The year of 2026 sees the release of anticipated movies from new additions to superhero franchises including Marvel’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) and Avengers: Doomsday to Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (2026) from DC Studios.
Huge cinema releases are predicted for Christopher Nolan’s return with The Odyssey (2026) that boasts a roster of Hollywood talent, including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, and Elliot Page. As well as the highly-anticipated final instalment in the epic trilogy for Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three (2026).
But it’s predicted to be a big year for animation fans too. There’s continued expansion on popular franchises from the latest work of Toy Story 5 (2026) and Minions 3 (2026) to The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026), The Cat in the Hat (2026), and The Angry Birds Movie 3 (2026).
Here’s our list of the most anticipated movies to look out for in 2026.
JANUARY:
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
Genre: Horror
Director: Nia DaCosta
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Alfie Williams, and Jack O’Connell
Following on from the events of 28 Years Later (2025) with Nia Decosta returning to direct, we follow young survivor, Spike (Alfie Williams) who gets into trouble when he crosses a cult – each member known as ‘Jimmy’ alongside their leader, Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell) create chaos amongst the apocalypse. Meanwhile, Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) tries to find a cure that has the potential to change everything. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is one of the most anticipated movies of 2026!
Release Date: 14 January 2026
FEBRUARY:
Wurthering Heights
Genre: Romance
Director: Emerald Fennell
Starring: Jacob Elordi, Margot Robbie, and Owen Cooper
Based on Emily Brontë’s novel, Wurthering Heights (1847), and adapted to the big screen by Saltburn (2023) director, Emerald Fennell sees a more primal and risque version of the romance story. Released on Valentine’s Day weekend, the story follows Cathy Earnshaw (Margot Robbie) and Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi). Cathy’s tragic love story explores passion, class division, and revenge. This emotionally-charged love story is told through Fennell’s dark tone and is said to be a loose adaptation on the epic romance.
Release Date: 13 February 2026
MARCH:
Hoppers
Genre: Family-Adventure/Animation
Director: Daniel Chong
Starring: Piper Curda, Dave Franco, and Jon Hamm
Starring the voices of such Hollywood talent as Dave Franco, Heidi Klum, Jon Hamm, and Meryl Streep among others – Hoppers (2026) sees scientists uncover a new path to convert human consciousness into robotic animals. But when teenager, Mabel (voiced by Piper Curda) discovers this newly-developed technology she places her human consciousness into a robotic beaver. As an animal lover herself, she discovers mysteries in the animal world and more than she could ever imagine.
Release Date: 06 March 2026
APRIL:
The Drama
Genre: Romance
Director: Kristoffer Borgli
Starring: Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, and Alana Haim.
Kristoffer Borgli’s romantic comedy, The Drama (2026) follows Emma Harwood (Zendaya) and Charlie Thompson (Robert Pattinson) as an engaged couple – happily in love. But they are both put to the test when they experience an out of the blue twist on the week of their wedding.
Release Date: 03 April 2026
MAY:
The Devil Wears Prada 2
Genre: Comedy-Drama
Director: David Frankel
Starring: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt
Directed by David Frankel, The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026) sees a return from a few famous faces since its original, The Devil Wears Prada (2006). But this time, as Miranda Priestley (Meryl Streep) nears retirement from fashion, her former assistant, Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt) is hot on her heels and tries to compete. But as media print sees a decline, they must race for advertising revenue.
This highly-anticipated sequel sees the return of fan-favourites – Anne Hathaway’s Andy Sachs and Stanley Tucci’s Nigel. Other stars include Bridgerton’s Simone Ashley and Euphoria’s Sydney Sweeney. As well as, a supporting cast consisting of Kenneth Branagh, Lucy Lui, and Lady Gaga. The Devil Wears Prada 2 is one of the most anticipated movies of 2026!
Release Date: 01 May 2026
JUNE:
Toy Story 5
Genre: Family-Adventure/Animation
Director: Andrew Stanton
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Anna Faris
The iconic characters from the ‘90s children’s animation, Toy Story (1995) are back. Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen), and Jessie (Joan Cusack) return for this much-anticipated fifth instalment to the hit franchise. Directed by McKenna Harris and Andrew Stanton, Toy Story 5 (2026) sees the toys deal with a new problem to playtime – electronics! Greta Lee voices the villain of the story, a tablet named ‘LilyPad’. As well as a return from the beloved characters we know and love, including Forky, and Slinky Dog among others.
Release Date: 19 June 2026
JULY:
The Odyssey
Genre: Epic/Action
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Matt Damon, Elliot Page, and Charlize Theron
Christopher Nolan’s highly-anticipated next film, The Odyssey (2026) follows the story of Odysseus who embarks on a treacherous journey to return to Ithaca. Along his journey, he meets such creatures as the Sirens and Circe among others.
Nolan’s film features an impressive cast list including Matt Damon as Odysseus, Zendaya as Athena, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, and Charlize Theron as Circe. Other cast members include Robert Pattinson, Jon Bernthal, Elliot Page, Benny Safdie, Mia Goth, John Leguizamo, Samantha Morton, Lupita Nyong’o, and Tom Holland among others. The Odyssey is one of the most anticipated movies of 2026!
Release Date: 17 July 2026
AUGUST:
Coyote vs. Acme
Genre: Live-Action/Animation Adventure
Director: Dave Green
Starring: John Cena, Lana Condor, and Will Forte
This legal action comedy, live-action film takes place in the ACME warehouse (the company responsible for the iconic Looney Tunes characters). Wile E. Coyote (voiced by Eric Bauza) decides to take matters into his own hands and hires a lawyer to sue the ACME corporation after their products make him suffer countless failed pursuits to capture the Roadrunner. Directed by Dave Green, this new comedy stars John Cena, Will Forte, Luis Guzman, and Lana Condor.
Release Date: 28 August 2026
SEPTEMBER:
Clayface
Genre: Horror
Director: James Watkins
Starring: Tom Rhys Harries, Naomi Ackie, and Max Minghella
James Watkins directs, Clayface (2026) brought to the big screen through DC Studios. Set in Gotham City, a shape-shifting creature named ‘Clayface’ changes between being Batman’s ally to his nemesis with multiple different figures having taken his name over the years. The film stars Max Minghella as John and Sorry, Baby (2025) star, Naomi Ackie as Caitlin Bates.
Release Date: 11 September 2026
OCTOBER:
Remain
Genre: Romance/Thriller
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Jack Gyllenhaal, Phoebe Dynevor, and Ashley Walters
M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming supernatural fantasy thriller stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Tate – a grieving architect who after being released from a psychiatric facility relocates to Cape Cod. But during his stay at an infamous ‘bed and breakfast’, he meets a mysterious woman named Wren (Phoebe Dynevor) who makes him question his beliefs. Shyamalan developed the sory with Nicholas Sparks who wrote the novel of the same name. The film co-stars Julie Hagerty, Ashley Walters, and Tracy Ifeachor.
Release Date: 23 October 2026
NOVEMBER:
Focker In-Law
Genre: Comedy
Director: John Hamberg
Starring: Skyler Gisondo, Ariana Grande, and Ben Stiller
John Hamberg writes and directs this fourth instalment in the Meet the Parents franchise. We see a return of the classic characters from the previous films in the series including, parents – Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) and Pam Focker (Teri Polo). As well as Pam’s ex-fiancé – Kevin Rawley (Owen Wilson), her mother – Dina Byrnes (Blythe Danner), and her father – Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro).
The story follows Greg’s and Pam’s son, Henry (Skyler Gisondo) and his engagement to the tenacious Olivia Jones (Ariana Grande). Complete opposites, the couple face trouble when Greg takes the role of the overprotective father and follows the same story as the original, Meet the Parents (2000) but now it’s from the viewpoint of his son, Henry.
Release Date: 25 November 2026
DECEMBER:
Dune: Part Three
Genre: Epic/Science-Fiction
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Florence Pugh, and Jason Momoa
Denis Villeneuve’s highly-anticipated last film in the popular Dune trilogy sees an older Paul “Muad’dib” Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), who now has all the power. Based on Frank Hubert’s novel, Dune Messiah (1969), this sequel is a continuation of Dune: Part Two (2024) and moves twelve years later as the story explores Paul’s troubles on ascending the throne and the conspiracies against him.
This highly anticipated sequel sees a return from Chani (Zendaya), Alia Atreides (Anya Taylor-Joy), and Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson). As well as Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa), Scytale (Robert Pattinson), Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh), and Stilgar (Javier Bardem). Dune: Part Three is one of the most anticipated movies of 2026!
Release Date: 18 December 2026
Top Movies This Year:
This year will mark legacy sequels with nostalgia in mind. Such sequels include The Strangers: Chapter 3 (2026), Jumanji 3 (2026), and Practical Magic 2 (2026).
But elevated thrillers and horrors are being pushed to the forefront this year if we take stories like The Housemaid (2026), Iron Lung (2026), and Primate (2026). Biographical Drama on huge stars and figures in history as the ‘King of Pop’ in Michael (2026), America’s first president in Young Washington (2026), and American football coach and commentator in Madden (2026). That’s a wrap on our list of the most anticipated movies to look out for in 2026!
Make sure to look out for our follow-up blog post on The Most-Anticipated TV Shows to Watch in 2026.
Want to read more about cinema?
Check out our most recent review of the Oscar-nominated and award-winning Cannes film, Sirāt (2025) here.