From Superheroes to Nostalgia: 10 Movies We Can’t Wait to See in 2026

There is something about a stacked movie year that makes time feel slower and faster at the same time. 2026 is one of those years where the calendar is dotted with releases fans have been talking about for years, from superhero crossovers to animated comfort films and dramatic franchise returns. Whether you grew up with these stories or discovered them later in life, these are the movies making us excited to line up at the cinema again.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping takes audiences back to Panem 24 years before the original trilogy in this November prequel. The story centers on a young Haymitch Abernathy navigating the brutal 50th Hunger Games, and the cast includes rising stars alongside returning veterans like Ralph Fiennes.

Avengers: Doomsday

Avengers: Doomsday is one of the biggest comic book events scheduled for 2026, arriving on December 18. Fans are buzzing because it brings together an enormous cast of Marvel heroes and villains including familiar faces like Captain America and the Fantastic Four, with Robert Downey Jr returning as Doctor Doom. The simultaneous release with another major sci-fi film has even inspired the nickname “Dunesday,” echoing 2023’s box office phenomenon when Barbie and Oppenheimer opened together.

Dune: Part Three

Dune: Part Three continues Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi saga and is set for a December 18 theatrical release. This installment draws from the novel Dune Messiah and sees returning stars like Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides alongside Zendaya, Florence Pugh and Jason Momoa. A fun trivia point is that filming was so intense that actor Robert Pattinson joked the desert heat made his brain “not operating” during takes.

Toy Story 5

Toy Story 5 brings back our beloved toys for another chapter in their story when it hits theaters in June. The story reportedly explores how Woody, Buzz and friends adapt to a world increasingly dominated by electronics and new forms of play, giving the franchise a fresh, timely twist.

Moana

Moana returns as a live-action musical adventure adaptation of the 2016 animated hit, scheduled for July 10 release. Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as Maui, while Catherine Laga’aia makes her feature debut as Moana, sailing beyond her home island in a story of courage and identity.

Supergirl

Supergirl is one of the most anticipated entries in the DC Universe, with Milly Alcock starring as the iconic heroine on a cosmic journey for justice and revenge. The film expands the DC mythology and promises galactic scale action.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Spider-Man: Brand New Day brings back Tom Holland’s Peter Parker in a new chapter of his web-slinging journey, hitting cinemas in late July. Interestingly, this installment won’t be getting an IMAX release due to scheduling conflicts with other major 2026 titles, but the core cast including Zendaya and Mark Ruffalo remains a strong draw.

The Devil Wears Prada 2

The Devil Wears Prada 2 revives the beloved fashion comedy sequel in May. Fans of the original are excited to see Miranda Priestly’s acerbic wit return, this time with even more industry cameos and sharp one-liners to keep the laughs coming.

The Cat in the Hat

The Cat in the Hat revisits the Dr. Seuss classic in a fully animated feature set for November release. With a star-studded voice cast including Bill Hader, Quinta Brunson and Bowen Yang, this version promises a whimsical, musical take on the mischief-making feline.

Jumanji 3

Jumanji 3 wraps up the modern Jumanji franchise with another wild game world adventure. Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan are all confirmed to return, and star Dwayne Johnson has hinted that this instalment will serve as a heartfelt conclusion to the series.

Big movie years remind us why going to the cinema still matters. With familiar worlds expanding and new angles on beloved characters, 2026 feels like a celebration of storytelling, nostalgia, and the shared excitement of watching something unfold together on the big screen.