the world Storer has built.
For those eager to dive deeper into the story, check out our analysis: How 'The Bear's Surprise Prequel 'Gary' Reframes Richie and Mikey's Tragedy.
Meanwhile, Jon Bernthal is set to return to screens in The Punisher: One Last Kill, an MCU Special Presentation arriving on May 20. The trailer teases a gritty, blood-soaked journey as Frank Castle is haunted by the ghosts of his past, following his brief appearance in Daredevil: Born Again. Written by Bernthal and Reinaldo Marcus Green, who also directs, the special promises to deliver the intense action fans crave.
As for The Bear, its fifth and final season drops on June 25. With Gary now streaming on Hulu and Disney+, the stage is set for an emotional farewell. For more on the streaming landscape, check out how Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock's 'The Proposal' Becomes Netflix's Surprise Rom-Com Hit in May 2026.
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