Based on what we know so far, 2026 is shaping up to be pretty great, with a healthy mix of the expected blockbuster franchise titles, enticing genre films, and new projects from the likes of Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, and Jordan Peele. With that in mind, here’s a handy calendar of some of the most noteworthy titles coming in 2026 so you can budget and plan accordingly.
- Recommended: The Most Anticipated Movies of 2025
- Recommended: The Best Movies of 2025
JANUARY
Soulm8te (2026)
Release Date: January 2, 2026
Director: Kate Dolan
Starring: Claudia Doumit, Lily Sullivan, David Rysdahl
Blumhouse’s latest film about terrifying toys is Soulm8te, releasing early 2026. This spin-off of M3GAN sees a humanlike AI doll (Lily Sullivan) strike up a connection with David Rysdahl’s lonely character after his wife’s passing. The film is helmed by director Kate Dolan and co-produced by horror maestro James Wan, the creator of the famous Insidious and Conjuring franchises. The Boys’ Claudia Doumit also joins the film, although her role remains under wraps.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026)
Release Date: January 16, 2026
Director: Nia DaCosta
Starring: TBA
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple follows the 2025 sequel 28 Years Later, set decades after Cillian Murphy’s original 2002 horror film. The Marvels director Nia DaCosta is helming this project, while Murphy plays a behind-the-scenes role as a producer for the film. It is speculated that he might make a surprise appearance in the film, but that remains unconfirmed.
The Rip (2026)
Release Date: January 16, 2026
Director: Joe Carnahan
Starring: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck shared a first look of their new crime thriller The Rip exclusively at Netflix’s TUDUM at the end of May 2025. The Rip centers around a team of Miami cops who discover millions in cash in a derelict stash house. Trust among the team of cops begins to fray as outside forces learn about the size of the seizure. Everything is called into question in one of 2026’s most anticipated Netflix films.
Send Help (2026)
Release Date: January 30, 2026
Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: Rachel McAdams, Dylan O’Brien
Send Help is an upcoming film directed by Sam Raimi, known for directing hit films such as Drag Me to Hell (2009). The film stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien as two colleagues who become the sole survivors of a plane crash and are stranded on a deserted island. They must navigate their strained relationship and work together to survive.
FEBRUARY
GOAT (2026)
Release Date: February 13, 2026
Director: Tyree Dillihay, Adam Rosette
Starring: Rachna Vasavada
The Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry, a four-time NBA champion, partners with Emmy-nominated director Tyree Dillihay and director Adam Rosette to produce an animated sports comedy titled GOAT, an underdog sports comedy. Sony Pictures has timed the release to celebrate the start of the 2026 All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.
Wuthering Heights (2026)
Release Date: February 13, 2026
Director: Emerald Fennell
Starring: Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi
This new adaptation of the Emily Bronte classic stars Saltburn’s Jacob Elordi and Barbie’s Margot Robbie, who is also a producer on the film, and, like the novel, centers around the tumultuous relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Healthcliff, the orphan her father brought home as young boy.
Reminders of Him (2026)
Release Date: February 13, 2026
Directors: Vanessa Caswill
Starring: TBA
Another Colleen Hoover adaption is coming to screens and this time it is Reminders of Him. After the release of It Ends With Us, it was no surprise that another novel was going to be adapted. Hoover herself will be leading the project, having co-written the screenplay. She is also a producer on the film.
Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie
(2026)
Release Date: February 26, 2026
Directors: Kyla Balda
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Emma Thompson, Nicholas Galitzine, Hong Chau, Nicholas Braun, Conleth Hill
Hugh Jackman stars in this comedy as a shepherd who reads his sheep murder mystery stories every night before bed. Little does he know that once the lights are out, the sheep discuss the mysteries amongst themselves. Joining Hugh Jackman are Succession’s Nicholas Braun and Game of Thrones‘ Conleth Hill.
Scream 7
(2026)
Release Date: February 27, 2026
Director: Kevin Williamson
Starring: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox
Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) returns to face off against Ghostface once again, although this time, she’ll have to do it without the Carpenter sisters (Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega), who are not a part of the film. Kevin Williamson, who wrote Scream, Scream 2, and Scream 4, replaces the directing team of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who helmed both previous entries.
MARCH
The Bride! (2025)
Release Date: March 6, 2026
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Starring: Christian Bale, Jessie Buckley, Jake Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Annette Bening, Penelope Cruz, John Magaro
A new Frankenstein film is being brought to life, this time through a female lens. In this remake by Maggie Gyllenhaal of 1935’s Bride of Frankenstein, a murdered young woman in 1930s Chicago is reborn again at the hands of Frankenstein (Christian Bale) and Dr. Euphronius. The Bride becomes not only Frankenstein’s romantic companion, but the subject of police scrutiny and the leader of a radical social movement.
Hoppers (2026)
Release Date: March 6, 2023
Director: Daniel Chong
Starring: Jonn Hamm, Bobby Moynihan, Piper Curda
The latest from Pixar follows an animal enthusiast named Mabel (Piper Curda) who, in an effort to communicate with animals, transfers her consciousness to a robot. Jon Hamm and SNL alum Bobby Moynihan have also joined the voice cast.
The Cat in the Hat (2026)
Release Date: March 6, 2026
Director: Erica Rivinoja and Alessandro Carloni
Starring: Bill Hader, Quinta Brunson, Bowen Yang
The Cat in the Hat is an upcoming 2026 American 3D animated musical film produced by Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and Dr. Seuss Enterprises. Based on the 1957 Dr. Seuss book of the same name, it is the third screen adaptation of the story.
The Breadwinner
Release Date: March 13, 2026
Director: Nate Bargatze
Starring: TBA
Nate Bargatze’s feature film debut, which he’s writing, producing, and starring in, releases spring 2026. He is collaborating with Eric Appel, who helmed Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, and Dan Lagana, who co-wrote the script with him. The plot details still haven’t been revealed, but it will be interesting to see Bargartze’s transition from stand-up comedy to the big screen.
The Exorcist/Mike Flanagan (2026)
Release Date: March 13, 2026
Director: Mike Flanagan
Starring: TBA
In 2023, David Gordon Green’s The Exorcist: Believer disappointed audiences and critics alike, but Universal and Blumhouse are hoping that horror maestro Mike Flanagan can turn the franchise around with a reimagined new 2026 film that will not be connected to the previous one. Flanagan reunites with The Haunting of Hill House producer Trevor Macy for the upcoming film, but little else is known about the film as of yet.
Project Hail Mary
(2026)
Release Date: March 20, 2026
Directors: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Milana Vayntrub, Sandra Huller
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (21 Jump Street, The Lego Movie) take on this adaptation of the titular novel by Andy Weir, author of The Martian. Ryan Gosling stars as an astronaut who wakes up on his ship with no memory and begins to work out that he is the lone survivor of a crucial mission to save humanity. Joining Gosling on screen are Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall) and Milana Vayntrub.
APRIL
Street Fighter (2026)
Release Date: April 3, 2026
Director: Kitao Sakurai
Starring: TBA
Not much is known about the new Street Fighter movie, but we do know that the 2026 film has been delayed by two weeks to April 3rd from March 20th partially due to a director switch from Danny and Michael Philippou (Talk to Me) to Kitao Sakurai (Bad Trip). The films are based on the iconic video games with plot details for 2026 still under wraps.
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (2026)
Release Date: April 10, 2026
Directors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett
Starring: Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton
Ready or Not 2 hits theaters on April 10, 2026, bringing back Samara Weaving as Grace for another round of chaos. The sequel to the 2019 hit promises even more shocking twists and a killer new cast. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.
MAY
Animal Friends (2026)
Release Date: May 1, 2026
Director: Peter Atencio
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Aubrey Plaza, Jason Momoa, Vince Vaughn, Dan Levy, Addison Rae
We don’t know much about the plot of this film, but we do know that it’s directed by Peter Atencio (Keanu, The Machine) and it’s a live-action/animated hybrid starring the likes of Ryan Reynolds, Aubrey Plaza, and Jason Momoa, among others. There are also presumably going to be animated animals involved, but we don’t yet know who will appear as themselves in the film, and who will be voicing animated characters.
Disclosure (2026)
Release Date: May 15, 2026
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo, Wyatt Russell
Steven Spielberg reunites with David Koepp (Jurassic Park, War of the Worlds) for a new film based on an original idea from Spielberg. While we still don’t know much about the plot, we do know that it will be a sci-fi film about a UFO starring an A-list ensemble.
The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)
Release Date: May 22, 2026
Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Jeremy Allen White, Sigourney Weaver
In lieu of a fourth season of The Mandalorian, Disney and Lucasfilm have opted to give us The Mandalorian and Grogu, a standalone film that returns the Star Wars franchise back to theaters for the first time since J.J Abrams’ The Rise of Skywalker. Pedro Pascal reprises his iconic role as Din Djarin alongside everyone’s favorite little green force-wielder. Jeremy Allen White also stars in the film as Rotta the Hutt, the son of Jabba, and Sigourney Weaver makes an appearance in an as-yet undisclosed role.
JUNE
Masters of the Universe
(2026)
Release Date: June 5, 2026
Director: Travis Knight
Starring: Alison Brie, Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes
After nearly 40 years, He-Man returns to the big screen in a new adaptation of Masters of the Universe. Nicholas Galitzine (Red, White & Royal Blue) stars as Prince Adam, who is marooned on Earth at age 10 and separated from his magical sword. As a grown-up, he fulfills his destiny as He-Man and battles for the fate of his home planet Eternia. The all-star cast includes Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, Idris Elba, and Jared Leto as He-Man’s nemesis Skeletor.
Scary Movie (2026)
Release Date: June 12, 2026
Director: TBA
Starring: Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Dave Sheridan
The Scary Movie franchise is back, with Shawn and Marlon Wayans teaming up with producer Neal H. Moritz to bring audiences more absurd pop culture and horror film references. Shawn, Marlon, and older brother Keenen Ivory co-wrote the film with Rick Alvarez, who worked with the Wayans brothers as far back as 2001’s Scary Movie 2.
Toy Story 5
(2026)
Release Date: June 19, 2026
Director: Andrew Stanton
Starring: Tim Allen, Blake Clark
Remember when we all thought Toy Story 3 was the perfect swan song for Buzz and Woody? That was cute, wasn’t it? Fifteen years later, the dynamic duo are back in Toy Story 5 to face a new challenge when they realize that children are replacing their toys with gadgets and must spring into action. Details are scarce so far, but we do know the film is directed by Pixar vet Andrew Stanton (Wall-E, Finding Nemo) and we can expect much of the core voice cast, including Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, to return.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
(2026)
Release Date: June 26, 2026
Director: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Milly Alcock, Eve Ridley, Matthias Schoenaerts, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham
House of the Dragon‘s Milly Alcock stars as Kara Zor-El (aka Supergirl) in an adaptation of the eponymous comic miniseries by Tom King that serves as the latest chapter of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe. The story follows Supergirl as she travels the galaxy with Krypto the Superdog and helps a young woman in a quest for revenge. The film co-stars, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, and Emily Beecham.
JULY
Minions 3: Mega Minions (2026)
Release Date: June 1, 2026
Director: Pierre Coffin
Starring: Brian Lynch
Mega Minions was originally slated for a 2027 release but was pushed up by a year, replacing Shrek 5’s release date. Steve Carell and Pierre Coffin reprise their roles as Gru and the minions, respectively, though little is known about the plot.
The Odyssey (2026)
Release Date: July 17 2026
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Matt Damon, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Mia Goth, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Robert Pattinson
Academy Award winner Christopher Nolan follows up Oppenheimer with an adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey, which tells the story of Odysseus (Matt Damon) in the aftermath of the Trojan War. The film’s massive star-studded ensemble includes Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Mia Goth, Charlize Theron, and more.
Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie (2026)
Release Date: July 24, 2026
Director: Cal Brunker
Starring: McKenna Grace, Fortune Feimster, Jennifer Hudson
The famous pups will be back for a third installment of Paw Patrol on the big screen. While the majority of the cast is not confirmed, McKenna Grace is reprising her role as Skye, and Joining her are Jennifer Hudson and Fortune Feimster, although their roles are currently undisclosed.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)
Release Date: July 31, 2026
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Starring: Tom Holland
Just two weeks after appearing in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, Tom Holland is set to reprise his role as another famous literary character in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Peter Parker’s next adventure will be penned by the No Way Home screenwriters Erik Sommers and Chris McKenna, with Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton at the helm. It’s unknown whether Zendaya and Jacob Batalon are involved, but it’s speculated that Tom Holland might make an appearance in Avengers: Doomsday earlier in the year.
AUGUST
Flowervale Street (2026)
Release Date: August 14, 2026
Director: David Robert Mitchell
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGreggor, Maisy Stella
From director David Robert Mitchell (It Follows) and producer J.J. Abrams comes a new sci-fi mystery starring Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, Christian Convery, and Maisy Stella. The film was originally slated to release in 2025, but it was pushed back by almost a year after Final Destination: Bloodlines took over its original release date.
Thread: An Insidious Tale (2026)
Release Date: August 21, 2026
Director: Jeremy Slater
Starring: Mandy Moore, Kumail Nanjiani
Mandy Moore and Kumail Nanjiani are slated to star in the sixth installment of Blumhouse’s horror franchise Insidious. Garnering a collective $750 million in box office revenue worldwide, the Insidious movies center on otherworldly beings that seek to terrorize the world of the living, often resulting in gut-wrenching ramifications. Beginning in 2010, the film series has gained a cult-like following with the most recent installment, Insidious: The Red Door (2023), scoring $189M worldwide at the box office.
SEPTEMBER
Clayface (2026)
Release Date: September 11, 2026
Director: James Watkins
Starring: TBA
After making an appearance in the animated Harley Quinn and Creature Commandos series, the iconic Batman villain Clayface returns to screens in his own live-action film. The film has been classified as a horror-thriller tragedy by producers Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris. While plot and cast details have not been revealed yet, it will be directed by James Watkins, whose experience in dark thrillers like Eden Lake and Speak No Evil (2024) should serve him well here.
OCTOBER
The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender (2026)
Release Date: October 9, 2026
Director: Lauren Montgomery
Starring: Eric Nam, Dave Bautista, Dante Basco
The Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise welcomes its newest animated film with Toph, Sokka, Katara, and Zuko all bringing us back to the world fans love so much. Marvel’s Dave Bautista joins Eric Name, who takes on the role of the adult Aang as the Avatar: The Last Airbender universe expands. The love for the franchise has not diminished over the almost 20 years that it has been off screens. This film is the first of a new trilogy.
Jordan Peele 2026 Untitled Movie (2026)
Release Date: October 23, 2026
Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: TBA
Oscar winner Jordan Peele’s highly anticipated new film was pushed back due to the 2023 writers’ strike, which really only increased the hype for it. As usual, the film remains shrouded in secrecy, so there isn’t much more to tell at this point, but stay tuned for more details.
NOVEMBER
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
(2026)
Release Date: November 20, 2026
Director: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemmons, Ralph Fiennes
24 years before Katniss volunteered herself as tribute, Haymitch Abernathy found himself the victor of the 50th Hunger Games, making him the second victor from district 12 (after Lucy Gray Baird). This film sandwiches itself between The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and the first Hunger Games film, centering on a younger version of the fan favorite Haymitch and his journey to victory alongside the aftermath of the murder of his family by President Snow.
DECEMBER
Violent Night 2 (2026)
Release Date: December 4, 2026
Director: Tommy Wirkola
Starring: David Harbour
A sequel to Violent Night is in development, with Stranger Things star David Harbour returning as Mr. Claus. The first film grossed over $70 million at the global box office and is Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. A lot of the storyline for the sequel is under wraps, but director Tommy Wirkola has expressed interest in introducing a whole slew of new characters.
Jumanji 3 (2026)
Release Date: December 11, 2026
Director: Jake Kasdan
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Karen Gillan
Sony has confirmed that Jumanji 3 will continue the video game story with Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Dwayne Johnson, and Karen Gillan all expected to reprise their roles along with Jake Kasdan as director. We don’t know a whole lot else about it, but in 2023, Hart indicated that it would the final film in the rebooted franchise.
Avengers: Doomsday
(2026)
Release Date: December 18, 2026
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Vanessa Kirby, Robert Downey Jr
The MCU may be trying to recapture its past glory by bringing in the Russo brothers to direct Avengers: Doomsday, as Earth’s Mightiest Heroes face off against the titular villain, played by none other than Robert Downey Jr. A dramatic reveal at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 confirmed Downey’s involvement in both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, though we still don’t quite know where the overarching saga will stand when the film releases.
Ice Age 6 (2026)
Release Date: December 18, 2026
Director: TBA
Starring: Denis Leary, Ray Romano, Simon Pegg
The Ice Age franchise is back with its seventh movie (remember that 2022 spin-off?) scheduled to hit theatres this holiday season. Fans can look forward to the original cast reprising their roles, with Ray Romano as Manny the mammoth, John Leguizamo as Sid the sloth, and Denis Leary as Diego the saber-toothed tiger, among others.
Shrek 5
(2026)
Release Date: December 23, 2026
Director: Walt Dohrn, Conrad Vernon
Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Zendaya
The decade-and-a-half wait has finally come to an end, as Shrek 5 is scheduled to be released in the winter of 2026, transporting fans once again to Far, Far, Away. Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, and Eddie Murphy reprise their roles as the iconic trio of Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey, along with Zendaya as the voice of Felicia, Shrek and Fiona’s daughter. It’s unknown which, if any, of the franchise mainstays will also make an appearance, but you can bank on lots of fun cameos.
Dune: Messiah (2026)
Release Date: December 25, 2026
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Starring: Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Anya Taylor-Joy, Florence Pugh
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Messiah will follow Paul Atreides as the Padishah Emperor and the effects of his rule on his people. The book by Frank Herbert is set 12 years after Dune, and it can be assumed that the film will also involve a fast forward from its predecessor. While the cast has not been confirmed yet, we can reasonably assume Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya will reprise their roles, along with Anya Taylor-Joy and Florence Pugh.
