Hello, everyone! The year of 2026 is in full swing now and it’s time to look ahead and see what movies are coming out this year.
Whether good, bad, or indifferent, 2025 “at the movies” was an interesting year. The several big surprises, some hidden gems, and some disappointments. Yet, still, it was a good year for cinematic tales. So, with the new year already in progress, here’s a look at my top fifteen most anticipated movies of 2026. So, while there are plenty of movies that I am looking forward in 2026, not all of them are going to fit into this 15-selection list. Thus, without further ado….
#15 – I CAN ONLY IMAGINE 2
Release Date: February 20th, 2026
Trailer: I Can Only Imagine 2 Official Trailer
In 2018, moviegoers were introduced to the story of Bart Millard and his incredible journey of faith and redemption that became the moving sensational song in the movie I Can Only Imagine. Now, eight years later, the story of Bart Millard continues with the follow-up sequel I Can Only Imagine 2. With reprisals from actors John Michael Finley, Trace Adkins, and Dennis Quaid, the movie is posed to be another heartwarming and tear-jerking experience, showcasing a more seasoned Bart as he and his band (MercyMe) reach a crossroads and delve deeper into the power of personal faith and reflection.
#14 – THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU
Release Date: May 22nd, 2026
Trailer: The Mandalorian and Grogu Official Trailer
I see have to finish watching this series as I am currently watched the season two finale. The stories of the expanded Star Wars universe has been continuing to evolve throughout the years, going beyond the original main narrative of the Skywalkers lineage line and introducing new heroes and villains alike. The Mandalorian TV series has showcased a lot what to like about the Star Wars, with plenty of visual cues and nuances from the long-running sci-fi franchise, while also introducing new roster of characters. This upcoming film shows off plenty of large-scale adventures for Din Djarin and Grogu go on and is sure to be a big hit on 2026’s Memorial weekend. I guess all I have to say is….”this is the way!”
#13 – SUPERGIRL
Release Date: June 26th, 2026
Trailer: Supergirl Official Teaser Trailer
Whether you loved it, hated it, and fell somewhere in-between, James Gunn’s new vision for the DCU (DC Cinematic Universe) was the big “center of attention” for superhero movies in 2025, with the first entry in this new franchise (Superman) establishing this iteration of iconic DC superheroes and villains. In 2026, Supergirl, the second film in this new DCU, is set to debut and bringing with a lot of the same type of energy and visual style that 2025’s Superman brought. Focusing on the character of and with Kara Zor-El (played by actress Milly Alcock) and a more outer space adventure, Supergirl does poised to be an interesting take on the young Kryptonian superhero.
#12 – DISCLOSURE DAY
Release Date: June 12th, 2026
Trailer: Disclosure Day Official Teaser Trailer
Steven Spielberg has been a legend in Hollywood for decades, producing some of the most memorable and timeless motion pictures that the industry has ever seeing such as Jurassic Park, E.T., Schindler’s List, and Jaws. In 2026, Spielberg reunites with David Koepp for a new film based on an original idea for a new film (Disclosure Day), which is based on an original idea from Spielberg himself. While full detail plot summary remains elusive, what is known is that it’s going to be a sci-fi film with an A-list ensemble.
#11 – MORTAL KOMBAT II
Release Date: May 15th, 2026
Trailer: Mortal Kombat II Official Trailer
2021’s Mortal Kombat was a very interesting movie, rebranding the classic video game franchise for a whole new moviegoing experience for the modern age. While the debate if the movie was good or not remains elusive, many believe it to be superior to the two original live-actions films. Basically, a step in the right direction. In 2026, the follow-up sequel arises, which was originally scheduled to be released in 2025, with Mortal Kombat, bringing a lot of the same type of energy and style to this next fantasy martial arts chapter. With addition of newcomer character Johnny Cage, who is played by actor Karl Urban, as well as returning players, it will be interesting to see how this new iteration of the iconic video game franchise moves forward and goes “balls to wall” crazy with its fantasy action and bloody violent finishing moves.
#10 – PROJECT HAIL MARY
Release Date: March 20th, 2026
Trailer: Project Hail Mary Official Trailer
In 2015, The Martian, which was based on the book of the same name by author Andy Weir, proved to be an effective hit, with director Ridley Scott taking a simple survivor tale on Mars and becoming a major hit with viewers everywhere. Almost eleven years later and Hollywood comes back to Weir’s literature for another sci-fi cinematic tale with 2026’s Project Hail Mary. With directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the duo behind such big hits like 21 Jump Street, The LEGO Movie, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and actor Ryan Gosling in the lead role, this ambitious sci-fi feature looks to take an interstellar adventure that looks to provide plenty of humor, heart, and visual imagery.
#9 – MOANA
Release Date: July 10th, 2026
Trailer: Moana Official Teaser Trailer
Disney’s live-action reimagines of their beloved animated classics has been “hit or miss” of late, with a lot of the newer entries feeling flat and uninspired, barely holding a “cinematic candle” to their original cartoons iterations. In 2026, Disney goes back to the live-action realm with a bit more of a recent hit of theirs in the live-action adaptation of Moana, based on their 2015 animated hit. While the original film is a strong representation of what Disney stands for (for its past signature style and modernized mantra), this live-action endeavor has a lot to live up to. However, with the film’s trailer looks quite promising, especially with original voice actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson come back to reprise his character role of Maui in this project. Whatever case, this live-action iteration of Moana looks to be quite promising and to “see the line where the sky meets the sea”…..
#8 – THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING
Release Date: November 20th, 2026
Trailer: The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Official Teaser Trailer
In 2026, it’s time to return to Panem and dystopian world of Suzzane Collins’s The Hunger Games. While original four films concluded Katniss and Peeta’s tale and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes showed a younger version of President Snow, the fifth feature film will showcase the 50th Hunger Games event and focus on a young Haymitch Abernathy. Of course, I read the book, so I do know how this story plays out, which makes me more interested in seeing this movie. With a stellar cast and director Francis Lawerenc, who helmed four out of five Hunger Games movie, I’m excited to see how this movie will turn out and will it be faithful to Collins’s book. One thing is for certain….the second Quarter Quell is going to epic to see on the big screen.
#7 – MERCY
Release Date: January 23rd, 2026
Trailer: Mercy Official Trailer 2
The rise of AI technology has been at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Whether such power should be used as a tool is a good or bad thing is still left open for debate. In 2026, such a question is ponder in thee movie Mercy, following LA detective standing on a trial accused of murdering his wife, with 90 minutes to prove his innocence to an AI program that has been labeled judge, jury, and executioner. The premise looks is intriguing and looks to be quite intense as the narrative unfolds. Plus, I do have to admit that I do like Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson as acting talents, so to have them a part of this movie (as the main leads) definitely looks interesting.
#6 – THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE
Release Date: April 3rd, 2026
Trailer: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Trailer
In 2023, The Super Mario Bros. Movie was a commercial success, presenting a full feature animated tale of Nintendo’s mainline character to the big screen and completely washing away the failed live-action attempt made in the 90s from everyone’s mind. Though rushed in some points, it was still a fantastic movie that it all the right notes of kid-friendly vibe and Nintendo nostalgia references. Three years later, Mario and the whole gang are back for another crazy adventure in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. With many returning voice talents (Pratt, Taylor-Joy, Key, Day, and Black) coming back to reprise their character roles as well as newcomers like Brie Larson and Benny Safdie, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is set to be another massive animated hit, showcasing the potential that Nintendo’s mascot character has for another cartoon sequel.
#5 – SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY
Release Date: July 31st, 2026
Trailer: N/A
Tom Holland’s Spider-Man trilogy was a “breath of fresh air” for the Marvel superhero realm, showcasing a more youthful and relatable web slinging hero that goes from small time hero to full fledge superhero. With Spider-Man: No Way Home acting as a way to “reset” this new iteration by closing one saga out, the fourth film featuring Holland’s Peter Parker acts as new chapter within the MCU. With various speculations as to what will happen during this latest entry is still a mystery, but what has been confirmed seems to be quite promising, including Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and Sade Sink (reportedly playing Rachel Summers), Spider-Man: Brand New Day is setting up to be another web slinging adventure for New York’s favorite superhero.
#4 – NARNIA: THE MAGICAN’S NEPHEW
Release Date: November 26th, 2026
Trailer: N/A
C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia is one of the most cherished and beloved children’s fantasy series of all time, telling various characters both good and evil within the magical realm of Narnia from its creation to its ending. There has been several adaptations of the some of the Narnia stories, with Walden Media’s (under Disney and 20th Century Fox studios) showing the capability of live-action blockbusters style. In 2026, the door to Narnia is set to be reopened once more as Netflix and director Greta Gerwig present Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, the first chronological tale in the series. With a plan seven part film series to include all of Lewis’s novels, this first chapter in the series has plenty of hype and anticipation for a new vision of Narnia.
#3 – AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY
Release Date: December 18th, 2026
Trailer: N/A
It’s been quite sometime since there has been an Avengers movie, with Avengers: Endgame being released in 2019. The road in the MCU (post-Avengers: Endgame) has indeed been rocky, with plenty of high moments and low points for this shared cinematic universe. With the decision to rebrand the fourth Avengers film with a new title and new villain, Avengers: Doomsday is gearing up to be titanic superhero blockbuster. With actor Robert Downey Jr. playing the part the film’s main antagonist of Dr. Doom and with so many groups of superhero teams (i.e. The Avengers, The New Avengers, The Fantastic Four, and the X-Men), Avengers: Doomsday is poised to be a highly anticipated superhero film that could bring faith back into Marvel’s expansive universe of heroes, gods, and monsters.
#2 – DUNE: PART THREE
Release Date: December 18th, 2026
Trailer: N/A
While many out there are more excited to return to the MCU for a “Avengers” level event, I am more excited to be able to go back to Arrakis and experience the next chapter in the cinematic Dune saga with the release of Dune: Part Three. Following the two great film adaptations of Dune, director Denis Villeneuve returns back to the helm to direct the new Dune movie, which is the direct sequel to the original Dune novel (Dune: Messiah). With this new film acting as third part of Villeneuve’s Dune trilogy, Dune: Part Three promises a lot of closure and potential setup for possible future Dune movie installments, while I am also excited to see returning players such as Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, and Anya Taylor-Joy and even newcomer Robert Pattinson in a very interesting role. Overall, especially since I already know what’s going to happen in the Dune: Messiah story, I can’t wait to see how Dune: Part Three will play out and what the future holds for Paul / Maud Dib Atreides.
#1 – THE ODYSSEY
Release Date: July 17th, 2026
Trailer: The Odyssey Official Trailer
So what could beat out all of those movies….two words “The Odyssey” or rather “Christopher Nolan”. There is no doubt about it that whenever director Christopher Nolan releases a movie, everyone gets excited. So, after massive success of 2023’s Oppenheimer, Nolan is venturing into the epic fantasy mythology world by adapting the famous Greek Myth by Homer….The Odyssey.
An official synopsis of this movie is as follows: The Odyssey follows Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca, on his long and perilous journey home following the Trojan War, chronicling his encounters with mythical beings such as the Cyclops Polyphemus, sirens, and the witch-goddess Circe, while attempting to reunite with his wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus.
A tale of a harrowing journey home…..that’s what always got me interested in The Odyssey story, seeing all the various creatures and beings that Odysseus encounters on his voyage and how everything plays out. It’s one of the most pinnacle and iconic tales of all Greek mythology. So, to see that all play out on the big screen and being directed by one of the most influential and highly decorated directors of today’s modern filmmakers….
Also, the cast is stacked and sprawling, including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal, John Luguizamo, Charlize Theron, Himesh Patel, Elliot Page and Mia Goth. Yes, both the official teaser trailer for the movie and the six-minute prologue preview shown during Avatar: Fire and Ash was amazing to see and showcase the potential of what the movie’s thematic tone and visual style would be. There is no question that Nolan’s The Odyssey is going to be a bit hit during the summer of 2026, promising a cinematic spectacle epic worthy of Homer mythical saga.
Yes, I know that were some other 2026 movie releases that I didn’t mention on this (i.e., Toy Story 5, The Devil Wears Prada 2, Wuthering Heights, Michael, etc.), but then this list would be way too long. So, what do you guys think? What are some of the movies that you are personally looking forward to seeing in 2026? Let me know….
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