The year 2025 delivered no shortage of massive theatrical moments. Films like Avatar: Fire and Ash reminded audiences that while the post-pandemic box office has shifted, true tentpole movies still have the power to dominate the cultural conversation. As we look ahead to 2026, anticipation is once again building around a slate of films driven by legacy sequels, visionary filmmakers, pop-culture icons and blockbuster spectacle.
From long-awaited follow-ups to bold reinventions, here are the ten most anticipated films of 2026.
10. Michael
A sweeping biographical drama chronicling the rise, genius, and personal turmoil of Michael Jackson, from his early days in the Jackson 5 to becoming one of the most influential artists in history. The film explores fame, family, artistry, and the immense pressure that shaped and fractured a global icon.
We start with Antoine Fuqua’s biographical film Michael. Originally announced for an earlier release, the film is now set to arrive in theaters in April 2026.
Michael follows the life of Michael Jackson, from his early days with the Jackson 5 to his rise as the global icon of the 1980s. The film is directed by Fuqua and written by John Logan, and stars Jafar Jackson—Michael’s nephew and the son of Jermaine Jackson—in his big screen debut.
The supporting cast is extensive. Coleman Domingo and Nia Long portray Joe and Katherine Jackson. Miles Teller plays John Branca, Michael’s longtime entertainment lawyer. The film also depicts figures such as Quincy Jones, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Dick Clark, and Johnny Cochran.
Production wrapped in May 2024, but in early 2025 it was revealed that the third act required reshoots due to legal limitations surrounding the depiction of certain real-life events. Lionsgate later delayed the film into 2026, citing production challenges. It was also announced that the film may be split into two parts due to its length.
Despite the hurdles, anticipation remains extremely high. The teaser trailer released in November shattered Lionsgate records, earning over 30 million views in its first six hours and more than 100 million in 24 hours—surpassing any previous Lionsgate trailer, including musical biopics and concert films.
Audiences are clearly ready to see the King of Pop moonwalk onto the silver screen.
9. The Mandalorian and Grogu
Din Djarin and Grogu leave the outer reaches of the galaxy behind as they face a new threat that could alter the balance of power. Expanding the Star Wars universe on a cinematic scale, the film blends western mythology, found-family themes, and large-scale galactic stakes.
When Disney+ launched, many subscribers signed up specifically to watch a series conceptualized by Jon Favreau that would depict a lone Mandalorian in a space western setting.
The Mandalorian debuted in November 2019 and became an immediate hit. Across three seasons, audiences followed Din Djarin, a bounty hunter operating on the fringes of the galaxy, whose mission leads him to protect a mysterious child—eventually revealed as Grogu.
The series was widely praised, not only for its storytelling, but for its groundbreaking production technology developed by ILM, including large-scale LED environments powered by Unreal Engine, allowing digital worlds to be rendered in real time.
The success of the show led to multiple spin-offs, including The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and Skeleton Crew. In January 2024, it was officially announced that The Mandalorian & Grogu would become a theatrical feature, written by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni—now widely regarded as the modern steward of the Star Wars universe.
Set during the era of the New Republic following the fall of the Galactic Empire, the film follows lingering Imperial warlords threatening the galaxy. Pedro Pascal returns as Mando, joined by Sigourney Weaver and others. The film hits theaters on May 22, 2026.
8. Toy Story 5
Woody, Buzz, and the gang confront a rapidly changing world as new technology reshapes how children play and connect. As the toys struggle to remain relevant, they must once again redefine what it means to belong.
Toy Story changed animation forever. Beginning in 1995, followed by sequels in 1999 and 2010, the franchise delivered one of the most celebrated trilogies in film history. Toy Story 3 was widely praised as a perfect ending, even earning admiration from filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino.
That film grossed over a billion dollars worldwide, making a sequel almost inevitable. Toy Story 4 arrived nine years later in 2019, earning another billion dollars and winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Now, nearly seven years later, Toy Story 5 brings the gang back once again. Tom Hanks returns as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, and Joan Cusack as Jessie. New additions include Conan O’Brien as a character named Smarty Pants. Ernie Hudson takes over the role of Combat Carl following the passing of Carl Weathers in 2024.
The story centers on Bonnie, now eight years old, becoming enamored with a new favorite toy—a tablet named Lillypad—creating a new threat to traditional playtime. Toy Story 5 opens June 19, 2026.
7. Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Following the events that erased his identity from the world, Peter Parker starts fresh — alone, anonymous, and struggling to rebuild his life. With street-level threats rising, Spider-Man returns to his roots, balancing responsibility, isolation, and heroism.
Few superhero events rivaled the anticipation surrounding Spider-Man: No Way Home. Released in 2021, the film delivered multiversal fan service on a massive scale, reuniting Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield, and Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man.
After nearly five years, and a box office haul nearing $2 billion, Spider-Man returns in Brand New Day. This comes after several underwhelming Sony spin-offs, including Madame Web and Morbius, making this film crucial for resetting the franchise’s momentum.
Tom Holland returns alongside Zendaya and Jacob Batalon. New additions include Jon Bernthal as The Punisher and Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026, as part of the MCU’s Phase Six.
6. Disclosure Day
When humanity is confronted with a truth that has been hidden for decades, governments, institutions, and individuals must grapple with the fallout. As fear, wonder, and paranoia spread, the film explores how truth can unite — or shatter — the world.
Steven Spielberg returns to science fiction with Disclosure Day, a film that feels like a spiritual successor to works such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T., and War of the Worlds.
The film stars Emily Blunt as a Kansas City meteorologist, alongside Colin Firth, Coleman Domingo, Wyatt Russell, and others. Spielberg co-wrote the screenplay and receives story credit as well.
Filming began in early 2025, and while the trailers reveal very little, they create a strong sense of mystery and intrigue. Disclosure Day is scheduled for a June 2026 release.
5. The Social Reckoning
A sharp, dialogue-driven drama examining the modern tech industry’s moral collapse, power struggles, and accountability crisis. As scandals unfold, the film dissects how innovation, ambition, and negligence reshaped society.
When discussing the best films of the 21st century, The Social Network frequently appears near the top of the list. Directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin, the 2010 film earned critical acclaim, an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, and a lasting cultural legacy.
Following the 2021 Facebook whistleblower revelations and The Facebook Files, Sorkin announced plans to explore the story further. This time, he will both write and direct The Social Reckoning.
The film stars Jeremy Strong, Mikey Madison, and Jeremy Allen White, with supporting performances from Bill Burr, Betty Gilpin, and others. The film is expected to release in October 2026.
4. The Adventures of Cliff Booth
Set after the events of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, the film follows stuntman Cliff Booth.
Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood remains one of his most debated films—and, in my opinion, his best. While divisive upon release, it has grown in stature, with Brad Pitt winning an Academy Award for his portrayal of Cliff Booth.
In April 2025, it was announced that Tarantino had written a sequel focused on the Cliff Booth character, with David Fincher set to direct. Netflix acquired the script, and production began later that year with a reported $200 million budget.
Brad Pitt returns, joined by Timothy Olyphant, Scott Caan, Holt McCallany, and others. While details remain scarce, the film is expected to release theatrically and on Netflix in 2026.
3. The Odyssey
A cinematic retelling of Homer’s epic poem following Odysseus’ perilous journey home after the Trojan War. Battling gods, monsters, and his own mortality, Odysseus’ story becomes a meditation on survival, identity, and the cost of heroism.
Christopher Nolan has reached a point in his career where the subject matter almost doesn’t matter anymore—you simply want to see what he does next. Since films like The Prestige, Inception, Interstellar, and Dunkirk, Nolan has become a filmmaker whose name alone signals scale, ambition, and an experience meant to be seen on the biggest screen possible.
Following his Academy Award wins for Oppenheimer—including Best Picture and Best Director—Nolan now turns to one of the oldest and most influential stories in Western literature: Homer’s The Odyssey. It’s a bold choice, but one that feels uniquely suited to Nolan’s fascination with time, endurance, morality, and the cost of obsession.
Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, marking another collaboration with Nolan, while the ensemble cast is absolutely massive. The film also stars Tom Holland as Telemachus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, and Mia Goth, just to name a few. It’s the kind of cast list that reads less like a movie credit block and more like an awards-season roll call.
The film is scheduled for release on July 17, 2026, and will be presented in IMAX and 70mm formats—an increasingly rare commitment to theatrical presentation. Given Nolan’s track record, The Odyssey feels poised to be both a major box-office draw and an immediate fixture in the awards conversation.
2. Avengers: Doomsday
The Avengers face their most formidable challenge yet as Doctor Doom emerges with a plan that threatens reality itself. Heroes from across the Marvel universe must unite, confronting past failures and impossible choices to prevent total annihilation.
The first Avengers film since Avengers: Endgame arrives in December 2026, and it’s hard to overstate just how much weight rests on Avengers: Doomsday. This is the fifth Avengers film overall and Marvel Studios’ biggest event since 2019—a moment designed not just to continue the MCU, but to redefine it.
The most surprising and headline-grabbing announcement is the return of Robert Downey Jr.—not as Tony Stark, but as Victor Von Doom, also known as Doctor Doom. It’s a casting decision that immediately sparked debate, excitement, skepticism, and curiosity, all at once. If it works, it could become one of the most audacious pivots in superhero movie history. If it doesn’t, it will be one of the most divisive.
The cast is sprawling, spanning multiple Marvel eras and franchises. Returning Avengers, new MCU faces, and legacy X-Men characters all converge in what appears to be Marvel’s most ambitious crossover yet. It’s not just a sequel—it’s a collision of timelines, tones, and generations of superhero storytelling.
Set for release on December 18, 2026, Avengers: Doomsday is positioned as the ultimate holiday box office juggernaut. Few films will even attempt to compete with it, and fewer still will survive its shadow. Whether you’re fully invested in the MCU or simply curious to see how Marvel plays its biggest hand, this is unavoidable cinema.
1. The Devil Wears Prada 2
Miranda Priestly returns to a fashion industry transformed by social media, influencers, and collapsing print empires. As power shifts and loyalties are tested, the sequel explores ambition, relevance, and control in a rapidly changing media world.
The most anticipated movie of 2026 is a sequel we didn’t even realize we needed—until it was announced. Nearly twenty years after the original, The Devil Wears Prada 2 reunites Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci for a follow-up to one of the most influential pop culture films of the 2000s.
The original The Devil Wears Prada wasn’t just a box office hit—it became a cultural touchstone. Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Miranda Priestly earned her an Academy Award nomination and created one of the most iconic characters in modern film history. Lines, looks, and scenes from the movie have lived on through memes, fashion discourse, and endless rewatchability.
David Frankel returns to direct the sequel, signaling continuity in tone and style, while the cast expands with high-profile additions including Sydney Sweeney, Lady Gaga and Lucy Liu. While plot details remain largely under wraps, the film is expected to explore how the fashion world—and the characters themselves—have evolved in the age of social media, influencers, and shifting power structures.
Set to release on May 1, 2026, The Devil Wears Prada 2 feels perfectly timed. It taps into nostalgia without relying solely on it, and brings back characters audiences genuinely want to revisit. Of all the films on this list, this one may surprise people the most—not just by how good it could be, but by how much it resonates.
This article appears in Private: Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2026.