The calendar flipped, and suddenly, 2026 is breathing down our necks. Blockbuster season isn’t just a season anymore; it’s a year-round affair. Forget doomscrolling; we’re *movie*-scrolling, scanning the horizon for cinematic gold. From superheroes to space operas, get ready for a wild ride; these are the genre films set to dominate 2026.
Every few weeks, Hollywood promises a new spectacle, a potential masterpiece vying for our attention (and our wallets). But which ones are truly worth clearing our schedules for? Which films will inspire fervent debates around the water cooler (or, more likely, on Reddit)? Here’s io9’s list of 30 genre movies arriving in 2026 to get hyped about.
30. Obsession (May 15)
Sometimes, the best films are the ones that catch you completely off guard. We’ve already had a sneak peek at Obsession, and trust us, it’s stuck with us. Newcomer Curry Barker delivers a darkly funny, violent story about a man whose wish for reciprocated love takes a turn for the truly disturbing.
29. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (November 20)
The odds are ever in Panem’s favor…for continuing its dystopian saga. The second prequel to the main Hunger Games series, adapted from another Suzanne Collins bestseller, focuses on Haymitch Abernathy (a younger version played by Joseph Zada) as he enters the 50th Hunger Games. Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are expected to make appearances, adding to the all-star cast.
28. Evil Dead Burn (July 26)
Imagine the screech of tires, the scent of gasoline, the dread as the sun begins to set on a lone cabin. Sébastien Vaniček (of spider-horror Infested fame) directs the next standalone installment in the Evil Dead universe. While plot details are scarce, the initial teasers promise buckets of blood and a whole lot of Deadite mayhem—exactly what fans crave.
27. Street Fighter (October 16)
Capcom’s iconic fighting game franchise punches its way back onto the silver screen with a new live-action movie that looks delightfully over-the-top. Set in the ’90s, with actors like Andrew Koji and David Dastmalchian portraying classic characters, the film seems to embrace its goofy side. The trailer hints at pure, unadulterated fun; let’s hope the final product delivers.
26. Violent Night 2 (December 4)
David Harbour’s Santa Claus delivered a brutal brand of holiday cheer last time, dispatching bad guys with glee. Now, he’s back for another round. While details are scarce, rumors suggest Mrs. Claus might be joining the party, potentially played by Kristen Bell.
25. Practical Magic 2 (September 18)
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, the quintessential witch sisters of the ’90s, reunite for a sequel to the beloved rom-com. Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest are also back as the iconic aunts, with fresh faces like Joey King and Maisie Williams joining the coven. It draws inspiration from Alice Hoffman’s The Book of Magic.
24. Clayface (September 11)
What is the plot of the Clayface movie?
Word on the street says there were *two* DCU films slated for 2026. Clayface, directed by James Watkins with a script by Mike Flanagan, emerged as a dark horse in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU plans. Tom Rhys Harries embodies the Batman villain, adopting the Matt Hagen alias from the comics but with the Basil Karlo backstory: an actor transformed into a shapeshifting clay monster.
23. The Dog Stars (August 28)
Ridley Scott returns to the genre he helped define: science fiction. The Dog Stars stars Jacob Elordi as a pilot in a post-apocalyptic world, venturing beyond the safe zone in hopes of finding a signal that could save humanity. With a cast including Margaret Qualley and Josh Brolin, this promises to be a visual and narrative spectacle. This could be his best since The Martian.
22. The Bride! (March 6)
2026 hopes to continue the trend of evocative, auteur-driven interpretations of Mary Shelley’s classics. This punk rock-infused take on Bride of Frankenstein stars Jessie Buckley in the title role and Christian Bale as the monster. Oh, and did we mention it’s a musical? This project sounds bizarre, and we’re eager to witness the result.
21. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (April 3)
Chris Pratt returns to voice Mario in Nintendo and Illumination’s sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie. But the real excitement lies in hearing Brie Larson as Princess Rosalina and whatever chaos Jack Black brings to Bowser this time. Expect plenty of Easter eggs for die-hard Nintendo fans.
20. Werwulf (December 25)
Robert Eggers tackles another mythological creature. His latest period film explores the world of werewolves. Several Nosferatu cast members reunite for this one, including Lily-Rose Depp and Willem Dafoe. Expect atmospheric landscapes, eerie full moons, and tormented howls. A Christmas werewolf movie? Yes, please.
19. Scary Movie 6 (June 12)
Why are they making a Scary Movie 6?
The original Scary Movie debuted over 25 years ago, and the franchise’s quality dipped drastically with each sequel. But the original creators, the Wayans Brothers, are back for Scary Movie 6, along with original stars like Anna Faris and Regina Hall. Will they recapture the magic, or is this just a paycheck grab?
18. Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (May 22)
For io9, a Star Wars movie outside the top five is a rarity. Outside the top 15? That reflects our current skepticism about The Mandalorian and Grogu. So far, nothing has sparked our interest beyond, “This feels like it should’ve stayed on Disney+.” Prove us wrong, Lucasfilm.
17. Mortal Kombat II (May 8)
Ignoring the playful rivalry between the Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat casts, Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage is on the horizon. With the fighting game sequel introducing one of the series’ most loveable (and hateable) OGs, Mortal Kombat II promises a big Hollywood feel. Is Urban’s brand of smarm inspired, or just leftover from The Boys? The jury’s still out.
16. Flowervale Street (August 14)
We know very little about Flowervale Street, but the hints are tantalizing. It’s the next film from It Follows director David Robert Mitchell, starring Ewan McGregor and Anne Hathaway. Plus, rumors say it’s a dinosaur movie. That’s more than enough to pique our interest.
15. Resident Evil (September 18)
With Barbarian and Weapons under his belt, Zach Cregger’s horror track record is solid. His next venture is Resident Evil, another Capcom franchise with a long cinematic history. A new game is coming out shortly before the film’s release. It’s going to be a great time for fans.
14. Scream 7 (February 27)
The last two Scream films were a blast, and while this one feels…complicated, with the departures of Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega, we’re still willing to give it a chance. Neve Campbell is back, and franchise creator Kevin Williamson is directing. Our hopes remain high.
13. Toy Story 5 (June 19)
Will there be a Toy Story 5?
Does the world *need* Toy Story 5? Probably not. This story had a satisfying conclusion…twice. But Pixar’s financial interests demand it, so they’re pulling out all the stops. Wall-E director Andrew Stanton is directing. This time, Buzz, Woody, and the gang confront their scariest villain yet: technology.
12. Project Hail Mary (March 20)
Phil Lord and Chris Miller rarely miss the mark. Their adaptation of Andy Weir’s novel promises more of the same. Ryan Gosling stars as a man tasked with saving Earth on a deep space mission, aided by an alien named Rocky. Expect wit, ingenuity, and cosmic stakes.
11. Masters of the Universe (June 5)
He-Man’s catchphrase is “I have the power!” But can this franchise, steeped in 1980s nostalgia, recapture that power in 2026? It’s questionable, but if anyone can revitalize He-Man, Skeletor, and She-Ra, it’s director Travis Knight. His Transformers film, Bumblebee, proved his ability to breathe new life into old properties.
10. Ray Gunn (TBD)
Non-Disney U.S. animation rarely gets theatrical attention. However, this work is a passion project from The Incredibles director Brad Bird. The premise follows the last human detective in an alien-filled world. That’s a pretty compelling selling point.
9. Supergirl (June 26)
After her brief appearance in last year’s Superman, Clark’s cousin takes center stage. Directed by Craig Gillespie and inspired by Tom King’s Woman of Tomorrow comic series, Supergirl stars Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, who embarks on an intergalactic adventure and gets caught up in a quest for revenge.
8. Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew (November 26)
After the surprise success of Barbie, Greta Gerwig could have chosen any project. She chose to adapt C.S. Lewis’s Narnia for Netflix. Despite being funded by Netflix, the film will be released in IMAX theaters. Expect wonder, scope, and Gerwig’s signature magic.
7. Coyote vs. Acme (August 28)
The theatrical release of Coyote vs. Acme may be the greatest turnaround this year. The film went from being shelved to a highly anticipated release after public outcry. The world deserves to see Wile E. Coyote get his day in court. The entire debacle has been a masterclass in wielding the power of social media.
6. Disclosure Day (June 12)
Steven Spielberg is directing his first sci-fi movie in years, and it centers on the revelation that aliens are among us. Starring Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor and featuring cryptic marketing, it looks like a big, impressive movie, made in Spielberg’s signature style. Will it be worth the wait?
5. Avengers: Doomsday (December 18)
Despite the Comic-Con reveals and weekly teasers, Avengers: Doomsday still feels distant. With multiple superhero teams uniting (and potentially clashing) against Doctor Doom, the first part of the Multiverse Saga promises to be huge. In December, we’ll see if it lives up to the hype.
4. Dune: Part Three (December 18)
Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Florence Pugh return for the third and possibly final film in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune adaptation. Based on Dune Messiah, this installment is expected to be the weirdest, pushing Villeneuve and his team to even greater heights of cinematic boldness.
3. Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31)
While Avengers: Doomsday looms large, another major Marvel movie is on the horizon. Tom Holland returns as Spider-Man, grappling with a world that has forgotten his secret identity. Jon Bernthal and Mark Ruffalo lend MCU support as the Punisher and the Hulk, respectively.
2. Godzilla Minus Zero (November 6)
Before Godzilla and Kong team up again, Takashi Yamazaki’s follow-up to his Oscar-winning 2023 film is smashing onto the screen. Little is known about Yamazaki’s continuation, but it’s supposedly set after Godzilla’s defeat in Minus One, as Japan grapples with the aftermath of the destruction.
1. The Odyssey (July 17)
It had to be. What movie inspires year-in-advance ticket purchases? What film is shot entirely in IMAX? What film has Christopher Nolan bringing Homer’s epic to life? The answer to all those questions is The Odyssey. We expect it to be a blockbuster and a critical darling. A total eclipse of all other blockbusters, perhaps. Does Nolan’s ambition match Homer’s vision, or is this another Icarus flying too close to the sun?
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.