2026 might just be the strongest year for film in recent memory.
From major films by legendary directors Christopher Nolan, Emerald Fennell, Greta Gerwig and Denis Villeneuve to a wave of hotly anticipated sequels, originals and adaptations, this year’s release calendar is stacked.
Keeping track of it all is a job in itself. So instead of guessing which films are Oscar bait or if they will collapse under their own hype, here’s a chronological look at the most exciting releases of 2026.
The Moment — Jan. 30
While the Internet is already ablaze with anticipation, no one is quite sure what The Moment will actually be about. Starring Charli xcx in a mockumentary style film depicting her at the height of the “brat summer” era, The Moment is no doubt going to be iconic, over the top and possibly the definitive end to her career defining project.
Send Help — Jan. 30
This horror thriller sees a woman and her overbearing boss stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash, forcing them to face the harsh tropics — and each other — to make it out alive. Send Help features acclaimed horror director, Sam Raimi, and stars Dylan O’Brien alongside Canada’s own Rachel McAdams. The film is poised to deliver strong performances, glass shattering screams and all the gore and fake blood needed to break you out of your January slump.
“Wuthering Heights” — Feb. 13
While social media has been particularly opinionated about all things related to Emerald Fennel’s third feature since its announcement, I’m approaching her adaptation of “Wuthering Heights” with an open mind. While I don’t expect this to be an accurate retelling of the Brontë novel, one thing she guarantees is a memorable viewing experience and a likely dark and sexual third act twist.
Scream 7 — Feb. 27
I can’t say that I’ve ever sat through an entire Scream film, but clearly, many theatregoers have. I’m unsure what Ghostface will get up to in this seventh installment, but it appears Sydney Prescott may finally end the bloodshed once and for all.
Hoppers — March 6
Who doesn’t love some Pixar fun to lift our sprits midway through the semester? Hoppers is a science fiction animated comedy about a new technology that allows human consciousness to be transferred into robotic animals, uncovering secret truths about the animal world.
The Bride! — March 6
A sequel to 1931’s Frankenstein, The Bride! follows the monster as he searches for a companion, enlisting Dr. Euphronius to bring life to a murdered woman. While the description doesn’t give much away, the fact that the film stars Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale and Jake Gyllenhaal — and is directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal — has my curiosity fully piqued.
Project Hail Mary — March 20
This book-to-screen adaptation from the author of The Martian stars Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace, a middle school teacher who wakes up alone on a spaceship with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. If it’s anything like the 2015 release starring Matt Damon, this science fiction, fast-paced space thriller will surely become a streaming classic.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — April 3
Sadly not the Luigi’s Mansion sequel I was hoping for, Super Mario Galaxy is sure to break records and introduce a new slew of internet catchphrases and trends. Speaking from experience, anyone planning to see this in theatres might want to pick a later screening time to avoid the lack of decorum these films — and their gen alpha audiences — often bring.
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come — April 10
While the modern trend of creating sequels to horror movies often leaves something to be desired, Ready or Not 2 seems to have a solid idea of where to take the story. This time around, actress Samara Weaving is joined by up-and-coming scream queen Kathryn Newton as they attempt to claim the high seat on the council that controls the world.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 — May 1
A sequel 20 years later… groundbreaking. My most anticipated film of the year by far, The Devil Wears Prada 2, will see Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci return to their iconic, career defining roles. If the first film mirrored a thriving magazine industry, the sequel promises a more introspective look at its decline and the pivot required to survive. If one thing is for sure, this film will give the chronically online plenty of new quotes to recycle over the next 20 years.
The Mandalorian & Grogu — May 22
A much-needed finale to Disney+’s most popular series, The Mandalorian & Grogu picks up where season three left off, bringing a satisfying conclusion to Din Djarin’s legacy and possibly the last time the world will see Baby Yoda.
Scary Movie 6 — June 12
The 2010s may have killed this parody series with poorly written spoofs and jokes that aged like milk, but it’s easy to forget the origins of the genre. While the fifth installment left much to be desired, Scary Movie 6 appears to have a course corrected bringing back Anna Faris and Regina Hall. With the recent resurgence of horror and plenty of material to pull from, this entry might breathe a new life into the franchise.
Toy Story 5 — June 19
Although Toy Story 4 (2019) felt like a strong conclusion, the twist and introduction of the “iPad kid” in Toy Story 5 might be enough to get me back into theatres — that, and Pixar’s track of heartfelt storytelling.
Supergirl — June 26
A sequel to last year’s Superman and a new addition to the James Gunn DC universe, Supergirl offers a shift in tone. Rather than a symbol of hope, the film follows the Kryptonian on a revenge journey across the galaxy, accompanied by her dog, Krypto.
Moana — July 10
No, you didn’t read that wrong. In their pursuit to remake everything into live action, Disney is releasing a live action Moana just 10 years after the original. On the bright side, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will reprise his role as Maui the demigod.
The Odyssey — July 17
One of most anticipated films of the decade, Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of the 2,000-year-old epic The Odyssey stars Matt Damon as Odysseus on his journey home after the Trojan war. A massive budget, stacked cast, early Oscar buzz and legendary IMAX rollout are all but guaranteed, so pre-ordering tickets might not be a bad idea.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day — July 31
Hopefully a film that finally puts the Marvel Cinematic Universe out of its latest slump, Spider-Man: Brand New Day will serve as the penultimate release before the next Avengers installment at the end of the year.
Resident Evil — Sept. 18
This film is an adaptation of the classic video game horror franchise directed by Zack Cregger, who is known for his work on Barbarian (2022) and most recently Weapons (2025). Little is known about this movie, but many, including myself, are cautiously optimistic about trusting Cregger with the ever-unreliable Umbrella Corporation.
The Social Reckoning — Oct. 9
A sequel of sorts to The Social Network (2010), Aaron Sorkin returns to the writer’s chair for The Social Reckoning, which follows a Facebook engineer and a Wall Street Journal reporter as they expose some of the company’s most closely guarded secrets.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping — Nov. 20
The fifth film in The Hunger Games saga follows the young Hamish during the 50th Hunger Games. With a stacked cast including Glenn Close, Ralph Fiennes, Elle Fanning and Joseph Zada, it’s one of the year’s most anticipated releases. While the book is already out, I’ll be waiting to experience the Second Quarter Quell on the big screen.
Focker In-Law — Nov. 25
A sequel to the 2000 classic Meet the Parents, Focker-In-Law sees Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro reprise their roles, with new additions including Ariana Grande in this late November release.
Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew — Nov. 26
The first installment in Greta Gerwig’s Netflix-backed Narnia universe, The Magician’s Nephew steps away from the wardrobe and into prequel territory. With casting choices already stirring debate online, this could be the beginning of a franchise with Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings-level potential.
Dune: Part 3 — Dec. 18
This film is the third and final installment in Denis Villeneuve’s ambitious adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune. Dune: Part 3 shows Paul Atreides embark on a new quest for dominance over the empire and control of the spice. As with the first two films, a large coffee may be required.
Avengers: Doomsday — Dec. 18
Reuniting the Russo Brothers, Avengers: Doomsday hopes to reignite excitement in the MCU through nostalgia, fan service and sheer spectacle. While my expectations remain low, this could easily end up being either the best or worst film of the year.
—
Clearly, 2026 has no shortage of show-stopping films that audiences have been waiting years to see. Whether they live up to the hype remains to be seen, and with ticket prices continuing to climb, I’ll probably wait for most of these to hit streaming. Maybe I’m less excited for the movies of 2026 and more excited for what’s coming to my living room in 2027.