2025 has concluded, which means we are now off to 2026! And what better way to start this year off with a bang (Recent global events aside!) then to share what new films I’m looking forward to the most in 2026!
When looking through all the big and small movies to come out this year, 2026 has potential to be the biggest year for movies in the post-Covid era. This has to do with the fact that a.) more people are more comfortable going back to theaters than before and b.) the latest strikes in the entertainment industry let to plenty of projects get pushed back. Because of that, this might just be the kick in the pants that the industry needs to get things back into full gear before it’s too late. At least until Netflix gets their full greasy hands on Warner Bros!
The most impressive thing I’ve discovered when doing research of all the main films slated for 2026 is how there seems to be more variety between original projects and upcoming installments in long-running franchise IPs. If the majority of them are able to deliver, then 2026 should be a strong year in film and especially in theaters due to having the kind of film for any sort of demographic.
2026 has potential to be such a massive year for films that I couldn’t boggled down my most anticipated list to just 10 or 15! Instead, I’m gonna do a top 20 because why not!
No honorable mentions, no amount of time wasting! I’m just kick things right into gear and give you all my 20 most anticipated films of 2026!
20.) 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
While I was more mixed on last year’s 28 Years Later than I expected to be, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has potential to more than make up for it is able to stick the landing! Acting as the second movie of the multiple sequels that’s been in the making for nearly two decades now, director Nia Dacosta is hoping to finish what Danny Boyle started in giving the 28 Days Later series a proper wrap-up after being on hiatus for so long! Regardless of how you felt about the last installment, I imagine you will at least be somewhat curious to see how things end here!
19.) Ready or Not 2: Here I Come
The original Ready or Not was a massive surprise when it came out in 2019! After adoring that film so much, no doubt that I’m curious to check out the sequel! Samara Weaving is returning to her role that made her a scream queen and this time she is not alone! She will be joined by newcomer scream queen, Kathryn Newton, and the O.G. scream queen that is NOT Neve Campell and Jamie Lee Curtis in Sarah Michelle Gellar, Buffy the vampire slayer herself! Oh, and Elijah Wood is here too! Although the seven-year long gap does raise concern and I’m not too sure if a sequel is justified, Ready or Not: Here I Come certainly has my curiosity peak.
18.) Toy Story 5
Speaking of seven-year long gaps and sequels that probably shouldn’t exist, we have Toy Story 5! There’s plenty of reasons to raise eyebrows at this one! The Toy Story franchise already had at least two definite endings up to this point and the fact that another one is being made just goes to show how creatively bankrupt Disney and Pixar has become! However, I can’t help but be intrigued by the film’s supposed premise, with the idea that toys are becoming irrelevant and being replaced by tech and electronics! If that’s not relevant to our times, then I don’t know what is! There’s also the fact that longtime Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, Finding Dory, Wall-E, and co-writer of all four Toy Story films) is returning to writing and directing does ease some major concern as well! I just wonder how the heck are they gonna explain Woody’s return after the way the last one ended?
17.) Forgotten Island
In case you don’t know, there are plenty of original animated films that is expected to be released by some of the major western animated studios! Sony Animation has Goat coming out in February, Pixar has Hoppers releasing in March, and Disney themselves has Hexed as their major Thanksgiving release! However, the one original animated film for 2026 that I am the most curious about is Forgotten Island, the latest original animated film by DreamWorks. And the main reason for that being that is being directed by Joel Crawford, the man that helped make the animated masterpiece that is Puss In Boots: The Last Wish! While it’s definitely great that Sony and Disney are trying their best on making more modern animated classics that can hopefully messed well with their sequels, I would put all my eggs in the basket that DreamWorks will be able to deliver the best in that department with Forgotten Island.
16.) Coyote vs Acme
Coyote vs Acme existing at all seems like some sort of miracle! After originally being obtained as being a tax write-off, Warner Bros decided to reverse their controversial decision and give this film a full theatrical release! While that alone is enough to put this on a most anticipated list, the reason is on here is that the overall premise could between the Coyote and Acme could make for the perfect cross between live-action and animation that the Tom & Jerry movie tried and failed to be! I also have good vibes from Warner Bros Animation after enjoying The Day The Earth Blew Up so much last year! I just hope most people put their money with their mouth is and actually show up to see this one in theaters!
15.) Digger
Here’s an intriguing new film that I never would’ve expect! An original black comedy film from the director of Birdman and The Revenant that stars Tom Cruise! If that is not enough to get you intrigued, then I don’t know what will! While there is little that we know about other than the fact that this is an original film that is being made by the people I just mentioned, the fact that we are still capable of getting original films like this is proof that creativity isn’t 100% dead in Hollywood! My only advice to Warner Bros is to have this film switch release dates with Dune: Part Three! I might make a piece on that soon enough!
14.) Masters of the Universe
There are a lot of reasons to be optimistic about this latest iteration of Masters of the Universe! It’s got a very talented director in Travis Knight (Kubo & The Two Strings, Bumblebee), a very talented producer in Chris Butler (ParaNorman), and a very talented cast (Minus ONE major exception!) that can help make this an instant modern classic! Oh, and early test screenings have been very positive for this one as well! The only major hurdle for this film to overcome is Jared Leto! That guy ALWAYS seems to be a bad luck charm (At least if the likes of Suicide Squad, Morbius, Haunted Mansion, and Tron: Ares is anything to go by!). I don’t know why Hollywood keeps trying to make him a thing but like……please stop!
13.) Send Help
It’s a newly original horror flick made by the godfather of horror in Sam Raimi! I don’t think I need to explain anymore!
12.) Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew
Just like with most recent new takes of beloved classic IPs I properly wouldn’t have been interested in otherwise, the main thing that is carrying Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew is Greta Gerwig behind the camera! Mrs. Gerwig’s follow-up to the monster smash hit that was 2023’s Barbie is a brand new film from The Chronicles of Narnia that will be based off the 1955 novel, The Magician’s Nephew! And even though this is being disturbed by Netflix, this film is actually getting a full IMAX theatrical screening release before being sent to streaming! Whether that’s intended to be sneak preview of what to expect from Netflix once they get their hands on Warner Bros or not, the fact that a new Netflix film gets a full theatrical release like that does give me slight hope for movie theaters in the future! Anyways, I’m curious to check this one out!
11.) Michael
Michael Jackson is no doubt the most popular musician of all time. With the high trailer numbers and the multiple generations of fans that MJ has gained throughout the course of several decades, there should be no reason to doubt his annual biopic will be a huge theatrical success. And considering the cast and crew that’s involved with this one, there’s little doubt that this shouldn’t be an enjoyable and (mostly) accurate biopic of the most famous singer that is NOT Boeheim Rhapsody! My only concern is how far they are willing to dive into the controversy surrounding Mr. Jackson, if not at all! That seems like it can be a real “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” scenario that no matter what happens, the filmmakers will lose! Although that alone is what prevents this from sneaking into the main top 10, this biopic should still make for a genuine crowdpleaser come spring!
10.) The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Mario is back baby and this time around, he is going out into a galaxy far, far away! With the inclusion of fan favorite characters such as Yoshi, Rosalina, and Bowser Jr. to adapting what is widely considered to be two of the best Mario games (if not the best video games) of all time in the Super Mario Galaxy series, I have little doubt that our beloved Italia….I’m sorry BROOKLYN plumbers will be able to make lightning strike twice! Even if the plot ends up being all over the place, this will no doubt be a visual wonder for the eyes that was made to be seen on the big screen! In these crazy, chaotic times we are living in, we need more cartoony nonsense than ever before! And The Super Mario Galaxy Movie looks to be delivering just that!
9.) Avengers: Doomsday
The drum has already been beat many times about how Marvel is NOT what it once was! However, one still can’t help but be intrigued with what’s going on with Avengers: Doomsday! With the return of Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Ma…….I mean Doctor Doom, Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, and the original X-Men from the Fox Marvel universe, Marvel will certainly be looking to capitalize on the familiarly and nostalgia of their past to make this the gigantic hit it will need to be! Oh, and you also got the Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts*, Wakandians, and whoever the heck the latest Avengers are supposed to be to join the party as well! Regardless of your feelings of the MCU post-Endgame, this and the upcoming Secret Wars film is what the entire Multiverse saga has been building to! Even if I’m far more curious than excited about this one, I still can’t help but be so darn curious of what’s to come in theaters this Christmas!
8.) Disclosure Day
A new original UFO flick from the great Steven Spielberg?! I never thought that would be possible in the year 2026! In all honesty, I believe it is time to take each new Steven Spielberg film more seriously than before! With the legendary director approaching his 80s and possibly on thin supply, who knows when his last film will come? With Disclosure Day, this looks to be a modern telling of how humanity would respond in this current day and age to aliens actually existing. To tell this story, we have Steven teaming up with longtime screenwriter David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Spider-Man (2002), War of the Worlds) and an incredibly talented cast in Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, and Colman Domingo! Whatever this ends up being as foretelling as Spielberg’s own A.I. Artificial Intelligence remains to be seen but this should remain one very fascinating new sci-fi film!
7.) Supergirl (2026)
Some might be surprised to see Supergirl be THIS high on the list but that’s for two main reasons. 1.) You have director Craig Gillespie, who has helmed previously successful female-led films in I, Tonya and Cruella and 2.) it’s highly acclaimed Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow series that the film is based on, which turned Kara from being her usual flawless looking girl power superheroine to being a more relatable and pure messy failure that is still haunted by her tragic past. After celebrating her 23rd birthday, Supergirl is expected to travel across the galaxy with her lovable dog Krypto where she will meet a young Ruthye Maryne Kroll that will lead her to a quest of revenge! If this is able to keep up the punk rock energy that James Gunn was able to provide with Superman (2025), Supergirl (2026) might make for more than a worthy companion piece to that along with expanding the new DC Universe in real fascinating ways!
6.) Dune: Part Three
There will be plenty that will bark for this not being higher on the list! After two incredibly well done and satisfying entries, I do expect Timothée Chalamet and Denis Villeneuve to deliver as satisfying of a conclusion as one possibly can with the series! However, the main concern comes from being an adaption of Dune: Prophecy, a rather divisive story that has been constantly debated among fans since the book was published back in 1969. It follows up the story of Paul Atreides in rather unexpected and subversive ways, which many people deemed to be very unsatisfying and unfulfilling to his story. While I am more than interested to see how that exact story will be adopted onto the big screen, Dune: Part Three will have to been seen to be believed that it will be able to fire all cylinders for the third time in a row! Please, just move that release date, Warner Bros! You do NOT want to have this film be buried by Avengers and give Netflix more ammo to NOT what to release your films in theaters!
5.) Werwulf
What can I say! Robert Eggers is one of the best filmmakers working today and I thoroughly enjoyed his take on Nosferatu! Take those two elements together and no doubt I would be greatly excited for his next feature horror film with his take on Werwulf! There’s just something about a filmmaker whose excels greatly at making films that take place FAR removed from our own timeline and into a complete different century itself! Recruiting some of his main players from previous films such as Aaron-Taylor Johnson, Lily-Rose Depp, and the ALWAYS delightful William Dafoe, Werwulf should certainly be on the radar for any horror film fan out there!
4.) Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Even in an era where superhero fatigue is at an all-time high, Spider-Man will ALWAYS have major anticipation with each new film that is released! Five years removed from the box office juggernaut that was No Way Home, we see Tom Holland return as the iconic web swinger that will likely see Peter Parker in a role which he puts his superhero side of him above his personal life side. Also, we have Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton taking the helm, which should CERTAINLY help with the film’s action and major set pieces! Between the additions of fan favorite Marvel characters such as The Punisher, Hulk, and whoever the heck Sadie Sink is suppose to be playing along with being a potential building bridge towards Avengers: Doomsday, Brand New Day will act like the golden era of Marvel never left and should very easily be a success for Sony and Marvel.
3.) Project Hail Mary
I’m surprised more people aren’t talking about this one being among their most excited films for the year! It’s based off a beloved recent book that was written by the author of The Martian, it has perhaps the most creative and talented duo working in Hollywood in Phil Lord & Chris Miller (Their first film they’ve directed together since 22 Jump Street back in 2014!), and how can you not be enthralled by the star power of Ryan Gosling! If the cast and crew here are able to work their magic like Ridley Scott and Matt Damon did with The Martian over a decade ago, then I don’t see how this won’t end up being among the most satisfying mainstream releases of 2026!
2.) Godzilla: Minus Zero
Many people probably didn’t know that this film was coming out this year but after doing my research and seeing what films is suppose to come out in 2026, I HAD to put this one on the list! After the massively delightful surprise that was Godzilla: Minus One, Takashi Yamazaki is returning to the director’s chair to helm the very anticipated sequel in Godzilla: Minus Zero! With how excellent Minus One was and how perfectly captured the nature of not just Godzilla but the best of humanity itself, there is just no reason to NOT be excited for this sequel or have any doubt that Mr. Yamazaki will NOT be able to deliver here. I don’t need to know much about this film other than the fact that it’s a sequel to Godzilla: Minus One and it’s suppose to come out in 2026 to have it up THIS high on the list! BRING ME GOJIRA!!!
1.) The Odyssey
If there is one director working today that can get people excited based on their name alone, it’s Christopher Nolan! If there is one director that you can contained will give 110% effort into every film that they make, it’s Christopher Nolan! If there is one director whose film will give everyone their full money’s worth for their IMAX ticket, it’s Christopher Nolan! If there is one director that gives you a slight bit of hope for the future of cinema, it’s Christopher Nolan! With an extraordinary cast and crew in front of and behind the camera, source material that was made to be adapted to the big screen, and made by a filmmaker whose desire is to make films the way they are suppose to be made and seen on the big screen, I have little reason to NOT put The Odyssey as my most anticipated film of 2026! If this ends up becoming the cultural and box office phenomenon that Oppenheimer managed to be in the summer of 2023, then there might just a reason to be optimistic for the future of films! Bring it on Matt Damon and Christopher Nolan! I’ll will be there day one!
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