Twenty Twenty-Six is set to be another bumper year for movies. Plenty of huge blockbusters are on the horizon, and you can expect various recognisable IPs and familiar faces appearing on the big screen.
But which movies are you most excited for? Could they involve a certain super-group or maybe a sword-wielding action hero?
Well, while you’re having a think about it, here are ten highly anticipated movies for 2026…
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Michael (2026)
When it comes to pop stars they don’t come much bigger than Michael Jackson. During his lifetime he became a singing sensation, as well as a global icon, and of course, an artist who made plenty of headlines.
Director Antoine Fuqua aims to strip things back and get to the heart of who the ‘King of Pop’ was with his musical biographical drama, Michael. Written by John Logan, Michael has been in development for seven years (Fuqua joined as director in 2023), and looks to cover all of the major milestones ranging from the Jackson 5 days through to Michael’s highly successful solo career.
And of course, taking on the role of someone as high profile as Michael Jackson is never going to be an easy job, so this picture keeps it in the family, with Michael’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson portraying his uncle. Meanwhile Nia Long, Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, and Colman Domingo round out the cast.
Release: April 24th
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Also due in 2026…
The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) – The Star Wars Universe has developed and expanded considerably under Disney’s tenure, and whether you think this is a good thing or not, there’s one thing most can agree on, and that’s how great the Disney+ show, The Mandalorian is! And this May, Mando makes the leap from the small screen to the big screen via director Jon Favreau’s sci-fi adventure, The Mandalorian and Grogu. Will you be watching? Of course you will! Release: May 22nd
Masters of the Universe (2026) – After decades lost in the cinematic wilderness, including a significant spell in development hell, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe are back! Travis Knight directs this fantasy romp, while Nicholas Galitzine picks up the power sword to play He-Man/Prince Adam and Jared Leto is Skeletor. Release: June 5th
Disclosure Day (2026) – From Close Encounters of the Third Kind, to E.T. and War of the Worlds, it’s fair to say director Steven Spielberg knows a thing or two about bringing sci-fi to the big screen. So it’s very exciting to see him calling the shots on Disclosure Day, an intriguing new sci-fi film starring Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor, which suggests the human race is in for a bumpy ride. Release: June 12th
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The Odyssey (2026)
With a cast which includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Himesh Patel, and Mia Goth (amongst others), writer/director Christopher Nolan is certainly bringing the acting talent to the screen for his epic fantasy, The Odyssey. And for this reason – along with the involvement of Nolan himself – this film is shaping up to be one of the biggest releases of the year.
Based on the works of the Ancient Greek poet, Homer, The Odyssey follows the story of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, as he journeys home following his involvement in the Trojan War. Along the way he encounters various obstacles, including the witch-goddess, Circe.
Expect swords, sorcery, and stylish situations as Nolan serves up his take on this classic tale. You may also get a siren or two.
Release: July 17th
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Also due in 2026…
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) – Five years after he last appeared on screen in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker/Spider-Man for director Destin Daniel Cretton’s, Spider-Man: Brand New Day. But he’s not alone! Joining Holland this time around are Jon Bernthal as the Punisher and Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk, while villains such as the Scorpion and Tombstone drop by to add to the chaos. Release: July 31st
Digger (2026) – For the past few years, it seems like Tom Cruise has been so imbedded in the Mission: Impossible franchise that he couldn’t move on to other projects, but in October he steps into the role of Digger Rockwell for Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s new film, Digger. Described as “a comedy of catastrophic proportions”, the movie sees Cruise play the most powerful man in the world who races to prove he is humanity’s saviour before disaster happens. Release: October 2nd
Clayface (2026) – The newly rebooted DC Universe got off the ground recently with 2025’s Supermanand continues with 2026’s Supergirl, but both of these projects feel like fairly safe choices for DC world building. So here comes along the next entry to shake things up! Centred around the Batman villain of the same name, Clayface is a body horror from director James Watkins which focuses on an actor whose body transforms into clay. Release: October 23rd
Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew (2026) – Barbie director Greta Gerwig calls the shots on this fantasy adventure, based on the C. S. Lewis book of the same name. The Magician’s Nephew fills in various details about the world of Narnia, and will receive a brief theatrical release in November, before heading to Netflix on Christmas Day. Release: November 26th (theatrical) / December 25th (Netflix)
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
They don’t come much bigger or more highly anticipated than this one. Avengers: Doomsday is the fifth entry in the Avengers movie series, as well as the 39th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and promises plenty of action, adventure, and awe inspiring antics as the Avengers, the Thunderbolts, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men are brought together to face Doctor Doom!
Infinity War/Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo are back in the directors chairs for this one, while the cast ranges from Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans, to Pedro Pascal, Patrick Stewart, and Kelsey Grammer. Oh, and a little known actor by the name of Robert Downey Jr. is also back in the MCU, playing the role of Doom.
And if that’s not enough, this all paves the way for the next chapter, Avengers: Secret Wars!
Release: December 18th
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Thank you for stopping by It’s A Stampede! to read this newsletter post about forthcoming movies. For more posts be sure to check out the recommended reads below.
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