Upcoming Movie Releases 2026: The Complete Guide to Every Film Coming Soon
2026 is the strongest box office year since the pandemic-era recovery. The domestic box office generated $1.77 billion in Q1 2026 alone — the highest first-quarter total since 2019.
The release calendar running from May through December includes Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, the Russo Brothers’ Avengers: Doomsday, Pixar’s Toy Story 5, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three, and Greta Gerwig’s Narnia — five of the highest-anticipation titles ever tracked simultaneously on IMDb’s Most Anticipated chart.
This guide organises every confirmed upcoming movie release by month, platform, genre, and audience type.
It covers theatrical wide releases, streaming-first originals, animated features, franchise continuations, prestige drama, and international cinema.
Sections are structured so readers can navigate directly to a specific month, genre, platform, or audience type without reading sequentially.
Table of Contents
What’s in Theaters Right Now — April and May 2026 Upcoming Movie Releases
These are available now or within the next 30 days. Advance tickets for several May titles are available via Fandango and AMC Theatres.
New in Theaters — April 2026
The Mummy, directed by Lee Cronin, opens Thursday, April 17, 2026. Cronin’s previous feature was Evil Dead Rise (Warner Bros., 2023), which grossed $146 million worldwide on a $19 million budget.
This production is a Universal Monsters reboot under a separate continuity from the 1999 Brendan Fraser series. No streaming date has been announced; the release is theatrical-exclusive at launch.
Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua, opens Thursday, April 24, 2026, distributed by Lionsgate. The Michael Jackson biographical film is produced in partnership with the Jackson estate. Jaafar Jackson portrays his father.
Fuqua’s previous work includes Training Day (2001) and Emancipation (2022).
Normal premieres Friday, April 24, 2026, exclusively on Netflix. It does not receive a theatrical window.
| Title | Release Date | Director | Platform | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Mummy | Thursday, April 17, 2026 | Lee Cronin | Theaters | Horror / Action |
| Michael | Thursday, April 24, 2026 | Antoine Fuqua | Theaters (Lionsgate) | Biopic / Drama |
| Normal | Friday, April 24, 2026 | TBC | Netflix | Drama |
What movies are coming out in April 2026? The two major April 2026 theatrical releases are The Mummy (Thursday, April 17, directed by Lee Cronin) and the Michael Jackson biopic Michael (Thursday, April 24, directed by Antoine Fuqua, distributed by Lionsgate). Normal premieres on Netflix on Friday, April 24.
Movies Opening in May 2026
Mortal Kombat II opens Friday, May 8, 2026, from Warner Bros. It is the sequel to Mortal Kombat (2021), which grossed $83 million theatrically during a simultaneous HBO Max release — a suppressed figure by industry consensus given the day-and-date model. This release is theatrical-exclusive.
Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft — The Tour (Live in 3D) opens Friday, May 8, 2026. This is a concert film in 3D format, not a narrative feature.
The Sheep Detectives opens Friday, May 8, 2026, at Angel Studios. Angel Studios’ previous theatrical releases include Sound of Freedom (2023, $249 million worldwide) and Cabrini (2024).
Animal Farm opens Friday, May 1, 2026. This is an animated adaptation of George Orwell’s 1945 political novella. It is not a children’s film. The source material depicts political violence, authoritarian manipulation, and the death of sympathetic characters. Most appropriate for viewers aged 13 and older.
Backrooms opens Thursday, May 29, 2026, from A24. A24’s recent theatrical track record includes Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022, $69 million), Midsommar (2019), and Hereditary (2018). Specific plot details for Backrooms have not been publicly released.
| Title | Release Date | Genre | Platform | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Farm | Friday, May 1, 2026 | Animated / Drama | Theaters | Orwell adaptation; ages 13+ |
| Mortal Kombat II | Friday, May 8, 2026 | Action | Theaters (Warner Bros.) | Theatrical-exclusive |
| Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft | Friday, May 8, 2026 | Concert Film | Theaters | 3D format |
| The Sheep Detectives | Friday, May 8, 2026 | Family / Animation | Theaters | Angel Studios |
| Backrooms | Thursday, May 29, 2026 | Horror | Theaters (A24) | A24 confirmed |
The Full 2026 Movie Release Calendar — Most Anticipated Upcoming Films by Month
The films below represent the confirmed 2026 theatrical and streaming slate from June through December.
Each entry includes the director, primary cast, genre, platform, confirmed release date, and production context.
Dates are sourced from official studio, distributor, and streaming platform pages as of Monday, April 13, 2026.
June 2026 Movie Releases
Toy Story 5 — Friday, June 19, 2026
Director: McKenna Harris and Andrew Stanton | Cast: Tom Hanks, Keanu Reeves, Bonnie Hunt | Genre: Animation, Family | Platform: Theaters (Pixar / Disney) | Expected Rating: G or PG | Source: Pixar Animation Studios official page
Toy Story 5 is Pixar’s most commercially anticipated release since Incredibles 2 (2018, $1.24 billion worldwide). The original Toy Story (1995) was the first fully computer-animated theatrical feature film. Andrew Stanton co-directs — his previous Pixar credits as director include WALL-E (2008, $521 million worldwide) and Finding Nemo (2003, $940 million worldwide). McKenna Harris co-directs in her feature directorial debut for the studio. Tom Hanks returns as Woody. Keanu Reeves joins the cast in an undisclosed role.
Disney+ streaming: no date announced. Under Disney’s standard minimum theatrical window policy of 45 days, the estimated earliest streaming debut is approximately early August 2026.
Supergirl — June 2026
Cast: Milly Alcock | Genre: Superhero | Platform: Theaters (Warner Bros. / DCU) | Source: Warner Bros. official page (month confirmed; specific date not listed as of Monday, April 13, 2026)
Supergirl is the second film released under James Gunn and Peter Safran’s restructured DC Universe, following Superman (2025). Milly Alcock, known for House of the Dragon (HBO), portrays Kara Zor-El. This is the first live-action depiction of Gotham City within the new DCU continuity. The DCU’s Superman received a Rotten Tomatoes critics score of 91% on current tracking, which is the primary confidence signal for the 2026 DCU slate.
Disclosure Day — Thursday, June 12, 2026
Director: Steven Spielberg | Cast: Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor | Screenplay: David Koepp | Genre: Sci-Fi | Platform: Theaters
Spielberg’s return to science fiction is the most significant directorial event of the summer in terms of filmmaker pedigree. His prior sci-fi films include Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982, $792 million worldwide), and War of the Worlds (2005, $591 million worldwide). Screenwriter David Koepp has collaborated with Spielberg on Jurassic Park (1993), The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), and War of the Worlds (2005). Budget and distributor details have not been publicly disclosed.
July 2026 Movie Releases
The Odyssey — Friday, July 17, 2026
Director: Christopher Nolan | Cast: Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya | Genre: Epic Drama | Production Budget: $250 million | Format: IMAX 70mm and standard theatrical | Platform: Theaters (Universal Pictures) | Source: Universal Pictures official site
The Odyssey is the highest-anticipated upcoming film of 2026 according to IMDb’s Most Anticipated tracker as of April 2026. The film adapts Homer’s epic poem — estimated composition between the 8th and 7th centuries BCE — with a $250 million production budget, the largest of Nolan’s career. His previous film, Oppenheimer (2023), grossed $952 million worldwide and won 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director at the 96th Academy Awards. The IMAX 70mm format is confirmed. Nolan used IMAX 70mm cameras for sequences in The Dark Knight (2008), Dunkirk (2017), and Oppenheimer (2023).
The Nolan vs. Villeneuve director comparison is among the most sustained discussions in film communities in 2026. Both directors are releasing major IMAX epics in the same calendar year — The Odyssey in July and Dune: Part Three in December.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day — Friday, July 31, 2026
Genre: Superhero | Platform: Theaters (MCU, Sony / Disney) | Director: TBC | Phase: MCU Phase 6 | Source: Marvel official movie page
Spider-Man: Brand New Day opens Friday, July 31, 2026, confirmed on Marvel’s official page. It is the fourth live-action MCU Spider-Man film. A director has not been confirmed as of Monday, April 13, 2026. The title references the “Brand New Day” comic arc written by Dan Slott beginning in The Amazing Spider-Man #546 (2008), which reset Peter Parker’s civilian life following the “One More Day” storyline. The prior film, Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), grossed $1.9 billion worldwide.
Moana — Friday, July 10, 2026
Director: Thomas Kail | Cast: Catherine Laga’aia, Dwayne Johnson | Genre: Adventure, Musical | Platform: Theaters (Disney) | Source: Disney Movies official page
The live-action remake replaces Auli’i Cravalho with Catherine Laga’aia in the title role. Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui. Thomas Kail directed the filmed Broadway production of Hamilton (Disney+, 2020) but has no prior theatrical feature film credits. The original animated Moana (2016) grossed $643 million worldwide. Disney’s live-action remake results have ranged from The Lion King (2019, $1.65 billion) to Dumbo (2019, $353 million).
Minions & Monsters — Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Director: Pierre Coffin | Genre: Animation, Comedy | Platform: Theaters (Universal / Illumination)
Pierre Coffin has directed all four Minions-universe films. The Illumination franchise has generated over $4.6 billion cumulatively across the Despicable Me series. Specific plot details for this crossover project have not been confirmed by Universal.
August 2026 Movie Releases
Coyote vs. Acme — Friday, August 28, 2026
Genre: Comedy / Live-Action and Animation Hybrid | Platform: Theaters (Warner Bros.)
Coyote vs. Acme has the most documented pre-release production history of any 2026 title. Warner Bros. Discovery completed the film in 2023 and wrote it off as a tax asset — a decision that generated negative media coverage, industry commentary on streaming-era content destruction practices, and a congressional inquiry. The film was subsequently rescued and scheduled for theatrical release. Community investment is driven primarily by the controversy surrounding its near-cancellation. The film’s premise involves Wile E. Coyote suing the Acme Corporation.
The Dog Stars — Friday, August 28, 2026
Director: Ridley Scott | Genre: Drama | Platform: Theaters (Disney) | Source: Disney official 2026 release roundup; Peter Heller’s novel The Dog Stars (2012)
Confirmed for Friday, August 28, 2026, on Disney’s official release roundup. Scott’s recent output includes Napoleon (2023, $220 million worldwide) and Alien: Romulus (2024, which he produced, $351 million worldwide). The source novel is Peter Heller’s post-apocalyptic story set in Colorado following a flu pandemic that kills most of humanity. Cast details have not been confirmed as of Monday, April 13, 2026.
The Magic Faraway Tree — Thursday, August 21, 2026
Genre: Fantasy, Family | Source: Enid Blyton, The Magic Faraway Tree (1943) | Platform: Theaters
Enid Blyton’s Magic Faraway Tree series is among the most widely read children’s book franchises in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Commonwealth countries, with over 10 million copies sold. The film targets a family audience internationally, with particularly strong relevance to British, Australian, and South African markets, where the books carry a multi-generational readership. The director and cast have not been confirmed.
September and October 2026 Movie Releases
Resident Evil — Friday, September 18, 2026
Production: Capcom / Sony | Genre: Horror, Action | Platform: Theaters (Sony Pictures) | Source: Sony official FY25 supplemental information
Sony’s official financial documentation lists the theatrical release date as Friday, September 18, 2026. The Resident Evil franchise has sold 140+ million units across gaming platforms since the original Capcom release in 1996. This production is a separate continuity from the Paul W.S. Anderson six-film series (2002–2016, $1.23 billion total worldwide) and from the 2021 Constantin Film reboot. The Game Awards 2025 trailer is the primary source of community anticipation for this title.
Street Fighter — October 2026
Director: Kitao Sakurai | Cast: Noah Centineo, Jason Momoa, 50 Cent | Genre: Action | Platform: Theaters
Kitao Sakurai directed Bad Trip (Netflix, 2021). The Street Fighter franchise dates to the original Capcom arcade release in 1987 and has generated two prior film adaptations — Street Fighter (1994, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, $99 million worldwide) and Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009, $12.8 million worldwide). Community discussion centers on the game-accurate visual aesthetic visible in promotional materials, which distinguishes this production from both prior adaptations. A specific October date has not been confirmed as of Monday, April 13, 2026.
Digger — Friday, October 2, 2026
Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu | Cast: Tom Cruise | Genre: Dark Comedy | Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Iñárritu has won the Academy Award for Best Director twice — for Birdman (2014) and The Revenant (2015), making him one of three directors to win the award in consecutive years. Tom Cruise’s previous non-action dramatic feature was Magnolia (1999, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson). His final Mission: Impossible appearance was Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning (2025). Digger is described in Paramount’s official communications as “a comedy of catastrophic proportions.”
Clayface — Friday, October 23, 2026
Director: James Mangold | Genre: Superhero / Horror | Platform: Theaters (Warner Bros. / DCU) | Source: Rotten Tomatoes confirmed date
James Mangold directed Logan (2017, $619 million worldwide) and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023). Clayface features the first live-action depiction of Gotham City within the new DCU continuity. The film is confirmed as part of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU slate.
November 2026 Movie Releases
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping — November 2026
Genre: Action, Dystopian | Source: Suzanne Collins, Sunrise on the Reaping (2025) | Platform: Theaters (Lionsgate)
The source novel, published in March 2025, focuses on Haymitch Abernathy during the 50th Hunger Games — the Second Quarter Quell depicted in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013). This is the third Hunger Games theatrical prequel, following The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023, $337 million worldwide). Cast and director have not been officially confirmed as of Monday, April 13, 2026. The most frequently asked question for this title is whether it will receive a PG-13 or R rating; no rating has been submitted to the MPAA.
The Cat in the Hat — Friday, November 6, 2026
Production: Warner Bros. Animation | Genre: Animation, Family, Comedy | Platform: Theaters (Warner Bros.) | Source: Warner Bros. official page
An animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s 1957 picture book, produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It is not connected to the 2003 Universal Pictures live-action film starring Mike Myers, which grossed $134 million worldwide. The animation style is distinct from prior Seuss adaptations, including the Blue Sky Studios The Lorax (2012) and The Grinch (2018, $511 million worldwide).
December 2026 Movie Releases
Friday, December 18, 2026, is the most concentrated single release date in modern box office history by anticipated gross.
Three major studio films open on the same day: Avengers: Doomsday, Dune: Part Three, and — depending on how the IMAX window is structured — potentially Narnia.
No comparable multi-tentpole collision has occurred since December 18, 2015, when Star Wars: The Force Awakens opened alone to $248 million domestically in its first weekend.
Avengers: Doomsday — Friday, December 18, 2026
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo | Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Vanessa Kirby, Florence Pugh, Paul Rudd, Sebastian Stan, Letitia Wright (ensemble) | Genre: Superhero, Action, Sci-Fi | Platform: Theaters (Marvel Studios / Disney) | Source: Marvel official movie page
Avengers: Doomsday is the centerpiece of MCU Phase 6. The Russo Brothers directed Avengers: Infinity War (2018, $2.05 billion worldwide) and Avengers: Endgame (2019, $2.798 billion worldwide) — the second and first highest-grossing films ever released at the time of their respective launches. Robert Downey Jr. returns to the MCU in a new role; the specific character has not been officially confirmed, though community consensus based on production reporting points to Doctor Doom.
The MCU’s average per-film worldwide gross declined from $997 million (Phase 3, 2016–2019) to $448 million (2022–2024 releases). Avengers: Doomsday is the primary scheduled reset point for that trajectory. Anthony Mackie leads the ensemble as Sam Wilson / Captain America, a role transition established in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Disney+, 2021).
Dune: Part Three — Friday, December 18, 2026
Director: Denis Villeneuve | Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya | Genre: Sci-Fi, Epic | Source: Frank Herbert, Children of Dune (1976) | Platform: Theaters (Warner Bros. / Legendary) | Source: Warner Bros. official page
Dune: Part Three opens Friday, December 18, 2026 — the same date as Avengers: Doomsday. Whether both studio release dates hold through December is among the most-watched scheduling decisions remaining in 2026. Dune: Part Two (2024) grossed $711 million worldwide on a $190 million production budget.
Villeneuve has stated publicly that Part Three will be his final Dune film. The film adapts Children of Dune, the third book in Herbert’s series, which follows Paul Atreides’ transformation and the political consequences of his rule on Arrakis.
Narnia — IMAX Theatrical November 2026 / Netflix Streaming December 2026
Director: Greta Gerwig | Genre: Fantasy, Adventure | Source: C.S. Lewis | Platform: IMAX (November 2026), Netflix (December 2026) | Source: Netflix official Tudum page
Netflix’s official Tudum page confirms Narnia will debut in IMAX in November 2026, then stream on Netflix in December 2026. Greta Gerwig directs. Her previous films include Barbie (2023, $1.44 billion worldwide — the highest-grossing film ever directed by a woman) and Little Women (2019, $218 million worldwide).
The theatrical-to-Netflix hybrid distribution model is one of the most closely watched release experiments of 2026: a filmmaker coming off the highest-grossing female-directed film in history, adapting one of the most widely read fantasy series in literary history, on a distribution path designed to convert theatrical IMAX audiences into Netflix subscribers within weeks.
Specific casting has not been officially confirmed as of Monday, April 13, 2026. Netflix refers to the film as Narnia on its official page.
Jumanji 3 — December 2026
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy | Platform: Theaters (Sony) | Specific Date: TBC
The third film in the rebooted Jumanji series, following Welcome to the Jungle (2017, $962 million worldwide) and The Next Level (2019, $800 million worldwide). Cast and director have not been confirmed as of Monday, April 13, 2026.
The Angry Birds Movie 3 — Wednesday, December 23, 2026
Genre: Animation, Comedy | Platform: Theaters (Sony Pictures Animation)
Occupies the family animation holiday release slot, five days after the December 18 tentpole cluster. The Angry Birds film franchise is based on Rovio Entertainment’s mobile game, which has generated over 5 billion downloads since 2009. The prior films grossed $352 million (2016) and $153 million (2019) worldwide.
Upcoming Movie Releases by Genre
The following tables organise confirmed 2026 releases by genre with production context and platform information.
Upcoming Superhero and Action Movies 2026
| Title | Release Date | Studio | Universe | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mortal Kombat II | Friday, May 8, 2026 | Warner Bros. | Standalone | TBC |
| Supergirl | June 2026 | Warner Bros. / DCU | DCU | TBC |
| Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Friday, July 31, 2026 | Sony / Disney | MCU Phase 6 | TBC |
| Street Fighter | October 2026 | Capcom / Legendary | Standalone | Kitao Sakurai |
| Clayface | Friday, October 23, 2026 | Warner Bros. / DCU | DCU | James Mangold |
| Avengers: Doomsday | Friday, December 18, 2026 | Marvel / Disney | MCU Phase 6 | Russo Brothers |
The DCU and MCU are both releasing multiple films in 2026. The DCU’s Superman (2025) established the new continuity. Supergirl and Clayface both operate within that continuity and feature the first live-action depictions of Gotham City within the Gunn/Safran DCU.
Upcoming Horror and Thriller Movies 2026
Horror is consistently the highest return-on-investment genre in theatrical exhibition. A24, historically the most profitable independent studio on a per-film basis, has Backrooms confirmed for May 29.
| Title | Release Date | Distributor | Subgenre |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Mummy | Thursday, April 17, 2026 | Universal | Action Horror |
| Backrooms | Thursday, May 29, 2026 | A24 | Horror |
| Resident Evil | Friday, September 18, 2026 | Sony | Action Horror |
Additional horror titles — including Ready or Not 2 and A24/Neon’s Hokum — are in the 2026 pipeline without confirmed dates as of Monday, April 13, 2026.
Upcoming Animated and Family Movies 2026
The 2026 animated theatrical slate is the largest since 2019. Eight confirmed animated or animation-hybrid theatrical releases span May through December.
| Title | Release Date | Studio | Expected Rating | Age Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Farm | Friday, May 1, 2026 | TBC | TBC | Ages 13+ |
| The Sheep Detectives | Friday, May 8, 2026 | Angel Studios | TBC | All ages |
| Toy Story 5 | Friday, June 19, 2026 | Pixar / Disney | Expected G/PG | All ages |
| Minions & Monsters | Wednesday, July 1, 2026 | Illumination / Universal | Expected PG | All ages |
| Coyote vs. Acme | Friday, August 28, 2026 | Warner Bros. | TBC | All ages |
| The Cat in the Hat | Friday, November 6, 2026 | Warner Bros. Animation | TBC | All ages |
| The Angry Birds Movie 3 | Wednesday, December 23, 2026 | Sony Pictures Animation | Expected PG | All ages |
Animal Farm is included in this table because it is animated, but it is not a children’s film. The source material involves authoritarian violence and the killing of sympathetic characters. Animal Farm is not listed in the family section of this guide.
Upcoming Sci-Fi and Epic Films 2026
| Title | Release Date | Director | Format | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disclosure Day | Thursday, June 12, 2026 | Steven Spielberg | Standard | Undisclosed |
| The Odyssey | Friday, July 17, 2026 | Christopher Nolan | IMAX 70mm | $250 million |
| Dune: Part Three | Friday, December 18, 2026 | Denis Villeneuve | IMAX / standard | TBC |
Upcoming Drama, Biopic, and Awards Contenders 2026
The Oscars ceremony for the 2026 release year — the 99th Academy Awards — is scheduled for spring 2027. The following titles are the primary early-stage awards conversation entries based on director pedigree and source material.
| Title | Release Date | Director | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael | Thursday, April 24, 2026 | Antoine Fuqua | Michael Jackson |
| Digger | Friday, October 2, 2026 | Alejandro G. Iñárritu | Original screenplay |
| The Social Reckoning | 2026 TBC | Aaron Sorkin | Mark Zuckerberg / Meta |
| Wuthering Heights | Thursday, February 13, 2026 (released) | Emerald Fennell | Brontë adaptation |
Upcoming Movies on Streaming Platforms — Netflix, Disney+, and Max
The following section organises streaming-first upcoming releases alongside confirmed theatrical windows and estimated streaming arrival dates.
Theatrical vs. Streaming — Which 2026 Films Justify the Cinema Ticket?
The following framework is based on confirmed format specifications, not subjective quality assessments. The relevant distinction is whether the theatrical format delivers an experience that home playback cannot replicate.
| Film | Format | Theater Recommendation | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Odyssey | IMAX 70mm | See in IMAX | Shot natively in IMAX 70mm; aspect ratio expands in IMAX theaters to 1.43:1 vs. 1.78:1 on standard screens |
| Avengers: Doomsday | IMAX Digital | See in IMAX | Large-ensemble action designed for the expanded IMAX aspect ratio |
| Dune: Part Three | IMAX / standard | See in IMAX | Dune: Part Two was shot with IMAX cameras throughout; the same format is expected for Part Three |
| Narnia | IMAX | See in IMAX | Netflix’s distribution strategy uses IMAX as the theatrical differentiator |
| Disclosure Day | Standard | See in theaters | Spielberg practical-effects production; theatrical premiere intended |
| Toy Story 5 | Standard | Either | No format advantage; Pixar content is accessible at equivalent quality on a home display |
| Michael | Standard | Either | No format-specific advantage; biopic genre |
| Animal Farm | Standard animation | Stream acceptable | No IMAX or large-format component |
| The Cat in the Hat | Standard animation | Stream acceptable | Family animation; no format advantage |
| Backrooms (A24) | Standard | See in theaters | A24 horror films are designed for theatrical communal viewing; the experience differs materially from solo home viewing |
“Stream acceptable” does not indicate a lower-quality production. It indicates that the format of the theatrical presentation offers no measurable advantage over a home display capable of 4K HDR playback.
Upcoming Netflix Original Movies 2026
Apex (Charlize Theron) premieres Thursday, April 24, 2026, exclusively on Netflix. Normal premieres the same day. Netflix’s current model for major productions involves limited theatrical windows for select titles; none of the confirmed Netflix originals in the current Q2 2026 slate are distributed under a wide theatrical release model equivalent to a major studio release — with the exception of Narnia, which uses IMAX theaters as its theatrical platform before streaming in December.
Upcoming Disney+ and Theatrical Disney Releases 2026
| Title | Theatrical Date | Estimated Disney+ Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toy Story 5 | Friday, June 19, 2026 | ~Early August 2026 | 45-day minimum window per Disney policy |
| Moana (Live-Action) | Friday, July 10, 2026 | ~Late August 2026 | Standard Disney window expected |
| The Mandalorian & Grogu | Friday, May 22, 2026 | TBC | First Star Wars film continuing a Disney+ series directly |
The Mandalorian & Grogu (Friday, May 22, 2026) is structurally the first Star Wars theatrical film designed as a direct continuation of a Disney+ streaming series. Its box office performance is among the most closely watched metrics of 2026 — it tests whether Disney+ audiences convert to theatrical attendance for franchise content they have already followed on streaming.
Upcoming Max and Warner Bros. Releases 2026
| Title | Theatrical Date | Max Streaming | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortal Kombat II | Friday, May 8, 2026 | ~45 days post-theatrical | WB standard window |
| Supergirl | June 2026 | ~45 days post-theatrical | DCU; Gotham City debut |
| Coyote vs. Acme | Friday, August 28, 2026 | TBC | Previously shelved; theatrical-first release |
| Clayface | Friday, October 23, 2026 | TBC | DCU; James Mangold directing |
| The Cat in the Hat | Friday, November 6, 2026 | TBC | Warner Bros. Animation |
| Dune: Part Three | Friday, December 18, 2026 | TBC | Warner Bros. / Legendary |
Upcoming TV Series and Streaming Shows in 2026
The 2026 television slate is the most concentrated single year of major prestige series returns since 2019. The following confirmed series are the most tracked titles in the streaming and TV segment.
Most Anticipated TV Series Premiering in 2026
Euphoria Season 3 premieres Sunday, April 12, 2026, on HBO Max. The series returns after a four-year production hiatus following Season 2 in January 2022. Euphoria is HBO’s second-most-watched series in the network’s history, behind Game of Thrones, according to HBO’s own viewership data.
Harry Potter Season 1 premieres Thursday, December 25, 2026, on HBO Max. HBO’s adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s seven-book series is the network’s largest announced production since Game of Thrones. The Warner Bros. film series (2001–2011) grossed $7.7 billion worldwide across eight films. Community sentiment is divided between anticipation for the new adaptation and skepticism about recasting roles that were portrayed by the same actors across a decade of films.
The Boys Season 5 — Final Season premieres Wednesday, April 8, 2026, on Prime Video. Showrunner Eric Kripke confirmed Season 5 as the final season. The Boys has been the most-watched Prime Video original series in multiple international markets.
Hacks Season 5 — Final Season premieres Thursday, April 9, 2026, on HBO Max. The series has won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series.
New Netflix Series in 2026
| Series | Premiere Date | Genre |
|---|---|---|
| Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 | Thursday, April 23, 2026 | Animated / Sci-Fi |
| Devil May Cry Season 2 | Monday, May 12, 2026 | Animated / Action |
| Lord of the Flies Season 1 | Sunday, May 4, 2026 | Drama / Thriller |
| Sweet Magnolias Season 5 | Thursday, June 11, 2026 | Drama / Romance |
| Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 | Thursday, June 25, 2026 | Fantasy / Animation |
| LEGO ONE PIECE | Monday, September 29, 2026 | Animation / Family |
| Lupin Season 4 | Fall 2026 TBC | Thriller |
| 3 Body Problem Season 2 | 2026 TBC | Sci-Fi |
| A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms | 2026 TBC | Fantasy / Drama |
New HBO Max and Prime Video Series in 2026
| Series | Premiere Date | Platform | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Boys Season 5 | Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | Prime Video | Action / Satire |
| Hacks Season 5 | Thursday, April 9, 2026 | HBO Max | Comedy / Drama |
| Euphoria Season 3 | Sunday, April 12, 2026 | HBO Max | Drama |
| Spider-Noir | Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | Prime Video | Action / Noir |
| House of the Dragon Season 3 | June 2026 TBC | HBO | Fantasy / Drama |
| Elle (Legally Blonde Prequel) | Wednesday, July 1, 2026 | Prime Video | Comedy / Drama |
| Lanterns (Green Lantern Series) | August 2026 TBC | HBO Max | Superhero |
| Harry Potter Season 1 | Thursday, December 25, 2026 | HBO Max | Fantasy / Drama |
Upcoming Marvel Movies — MCU Phase 6 Release Schedule
The MCU Phase 6 slate is the most tracked franchise calendar in the upcoming movie releases space.
Every Confirmed MCU Film in 2026
| Title | Date | Director | MCU Phase | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Friday, July 31, 2026 | TBC | Phase 6 | Fourth MCU Spider-Man film |
| Avengers: Doomsday | Friday, December 18, 2026 | Anthony and Joe Russo | Phase 6 | Robert Downey Jr. returns in new role |
The franchise fatigue data is measurable. MCU films released between 2022 and 2024 averaged $448 million worldwide per film. Phase 3 films (2016–2019) averaged $997 million worldwide per film. Avengers: Doomsday — with the Russo Brothers returning and Robert Downey Jr. back in the MCU for the first time since Endgame — is the primary scheduled inflection point for that trend.
Upcoming DCU Films in 2026
| Title | Release Date | Director | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supergirl | June 2026 | TBC | Milly Alcock; first DCU Gotham depiction |
| Clayface | Friday, October 23, 2026 | James Mangold | First live-action Clayface |
Both films operate within the James Gunn / Peter Safran DCU continuity established by Superman (2025). Clayface marks James Mangold’s entry into superhero filmmaking — his previous work includes Logan (2017), which is widely cited as the benchmark for mature superhero storytelling within a shared universe.
Upcoming Movies Based on Books, Video Games, and True Stories
Book readers, gamers, and documentary audiences each search for upcoming adaptations independently of general movie release queries. The following sections address each category separately.
Upcoming Book-to-Movie Adaptations 2026
| Film | Source Material | Author | Release Date | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wuthering Heights | Wuthering Heights (1847) | Emily Brontë | Thursday, February 13, 2026 (released) | Emerald Fennell |
| Animal Farm | Animal Farm (1945) | George Orwell | Friday, May 1, 2026 | TBC |
| The Magic Faraway Tree | The Magic Faraway Tree (1943) | Enid Blyton | Thursday, August 21, 2026 | TBC |
| The Dog Stars | The Dog Stars (2012) | Peter Heller | Friday, August 28, 2026 | Ridley Scott |
| The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping | Sunrise on the Reaping (2025) | Suzanne Collins | November 2026 | TBC |
| Narnia | The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950) | C.S. Lewis | IMAX: Nov 2026 / Netflix: Dec 2026 | Greta Gerwig |
Wuthering Heights (directed by Emerald Fennell, starring Margot Robbie as Catherine and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff) has already had its theatrical release as of Monday, April 13, 2026.
Sunrise on the Reaping was published in March 2025 — the shortest gap between a source novel’s publication and a confirmed theatrical adaptation announcement in the Hunger Games franchise.
Upcoming Video Game Movie Adaptations 2026
2026 is the fourth consecutive year in which major studios have greenlit video game theatrical adaptations, following the commercial success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023, $1.36 billion worldwide) — the highest-grossing video game film adaptation in history.
| Film | Release Date | Distributor | Source Game | Prior Film Adaptations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mortal Kombat II | Friday, May 8, 2026 | Warner Bros. | Mortal Kombat (1992, Midway) | Mortal Kombat (2021, $83M) |
| Resident Evil | Friday, September 18, 2026 | Sony | Resident Evil (1996, Capcom) | 6 films, 2002–2016 ($1.23B total) |
| Street Fighter | October 2026 | TBC | Street Fighter (1987, Capcom) | 2 films, 1994 and 2009 |
Community reception to all three has been more positive than the reception to the prior adaptations of the same franchises. The common thread in promotional materials for all three is closer fidelity to game visual aesthetics than prior productions achieved.
Upcoming Biopics and True Story Films 2026
| Film | Subject | Director | Release Date | Distributor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael | Michael Jackson | Antoine Fuqua | Thursday, April 24, 2026 | Lionsgate |
| Epic: Elvis Presley in Concert | Elvis Presley | Baz Luhrmann | Friday, February 27, 2026 (released) | TBC |
| The Social Reckoning | Mark Zuckerberg / Meta | Aaron Sorkin | 2026 TBC | TBC |
The Social Reckoning is the most significant announced but unconfirmed biopic of 2026. Aaron Sorkin wrote and directed The Social Network (2010, $225 million worldwide, Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay).
Jeremy Strong (Succession) is confirmed to portray Zuckerberg. David Fincher’s involvement as director has been reported but is not officially confirmed by a studio as of Monday, April 13, 2026.
Upcoming Movies for Kids and Families — 2026 Parents’ Guide
Parents represent a distinct audience within the upcoming movie release space. Most movie release calendars are adult-skewed.
Best Family Movies Coming to Theaters in 2026
These are the best upcoming family-friendly movies in 2026.
| Title | Date | Studio | Expected Rating | Minimum Age Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Sheep Detectives | Friday, May 8, 2026 | Angel Studios | TBC | All ages |
| Toy Story 5 | Friday, June 19, 2026 | Pixar / Disney | Expected G or PG | All ages |
| Minions & Monsters | Wednesday, July 1, 2026 | Illumination / Universal | Expected PG | All ages |
| Moana (Live-Action) | Friday, July 10, 2026 | Disney | Expected PG | All ages |
| The Magic Faraway Tree | Thursday, August 21, 2026 | TBC | TBC | Ages 6+ |
| The Cat in the Hat | Friday, November 6, 2026 | Warner Bros. Animation | TBC | All ages |
| The Angry Birds Movie 3 | Wednesday, December 23, 2026 | Sony Pictures Animation | Expected PG | All ages |
Two 2026 animated films are not included in this family list despite being animated:
Animal Farm (Friday, May 1, 2026) — depicts authoritarian violence, character deaths, and political manipulation drawn from the Orwell source text. Ages 13 and older.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (November 2026) — no MPAA rating has been submitted. The prior Hunger Games films all received PG-13 ratings; this film is unlikely to receive a lower rating given the subject matter.
Upcoming Animated Movies 2026 — Complete List
Every confirmed animated theatrical release and major streaming animated premiere in 2026:
- Animal Farm — Friday, May 1, 2026 (theaters; ages 13+)
- Toy Story 5 — Friday, June 19, 2026 (theaters; all ages)
- Minions & Monsters — Wednesday, July 1, 2026 (theaters; all ages)
- Coyote vs. Acme — Friday, August 28, 2026 (theaters; live-action/animation hybrid; all ages)
- The Cat in the Hat — Friday, November 6, 2026 (theaters; all ages)
- The Angry Birds Movie 3 — Wednesday, December 23, 2026 (theaters; all ages)
- Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 — Thursday, April 23, 2026 (Netflix; animated series; teen+)
- Devil May Cry Season 2 — Monday, May 12, 2026 (Netflix; animated series; teen+)
- LEGO ONE PIECE — Monday, September 29, 2026 (Netflix; animated series; all ages)
Upcoming Bollywood and International Movie Releases 2026
English-language movie sites address international cinema inconsistently — a segment almost entirely unserved by mainstream English-language release calendars, despite substantial audience demand.
Upcoming Bollywood and Hindi Movie Releases 2026
| Title | Cast | Genre | 2026 Release Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramayana | Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi | Epic / Mythological | 2026 TBC |
| Cocktail 2 | Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, Rashmika Mandanna | Romantic Drama | 2026 TBC |
| Peddi | Ram Charan, Janhvi Kapoor | Action / Drama | 2026 TBC |
| Matka King | TBC | Biographical Drama | 2026 TBC |
Ramayana (produced by Namit Malhotra, Lyca Productions) carries a reported production budget exceeding ₹600 crore (approximately $72 million USD), making it among the largest-budget Indian film productions in history.
Upcoming International and Foreign Language Films 2026
Key international cinema events and markets with confirmed or expected 2026 activity:
Cannes Film Festival (May 2026) is the primary source of European and arthouse upcoming film discoveries. Several 2026 theatrical releases will receive world premieres at Cannes before wide release. Cannes 2025 Palme d’Or winner Anora (Sean Baker) grossed $45 million worldwide after its festival premiere, demonstrating continued commercial viability for festival-first films.
Korean cinema — the South Korean domestic market generated approximately $930 million at the box office in 2023. No Korean films have confirmed English-market theatrical dates for 2026 as of Monday, April 13, 2026.
Studio Ghibli — no new theatrical feature is confirmed for 2026. The Boy and the Heron (2023) grossed $161 million worldwide and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 96th Academy Awards.
New Movie Trailers — Most-Watched Upcoming Film Previews
Most-Watched Official Trailers for 2026 Releases
The following films have released official trailers from their respective studios as of Monday, April 13, 2026:
| Film | Trailer Status | Studio Channel |
|---|---|---|
| The Odyssey | Official teaser released | Universal Pictures |
| Avengers: Doomsday | Official trailer released | Marvel Entertainment |
| Toy Story 5 | Official teaser released | Pixar |
| Dune: Part Three | Teaser materials released | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Supergirl | Official trailer released | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Michael | Official trailer released | Lionsgate Movies |
| Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Official trailer released | Sony Pictures |
All official trailers are available on the respective studio YouTube channels.
Trailers Released This Week
For the most current new trailer releases, monitor the following studio YouTube channels directly: Marvel Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Pixar, A24, and Lionsgate Movies. The “Trailers” playlist on each channel is updated within 24 hours of an official release.
Frequently Asked Questions About Upcoming Movie Releases
What are the most anticipated movies of 2026?
The five most consistently cited titles across IMDb’s Most Anticipated tracker, Rotten Tomatoes audience interest data, and film community discussions are The Odyssey (Christopher Nolan, Friday, July 17), Avengers: Doomsday (Russo Brothers, Friday, December 18), Toy Story 5 (Pixar, Friday, June 19), Dune: Part Three (Denis Villeneuve, Friday, December 18), and Spider-Man: Brand New Day (Friday, July 31, 2026).
When does Avengers: Doomsday come out?
Avengers: Doomsday releases Friday, December 18, 2026, confirmed on Marvel’s official movie page. Directors: Anthony and Joe Russo. The ensemble cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Vanessa Kirby, Florence Pugh, Paul Rudd, Sebastian Stan, and Letitia Wright. Robert Downey Jr. returns to the MCU in a new role. The film shares its release date with Dune: Part Three.
Is Toy Story 5 in theaters or on Disney+?
Toy Story 5 opens theatrically on Friday, June 19, 2026, as confirmed on Pixar’s official site. A Disney+ streaming date has not been announced. Under Disney’s minimum 45-day theatrical window policy, the estimated earliest Disney+ debut is early August 2026.
What is the next Christopher Nolan movie?
Christopher Nolan’s next film is The Odyssey, releasing Friday, July 17, 2026, from Universal Pictures. The film adapts Homer’s epic poem. Cast: Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya. Format: IMAX 70mm. Production budget: $250 million.
Which upcoming 2026 movies are going straight to streaming?
Netflix originals releasing without a theatrical window include Apex (Thursday, April 24, 2026) and Normal (Friday, April 24, 2026). Narnia uses an IMAX theatrical window in November before streaming on Netflix in December 2026 — a hybrid model, not a straight-to-streaming release. All major studio releases from Marvel, Disney, Universal, Warner Bros., Sony, Paramount, and Lionsgate are theatrical-first in 2026.
How long after theaters do movies come to streaming?
The standard theatrical exclusive window is 45 days for most major studios. This minimum was negotiated between studios and theater chains following the 2021–2022 day-and-date experiment. Disney observes a 45-day minimum for all Pixar and live-action theatrical releases before Disney+. Some independent and specialty releases use a shorter 17–21-day window. Day-and-date simultaneous theatrical and streaming releases are not standard practice at major studios in 2026.
What upcoming movies are good for kids in 2026?
The five most family-appropriate 2026 theatrical releases with confirmed dates are Toy Story 5 (Friday, June 19, expected G/PG), Minions & Monsters (Wednesday, July 1, expected PG), The Magic Faraway Tree (Thursday, August 21), The Cat in the Hat (Friday, November 6), and The Angry Birds Movie 3 (Wednesday, December 23). The Sheep Detectives (Friday, May 8, Angel Studios) is confirmed for all ages with a May release.
Is Narnia on Netflix or in theaters?
Narnia debuts in IMAX theaters in November 2026, then streams on Netflix in December 2026, confirmed on Netflix’s official Tudum page. Greta Gerwig directs. It is not a straight-to-streaming release. The IMAX theatrical window precedes the Netflix debut by approximately four to six weeks.
Films Confirmed for 2027 — Early Announcements
First Confirmed Productions for 2027
The following productions have confirmed 2027 release windows or are in active production with announced studio distribution as of Monday, April 13, 2026:
Avatar 3 (James Cameron, Disney) — Cameron has publicly referenced a 2027 release window; the film is currently in post-production. Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) grossed $2.32 billion worldwide.
Fantastic Four: First Steps (MCU, Marvel / Disney) — confirmed for Phase 6 following Avengers: Doomsday; a specific 2027 date has not been confirmed.
Sequel and franchise announcements following December 2026 releases — studio greenlight decisions for The Odyssey, Avengers: Doomsday, Dune: Part Three, and Narnia sequels or continuations are expected in Q1 2027 based on box office performance. Villeneuve has stated Part Three is his final Dune film, which effectively closes that trilogy regardless of commercial performance.
The most significant variable shaping 2027’s upcoming movie releases is the December 18, 2026, box office result. If Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three both perform at or above their predecessors’ levels on the same weekend, it will be the single highest-grossing theatrical weekend in box office history and will accelerate greenlight decisions across every major studio for the following year.
All release dates are sourced from official studio pages, distributor announcements, and streaming platform documentation. Sources include Marvel.com, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, Pixar.com, Disney Movies, Sony Pictures official FY25 supplemental information, Netflix Tudum, Max, A24, and Lionsgate Publicity. Dates are subject to change. This page is updated to reflect confirmed schedule revisions.