If your Letterboxd watchlist is already filling up, 2026 is about to make it even longer. With a lineup of highly anticipated movies across every genre, 2026 is expected to be a great year for cinema enthusiasts. Excitement’s already building, so let’s take a closer look at the upcoming 2026 highly anticipated films.
In seventh century B.C.E, the infamous Greek Epic of the same name was written by Homer and has played a major role in the global literary canon. 2800 years later, a film adaptation is coming to our screens starring Matt Damon. Director of “Interstellar” and “Oppenheimer” Christopher Nolan is expected to bring a gripping view to the Greek classic.
“The Odyssey” is about Greek hero Odysseus’s 10-year journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, facing monsters, mythical gods and enchantresses. The film features many well-known actors such as Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Mia Goth and Charlize Theron. The movie will hit theaters on July 17.
Earth’s mightiest heroes are planned to face off one more time in a two-part Avengers finale. “Avengers Doomsday” is the first movie out of two to end the Avengers saga, and is predicted to box office $1-2 billion, featuring actors like Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal, Chris Hemsworth and Vanessa Kirby. Though the storyline has not been released yet, fans are extremely excited to see Stan Lee’s comics come to life in this dynamic and chaotic film, coming to theaters on Dec. 18.
The fourth addition to Tom Holland’s spiderman series is on its way to theaters. “Spiderman: Brand New Day” is an upcoming superhero film planning to be released on July 31 and is based on the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man. The film will follow Peter Parker starting college when a mysterious force begins to unravel the city from the inside out. The movie will star Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch and Sadie Sink.
This Christmas, Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya will star once more in the trilogy “Dune.” Originally a novel by Frank Hebert, “Dune” follows Paul Atreidas, who rises from exile to become a powerful leader as he navigates prophecy, politics and war on the planet of Arrakis. The movie is expected to come out on December 25.
Another Suzanne Collins prequel is coming to our screens this November. “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” takes place 24 years before the first “The Hunger Games” book and will be about Haymitch Abernathy, the victor of the 50th Hunger Games. This film will take place between “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” and the first “The Hunger Games” film. The movie already is receiving a lot of attention for its star-studded cast, including Ralph Fiennes, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemmons, Elle Fanning and Maya Hawke as well as a cameo from Hunger Games stars Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson.
This Winter, Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan are transported back into the video game Jumanji. However, this time the game is broken and fighting against them, and everything the group knows about Jumanji is about to change. Coming out on Dec. 11, Jumanji 3 is predicted to near or exceed the previous films’ success.
This long-awaited film is an adaptation of Emily Brontë’s novel, “Wuthering Heights.” Published in 1847, “Wuthering Heights” stands as a pivotal well known classic about the obsessive, destructive and vengeful love between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff. The movie adaptation features many recognized actors such as Jacob Elordi, Margot Robbie and Owen Cooper.
However, the film adaptation has already sparked controversy ahead of its release, with critics arguing that it appears overly “modern” and calling for the casting of lesser-known actors. Whether they like the film or not, it seems that everyone is eager to see if this film will be a fan favorite or box office failure.
After almost 19 years, Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway are back in New York City to continue the influential film that is “The Devil Wears Prada.” The film follows Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) who is struggling to keep her magazine alive amidst the decline of print media. Miranda Priestly teams up with Andrea Sachs (Anne Hathaway), her former assistant now luxury executive, to save her notorious magazine.
“Meryl Streep is such a diva,” junior Grace VanSchooneveld said. “I am so excited to see her return to the big as Miranda Priestly once again.” “The Devil Wears Prada 2” will be featuring other original cast such as Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt, and will be coming out on May 1.
In 2025 we had “Superman”, now “Supergirl” is coming to our screens on June 26. Starring Milly Alcock as Supergirl, this film is an adaptation of the comic book series “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.” The plot centers on Supergirl who embarks on an interstellar journey of revenge and righteousness.
Supergirl can teach fans to embrace the complexity of heroes, showing that even a hero can have antihero qualities, as she deals with trauma and has a more pessimistic view on the universe then Superman.
Even after 29 years, the “Scream” saga is still continuing and is releasing a new movie this February. The film follows a new Ghostface terrorizing Sidney Prescott’s town, putting her daughter’s life in danger. The film features many returning Scream stars such as Courtney Cox, Neve Campbell, Mathew Lillard and Mason Gooding, as well as celebrities new to the series like Mckenna Grace and Isabel May. The movie is in theaters on Feb. 27, and is expected to keep the audiences on the edge of their seats.
“Minions 3” is hitting theaters this summer. “Minions 3” is another addition to the Minions saga and a prequel to the “Despicable Me” series. There has not been much information regarding what the movie will be about, but it is known that it will follow the Minions adventures while connecting more closely with Gru’s storyline. Originally slated to be released in 2027, the Minions movie release was pushed up by a year, replacing “Shrek 5”’s release date. Coming out July 1, “Minions 3” is expected to be an adventure-filled movie.
Another riveting biopic is coming to our screens, and this one features The King of Pop. “Michael” is about the life of Michael Jackson, starring his nephew Jaafar Jackson. The film will explore his journey from The Jackson 5 to becoming a global icon. The anticipated film will come out on April 24.
Say “You’re Welcome” to director Thomas Kail, because the live action Moana is coming out this summer. “Moana” is the latest Disney animated film to get the live-action remake, and follows Polynesian teenager Moana’s adventures across the ocean to save her island and the people of Motunui. Dwayne Johnson, the voice actor for Maui in the animated Moana, will be playing the live-action Maui. Fans are also excited for Catherine Laga’ai, whose debut acting role will be Moana. The adventure-filled movie is coming out on July 10.
“Project Hail Mary” is an adaptation of Andy Weir’s pivotal sci-fi book. Starring Ryan Gosling, the film follows a lone astronaut on a crucial mission to save mankind. Gosling plays middle school teacher turned astronaut Ryland Grace, who wakes up aboard a spacecraft with no recollection, and gradually realizes that he has to stop Earth from plunging into another Ice Age. The film is in theatres on March 20, and promises a thrilling mix of space, suspense and science fiction.
“Disclosure Day” is a new film based on an original idea from Stephen Spielberg about humanity discovering extraterrestrial life, starring Emily Blunt as a meteorologist.
Fans are most excited about Stephen Spielberg and David Koepp collaborating to make this film come to life. Spielberg and Koepp have worked together in the past to make legendary films such as “Indiana Jones”, “Jurassic Park”, and “War of the Worlds.” The movie is planned to be released on June 12.
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is getting a galactic sequel, this time in space. The sequel is expected to introduce new characters such as Rosaline and Bowser Jr. Many of the original voice actors are returning, including Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor‑Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi and Jack Black as Bowser.
The film is inspired by the 2007 video game Super Mario Galaxy, and will take characters across different planets to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser’s grasp. After months of anticipation and teaser trailers, the movie will be released on April 3.
Buzz and Woody are back in “Toy Story 5”, this time to fight the evil forces of smart devices. Well known Pixar director Andrew Stanton is the director of the film, also directing blockbusters such as Wall-E and Finding Nemo. Coming out on June 19, “Toy Story 5” reminds us that no matter how far we go, the magic of friendship will always bring us home.
Another Colleen Hoover book adaptation has arrived, and this one tells the story of a mother striving to regain her daughter’s love. Actors such as “Outer Banks” Rudy Pankow and Lauren Graham, who played Lorelei Gilmore in “Gilmore Girls”, are much-anticipated actors expected to be in the film. “Reminders of Him” is coming out on March 13.
