Most Anticipated Movies of 2026 (Updated: March 2026)
There’s not much that gives us an overwhelming sense of excitement for movies like the awards season. The Oscars have just wrapped, but we’re still feeling the buzz and eagerly looking ahead to the rest of the year and some of the most anticipated movies of 2026. There should be something for everyone on this list, from films for sci-fi fans to blockbuster epics to highly anticipated sequels for those of us looking to see our favorite stories continue.
What are the most anticipated movies of 2026?
Though the movie industry feels perpetually up in the air, caught between a rapidly changing production landscape, the growing impact of AI, and the dominance of streaming conglomerates, there’s still no shortage of ambitious projects on the horizon to give us some hope for the future of the industry. These are just a few of the ones we’re most excited about.
Project Hail Mary (March 20)
Based on the best-selling novel by Andy Weir (author of The Martian), Project Hail Mary follows Ryland Grace, a lone astronaut who wakes up light-years from Earth with no memory. He gradually realizes he may be humanity’s last hope for determining what’s causing the sun to die out. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Project Hail Mary stars Ryan Gosling in the leading role.
The Drama (April 3)
Robert Pattinson continues to show he’s one of the hardest-working actors in the industry, with recent projects including Die, My Love (2025), plus three more anticipated movies of 2026 in addition to this entry! He’s also starring in Here Comes the Flood, The Odyssey, and Dune: Part Three. Here, he stars opposite Zendaya in this A24 black-comedy drama written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli, known for the uncomfortable satire of Sick of Myself and the surreal Dream Scenario. As far as a simple plot goes, the security of a happily engaged couple is shaken when one discovers something about the other that sends their wedding week into chaos. We’re expecting the ideal mix of cringe comedy and existential dread.
Apex (April 24)
A Netflix original, Apex stars Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton in this survival action thriller written by Jeremy Robbins and directed by Baltasar Kormákur. The story follows a skilled outdoorswoman who retreats deep into the wilderness in search of solitude, only to become the target of a deadly manhunt orchestrated by a group of thrill-seeking hunters. As the hunt intensifies, she must rely on her survival instincts and knowledge of the terrain to turn the tables and stay alive.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 (May 1)
Nearly two decades after the original film’s release, The Devil Wears Prada 2 returns to the world of high fashion first introduced in the original film. The original film starred Anne Hathaway as an aspiring journalist who lands a demanding job at a prestigious fashion magazine under the formidable editor-in-chief played by Meryl Streep. As with sequels, we don’t really know what to expect in terms of how good this film will be. Still, audiences are eagerly anticipating it, and we can generally say that if Meryl Streep is involved, it won’t be bad.
The Mandalorian & Grogu (May 22)
Has it really been seven years since we’ve had a new Star Wars movie? For those who have been counting down the days, the wait is nearly over with The Mandalorian & Grogu, the next theatrical entry in the long-running franchise. The film continues the story of Din Djarin and Grogu, the central characters introduced in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian. Directed by Jon Favreau and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni, the movie marks the franchise’s return to theaters since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in 2019.
Disclosure Day (June 12)
Produced and directed by Steven Spielberg, Disclosure Day is an upcoming science fiction film with a stacked ensemble cast that includes Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, and Colman Domingo. Even with the release of the latest trailer, the exact plot remains largely under wraps. The official logline hints at some sort of global revelation: “If you found out we weren’t alone — if someone showed you, proved it to you — would that frighten you? This summer, the truth belongs to seven billion people.” Okay, Spielberg, let’s see what you’ve got next.
The Odyssey (July 17)
If anyone should tackle Homer’s The Odyssey, it’s Christopher Nolan. Our anticipation only grows with each new trailer drop. We can feel this one is shaping up to be one of his most cinematic experiences to date, combining the mythic scale of Odysseus’ journey home with Nolan’s obsession for large-format filmmaking. As is typical of Nolan’s other grandiose films (thinking specifically of Dunkirk here), The Odyssey is expected to lean on practical effects and real-world locations rather than on extensive visual effects.
Following the success of Oppenheimer, Nolan’s continued partnership with Universal positions The Odyssey as one of the decade’s most significant theatrical events — and Nolan’s most expensive. Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, with Tom Holland as Telemachus, Zendaya as Athena, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Benny Safdie as Agamemnon, Jon Bernthal as Menelaus, and Robert Pattinson as Antinous.
Flowervale Street (August 14)
Written and directed by David Robert Mitchell (the mind behind It Follows), we’re adding yet another sci-fi film to this list of anticipated releases. We don’t know too much about this one yet, but the film stars Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor and is set in a suburban neighborhood during the 1980s. From what we can gather so far, strange and possibly dangerous events are beginning to disrupt the otherwise peaceful community. There’s also been speculation about the project’s unusual premise — rumors have even suggested elements involving time-traveling dinosaurs. The early promotional images hint at a story of survival in the face of an unexpected threat, though exactly what that threat is remains unclear.
The Dog Stars (August 28)
After already having a strong run with recent films like Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights, Jacob Elordi is set to star in this post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller directed by Ridley Scott. The film is based on Peter Heller’s 2012 novel and is set in Colorado after a devastating pandemic ravages the population. The story follows a man living in an airplane hangar with his dog and an unlikely ally he has befriended while trying to survive in the aftermath of the outbreak. When he picks up a mysterious radio transmission while flying his old Cessna, it sparks a dangerous journey to track down the source of the signal.
Practical Magic 2 (September 18)
This is one we’re a little hesitant about. Still, there’s not much that nostalgia can’t do for us, and we have to hope for the best here. As you might expect, Practical Magic 2 is a continuation of the iconic Practical Magic, which starred Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as sisters descended from a long line of witches. The sequel to this cult classic is expected to continue the Owens family’s story and revisit the magical world established in the original film. Queue up a little Harry Nilsson while you wait.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (November 20)
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is the latest installment in The Hunger Games film series, adapted from the 2025 novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins. Francis Lawrence once again returns to direct, having previously helmed several films in the franchise. Set decades before the original series, the story takes us back to the 50th Hunger Games, 24 years before the first book and film. The film centers on a young Haymitch Abernathy, played by Joseph Zada, long before he becomes the mentor audiences met in the original films.
Dune: Part Three (December 18)
Maybe the absolute most anticipated movie of 2026, at least in terms of the crossover between sci-fi lovers, indie film fans, and mainstream audiences. Directed again by Denis Villeneuve, Dune: Part Three continues the epic adaptation of Frank Herbert’s saga, drawing heavily from the 1969 Dune Messiah. This brings back the stacked cast of Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Florence Pugh, Jason Momoa, and Anya Taylor-Joy. Robert Pattinson also joins the cast.
Avengers: Doomsday (December 18)
We’ve been waiting for this one for a while. While plot details for Avengers: Doomsday remain tightly under wraps, the film is expected to bring together multiple storylines and fan-favorite characters in a battle with stakes that could redefine the MCU. We’re hoping this brings some freshness to a franchise that’s been feeling a bit repetitive lately.
Werwulf (December 25)
2024 gave us the modern monster masterpiece Nosferatu, and Robert Eggers is already back with another gothic creature feature in Werwulf. Reuniting Eggers with Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Willem Dafoe from Nosferatu, the film shifts its horrors to 13th-century England, where a mysterious creature stalks the countryside. True to Eggers’ sensibilities, the promise here isn’t really the scares, but a historically rooted descent into creepier folklore. We have to wait a while for this one, though, as it’s not set to release until Christmas Day 2026.
Source: Comingsoon.net