It’s been another adventure around the sun, and 2025 unravelled plenty! A year in cinema packed with surprises. These are the highlights of what we’re calling “Hollywood Wrapped” for 2025. At the box office, Disney crossed the $6 billion mark this year alone since the pandemic, thanks to massive audience pulls like Zootopia 2 ($1.2B), Lilo & Stitch ($1B), and Avatar: Fire and Ash (currently in cinemas at the time of publication). But the undisputed champion of the 2025 box office was the Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2, which dominated with a kaiju $2.1B haul.
A Minecraft Movie came in fourth, having earned $958M thanks to the viral “chicken-jockey” meme from the film, while Jurassic World: Rebirth bagged a profitable $869M, just short of the $1B standalone gross of its predecessors in the Jurassic World trilogy. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle became a cinematic anime movement and gained $715M, knocking off How to Train Your Dragon ($636M) to seventh place. Then F1: The Movie ($631M), Superman ($616M), and Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning ($598M) all rounded out the year’s global highest-grossing theatrical top ten.
Interestingly, 2025 also marked the first time in 17 years that a DC movie stole the spotlight from the competition, as James Gunn’s Superman overpowered all MCU releases (Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and Fantastic Four: First Steps) at the box office. Other notable movies of the year, and easy picks for cinephile favourites, included Sinners, K-Pop Demon Hunters, Weapons, Marty Supreme, The Long Walk, No Other Choice, One Battle After Another, and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein.
Speaking of standout actors and outstanding performances this year, there’s Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), Dakota Johnson (Materialists), Julia Garner (Weapons, Fantastic Four: First Steps) and Dwayne Johnson, who pivoted from being a comedic-action typecast toward a more dramatic and “serious” role in The Smashing Machine. Breakout stars to watch include Owen Cooper (Adolescence), Chase Infiniti (Presumed Innocent, One Battle After Another), Ben Wang (Karate Kid: Legends, The Long Walk), David Jonsson (Alien: Romulus, The Long Walk), Damson Idris (F1: The Movie), Miles Caton (Sinners), Danielle Brooks (The Bad Guys 2, Peacemaker), and Emma Myers (A Minecraft Movie).
The small screen also popped within the last 365 days with notable shows like Pluribus, Reacher, Andor, The Pitt, The Last of Us, Severance, Hacks, Abbott Elementary, The Bear, White Lotus, The Studio, and, of course, Stranger Things, which returned for its final season five and crashed Netflix on premiere day.
Notably, 2025 also saw Netflix agreeing to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), both studio and streaming assets, in a ginormous $82.7 billion deal, leaving WBD’s cable networks to be spun off into a separate company. This power move gives Netflix control of HBO Max, DC, Harry Potter, Tolkien’s LOTR, and effectively one of the largest film and TV libraries in Hollywood. Opposing the deal, Paramount, backed by Skydance, made a hostile offer of roughly $108 billion to buy all of WBD outright, which Warner’s board has thus far rejected.
Looking ahead, 2026 promises an even more audacious slate of theatrical releases. Normally, our most anticipated listicles stick to a tidy, conservative Top 10, but with the sheer volume of upcoming titles on the horizon, we had to double it. As we lock in our excitement for what’s next, consider this guide your starting point for planning an unforgettable journey of theatrical joy in 2026.
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- 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (January 16)
Experiencing 28 Years Later in cinemas in mid-2025 was an unapologetic assault on the senses, thrilling yet disorienting, thanks to its vertiginous, fast-paced shots and relentless plot. And yet, it still delivered a third act that was unexpectedly tender and equally powerful. Building on the energetic cliffhanger of the previous film and staying true to a franchise that largely rejects the idea of being a crowd-pleaser, the sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, lurches into theatres in early 2026, pushing further with emetic yet inescapable visuals and a confrontational narrative.
Set after the events of the last film, the story follows our young protagonist Spike on his loss-of-innocence arc as he is recruited into the eccentric Sir Jimmy Crystal’s personal mob; a motley crew of spry zombie head-bashers amid the ongoing Rage Virus outbreak, while Dr. Ian Kelson makes a discovery that could change everything.
Nia DaCosta (The Marvels) takes over as director from Danny Boyle, with Alex Garland returning to lend his pen to the screenplay. Ralph Fiennes (The Grand Budapest Hotel), Jack O’Connell, and Alfie Williams reprise their roles, joined by Erin Kellyman, Chi Lewis-Parry, Emma Laird, Maura Bird, Ghazi Al Ruffai, Sam Locke, and the sensational Cillian Murphy, who returns for the first time since 28 Days Later, decades ago, with his appearance in The Bone Temple serving as a pivotal moment for his character’s reintroduction into the franchise.
- The Rip (January 16)
Our first direct-to-streaming crime drama pick is The Rip, penned and directed by Joe Carnahan (The A-Team, The Grey, Boss Level). True to action-thriller fashion, the movie boasts a powerhouse ensemble: Ben Affleck (The Accountant) and Matt Damon (The Martian) headline as a detective duo, supported by Steven Yeun (Invincible), Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another), Sasha Calle (The Flash), Catalina Sandino Moreno, Scott Adkins, Kyle Chandler, Néstor Carbonell, and Lina Esco.
The plot is set in Miami, where a routine investigation turns explosive when a squad of cops discovers a hidden fortune in cash. As news of the massive seizure leaks, suspicion and paranoia spread, and alliances break faster than they are formed, forcing the officers to question who they can really trust.
- Wuthering Heights (February 13)
There are more than half a dozen standalone Wuthering Heights films, either directly or loosely based on Emily Brontë’s only novel, so who says Hollywood shouldn’t add one more to the list? The latest adaptation, due out next year, stars Hollywood sweethearts Margot Robbie (Barbie) and Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein) as Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff. They are joined by an ensemble cast that includes Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, Alison Oliver, Martin Clunes, and Ewan Mitchell, with Emerald Fennell pulling double duty as both writer and director.
Aside from tongues wagging over the casting of Robbie and Elordi, particularly regarding concerns of “whitewashing and character misrepresentation,” what is known so far suggests that Fennell’s Wuthering Heights will lean heavily into the novel’s volatile central relationship. The film is expected to stand out, delivering a tragic, erotic, psychological drama with a bolder, more provocative tone than any of the several previous adaptations.
- Hoppers (March 6)
Pixar is lining up an upcoming “bean-mouth” animated sci-fi action-comedy feature titled Hoppers, directed by Daniel Chong with a script from Jesse Andrews. The hyper romp centres on a group of scientists who invent a way to “hop” human minds into lifelike robotic animal bodies. When an animal-loving teenager named Mabel gets involved, she uses the technology to inhabit a robotic beaver and sabotage a construction company’s plan to wipe out the local animal habitat. Imagine Open Season meets The Wild Robot.
Hopping on voice duties (pun intended) is a stacked cast featuring Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada), Dave Franco (Together), Kathy Najimy, Eduardo Franco, Melissa Villaseñor, Ego Nwodim, Sam Richardson, Vanessa Bayer, Aparna Nancherla, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Nichole Sakura, Tom Law, and Karen Huie.
- The Bride! (March 6)
Golden Globe-winning Maggie Gyllenhaal’s monster thriller The Bride! will finally hit theatres next year, with Warner Bros. now backing the release after Netflix previously withdrew from the project. We say “finally” because the film was delayed twice, originally scheduled for September 26, 2025, and then October 3, 2025, before settling on the first week of March in 2026, likely due to post-production challenges and possibly to avoid direct competition with Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, which, surprise, is distributed by Netflix.
Despite the delays, the film’s details remain unchanged. The Bride! draws double inspiration; first from the 1935 classic Bride of Frankenstein directed by James Whale, and ultimately from Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel “Frankenstein”, of course. Jessie Buckley stars in the title role, while the ensemble cast is further enriched by Christian Bale (American Psycho) as Frankenstein’s monster, along with Peter Sarsgaard (Shattered Glass), Annette Bening (American Beauty), Jake Gyllenhaal (Donnie Darko), and Penélope Cruz (Pirates of the Caribbean), among others.
- Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (March 20)
When conversations turn to the greatest TV shows of all time, Peaky Blinders consistently ranks near the top. Thomas Shelby has become a beloved figure far and wide, even within corners of the internet like the manosphere. So, it’s no surprise that Netflix, in classic fashion, greenlit a movie sequel to the British epic crime drama. The film is scheduled to hit select theatres on March 6, 2026, before streaming on Netflix on March 20, 2026.
Directed by Tom Harper with a screenplay by Steven Knight, the film sees Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) reprising his iconic role as Tommy Shelby, alongside returning cast members Sophie Rundle, Ned Dennehy, Packy Lee, Ian Peck, and Stephen Graham. The ensemble expands with new additions, including Rebecca Ferguson (Dune), Tim Roth (The Incredible Hulk), Jay Lycurgo (Gotham Knights), and Barry Keoghan (Saltburn).
Set in Birmingham, 1940, amidst the chaos of World War II, Tommy Shelby is pulled back from self-imposed exile to face his most destructive reckoning yet. With the future of his family and the country hanging in the balance, Tommy must confront his own demons and decide whether to embrace his legacy or watch it burn to the ground.
- Project Hail Mary (March 20)
Produced by Phil Lord and directed by Christopher Miller, Project Hail Mary stars Ryan Gosling (La La Land), who steps away from his usual charm as “Hollywood’s King of Rizz” for a more deliberately restrained performance as Ryland Grace. The cast also features Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, and Milana Vayntrub.
Expected to retain many of the major story beats from Andy Weir’s best-selling 2021 novel, Project Hail Mary unfolds in a near future where scientists discover that the Sun is dimming, a phenomenon that will trigger a catastrophic ice age within 30 years. Ryland Grace, a middle-school teacher turned astronaut and unwilling space saviour, awakens alone aboard a spacecraft with no memory of who he is or why he is there. As the sole survivor of his crew, he must rely on science, ingenuity, and sheer human will to survive. It is a premise compelling enough to secure its place on any most-anticipated list.
- Michael (April 24)
Since the 2010s, we’ve been basking in a golden era of musical biopics (A Complete Unknown, Elvis, Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman), and it doesn’t look like it’s waning anytime soon. For this, this cinephile/bopper is especially grateful that we’re finally getting a Michael Jackson story.
Michael, coming next year, chronicles the life of arguably the greatest entertainer of all time, Michael Jackson, with his nephew Jaafar Jackson (who bears a sufficient resemblance to the pop icon) stepping into the legend’s moonwalking shoes. The screenplay is by John Logan, with Antoine Fuqua directing. Joining the ensemble are Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Juliano Krue Valdi, Miles Teller (Whiplash), and Colman Domingo (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom).
In true GOAT fashion, the trailer for Michael became the most-viewed music biopic trailer ever in 24 hours, racking up over 116 million views worldwide — the biggest trailer debut in Lionsgate’s history. Early reception has been largely positive, with moviegoers excited for the film, though not without controversy. The pop icon’s daughter, Paris Jackson, has publicly stated she had “0% involvement” in the production after the first drafts of the script “didn’t sit right” with her.
- The Devil Wears Prada 2 (May 1)
The winsome Anne Hathaway (Interstellar) returns alongside “the greatest actress of her generation,” Meryl Streep (Mamma Mia!), and the timeless Emily Blunt (A Quiet Place) to complete the power trio in The Devil Wears Prada 2, the unexpected sequel to their 2006 chic corporate comedy-drama. Stanley Tucci, Tracie Thoms, and Tibor Feldman reprise their roles from the first film, joined by new additions Lucy Liu, Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley, and Justin Theroux. David Frankel and Aline Brosh McKenna also return as director and screenwriter, respectively.
Adapted once again from Lauren Weisberger’s sequel novels, it is unclear how much of the original material will be included in the sequel. One thing is certain: the power dynamic between Miranda, Andy, and Emily has evolved dramatically since their couture conflict last graced audiences two decades ago.
- Mortal Kombat II (May 8)
After a series of delays, Mortal Kombat II is officially set to “Get over here!” in theatres. While the first instalment wasn’t a flawless victory by any metric, Warner Bros. Pictures has another chance to win over the MK fanbase. The studio seems to have made the right calls, adding Karl Urban (The Boys), Adeline Rudolph, and Tati Gabrielle (You) to the returning cast, which includes Hiroyuki Sanada (47 Ronin), Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Lewis Tan, Tadanobu Asano, and Joe Taslim.
In Mortal Kombat II, Earthrealm’s champions, including the fan-favourite vain star Johnny Cage, must confront the looming threat of the emperor of Outworld, Shao Kahn, whose power imperils the survival of their realm. Expectations are sky-high, with die-hard MK fans and action junkies anticipating nothing short of a brutal Fatality! when the martial arts fantasy sequel arrives next spring.
- The Mandalorian and Grogu (May 22)
2026 will mark nearly seven years since the adorable rascal Grogu (christened by fans as “Baby Yoda”) captured not only the heart of our favourite laconic bounty hunter, the Mandalorian Din Djarin, but also countless Star Wars fans worldwide.
Following three successful seasons of The Mandalorian on Disney+, with a fourth season in production, Lucasfilm has taken the next bold step: a feature-length film, The Mandalorian and Grogu, elevating the fan-favourite duo to the big screen. Pedro Pascal returns as Din Djarin, Grogu’s guardian and adoptive father, joined by “Final Girl” Sigourney Weaver (Alien), Jeremy Allen White (The Iron Claw), and Jonny Coyne.
Set in the aftermath of the Galactic Empire’s collapse, the New Republic calls upon Din and Grogu to confront the galaxy’s lingering Imperial warlords. Audiences can expect sprawling, cinematic sets, pulse-pounding interstellar action, heightened stakes, and the signature, hard-hitting score that has made The Mandalorian not only a beloved epic space fantasy but also peak Star Wars.
This is the way.
- Disclosure Day (June 12)
Easily the most enigmatic title (I’ll be the judge) on this list is Disclosure Day, master storyteller and storyboard auteur Steven Spielberg’s latest cinematic mystery, slated to land in theatres in the first half of the year. Once pegged for a May 15 release, the film has since shifted to June, and before its official title was revealed, the film quietly circulated under working names like “The Dish” and “Non-View.” The space-leaning, mysterious sci-fi feature boasts a stacked cast, with Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor (Challengers), Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo, and Wyatt Russell (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) all on board.
As for the plot, it’s largely guesswork for now, and even the debut teaser offered more atmosphere than answers. If anything, it only gassed up the fire of speculation. One element has been confirmed, however: UFOs sit at the heart of the story. And in a Spielberg film, that detail could mean anything. The absence of concrete information has done little to temper anticipation. On the contrary, fans of the legendary filmmaker are already locked in, expecting another dose of Spielbergian magic when the film arrives next year, with fuller revelations likely to emerge in the months ahead.
- Scary Movie 6 (June 12)
Scary Movie making a comeback in 2026 was not on anyone’s bingo card. Thirteen years after the franchise’s last hit theatres, the sixth entry in the Scary Movie series serves as a soft reboot of the iconic horror-parody franchise.
Directed by Michael Tiddes and penned by Marlon, Shawn, and Keenen Ivory Wayans alongside Rick Alvarez, the film brings the Wayans family back to the franchise they helped kickstart. Marlon and Shawn return on screen, joined by a cast of familiar faces, including Anna Faris (The House Bunny), Regina Hall (Girls Trip), Jon Abrahams, Lochlyn Munro, Cheri Oteri, Dave Sheridan, and Chris Elliott. The ensemble is rounded out by newcomers Olivia Rose Keegan, Savannah Lee Nassif, Cameron Scott Roberts, Sydney Park, Gregg Wayans, and Ruby Snowber.
Filming wrapped in November 2025, so specific plot details remain under wraps. Still, longtime fans are eager to see beloved characters return and to watch the franchise once again rib into modern horror tropes with its trademark slapstick humour.
- Toy Story 5 (June 19)
Falling in style into theatres in 2026 is Toy Story 5, poised to be a worthy addition to the beloved 3D animated classic that has spanned three decades while remaining just as enchanting and relevant for kids and adults alike. Directed and written by Andrew Stanton, the new adventure picks up after Woody left Bonnie to help abandoned toys find new homes. In his absence, Jessie has taken the lead in Bonnie’s room, with Buzz Lightyear as her trusty second-in-command. But now eight-year-old Bonnie has found a new favourite: a frog-like tablet named Lilypad, the mischievous antagonist of this instalment.
Returning voices include Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump), Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Tony Hale, Blake Clark, and John Ratzenberger, while Anna Faris, Ernie Hudson, Conan O’Brien, and Greta Lee (Past Lives) join the ensemble. There’s no official word on whether Toy Story 5 will close the chapter on the saga, but audiences are unlikely to mind if this iconic adventure continues… “to infinity… and beyond!”
- Supergirl (June 26)
DC is set to make its mark in the superhero genre in 2026 with the release of Supergirl, the second film in James Gunn’s DC Universe (DCU). After the welcome success of the DCU’s 2025 Superman film, locking the title of highest-grossing comic book movie of the year, and David Corenswet being hailed as the “Superman of our generation”, Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon) swoops in, hoping to build on the momentum as Supergirl. Directed by Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya; Cruella) and written by Ana Nogueira, Supergirl is adapted from the 2021–22 comic book miniseries Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King and Bilquis Evely.
The film follows Kara Zor-El as she celebrates her 23rd birthday by travelling across the galaxy with her dog, Krypto. Along the way, she meets the young Ruthye Marye Knoll and faces a tragedy that propels her on a murderous quest for revenge.
Joining Alcock are Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, and—cue the hype train—Jason Momoa (Aquaman) as Lobo in the DCU. Comic book fans and moviegoers alike are eagerly anticipating Supergirl in theatres, especially after the jaw-dropping tagline from the trailer:
“My cousin sees the good in people. I see the truth.”
Literal chills.
- The Odyssey (July 17)
Shooting in large-format IMAX. A-list actors. Cerebral, intricate storytelling. Immersive cinematography. Practical, in-camera effects and real stunts over green screens and CGI. What do they all have in common? At the centre of it all is a production by visionary filmmaker Sir Christopher Nolan, who is certain to bring that level of mastery in his craft to his latest film, The Odyssey, an adaptation of Homer’s renowned epic.
Anchoring the ensemble are frequent past collaborators with Nolan: Matt Damon (Interstellar and Oppenheimer), Anne Hathaway (Interstellar and The Dark Knight Rises), and Robert Pattinson (Tenet), joined by Tom Holland (Spider-Man: Homecoming), Zendaya (Euphoria), Lupita Nyong’o (Black Panther), Charlize Theron (The Old Guard), Jon Bernthal (The Accountant), John Leguizamo (John Wick), Himesh Patel (Don’t Look Up), Will Yun Lee, Mia Goth (Frankenstein), and a constellation of talent too vast to fit in a single paragraph.
The first official trailer for The Odyssey was released online on December 22, 2025, and it exploded across platforms, racking up over 121 million views in its first 24 hours. Adding to the hype, set photos and prologue screenings have done enough to excite moviegoers for The Odyssey, as audiences prepare to “defy the gods” next year.
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31)
After a relatively quiet year in 2025, the MCU is making a statement in 2026 (even before the new Avengers movie) with its next release, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the franchise’s 38th film. Written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), the film serves as a sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming, Far From Home, and No Way Home, effectively updating the MCU Spider-Man films as a cohesive trilogy.
The movie brings back familiar faces Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Jacob Batalon, while expanding its cast with Sadie Sink (Stranger Things), Liza Colón-Zayas, Jon Bernthal, Mark Ruffalo (Now You See Me), Michael Mando, Tramell Tillman (Severance), and Marvin Jones III.
Set photos have already set the internet ablaze. Fans and critics alike are raving over the newly redesigned Spider-Man suit, praising it for its comic-book faithfulness and undeniable aura farming (the good kind). While official plot details remain tightly under wraps to minimise leaks, audiences will soon get to watch their favourite friendly neighbourhood web-slinger swing back into action, delivering mind-bending stunts and heroic flair that have cemented Spider-Man as a pop culture icon.
- Digger (October 2)
Tom Cruise, whom we all know as the indefatigable force behind the Mission: Impossible franchise, steps into a fresh role as the world’s most powerful man in Digger, a comedy of catastrophic proportions. The film is directed and co-written by Oscar-winning Alejandro G. Iñárritu, alongside longtime collaborators Alexander Dinelaris and Nicolás Giacobone, with Sabina Berman also sharing screenplay credit.
Rounding out the ensemble are Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall), John Goodman (The Big Lebowski), Michael Stuhlbarg (Call Me by Your Name), Jesse Plemons (Bugonia), Sophie Wilde (Talk to Me), Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal), Emma D’Arcy (Mothering Sunday), and Robert John Burke (RoboCop 3).
Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. have so far remained tight-lipped about the dark-humoured film. The only official hint from promotional material reveals that the story follows a man and his trusty shovel who “embarks on a frantic mission to prove that he is humanity’s saviour before the disaster he’s unleashed destroys everything.” We may only have crumbs to nibble on for now, but it’s safe to say many cinephiles are eager to see what Iñárritu and Cruise cook up next fall.
- The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender (October 9)
Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA) fans have been manifesting new animated Gaang content for years, and they’re finally getting their wish. We’re heading back to the world of bending with The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender, a brand-new theatrical adventure centred on the original Team Avatar. Not to be confused with the Netflix live-action series also arriving in 2026.
The release date for The Last Airbender movie has been all over the place, shifting from October 2025 to early 2026, then to autumn and fall before Paramount finally said, “nah,” and decided to send it straight to streaming on Paramount+. The voice cast is stacked, with Eric Nam, Dionne Quan, Jessica Matten, Román Zaragoza, and Steven Yeun leading the ensemble. Dave Bautista also joins the film, lending his voice to the story’s villain.
Set in the years between ATLA and The Legend of Korra, the movie follows Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, and Zuko as young adults facing a fresh threat that could once again throw the Four Nations out of balance.
- The Social Reckoning (October 9)
Academy Award–winning writer Aaron Sorkin returns to Silicon Valley with The Social Reckoning, a spiritual successor to his propulsive biopic tech drama The Social Network. This time, Sorkin not only writes but also directs, shifting the focus from Facebook’s creation to the real-world happenings that unfolded nearly two decades later, long after Mark Zuckerberg and his band of tech prodigies reshaped global communication forever.
Based on true events, The Social Reckoning centres on Frances Haugen, a Facebook engineer who teams up with Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz on a perilous whistleblowing mission that exposes the platform’s most closely guarded secrets. What follows is a high-stakes reckoning with power, profit, and the human cost of the world’s largest social media empire.
The cast features Jeremy Strong (Succession), who steps into the role of Mark Zuckerberg, joined by Jeremy Allen White (The Bear), Mikey Madison (Anora), Bill Burr, Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), Billy Magnussen, Betty Gilpin, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Anna Lambe, Sierra Capri, Portia Doubleday, and Tehmina Sunny.
For context, The Social Network previously starred Jesse Eisenberg (Now You See Me) as Zuckerberg, alongside Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Rooney Mara, Dakota Johnson, and Brenda Song. None of the original cast is expected to return.
- Street Fighter (October 16)
As far as video game adaptations in 2026 go, watch out Mortal Kombat, here comes a new challenger in the battle arena! Street Fighter, slated for a 2026 release, is set to reboot the beloved martial arts franchise after Legendary Entertainment secured the live-action film and television rights in April 2023. It is directed by Kitao Sakurai and written by Dalan Musson.
The Street Fighter character roster features a power-packed lineup of action stars, including Noah Centineo (Black Adam), Andrew Koji (Warrior), Callina Liang, Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i, David Dastmalchian (The Suicide Squad), Cody Rhodes, Andrew Schulz, Eric André, Vidyut Jammwal, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, and Jason Momoa.
Set in the early ’90s, the story follows fighter friends-turned-rivals Ryu and Ken Masters, pulled back into combat when the self-proclaimed “strongest woman in the world,” Chun-Li, recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament. Behind the brutal clash of fists, fate, and fury, a deadly conspiracy forces them to confront each other and the demons of their past, and they must work together, or it’s GAME OVER. Fan reactions to the teaser have been largely positive, praising the authenticity, campy, colorful game-style visuals, and the true, cheesy spirit lifted from the original games.
- The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (November 20)
Lionsgate moved quickly to adapt Suzanne Collins’ 2025 novel “Sunrise on the Reaping” for the big screen as the sixth installment of the deeply political and propagandistic Hunger Games franchise, titled The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The story serves as a sequel to The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes while taking place 24 years before the events of the first Hunger Games film. This new chapter expands the grim lore of Panem while introducing a fresh generation of tributes.
The film returns audiences to the fascist state of Panem, where a younger Haymitch Abernathy is selected to compete in the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, a deadly tradition that occurs every 25 years. This time, a cruel twist doubles the number of tributes each district must send, forcing even more young competitors into the Capitol’s lethal arena.
With a screenplay by Billy Ray and direction from Francis Lawrence, the ensemble cast features Joseph Zada as Haymitch, alongside Mckenna Grace (Ghostbusters: Afterlife), Ben Wang (Karate Kid: Legends), Molly McCann, Iona Bell, Percy Daggs IV, Jhaleil Swaby, and Laura Marcus.
From the trailer, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping promises another tense, emotionally charged entry in the dystopian saga, and as always, may the odds be ever in your favour.
- Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew (November 26)
Mumblecore queen Greta Gerwig (Barbie, Little Women) returns us to the beloved world of epic fantasy with Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, set to hit the big screen in 2026. Netflix officially greenlit the new feature adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s classic series, marking the first Narnia film release since 2010 and ushering in a bold new era for the franchise.
The film adapts The Magician’s Nephew, a chronological prequel to the original Narnia stories that explores the creation of Narnia itself and the origins of its magic. The cast includes Emma Mackey (Sex Education), Daniel Craig (Knives Out), David McKenna, Beatrice Campbell, Tom Bonington, Denise Gough, and Ava Jager.
Set to debut in IMAX theatres on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026, the film will enjoy a special global theatrical run across approximately 1,000 screens before streaming exclusively on Netflix on Christmas Day 2026.
- Dune: Part Three (December 18)
Christmas comes early in 2026 as Denis Villeneuve prepares to go three-for-three with the newest chapter of his Dune saga, the space opera that has become a full-blown pop culture obsession. Following the stunning visual spectacle and narrative opulence of its predecessors, this latest installment promises to bring the trilogy to a spicy, epic conclusion.
Based on Frank Herbert’s Dune Messiah, the story leaps 15 to 20 years beyond the last film. Paul “Muad’Dib” Atreides remains on spice-seared Arrakis, heir to unimaginable power, now executing an ancient scheme to forge a superbeing ruler—not in the heavens, but among men.
The star-studded ensemble returns, led by Timothée Chalamet, who is in the midst of a generational Hollywood run, alongside Zendaya, Florence Pugh (*The New Avengers), Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin (Weapons), Rebecca Ferguson, and Anya Taylor-Joy (The Gorge). Robert Pattinson also joins the cast, adding even more weight to the trilogy’s farewell journey.
The hype is palpable. Even fans whose love for the saga is just over half a decade old are bracing to witness Paul Atreides step fully into his destiny on the big screen. Lisan al-Gaib!
Interestingly, as of now, Dune: Part Three is set to drop on the same day as another blockbuster, Avengers: Doomsday. This pairing is reminiscent of Barbenheimer of July 21, 2023. If the release schedule holds, movie fans are in for another epic cinematic phenomenon, already being hyped up as “Dunesday.”
- Avengers: Doomsday (December 18)
You don’t need a crystal ball to know that Avengers: Doomsday will most likely be the biggest movie of 2026, and that’s probably a low-ball expectation. Doomsday is shaping up to be a defining, historic theatrical event of the decade. Written by Michael Waldron and Stephen McFeely, and directed by the Russo brothers, the 39th MCU film has generated massive discourse. Ever since 2024, when it was announced that the iconic Robert Downey Jr. would embrace the dark side in a new role as the villainous Doctor Doom, the internet has been buzzing with excitement—sharing facts, theories, speculations, and, yes, even some misinformation.
Let’s stick to what we know so far, starting with the cast. Avengers: Doomsday assembles the MCU Avengers, Wakandans, Fantastic Four, New Avengers, and the Disney/Fox X-Men. Returning Avengers include Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danny Ramirez, Paul Rudd, and Tom Hiddleston. Wakanda is represented by Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta Mejía, and Winston Duke. The First Family stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. The New Avengers feature Florence Pugh, Wyatt Russell, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, and Lewis Pullman. Finally, the X-Men legacy brings Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, Channing Tatum, and Kelsey Grammer, alongside a few other familiar MCU faces from the past decade.
There’s little else confirmed at this point, but come winter next year, this cinephile will join the multitudes of moviegoers eagerly assembling to witness the next chapter in the Avengers saga.
- The Adventures of Cliff Booth
A follow-up to the critically acclaimed Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood is officially in the works, with The Adventures of Cliff Booth bringing together a dream creative pairing: directed by David Fincher and written by Quentin Tarantino. The star power doesn’t stop there. Brad Pitt (F1) returns as the effortlessly cool Cliff Booth, alongside Timothy Olyphant (Deadwood) reprising his role as James Stacy. Joining them is an impressive supporting cast that includes Scott Caan (Ocean’s Eleven), Elizabeth Debicki (Tenet), Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Watchmen), Carla Gugino, Holt McCallany, and JB Tadena.
Set in the late 1970s, eight years after the events of Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood, the film follows Cliff Booth as he navigates a darker corner of the studio system in his new role as a behind-the-scenes fixer. Operating in the shadows, Booth handles Hollywood’s most sensitive problems, from explosive scandals to high-stakes blackmail, revealing a grimmer, more perilous side of the industry’s so-called golden era.
While no official release date has been announced, industry chatter suggests summer 2026 as a likely landing spot. If that holds, cinephiles could be in for one of the most stylish and talked-about films of the year.
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