Towards all odds, 2025 was an excellent 12 months for motion pictures. With the Marvel Cinematic Universe successfully sidelined, Hollywood positioned its bets on formidable authentic tales as an alternative. Even the largest franchise hits bucked conference to supply recent views and distinctive experiences. (Earlier than you get too excited, do not forget that the 2 largest motion pictures of 2025 had been nonetheless live-action variations of Minecraft and Lilo & Sew; child steps.)
So will 2026 proceed this pattern or revert again to what’s dependable? Trying forward, the reply appears to be: a little bit of each. This 12 months brings the primary new Avengers film since 2019 and the primary new Star Wars film since 2019 (I wager Disney actually needs it might return to the pre-COVID period). On the similar time, Christopher Nolan will money in his Oppenheimer verify to unleash The Odyssey, whereas Denis Villeneuve wraps up his Dune trilogy. Style masters like Sam Raimi and Steve Spielberg are additionally staking their declare to 2026 with authentic tales.
We’re even getting a new Scream film and a new Scary Film film. Plus, there’s a new Spider-Man out that’s purported to be nuts.
One factor appears clear: 2026 will likely be a jam-packed 12 months for followers of science fiction, fantasy, horror, superheroes, and epic blockbuster motion pictures generally. Beneath, you’ll discover the 25 motion pictures we at Polygon are most excited for within the coming 12 months.
1
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
Launch date: Jan. 16
Filmed in tandem with 28 Years Later, however directed by Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels), The Bone Temple picks up the place Danny Boyle’s sequel left off, with younger Spike (Alfie Williams) welcomed into a bunch of murderous survivors led by Jimmy (Jack O’Connel). A 3rd 28 Years Later movie is already confirmed, so The Bone Temple serves as a vital middle-point in Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland’s post-apocalyptic trilogy.
2
All You Want Is Kill
Launch date: Jan. 16
The Japanese mild novel that impressed Fringe of Tomorrow will get an adaptation of its personal. Trailers for the anime movie promise a visually gorgeous adaptation that’s equal elements psychedelic and blood-soaked. Murmurs out of a New York Comedian Con screening final 12 months recommend possibly it is not aaaas good because the Tom Cruise film, but it surely definitely has a glance all its personal that ought to serve the massive display.
3
Ship Assist
Launch date: Jan. 30
After his detour into the Marvel Cinematic Universe for Physician Unusual and the Multiverse of Insanity, director Sam Raimi returns to what he does finest: gory comedy-tinged horror. Ship Assist stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brian as co-workers stranded on an island after their aircraft crashes and everybody else onboard dies. Violence seems to ensue.
4
Scream 7
Launch date: Feb. 27
Wes Craven’s iconic horror franchise returns as soon as once more. After shedding a few of its next-gen forged (together with Jenna Ortega, who possibly acquired too well-known), Scream 7 brings again authentic screenwriter Kevin Williamson — this time to direct, too. He is joined by recognizable faces like Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and Matthew Lillard who… died in Scream… twist.
5
Undertaking Hail Mary
Launch date: March 20
Whereas all of us look forward to the Past the Spider-verse to reach, the minds behind the animated trilogy are providing up a live-action epic tailored from the guide by Andy Weir (The Martian). Phil Lord and Christopher Miller co-direct Undertaking Hail Mary, which stars Ryan Gosling as an astronaut who wakes up in area with no reminiscence of what he’s doing there. Beware: the trailers get fairly spoilery — which Weir tells us was to “put butts in seats” — for the place this area odyssey goes.
6
Prepared or Not 2: Right here I Come
Launch date: March 27
Prepared or Not in all probability didn’t want a sequel, however this follow-up horror comedy seems fairly darn good. Plus, they nailed the title. Samara Weaving returns as endangered bride Grace, however this time she’s acquired a sister (Kathryn Newton). In the meantime, the devil-worshiping Le Domas household is changed by a murderers row of expertise together with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Elijah Wooden, and David Cronenberg.
7
The Tremendous Mario Galaxy Film
Launch date: April 3
The Tremendous Mario Bros Film remodeled a billion {dollars}, so in fact we’re getting a sequel. Nintendo and Illumination reteam right here for a follow-up that skips proper previous the plain “World” enlargement and as an alternative heads into outer area the place we meet Rosalina, voicd by Brie Larson. For the sequel, Nintendo seems to be roping in tons of deeper-cut references from throughout your complete… galaxy… of Mario video games in order that’s one thing!
8
The Mummy
Launch date: April 17
Lee Cronin (Evil Lifeless Rise) takes on the Mummy in Blumhouse’s newest movie to modernize a traditional horror icon. We all know nearly nothing about Cronin’s imaginative and prescient for the franchise — and it could even be retitled The Resurrected by the point it hits theaters — however the film stars Jack Reynor (Midsommar) taking up a number one man position held in earlier iterations by Tom Cruise and Brendan Fraser. Good luck, Jack!
9
Mortal Kombat 2
Launch date: Could 8
After delaying this sequel by six months, Warner Bros. will lastly launch Mortal Kombat 2 this spring. The movie introduces Karl City and Johnny Cage and guarantees to do the one factor the final one didn’t: present us an precise martial arts event. Oh, and our boy Noob Saibot is in it. Noob hive stand up.
10
The Mandalorian & Grogu
Launch date: Could 22
After a brutally lengthy hiatus, Star Wars returns to the massive display with the newest installment of Child Yoda (aka, Grogu) and Mando’s adventures. Whether or not showrunner/director Jon Favreau’s serialized-western tackle the franchise interprets to cinema stays to be seen, however we’re simply completely happy to have Star Wars in theaters once more.
