Ultimate Guide to Upcoming Movies 2026: Full Month-by-Month Release Calendar
This guide covers all the upcoming movies of 2026 that fans can’t wait to see.. From long-awaited sequels and reboots to fresh original stories, movie fans will have more to watch than ever before. Whether you’re a Marvel enthusiast, a horror addict, or someone who just loves the smell of popcorn in the theater, this guide covers every major upcoming movie in 2026 — along with what to expect and when to mark your calendar.
The Ultimate List of Upcoming Movies of 2026 to Watch
Below is your month-by-month guide to the upcoming movies of 2026, including theatrical releases, streaming debuts, and limited-run premieres.
Release dates may shift as studios update schedules — we’ll keep this list refreshed as changes roll out.
January 2026: New Beginnings
January kicks off the upcoming movies of 2026 with a mix of blockbusters and indie surprises.
- The Plague (Expands) – A dark, atmospheric thriller expanding its limited 2025 release into full theaters.
- We Bury the Dead – A haunting post-apocalyptic drama where survival and morality collide.
- Greenland 2: Migration – Gerard Butler returns for a globe-spanning disaster sequel that promises chaos and redemption.
- People We Meet on Vacation (Netflix) – A romantic comedy adapted from Emily Henry’s bestselling novel.
- 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple – Danny Boyle’s long-awaited continuation of the zombie saga.
- Hamnet – A Shakespearean drama inspired by Maggie O’Farrell’s novel.
January closes with Return to Silent Hill, an atmospheric reboot of the cult horror franchise sure to draw both gamers and critics.
February 2026: Love, Blood & Drama
Valentine’s month balances heartwarming tales and dark surprises.
- Cold Storage – A chilling sci-fi thriller based on David Koepp’s novel about a deadly fungus.
- Dracula: A Love Tale – A gothic re-imagining of the Count’s legend, blending horror and tragic romance.
- Broken Bird – A heartfelt indie drama exploring identity and motherhood.
- Crime 101 – A sleek crime thriller starring Chris Hemsworth and Pedro Pascal.
- Scream 7 – The iconic slasher franchise returns once again, with new twists and old scares.
Rounding out the month: Paul McCartney: Man on the Run (Prime Video) — a documentary delving into the rock legend’s creative rebirth.
March 2026: Spring Blockbusters Begin
As awards season wraps, studios unleash bigger titles:
- The Bride (+ IMAX) – A gothic monster epic with a feminist edge.
- Pixar’s Hoppers – A colorful new animated adventure exploring the world of grasshoppers.
- Project Hail Mary (+ IMAX) – Ryan Gosling stars in Andy Weir’s interstellar novel adaptation.
- The Breadwinner and Reminders of Him – Quiet, character-driven dramas.
- 98th Academy Awards – March 15 marks Hollywood’s biggest night, celebrating the best of 2025 cinema.
April 2026: A Blend of Fantasy and Reality
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie – Nintendo expands its universe in a space-faring animated sequel.
- Italianna – A romantic European drama set in Rome.
- Normal and The Resurrected – Two psychological thrillers tackling identity and technology.
- Michael – The long-awaited Michael Jackson biopic finally arrives.
May 2026: Summer Starts Early
Traditionally the kickoff for the summer blockbuster season — and 2026 is no exception.
- Animal Friends – A live-action/CGI comedy featuring talking animals and star-studded voices.
- The Devil Wears Prada 2 – Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway reunite for fashion’s fiercest sequel.
- Mortal Kombat II (+ IMAX) – Fatalities return as Earthrealm faces new threats.
- The Mandalorian and Grogu (+ IMAX) – Disney+ brings the Star Wars saga to theaters.
- Cannes Film Festival (May 12–23) – Major indie and international debuts to watch.
June 2026: Blockbuster Central
By mid-year, the upcoming movies of 2026 prove that the industry is going bigger than ever.
- Masters of the Universe – He-Man returns in a fantasy-driven reboot.
- Scary Movie 6 – The parody franchise pokes fun at modern horror trends.
- New Steven Spielberg Movie (+ IMAX) – Details are under wraps, but any Spielberg project is an event.
- Pixar’s Toy Story 5 – Woody and Buzz return with nostalgia and new adventures.
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (+ IMAX) – DC’s new take on Krypton’s heroine.
July 2026: Superheroes & Spectacle
- Mega Minions (July 1) – Illumination’s yellow icons return for another mischief-filled outing.
- Moana [Live-Action] (July 10) – Disney revisits its oceanic classic with stunning visuals.
- Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey (+ IMAX) – Nolan’s re-imagining of Homer’s epic promises groundbreaking visuals.
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31) – Sony’s multiverse expands with a new Peter Parker story.
August 2026: Adventure & Family Fun
- PAW Patrol 3: The Dino Movie – Nickelodeon’s heroes go prehistoric.
- Thread: An Insidious Tale – Expands the horror universe with a fresh storyline.
- Coyote vs. Acme – Warner Bros.’ long-delayed hybrid finally arrives.
- Flowervale Street – A mysterious thriller from Blumhouse.
- Mutiny – A sea-borne survival story starring Idris Elba and Ana de Armas.
September 2026: Mystery & Magic
- Resident Evil – A new cinematic reboot closer to the game’s dark roots.
- Practical Magic 2 – Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return for witchy sisterhood.
- Clayface – DC’s shape-shifting villain gets his own horror-driven origin film.
- Forgotten Island – A survival thriller with supernatural undertones.
October 2026: Horror Season at Its Peak
- The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender – Live-action adaptation of the beloved animated series.
- Street Fighter – Capcom’s saga returns with new energy and martial arts.
- Whalefall – A deep-sea thriller about survival inside a whale.
- Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom – A stop-motion delight for younger audiences.
November 2026: Blockbusters & Holiday Warm-Ups
- Archangel – A mind-bending sci-fi action film from the creators of Tenet.
- Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat – A whimsical live-action reboot.
- Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol – A musical reimagining of the Dickens classic.
- The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – Returns to Panem with a gripping prequel.
- Narnia (+ IMAX) – Netflix’s ambitious adaptation returns through the wardrobe.
December 2026: Epic Finales
- Avengers: Doomsday (+ IMAX) – Marvel’s most anticipated crossover since Endgame.
- Dune: Part Three – Denis Villeneuve concludes his breathtaking saga.
- Jumanji 3 – Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart return for jungle chaos.
- Violent Night 2 – Santa’s still swinging with even darker humor.
- Werwulf (Dec 25) – A gothic Christmas horror blending folklore and tragedy.
Streaming Highlights & Limited Releases
- Netflix will roll out People We Meet on Vacation and The RIP.
- Prime Video continues with Paul McCartney: Man on the Run.
- Apple TV+ and HBO Max drop several award-caliber series.
For even more laughter and chaos, check out our best comedy movies category.
Film Trends to Watch in 2026
- Sequel Supremacy – 2026 is a sequel-heavy year proving nostalgia still sells.
- The Streaming Shift – Hybrid releases are the new norm.
- Female-Led Blockbusters – From Supergirl to Moana, women take the lead.
- Cinematic Universes Evolving – Expect crossovers beyond Marvel and DC.
- AI and Technology in Storytelling – Artificial intelligence continues to dominate scripts.
What Makes the Upcoming Movies of 2026 So Exciting?
A comprehensive upcoming movies of 2026 calendar helps fans, critics, and content creators plan their viewing and coverage. It’s also vital for SEO visibility — blogs rank higher when they frequently update release schedules tied to year-specific searches.
Keep this post bookmarked and refreshed monthly to maintain relevance and authority.
Final Thoughts
2026 isn’t just another movie year — it’s the next cinematic era. Between massive blockbusters, fresh franchises, and streaming experiments, audiences will have something new nearly every weekend.
Fans around the world are already excited about the upcoming movies of 2026, as studios prepare some of the biggest releases of the decade.
Whether you’re counting days until Avengers: Doomsday, craving chills from Return to Silent Hill, or ready to laugh through Scary Movie 6, one thing is certain: theaters and streaming alike will stay packed all year long. The upcoming movies of 2026 promise something for everyone.
For a deeper dive into what’s next, explore IMDb’s upcoming movies 2026 section for updates, trailers, and cast news.
