Most Anticipated Movies of 2026 (Updated: January 2026)
Though the movie industry feels perpetually up in the air, caught between a rapidly changing production landscape, the growing impact of AI, and the dominance of streaming conglomerates. Still, there’s no shortage of ambitious projects on the horizon to give us some hope for the future of the industry. Here are the most anticipated movies of 2026.
What are the most anticipated movies of 2026?
These are just a few of the ones we’re most excited about. There are also a handful of movies we’ve been eager to see that have technically premiered in the UK or via limited releases in 2025, but remain largely unavailable elsewhere. So though they don’t technically fall under 2026, they’re more available to audiences this coming year. We’re particularly most excited for Pillion and The Testament of Ann Lee.
Dune: Part Three
Maybe the most anticipated movie of 2026, at least in the crossover between sci-fi lovers, indie film fans, and mainstream audiences. Dune is that crossover between audience groups. Directed again by Denis Villeneuve, Dune: Part Three continues the epic adaptation of Frank Herbert’s saga, drawing heavily from the 1969 Dune Messiah. This brings back the stacked cast of Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Florence Pugh, Jason Momoa, and Anya Taylor-Joy. Robert Pattinson also joins the cast.
The Odyssey
If anyone should tackle Homer’s The Odyssey, it’s Christopher Nolan. This is shaping up to be one of his most cinematic experiences to date, combining the mythic scale of Odysseus’ journey home with Nolan’s obsession for immersive, large-format filmmaking. The film — shot on 70mm IMAX film – is expected to lean on practical effects and real-world locations rather than extensive visual effects. Following the success of Oppenheimer, Nolan’s continued partnership with Universal positions The Odyssey as one of the decade’s most significant theatrical events — and Nolan’s most expensive. Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, with Tom Holland as Telemachus, Zendaya as Athena, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Benny Safdie as Agamemnon, Jon Bernthal as Menelaus, and Robert Pattinson as Antinous.
Wuthering Heights
When the trailer dropped, Wuthering Heights sparked some of the most polarizing fan reactions we’ve seen in a while. Who knew Brontë fans were this intense about Heathcliff and Cathy? In any case, that level of discourse can only translate into bigger box office numbers. Whether audiences embrace it or recoil, we’re eager to see what Emerald Fennell’s vision does with the source material. It remains Emily Brontë’s classic tale of obsession, class resentment, and doomed romance, just filtered through a modern lens. Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi star as the star-crossed lovers.
Werwulf
2024 gave us the modern monster masterpiece Nosferatu, and Robert Eggers is already back with another gothic creature feature in Werwulf. Reuniting Eggers with Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Willem Dafoe from Nosferatu, the film shifts its horrors to 13th-century England, where a mysterious creature stalks the countryside. True to Eggers’ sensibilities, the promise here isn’t really the scares, but a historically rooted descent into creepier folklore. We have to wait a while for this one, though, as it’s not set to release until Christmas Day 2026.
Project Hail Mary
Based on the best-selling novel by Andy Weir (author of The Martian), Project Hail Mary follows Ryland Grace, a lone astronaut who wakes up light-years from Earth with no memory. He gradually realizes he may be humanity’s last hope to determine what’s causing the sun to die out. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Project Hail Mary stars Ryan Gosling in the leading role.
Disclosure Day
Produced and directed by Steven Spielberg, Disclosure Day is an upcoming science fiction film starring a packed cast including Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, and Colman Domingo. Though not too much is known about the specifics of the film, it does have some otherworldly elements. Disclosure Day is set to release in June.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
Nia DaCosta, a relatively new name in the industry who is definitely worth keeping tabs on, takes over directing from Danny Boyle in this Alex Garland-written follow-up to 2025’s 28 Years Later. The story picks up when Spike (Alfie Williams) is brought into a cult run by Sir Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell). Meanwhile, Dr. Kelson makes a shocking discovery. The Rage Virus isn’t the most terrifying thing out there anymore.
The Bride!
Jesse Buckley is already circulating as a potential Oscar contender for her recent performance as a grieving mother in Hamnet. But even if that race doesn’t pan out, there may be another awards-season opportunity just around the corner. While Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein was one of our favorite films of 2025, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s feminist take offers something entirely different. In The Bride!, this 1930s-set creature bride romance edges into a kind of monster Bonnie-and-Clyde. Warner Bros. backing such an idiosyncratic vision feels like a bold move for a major studio and is exactly the kind of risk we love to see.
The Drama
After the uncomfortable satire of Sick of Myself and the surreal success of Dream Scenario, Kristoffer Borgli returns with another examination of modern relationships. This one stars Robert Pattinson and Zendaya as an engaged couple whose relationship hits a rocky patch when one learns of the other’s secrets. We’re expecting the ideal mix of cringe comedy and existential dread. This one is set to release in April 2026.
Avengers: Doomsday
We’ve been waiting for this one for a while. While plot details for Avengers: Doomsday remain tightly under wraps, the film is expected to bring together multiple storylines and fan-favorite characters in a battle with stakes that could redefine the MCU. We’re hoping this brings some freshness to a franchise that’s been feeling a bit repetitive lately.
Source: Comingsoon.net