Top Upcoming Movies of 2026 You Need to Watch! featuring major blockbusters, fresh stories, and the most anticipated releases. Avengers Assemble A bunch of big movies are dropping in 2026, from sequels to brand new franchises. So without wasting any time here’s a look at the best upcoming movies of 2026.
Mutiny January 9th 2026
Lionsgate just dropped the news about Mutiny an action-packed thriller starring and produced by Jason Statham. It’s hitting theaters with no big competition that weekend landing just a week after Universal’s Megan spin-off Soulmate. The movie is directed by Jean Francois Richet the same guy behind Plane. Statham plays Cole Reed a guy who sees his billionaire boss get murdered and then somehow ends up being framed for it. Now he’s on the run trying to clear his name while untangling a major international conspiracy. Annabelle Wallis and Roland Møller are also part of the cast. The script comes from Lindsay Michele and JP Davis and Statham produced the movie with Marc Butan.
28 Years Later the Bone Temple January 16th
28 Years Later the Bone Temple is the next chapter in the 28 Days Later series directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland. It’s a direct sequel to 28 Years Later and marks the fourth film in the franchise. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Cillian Murphy are back in action with filming kicking off in August 2024. By December 2024 Taylor-Johnson confirmed that the movies were filmed back-to-back. The project is a team-up between Columbia Pictures the British Film Institute DNA Films and Sony Pictures Releasing is handling the release.
Mercy January 23rd 2026
Chris Pratt brought some laughs and futuristic energy to Cinecon while hyping up his next movie Mercy. Fresh off The Electric State he hit the stage at Caesar’s Palace in Vegas to promote the Amazon MGM sci-fi thriller directed by Timur Bekmambetov. Set in a near-future world the story centers around an AI-run court system called Mercy that handles capital crimes.
Pratt plays a detective accused of murdering his wife. He actually helped create the system and now he’s got to outsmart it to prove he’s innocent. The footage shown teased high-stakes action and sleek high-tech visuals with Pratt racing against time in a system he once believed in.
He made his entrance in the actual Mercy chair from the film joking about how stiff it was and keeping the crowd entertained with his usual mix of wit and charm. At one point a deep voice told him he wasn’t showing enough emotion prompting him to call Rebecca Ferguson his co-star for tips which got some good laughs. Along with Pratt and Ferguson the cast features Annabelle Wallis Kali Reis Chris Sullivan Kylie Rogers Jef Pierre Rafi Gavron Jamie McBride and Kenneth Choi. With a unique spin on justice and AI and a stacked cast Mercy is shaping up to be a gripping ride.
I Can Only Imagine 2 February 20th 2026
Ariel Kebbel Joshua Bassett Sophie Skelton and Sammy Dell have joined the cast of I Can Only Imagine 2 the sequel to the 2018 hit about MercyMe frontman Bart Millard. Produced by Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company filming starts in April in Nashville. They’ll star alongside Milo Ventimiglia and returning cast members like John Michael Finley Trace Adkins and Dennis Quaid.
Kebbel plays Ventimiglia’s wife Hillary. Bassett is Bart’s brother-in-law. Skelton takes over as Bart’s wife Shannon and Dell makes his film debut as Bart’s son. Directed by Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle the sequel dives deeper into Bart’s faith family and music career aiming to wrap up his story with heart. The original film was a big hit raking over $83 million focusing on Bart’s troubled past and the song that changed his life. The new cast brings fresh energy with Kebbel Bassett Skelton and Dell all having notable credits in TV and film.
The Bride March 6th 2026
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride her Frankenstein-inspired film with Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley is getting a new release date. Originally set for September 26th 2025 the film’s now being moved. While some say it’s due to post-production delays others suggest it’s more of a strategic move to land a prime spring break slot without messing up its awards season potential.
Super Mario Brothers 2 April 3rd 2026
The Super Mario Brothers Movie 2 is officially happening picking up steam after the massive success of the first film. It’s scheduled to drop 3 years after the original and fans have a lot to be excited about. Keegan-Michael Key recently teased that the sequel will be a little broader in scope featuring new characters including some deep-cut fan favorites from Mario lore and even more Easter eggs as the world expands. The core cast is expected to return Chris Pratt as Mario Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach Charlie Day as Luigi Jack Black as Bowser and of course Key as Toad.
Rumor has it that Wario Waluigi Daisy and Rosalina from Super Mario Galaxy could be joining the lineup too. And there’s buzz about new baddies like Bowser Jr and the Koopalings showing up. The first movie’s post-credit scenes already set the stage Bowser’s locked up and a Yoshi egg is spotted in Brooklyn. Pretty clear signs that the beloved dino is on the way and that we might see more of the real world in the sequel.
Masters of the Universe June 5th 2026
He-Man returns to the big screen in this live-action adaptation from Amazon MGM marking the first film entry in the franchise since 1987. Rising star Nicholas Galitzine has been cast as Prince Adam/He-Man with Riverdale alum Camila Mendes playing Teela the captain of the royal guard. The movie is expected to be an origin story retelling the classic narrative of Prince Adam’s transformation into He-Man and his battle against Skeletor. Fans are eager to see Eternia brought to life with modern filmmaking technology and the nostalgia is strong for this beloved 80s franchise.
Toy Story 5 June 19th 2026
While fans thought they bid farewell to Woody and Buzz in 2019’s Toy Story 4 excitement is brewing for Toy Story 5. The original Toy Story released in 1995 was Pixar’s first feature-length film and set a new standard for animation captivating both children and adults with its emotional storytelling. The series has maintained high quality throughout consistently introducing new beloved characters. In Toy Story 4 Woody and Buzz parted ways with Woody starting a new life with Bo Peep and Buzz staying with Bonnie and her toys. Despite the seemingly perfect ending the gang is gearing up for more adventures in the upcoming sequel. Pixar’s chief creative officer Pete Docter announced that veteran director Andrew Stanton who co-wrote the first Toy Story will helm the project.
This suggests that Toy Story 5 aims for that classic Pixar magic. While details on the cast remain sparse Docter confirmed that Buzz and Woody will return suggesting Tom Hanks and Tim Allen will reprise their iconic roles. Each Toy Story film has introduced new characters so fans can expect more exciting additions this time around. One intriguing possibility for the storyline is to revisit Sid the antagonist from the first film as a potential villain in Toy Story 5.
Having discovered that toys are alive Sid’s past trauma could lead to a compelling narrative exploring his character. Although some might see this sequel as a financial move Pixar is known for crafting heartfelt stories. This film could follow Buzz and Bonnie’s toys on a new adventure with Woody making a brief cameo for advice. Alternatively it might feature two parallel stories one focusing on Woody and his lost toys and the other on Bonnie’s crew intersecting in the end.
Shiver July 3rd 2026
Sony’s shark thriller with Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor is making waves again this time with a brand new title and a summer 2026 release date. It was originally called Beneath the Storm but now it’s going by Shiver and is set to hit theaters just in time to join the Independence Day movie rush kind of channeling that old-school Jaws energy.
The movie is directed by Tommy Wirkola. You might know him from Violent Night or Dead Snow and also stars Whitney Peak and Jim Howick. While the plot is still being kept hush-hush word is it’s a tense survival thriller set at sea. And with Dynevor leading it sounds like it could go head-to-head with other big summer flicks like the next Minions movie dropping 2 days before. Shiver is being produced by Adam McKay and Kevin Messick under their Hyperobject Industries label along with Wirkola. D. Scott Lumpkin is also on board as an executive producer.
Thread an Insidious Tale August 21st 2026
The Insidious franchise is officially getting its first spin-off and it’s shaping up to be a wild ride. Thread stars Mandy Moore and Kumail Nanjiani as a married couple who use a spell to go back in time to stop their daughter from dying. Of course in true Insidious fashion things take a dark and supernatural turn when they cross paths with the mysterious realm known as the Further.
James Wan the guy behind both Insidious and The Conjuring hinted that Thread is like a spiritual cousin to those haunted tales. He said it’s similar to how the Warrens’ Haunted Museum could spark multiple stories. Thread taps into that same vibe but with its own twist. The film is being directed and written by Jeremy Slater with horror pros Jason Blum and James Wan producing. Even though not much is confirmed about where Thread fits in the larger Insidious timeline we do know it’ll have strong ties to the Further and possibly feature franchise staple Lin Shaye as Elise Rainier again.
Resident Evil September 18th 2026
The Resident Evil reboot is officially on its way. This new film aims to restart the franchise with a fresh vision that leans heavily into the horror elements fans have long waited to see. It’s being handled by Sony which previously released all the earlier Resident Evil movies and will exist in a completely new continuity. Zack Cregger best known for the 2022 horror hit Barbarian is both directing and co-writing the reboot along Shea Hata. Cregger’s involvement marks a major shift in tone compared to the action-driven Paul W.S. Anderson series.
He promises a more grounded terrifying approach saying the movie will follow one central protagonist from point A to point B as they descend deeper into hell. This indicates a film focused on suspense isolation and survival horror hallmarks of the original games. Casting news is still developing but Austin Abrams known for his role in The Walking Dead is reportedly being considered for a role.
While nothing is confirmed yet his potential casting shows the production is drawing from actors with horror experience. Story details remain tightly guarded. However with nearly 30 years of game lore to draw from the reboot could adapt a classic like the original Resident Evil or possibly even Resident Evil 4 which shifted the series into a more supernatural direction. Cregger has teased that the film will stay true to the spirit of the games focusing on atmosphere and fear over spectacle.
Greta Gerwig’s The Chronicles of Narnia November 26th 2026
Netflix is officially rebooting The Chronicles of Narnia and it’s shaping up to be one of the platform’s biggest projects yet. Acclaimed director Greta Gerwig known for Barbie and Little Women is taking the helm. The reboot marks a fresh attempt to bring C.S. Lewis’s beloved fantasy novels to life. Following earlier adaptations including the 2005 to 2010 Disney Walden Media film trilogy Netflix acquired the rights to all seven books and plans to create multiple films aiming to avoid the missteps of previous versions.
The first film will hit theaters. Yes this will be Netflix’s first ever wide theatrical release with around 1,000 IMAX screens. A month later it will stream on Netflix starting Christmas Day. This dual release strategy indicates Netflix’s confidence in the franchise’s cinematic scale and commercial potential. Casting is still unfolding but two actors are confirmed. Lewis Partridge known from Enola Holmes has joined the project in an undisclosed role though he speculated to play Peter Pevensie.
Emma Mackey who starred in Barbie has reportedly been cast as the White Witch one of the series’ most iconic villains. While not officially confirmed by Netflix her casting seems to be locked in. Big names like Daniel Craig and Meryl Streep are rumored for other roles. Streep is even said to be the front-runner to voice Aslan. As for the story there’s still some mystery. Initially it was expected that the series would start with The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe but actor Jason Isaacs hinted that The Magician’s Nephew a prequel exploring Narnia’s creation might be the starting point. This could be a bold narrative move that builds deeper context before introducing the Pevensie children.
Jumanji 3 December 11th 2026
Jumanji 3 will be released in IMAX and other premium large formats with Dwayne Johnson Karen Gillan Kevin Hart and Jack Black all returning along with director Jake Kasdan who led the previous two films. Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg are writing the script continuing their work from the earlier movies and producers Matt Tolmach Johnson Kasdan Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia are also back.
Producer Hiram Garcia hinted in 2021 that production would start after Johnson’s film Red One set for November 2024 and Kevin Hart confirmed this will be the final Jumanji installment wrapping up his character story with Johnson’s. The first two films were huge hits with the original earning nearly $1 billion worldwide and the sequel bringing in over $800 million.
Avengers Doomsday December 18th 2026
Marvel’s Avengers Doomsday is shaping up to be a total game-changer for the MCU. Revealed at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 the film was originally called Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. But with all the changes surrounding Jonathan Majors Marvel took the story in a bold new direction. The big shock Robert Downey Jr. is back but this time he’s not suiting up as Iron Man. He’s playing Dr. Doom. It’s a wild twist that leans fully into the multiverse storyline Marvel’s been building through projects like Loki.
Downey made a surprise Comic-Con appearance in Doom’s mask clearly having fun with this darker more complex role. The cast is stacked. From the Fantastic Four reboot we’ve got Pedro Pascal Vanessa Kirby Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. The Thunderbolts are also jumping in with Sebastian Stan Florence Pugh and David Harbour returning. And yes a bunch of X-Men legends like Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are expected to pop up too. While plot details are still under wraps the film is rumored to be inspired by Ultimate Comics Doomsday where a multiverse-level threat turns out to be a familiar face gone rogue. The movie will be directed by the Russo brothers and written by Stephen McFeely.
Ice Age 6 December 18th 2026
Ice Age 6 is officially in development marking a major return for the beloved franchise after a long hiatus caused by studio changes and Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox. Originally planned years ago the film was delayed following Blue Sky Studio’s shutdown but fan interest was tested with Disney+ releases like The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild and Scrat Tales.
Now green-lit for theaters in 2026 the core cast including Ray Romano John Leguizamo Denis Leary Queen Latifah and Simon Pegg will return. While the production team features familiar names like producer Lori Forte and directors Mike Thurmeier and Galen Tan Chu though some details remain unconfirmed a teaser hints at the humor and tone with updated animation promising a polished yet faithful continuation aimed at both longtime fans and newcomers.
Shrek 5 December 23rd 2026
Shrek 5 is officially underway. DreamWorks Animation confirmed the release date and the return of the original cast with Mike Myers back as Shrek. Eddie Murphy reprising Donkey and Cameron Diaz returning as Princess Fiona which is exciting since she had stepped away from acting. There’s also a Donkey spin-off in development giving fans more of Murphy’s character. The new Shrek film will introduce fresh characters and storylines focusing on new adventures and exploring family dynamics as Shrek and Fiona’s kids are now older teens.
Dune Messiah December 25th 2026
Denis Villeneuve plans to start shooting Dune 3 this summer with pre-production already in progress and a summer start aimed for depending on actor availability. Following the success of Dune Part Two which grossed over $700 million worldwide and earned best picture Oscar nominations the third film will adapt Frank Herbert’s Dune Messiah concluding Paul Atreides’ story as emperor. The plot explores Paul’s 12-year reign the religious jihad sparked by his rise and his struggle to prevent a grim future. Zendaya’s availability is crucial given her busy schedule. And while filming locations are unconfirmed previous shoots took place in Hungary Jordan and Abu Dhabi.
