2026 stands to be a strong year for cinema, with familiar franchises, family films and ambitious auteurs filling the upcoming slate.
Movie lovers have plenty to look forward to in the months ahead. From major franchise returns to exciting originals and long-awaited sequels, the upcoming release calendar is packed with films that are already generating serious buzz. With so many new stories and big performances on the way, this year promises to deliver something for every kind of audience.
People We Meet on Vacation (Jan. 9)
Directed by Brett Haley, “People We Meet on Vacation” follows unlikely best friends Alex (Tom Blyth) and Poppy (Emily Bader) as they begin to question if they might actually make the perfect romantic pair. Based on the hugely popular novel by author Emily Henry, “People We Meet on Vacation” is the first of her bestselling novels to get the big screen treatment; since its publication in 2021, the book has sold more than 2 million copies and spent 69 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.
Greenland 2: Migration (Jan. 9)
The sequel to the 2020 disaster film “Greenland” is set after a comet strike destroyed most of Earth. In Ric Roman Waugh’s “Greenland 2: Migration,” the Garrity family, played by Gerard Butler, Morena Baccarin and Roman Griffith Davis, must leave their bunker to embark on a journey across a decimated world to find a new home.
28 Years Later: Bone Temple (Jan. 16)
Nia DaCosta’s “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” follows Spike (Alfie Williams) after he meets Sir Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell) and his gang of acrobatic killers in post-apocalyptic England. Cillian Murphy briefly reprises his role as Jim from “28 Days Later.” The cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Emma Laird, Maura Bird, Erin Kellyman;and Chi Lewis-Parry. Both O’Connell and Fiennes play major roles in the sequel.
The Moment (Jan. 20)
Based on an original idea by Charli xcx, “The Moment” shows a rising pop star navigating the complexities of fame and industry pressure while preparing for her arena tour debut. Directed by Aidan Zamiri, the stars include Charli alongside Kylie Jenner, Alexander Skarsgard, Rachel Sennott, Rosanna Arquette, Kate Berlant, Rish Shah, Jamie Demetriou, Arielle Dombasle, Hailey Benton Gates, Trew Mullen, Mel Ottenberg, Richard Perez, Isaac Powell, Tish Weinstock, Michael Workéyè, Shygirl and A. G. Cook.
Mercy (Jan. 23)
Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson star in Timur Bekmambetov’s sci-fi thriller that takes place in a future plagued by rising capital crime. Pratt portrays a detective accused of murdering his wife by an AI capital court and must prove his innocence. The cast also features Kali Reis, Annabelle Wallis, Chris Sullivan, Kenneth Choi, Kylie Rogers, Rafi Gavron and Jeff Pierre.
Send Help (Jan. 30)
Sam Raimi’s next directorial outing stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien as an employee-employer duo who become stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes en route to a business conference. Power dynamics shift as they fight for survival against the elements… and each other.
GOAT (Feb. 13)
Stephen Curry lends his voice to Lenny Williamson, a giraffe, in this animated action comedy about basketball. The story follows Will, a goat voiced by Caleb McLaughlin, who dreams of playing in the professional league alongside the greatest players. The voice cast also includes Ayesha Curry, Gabrielle Union, David Harbour; and Jenifer Lewis.
Wuthering Heights (Feb. 13)
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi play star-crossed lovers Catherine and Heathcliff in this period piece. Based on Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel, the Gothic love story explores themes of love, revenge and social class. The film also stars Hong Chau, Alison Oliver, Isabella Linton, Shazad Latif, with Owen Cooper and Charlotte Mellington playing a young Heathcliff and Catherine. Also set to make an appearance is Vy Nguyen as a younger Nelly Dean. Emerald Fennell serves as the film’s writer, director and producer.
Scream 7 (Feb. 27)
Ghostface returns for his next kill in the seventh installment of the “Scream” franchise. “Scream 7” will feature the return of many original cast members, including David Arquette, Matthew Lillard and Scott Foley, who will all reprise their deceased characters from past films. Neve Campbell is back leading as Sidney Scott. Kevin Williamson, the creator of the series, will also direct the horror film.
Hoppers (March 6)
The next Pixar movie follows a teenaged animal lover who uses an invention to take the form of a beaver and infiltrate the animal kingdom. She forges alliances with other critters to combat a human development project that encroaches on their natural habitat. “We Bare Bears” creator Daniel Chong directs an all-star voice cast of Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm and Meryl Streep.
The Bride (March 6)
Jessie Buckley is the eponymous bride of Frankenstein’s monster in this horror romance homage to classic monster movies. The formidable monstress was the title character in James Whale’s 1935 sequel to “Frankenstein,” and though her time on screen was brief, she left a cultural impact. Now, writer-director Maggie Gyllenhaal is telling the bride’s full story. The film also stars Christian Bale, Jake Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Penélope Cruz and Annette Bening.
Reminders of Him (March 13)
Based on the Colleen Hoover novel of the same name, “Reminders of Him” is a romantic drama directed by Vanessa Caswill. Maika Monroe stars as a woman who, after causing a car crash that kills her husband, goes to jail for seven years. After she’s released, she hopes to rekindle a relationship with her daughter while trying to adapt to society and regain her family’s trust. Tyriq Withers, Rudy Pankow, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Graham and Bradley Whitford also star.
Project Hail Mary (March 20)
This Andy Weir adaptation sees Ryan Gosling play an astronaut who wakes up on a spaceship with no knowledge of his past life and a mission to save Earth. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller direct the Amazon MGM sci-fi film, and Gosling stars alongside Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, and Milana Vayntrub. Gosling also serves as one of the film’s producers.
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (March 27)
The sequel to Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett’s 2019 horror hit sees the director duo reunite for another terrifying game of hide and seek. Samara Weaving returns as final girl protagonist Grace MacCaullay to face off against new opponents in this fateful and frightening twist on the familiar game.
The Drama (April 3)
Robert Pattinson and Zendaya star as an engaged couple in this darkly comedic romantic thriller from director Kristoffer Borgli. Plot details remain elusive, but it follows the couple as they endure serious doubts and turmoil leading up to their wedding day. Mamoudou Athie, Alana Haim, Hailey Gates and Zoë Winters also appear in the film.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (April 3)
Mario and Luigi are returning to the big screen, this time in a cosmic adventure that goes beyond the realm of the Mushroom Kingdom. Chris Pratt and Charlie Day return to voice Mario and Luigi, respectively, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key and Kevin Michael Richardson reprise Princess Peach, Bowser, Toad and Kamek. Benny Safdie and Brie Larson make their series debuts as Bowser Jr and Rosalina from the renowned Nintendo franchise. Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath also return to direct the sequel from Illumination and Universal.
Michael (April 24)
Part 1 of this highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic stars the king-of-pop’s real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson in the titular role. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film will chronicle the first half of Jackson’s career from his early days with the Jackson 5 to his meteoric rise as a solo artist. The film also sees Colman Domingo and Nia Long star as Michael’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, respectively, as well as Miles Teller as Jackson’s attorney and manager John Branca and Laura Harrier as producer Suzanne de Passe.
Apex (April 24)
In this upcoming thriller from Icelandic director Baltasar Kormákur, Charlize Theron plays a woman seeking solace in the Australian wilderness when a dangerous predator starts to hunt her in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Taron Egerton plays the hunter and Eric Bana also appears in the film. The movie was written by Jeremy Robbins and it will premiere on Netflix.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 (May 1)
Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly and Anne Hathaway’s Andy Sachs return to the world of high fashion for this long-awaited sequel to the 2006 dramedy. Details about the story remain elusive, but alongside Streep and Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Tracie Thoms and Tibor Feldman are confirmed to be returning from the original film, while Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley, Justin Theroux and Lucy Liu join as new characters. David Frankel also returns to the director’s chair for the sequel.
Mortal Kombat II (May 15)
Simon McQuoid’s follow-up to his 2021 adaptation of the titular video game, “Mortal Kombat II” will see Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage team up with other fighters to take on the evil Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford). The movie will also see the returns of Jessica McNamee’s Sonya Blade and Hiroyuki Sanada’s Hanzo Hasashi and the arrival of Adeline Rudolph’s Kitana from the game.
The Mandalorian and Grogu (May 22)
The first “Star Wars” movie to hit the big screen in seven years, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” gives the cinematic treatment to the leading characters from Disney+’s “The Mandalorian.” Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin will team up with Grogu (a.k.a. Baby Yoda) in a sprawling adventure across a galaxy far, far away, directed by “Mandalorian” showrunner Jon Favreau. Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White co-star.
Masters of the Universe (June 5)
Travis Knight will introduce Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man in this latest live action adaptation of “Masters of the Universe.” Based on the He-Man toy, comic book and television franchise of the same name, this action-fantasy adventure will feature Galitzine’s He-Man facing off against Jared Leto’s Skeletor in a battle for Castle Greyskull and the planet of Eternia.
Disclosure Day (June 12)
Steven Spielberg’s next film remains shrouded in mystery, though it is confirmed to be a science fiction story involving UFOs, penned by David Koepp. Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo, Wyatt Russell, Henry Lloyd-Hughes and Michael Gaston are all included in the massive cast. Universal Pictures will release the film as part of its longstanding deal with the director and his production company, Amblin Entertainment.
Scary Movie 6 (June 12)
The absurdist horror movie parody franchise returns to theaters in June. Directed by Michael Tiddes, “Scary Movie 6” will bring back Marlon and Shawn Wayans, Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Jon Abrahams, Lochlyn Munro, Cheri Oteri, Dave Sheridan and Chris Elliott from the series’ original 2000 film for more satire. Plot details are under wraps, but they will reliably poke fun at horror’s latest hits and misses.
Toy Story 5 (June 19)
Woody, Buzz and the gang come together for another adventure in “Toy Story 5.” Written and directed by Andrew Stanton, the film sees the toys take on a tablet, vying for playtime attention against modern tech. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Tony Hale, Blake Clark and John Ratzenberger will reprise their roles in the franchise, while Anna Faris, Ernie Hudson, Conan O’Brien and Greta Lee are set to voice original characters.
Supergirl (June 26)
The second theatrical release for DC Studios follows up on the final scene from James Gunn’s “Superman.” “Supergirl” will see Milly Alcock play the Man of Steel’s cousin, a fellow Kryptonian with a little more punk rock in her life. Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham and Jason Momoa also star in the galaxy-trotting film, directed by Craig Gillespie.
Minions 3 (July 1)
The eponymous hench-beings from the “Despicable Me” franchise return for their third standalone movie this July. Plot details are still unknown, but it will likely center around main Minions Kevin, Stuart and Bob in another zany, gadget-filled adventure. Pierre Coffin will reprise his voice-acting role as the Minions.
