2026's most anticipated movies, from Christopher Nolan to Super Mario
Published in Entertainment News
This year, Christopher Nolan Summer is back.
The Oscar-winning filmmaker is returning, post-"Oppenheimer," with his adaptation of no less than one of the grandest works in the history of humankind, Homer's "The Odyssey," so you can't accuse the guy of not swinging for the fences. And his epic film leads the list of the year's most anticipated movies, and it's good news anytime that list can be led by something other than a superhero film.
Nolan's "Barbenheimer" counterpart, Greta Gerwig, is also back this year, although her "Chronicles of Narnia" film is opening four months after "The Odyssey," so there won't be any "Odyssey of Narnia" co-branding between the two films. No one has any fun anymore.
Elsewhere, there are plenty of heavy hitters on deck over the next 12 months, as Marvel, DC, "Super Mario," "Star Wars," "Dune" and the "Minions" all line up to take their turn at the plate.
Here's a look at some of biggest, most anticipated movies of the next 12 months. (Note: dates, as always, are subject to change.)
1. 'The Odyssey'
Is Christopher Nolan the new king of the world? The Oscar-winner's first movie since "Oppenheimer" is an adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic and it stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Charlize Theron, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Jon Bernthal, Mia Goth and more. Tickets went on sale six months ago, and many showings are already sold out. See you at the movies. (July 17)
2. 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'
Spidey's back, starring in his first stand-alone adventure since "Spider-Man: No Way Home" in 2021, and he's as sure a thing as anything going in the superhero world. Tom Holland returns in the Spidey suit, and Zendaya is back as MJ. (July 31)
3. 'Avengers: Doomsday'
Robert Downey Jr. returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but this time he's turned heel: he's playing Doctor Doom, the villain role, in this latest gathering of the full Marvel lineup, which will act as a temperature check on the current state of the franchise. (Dec. 18)
4. 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie'
Mario, Princess Peach, Toad and the whole gang return in the sequel to the animated 2023 blockbuster, which is based on 2007's "Super Mario Galaxy" for the Nintendo Wii. (April 3)
5. 'Minions 3'
The third stand-alone "Minions" movie, which follows 2022's "Minions: The Rise of Gru," features more action from everybody's favorite little yellow troublemakers, and will hopefully inspire a new wave of Gentleminions trends. (July 1)
6. 'The Mandalorian and Grogu'
The Disney+ "Star Wars" series "The Mandalorian" jumps to the big screen with this adventure, starring Pedro Pascal as the man behind the mask, and Grogu — fka Baby Yoda — as his trusty pal. Jon Favreau directs. (May 22)
7. 'Toy Story 5'
Buzz Lightyear and Woody are back out of the toy box once again in this fifth go-round for Pixar's original animated story, which finds the old-school toys competing for attention with handheld devices. Fun fact: kids who were 10 when the first movie came out are now in their 40s, maybe with 10-year-olds of their own. (June 19)
8. 'Moana'
In the beginning, Disney was remaking titles from its vault as live-action properties to bring them to new audiences. With "Moana," they're remaking a movie that's not even 10 years old. But hey, whatever works! As long as Dwayne Johnson is singing, we're not complaining. (July 10)
9. 'Dune: Part Three'
Timothée Chalamet returns as Paul Atreides in the third chapter of director Denis Villeneuve's space opera, which is based on Frank Herbert's 1969 novel "Dune Messiah." Robert Pattinson joins a cast that already includes Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin and Rebecca Ferguson. (Dec. 18)
10. 'Michael'
The Michael Jackson biopic has seen its share of troubles, and a planned 2025 release was pushed back due to reshoots. Now it appears ready to roll, with Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson playing the King of Pop and Colman Domingo as his domineering father. Antoine Fuqua directs. (April 24)
11. 'Project Hail Mary'
Ryan Gosling gets lost in space in this adaptation of Andy Weir's 2021 novel, which is already garnering awards buzz. "The Lego Movie" team of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller directs. (March 20)
12. 'The Devil Wears Prada 2'
Meryl Streep reprises her role as Miranda Priestly in this follow-up to "The Devil Wears Prada," 20 years after the fact. Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci are all back as well; hopefully the magic is, too. (May 1)
13. 'The Social Reckoning'
What's been up with Facebook since "The Social Network," anything? Haven't heard much about it. Writer-director Aaron Sorkin goes digging for answers in this follow-up to the 2010 hit, this time with "Succession's" Jeremy Strong in the role of Mark Zuckerberg. Jeremy Allen White and Mikey Madison co-star. (Oct. 9)
14. 'Scream 7'
The seventh chapter of this series, which is turning 30 this year, sees the return of several "Scream" OGs, including Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette and, most intriguingly, Matthew Lillard. What the what? Can't wait to find out. (Feb. 27)
15. 'Scary Movie 6'
The first "Scary Movie" since 2013 sees the return of the Wayans — Shawn, Marlon and Keenan Ivory Wayans are all on board as writers — who haven't been involved in the franchise since "Scary Movie 2" in 2001. Surely they'll have no problem finding things to spoof. (June 12)
16. 'Supergirl'
Milly Alcock's Supergirl made an appearance in the closing moments of "Superman," and now she's steering her own vehicle, the second chapter in James Gunn's new take on the DC Universe. Craig Gillespie ("I, Tonya") directs. (June 26)
17. 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping'
The second "Hunger Games" prequel follows 2023's "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" and follows an ensemble cast that includes Elle Fanning, McKenna Grace, Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Maya Hawke and more, as tributes participate in the 50th edition of the annual ritual. (Nov. 20)
18. 'Disclosure Day'
The details of Steven Spielberg's latest are being held close to the chest. What's it about? No one's saying! But billboards began popping up in December promising "all will be disclosed" on June 12. Can they really keep a secret that long? This much we know: Emily Blunt and Josh O'Connor star, and aliens are involved. (June 12)
19. 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew'
"Barbie" writer and director Greta Gerwig returns to take on "The Chronicles of Narnia," starting with "The Magician's Nephew," which was the sixth book in the classic children's series but first in the story's timeline. "Ella McCay's" Emma Mackey stars. (Nov. 26)
20. 'Wuthering Heights'
Brat winter? A Charli xcx soundtrack fuels devilish director Emerald Fennell's ("Promising Young Woman," "Saltburn") take on the 1847 novel, which stars the marquee-ready pairing of Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. (Feb. 13)
Also...
"28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" comes just six months after the last chapter in the apocalyptic franchise (Jan. 16); Bill Skarsgård stars in "Dead Man's Wire," the latest from Gus Van Sant (Jan. 16); Sam Raimi directs Rachel McAdams in the survival thriller "Send Help" (Jan. 30); Maggie Gyllenhaal directs Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale in "The Bride!," a new riff on the "Bride of Frankenstein" tale (March 6); Pixar's "Hoppers" centers on humans controlling lifelike robotic animals with their minds (March 6); the Colleen Hoover Cinematic Universe rolls forward with "Reminders of Him," starring Maika Monroe and "Him's" Tyriq Withers (March 13)...
... Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley and Josh Brolin star in Ridley Scott's post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure "The Dog Stars" (March 27); Nicholas Galitzine is He-Man in "Masters of the Universe" (June 5); Jonah Hill writes, directs and stars in "Cut Off," about two wealthy siblings who are forced to financially fend for themselves (July 17); more Evil Dead in "Evil Dead Burn" (July 24); "It Follows" director David Robert Mitchell takes Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor to "Flowervale Street," a sci-fi thriller set in '80s suburbia (Aug. 14); Lily James gets her Stallone on in "Cliffhanger" (Aug. 28); you guys begged for "Coyote vs. Acme," now's your chance to show how much you really wanted it (Aug. 28); Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return for "Practical Magic 2" (Sept. 18); "Weapons" director Zach Cregger reloads with "Resident Evil" (Sept. 18); Tom Cruise is not Ethan Hunt for the first time in a long time in Alejandro G. Iñárritu's "Digger" (Oct. 2)...
... Jake Gyllenhaal and Phoebe Dynevor star in "Remain," the latest from M. Night Shyamalan (Oct. 23); Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro are still Fockering around in "Focker In-Law" (Nov. 25); "Hexed" is Disney's first all-new, non-sequel animated film since 2023's "Wish" (Nov. 25); Robert Eggers did a "Nosferatu" Christmas in 2024, and this year he's bringing season's greetings with "Werwulf" (Dec. 25).
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