With the new year, resolutions, a new semester, and bad weather upon us, 2026 is also bringing a full roster of movies to keep us entertained. Obviously, I can’t list every movie that is releasing in 2026, so here are seven that are sure to be spectacles — in release order, of course.
“Project Hail Mary” — March 20, 2026
On March 20, “Project Hail Mary” will hit theaters. The movie, adapted from the book by Andy Weir, is a sci-fi comedy centering around a teacher who is sent to space to figure out why all of the stars are dying. If the movie is anything like the book, it will be a great and captivating watch.
“The Mandalorian and Grogu” — May 22, 2026
A couple of months later, “Star Wars” returns on May 22 with its first film since 2019, “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” A continuation of the story told in the Disney+ original “The Mandalorian,” the film promises more of the same adventures and action. This being the first major film for the franchise in a while, the movie needs to be successful in order to support future projects.
“Supergirl” — June 26, 2026
This summer, the DCU returns with its second major film to follow 2025’s “Superman” with “Supergirl” on June 26. The film is marketed as the foil to the former movie, with grittier action and emotional turmoil for the protagonist. If you’re looking for another superhero summer, this movie will deliver.
“The Odyssey” — July 17, 2026
Less than a month later, on July 17, director Christopher Nolan returns with his movie “The Odyssey,” an adaptation of the classic Homer epic. With a stacked cast and IMAX screens selling out a year prior to the movie’s release, the film is a must-see for the summer. Nolan’s movies are historically visually stunning and well-written — “Oppenheimer,” “Interstellar,” and “The Dark Knight” are a few of my personal favorites. If you want a movie that is guaranteed to deliver in just about every way, this is the movie to see.
“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” — November 20, 2026
In November, we reenter the world of Panem with “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.” The movie will cover the fiftieth “Hunger Games,” in which the amount of tributes in the games is doubled in the celebratory Quarter Quell. The movie is an adaptation of the 2025 book by Susanne Collins and promises us more of the despair and brutality that define the dystopian franchise.
“Avengers: Doomsday” — December 18, 2026
A face-off between two major films is set to take place on December 18, when both “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Dune: Part Three” hit theaters. The Marvel film is going to be the first “Avengers” installment since 2019, and with the decline in quality since “Avengers: Endgame,” this movie needs to perform well to cement the future of the Marvel universe.
“Dune: Part Three” — December 18, 2026
“Dune: Part Three” is the third and final installment in the “Dune” trilogy, which released its first installment in 2021 and has seen increasing recognition and success since. The first film in the trilogy made $402 million, and the second made $714 million at the box office, showing that $1 billion is a possibility for this one.
Between “Dune: Part Three” and “Avengers: Doomsday,” “Dune: Part Three” is snagging all the IMAX screens they can, leaving Marvel in the dust. With two major movies releasing on the same day, it begs the question: will one of them be forced to delay their release to ensure success, or will it be a battle at the box office? 2026 is filled to the brim with a variety of movies, and this isn’t even half of them.
2026 will also bring us “Wuthering Heights,” “Scream 7,” “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” “Toy Story 5,” “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” and the live-action “Moana.”There isn’t any shortage of movies to see, and if you want to make some memories this year, take a trip to the theater and settle in with some popcorn!
