The Most Anticipated Films of 2026
By now, we’re about three months into 2026 and we’ve already consumed some of the most anticipated releases of the year, like Wuthering Heights, Iron Lung, and Scream 7. But the year is far from over, and there’s still so many more films to be excited about. In the list below, I have 12 of 2026’s most hyped upcoming releases that I, personally, cannot wait for. This year’s film roster is pretty packed — I hope you’re excited!
After the hype of the first The Super Mario Bros. Movie, there has been talks of a sequel for the past three years, and now it’s finally here: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. In the first film, we watched as Italian brothers Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) were sucked into a new universe, where Mario finds himself in the Mushroom Kingdom and Luigi trudges through the Dark Lands. Mario and Peach embark on a series of challenges and obstacles in their mission to save Luigi, leading to Peach’s reluctant acceptance of Bowser’s marriage proposal due to Bowser’s advisor, Kamek, torturing Toad with magic. Mario and Luigi power up with a Super Star, becoming temporarily invincible, where they defeat Bowser’s Koopas and destroy Bowser’s castle.
In the Mario Bros rollercoaster of a sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Mario and Luigi are transported to the Mushroom Kingdom and King Bowser’s Dark Lands. We follow the Super Mario Brothers, Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), and Rosalina (Brie Larson) as they face off against Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie), who is determined to rescue his father, Bowser (Jack Black). The film will feature new galaxies and introduce familiar faces, such as Yoshi (Donald Glover). Don’t miss The Super Mario Galaxy Movie in theaters April 1, 2026.
I have been deeply obsessed with biopics ever since seeing the 1984 film Purple Rain about Prince, and this is another film I truly cannot wait to see. Delving into the life and legacy of the “King of Pop,” Michael covers the journey of Michael Jackson’s transition from childhood star of the Jackson 5 to his early solo career. Michael Jackson is played by Jackson’s own nephew, Jafaar Jackson, which will also be the young actor’s first film debut. We take a first-time peek into Jackson’s personal struggles and his tragic, unsuspected death on June 25, 2009. The biopic aims to provide a real world portrayal of the complicated man who became who everyone knows affectionately as the “King of Pop.” Michael releases in theaters on April 24, 2026.
Yet another sequel we’ve all been waiting for, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is the long-anticipated second chapter to the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada. In the first film, we follow along with recent journalism graduate from Northwestern University, Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), as she lands a job as assistant to Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), the powerful and intimidating editor-in-chief of the high fashion magazine, “Runway.” Andy struggles to meet Miranda’s impossible standards, but gradually adapts and excels, though her own relationships suffer from her new life’s demands. Andy ultimately chose her integrity over success in the fashion industry after witnessing its harsh realities, leaving “Runway,” and reclaiming her personal values and independence.
This sequel film, The Devil Wears Prada 2, follows Andy returning to “Runway” as Miranda navigates the challenges of the modern media. She reconnects with former assistant Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt), now a luxury brand executive, to secure the magazine’s future. Emily’s company possesses the resources that could determine Runway’s survival, creating a situation where the former assistants, Emily and Andy, must join forces with Miranda and navigate professional tensions and personal alliances. The Devil Wears Prada 2 promises to be a whirlwind of drama, and you can see it in theaters May 1, 2026.
The Mandalorian and Grogu from the Star Wars universe follows (of course) the Mandalorian, otherwise known as Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), and Grogu in their endeavor to protect the New Republic following the fall of the Galactic Empire. We follow Djarin and Grogu in their enlistment in the New Republic to combat the Imperial warlords threatening the galaxy, navigating a post-empire world and facing new challenges and adversaries. This film is expected to bridge the gap between the TV series The Mandalorian (2019-2023), the larger universe of Star Wars, and the conflicts coming to be. The Mandalorian and Grogu is set to release in theaters May 22, 2026.
Scary Movie is a personal favorite franchise of mine, so it’s no secret that I am already jumping in my seat for the release of Scary Movie 6. Announced just this month on March 3, Scary Movie 6 is set to be another horror parody film, featuring parodies of films such as Get Out (2017), Longlegs (2024), Smile (2022), and, of course, Scream (1997-present). Excitingly though, it has also been announced that the film will also include parodies of recent blockbusters like Weapons (2025), Sinners (2025), and The Substance (2024). Scary Movie 6 features the return of Cindy Campbell (Anna Faris), Brenda Meeks (Regina Hall), and Shorty Meeks (Marlon Wayans). Not only that, but there are quite a few new faces to the franchise as well, including Damon Wayans Jr., Heidi Garner, and Cheri Oteri. The recent release of the Scary Movie 6 trailer threw us into a New York City subway (a nod to Scream 6) where we could instantly pick up on the fun references to fan-favorite horror films like Friday the 13th (1980), Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), Heart Eyes (2025), and M3GAN (2022). The “Core Four” are back, in what Wayans calls, a “rebooquel.” Catch Scary Movie 6 in theaters this summer, June 5, 2026.
This is the moment we (I) have all been waiting for: Supergirl. After the sensation that was James Gunn’s Superman from last summer, we’ve all been itching for more DC Studios productions. The upcoming release of Supergirl is set to be another summer hit. Supergirl centers around Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock) as she celebrates her 23rd birthday, traveling across the galaxy with her faithful sidekick, Krypto. During this journey, Kara meets Ruthye, an alien seeking revenge for the death of her father and destruction of her planet, ultimately leading her into a “murderous quest for revenge” throughout the film. We will unveil her personal backstory and the difference between herself and her cousin, Superman, who was sent to Earth and raised by loving parents. In contrast, Kara was raised on a rock of Krypton and watched everyone around her die and be killed in terrible ways for the first 14 years of her life before she came to Earth. Kara’s story as a complex antihero soars into theaters on June 26, 2026.
This year is overflowing with excitement in terms of film, and I think Moana, the live action adaptation, has to be one of my most anticipated movies of 2026. I’ll admit, I know some of Disney’s live action adaptations have been a little iffy (like the trainwreck that was Snow White). Most of us know the story of Moana from its initial animated release in 2016, but as we are back in her world ten years later, I’ll give the rundown: Moana (Catherine Laga’aia) is a young Polynesian woman from the island of Motunui who has felt a deep connection to the ocean since childhood. When her island is faced with challenges that threaten its prosperity and survival, she heeds the ocean’s call and sets sail into its depths for the first time. Alongside the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson), Moana navigates treacherous waters and mystical beings to restore balance and hope to her people. Moana will dive into theaters on July 8, 2026.
Ever since its initial announcement in December 2024, The Odyssey has been one of 2026’s most anticipated films. The Odyssey is a film adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic of the same name, following legendary Greek king of Ithaca, Odysseus (Matt Damon), on his long and perilous journey home after the Trojan War. Odysseus will encounter mythical beings such as the Cyclops Polyphemus, sirens, and the witch-goddess Circe while attempting to reunite with his wife, Penelope. There is little more known about this film, but it is Christopher Nolan’s most expensive film to date, packed with an absolutely incredible cast ranging from Anne Hathaway to Robert Pattinson. The Odyssey will release in theaters on July 17, 2026.
Okay, now for the moment Marvel fans have been waiting for: Spider-Man: Brand New Day. After the devastating ending of Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), we have yet to see anything new from Peter Parker (Tom Holland) or where he is now. Brand New Day takes place four years after the events of No Way Home, with Peter Parker having been erased from the memories of everyone in the world due to Doctor Strange’s spell. While Peter Parker is absent from public life, Spider-Man continues to protect New York City anonymously. Whilst performing his usual city-protecting, crime-fighting duties, Peter encounters a trail of unusual crimes that lead him into a larger and more complex mystery — one he has never faced before. He must be at his very best in order to confront the repercussions of his past and the effects of Doctor Strange’s spell at the same time. He makes this incredibly difficult for himself in his constant protection of past girlfriend MJ (Zendaya) and best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon) who no longer know who Peter is. Peter Parker is back on the big screen when Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into theaters on July 31, 2026.
The Hunger Games universe finally returns. The main story of The Hunger Games concluded in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay (2010), but author Suzanne Collins has been blessing us with more novels of the times before Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark — and where there are more novels, there are more film adaptations, too. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping follows a young Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada) during the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the second Quarter Quell. Haymitch lives life in fear in his District 12 (the smallest, poorest district of Panem, known for coal mining and extreme poverty) home as the Reaping approaches, where twice the number of tributes will be selected. We dive into Haymitch’s emotional turmoil, particularly about his love for Lenore Dove (Whitney Peak), and we watch a haunting portrait of survival amidst the Capitol’s and President Snow’s oppressive control. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping comes to theaters on November 20, 2026.
The last Avengers movie was 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, where we lost essential characters like Iron Man and Captain America. This upcoming film, Avengers: Doomsday, features the central villain Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.) and his release of crisis across the multiverse. This crisis is expectantly tied to his quest for vengeance against those responsible for personal tragedies in his life, including the deaths of his wife and child. This film is part of a larger multiverse saga within the MCU, exploring the concept of multiversal incursions and the resulting chaos. Doctor Doom’s actions are anticipated to escalate the tensions between different realities, leading to conflicts amongst the heroes. Marvel’s Avengers will return to the big screen in Avengers: Doomsday on December 18, 2026.
Following the 2024 release of Dune: Part Two, Dune: Part Three (also known as Dune: Messiah) is set to be the epic conclusion of the Dune trilogy. Dune: Part Three follows Paul Atreides’ (Timothee Chalamet) rise and struggles as emperor, exploring the consequences of his jihad (a 12-year holy war that devastated the Imperium) and the birth of his twin heirs. This film picks up 12 years after the events of Dune: Part Two, with Paul now ruling as emperor over most of the universe. We follow the aftermath of Paul’s Fremen Jihad, resulting in a death toll of 61 billion people. Paul faces many political challenges in his reign as emperor, including plots against him orchestrated by the Bene Gesserit, the Spacing Guild, and the Tleilaxu, who use a clone of Duncan Idaho to undermine his rule. This film emphasizes the consequences of impulsive action as well as the moral consequences of wielding immense power. Dune: Part Three is scheduled to release on December 18, 2026, bringing an end to the Dune saga.
Well, those are at least some of the major releases coming to theaters this year. I’d say these are worth a ton of excitement, though I do recognize that a lot of these movies are continuations from their own preexisting universes. I hope there was at least one movie here you’ve been waiting on! There are so many more releases coming to theaters, but I can only name so many… This list consists of most of the major movies of this year, so I’m sorry if I didn’t get yours! I can’t wait to see each and every one of these films (if I can afford how expensive a movie ticket is these days), and I hope this piece has gotten you excited for these releases too!
