The movie industry has been up in the air in 2026. Tech is on everyone’s minds, with artists fighting executives over how much AI (if any) should be used in film production. Another hot topic has been the on-going battle between who will buy Warner Bros. Discovery. Yet in the midst of all this, films still get released, and there are many highly anticipated movies to come.
What are the most anticipated movies of 2026?
The year is halfway over, yet there are still many highly anticipated movies scheduled for release in 2026. From the latest entries in popular franchises and long-shot sequels, to classic myths and outstanding original concepts, there’s something for everyone. To that end, the following list offers a wide variety of the most anticipated movies in the second half of 2026.
The Odyssey (July 17)
While many movies were based on the Battle of Troy, far fewer have touched on Homer’s epic poem about the aftermath. The story of Odysseus, who spent twenty years trying to get home after the Fall of Troy, is one of the greatest in Western Literature. And if there is any modern filmmaker who can do The Odyssey justice, it is Christopher Nolan.
Every trailer thus far has built up the eagerness for Nolan’s Odyssey. The story itself plays out on a grand scale and Nolan excels in such large-format cinema. And in a rebuttal to the current Hollywood zeitgeist, Nolan is going all-in on practical effects and real-world location shooting rather than green screen sets and CGI.
Beyond that, The Odyssey boasts a star-studded cast of award-winners. Matt Damon as Odysseus. Anne Hathaway as his wife, Penelope. Tom Holland as his son, Telemachus. Zendaya as the goddess Athena. Benny Safdie as Agamemnon, King of Mycenae. Jon Bernthal as Menelaus, King of Sparta. Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy. Charlize Theron as Calypso. Samantha Morton as the witch goddess Circe. And Robert Pattinson as Antinous.
The End of Oak Street (August 14)
Originally titled Flowervale Street, The End of Oak Street began generating buzz long before the first trailer. Partly this was due to the cast, which includes Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor. However, another factor was the film being the creation of David Robert Mitchell of It Follows fame.
Even with a trailer released, the story of the movie is still a mystery. Apparently, a 1980’s suburban American family find their neighborhood uprooted and transported somewhere else. This leaves the family (rounded out by Maisy Stella and Christian Convery) struggling to survive, as they are confronted by prehistoric creatures.
The Dog Stars (August 28)
After already having a strong run with recent films like Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights, Jacob Elordi is set to star in this post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller directed by Ridley Scott. The Dog Stars based on Peter Heller’s 2012 novel of the same name and is set in Colorado after a devastating pandemic. The story follows a man living in an airplane hangar with his dog and an unlikely ally he has befriended while trying to survive in the aftermath of the outbreak. When he picks up a mysterious radio transmission while flying his old Cessna, it sparks a dangerous journey to track down the source of the signal.
Coyote vs. Acme (August 28)
Originally, Warner Bros. Discovery planned to shelve Coyote vs. Acme for a tax write-off. However, public backlash led them to allow the filmmakers to seek alternative distribution. Ketchup Entertainment acquired the rights, after previously distributing Warner Bros. Animation’s 2024 movie The Day the Earth Blew Up. This has informed the film’s marketing, which notes that “The Acme Corporation is releasing this film for accounting purposes only.”
Honestly, it is unbelievable that any executive would fail to see Coyote vs. Acme as a license to print money. The film stars popular actors John Cena and Will Forte and features a script co-written by James Gunn, who first found fame screenwriting the live-action Scooby Doo movies. With a pedigree like that, it’s easy to see why audiences demanded the release of this movie, which sees Wile E. Coyote suing the Acme Corporation for selling him faulty merchandise.
How To Rob A Bank (September 4)
The latest movie from The Fall Guy director David Leitch, How To Rob A Bank is a timely action-comedy heist picture about a gang of modern-day Robin Hoods. Their goal is bringing down the big banks that destroys lives for the sake of profit. This brings them into conflict with the FBI, who promise a hacker under house arrest her freedom if she can help them catch the gang. Between the high concept and social commentary and a cast featuring Nicholas Hoult, John C. Reilly, Zoë Kravitz, Christian Slater, and Pete Davidson, there is a lot of buzz around How To Rob A Bank.
Practical Magic 2 (September 11)
As you might expect, Practical Magic 2 is a continuation of the iconic Practical Magic, which has a devout following. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return as sisters descended from a long line of witches. The sequel to this cult classic is expected to continue the Owens family’s story and revisit the magical world established in the original film.
Street Fighter (October 16)
The Street Fighter game franchise has not had the best luck with film adaptations. Hopes are high, however, for this retro film set in 1993 and based around the core cast of Street Fighter II Turbo. Beyond that, the film boasts an eclectic cast featuring Jason Momoa, David Dastmalchian, 50 Cent, and Cody Rhodes. And if nothing else, this is the first Street Fighter movie to feature all the classic characters in recognizable costumes.
Clayface (October 23)
While officially set in the DCU, Clayface is a body horror film rather than a typical supervillain origin story. This is unsurprising, given the screenplay co-written by Mike Flanagan (who adapted many Stephen King novels into films) and Speak No Evil director James Watkins. The film stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen – an actor who is transformed into a shape-shifting mass of living clay after crossing a gangster. No other details have been given about the story, but the concept resembles the “Feat of Clay” two-parter from Batman: The Animated Series.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (November 20)
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is the latest installment in The Hunger Games film series. It is adapted from the 2025 novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins. Francis Lawrence returns to direct, having previously helmed several earlier films in the franchise.
Set decades before the original series, the story takes us back to the 50th Hunger Games, 24 years before the first book and film. The film centers on a young Haymitch Abernathy, played by Joseph Zada, long before he becomes the mentor audiences met in the original films.
Dune: Part Three (December 18)
Once again directed by Denis Villeneuve, Dune: Part Three continues the epic adaptation of Frank Herbert’s saga, drawing heavily from 1969’s Dune Messiah. This brings back the stacked cast of Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Florence Pugh, Jason Momoa, and Anya Taylor-Joy. Robert Pattinson also joins the cast. This is perhaps the most anticipated movie of 2026, at least in terms of the crossover between sci-fi lovers, indie film fans, and mainstream audiences.
Avengers: Doomsday (December 18)
While plot details for Avengers: Doomsday remain tightly under wraps, the film will bring together multiple storylines and fan-favorite characters. Chief among these are Steve Rogers, Thor, the X-Men of the Fox superhero movie universe, and the Fantastic Four of Earth-828. The film is expected to set up a battle that will ultimately redefine the MCU. Whether or not this comes to pass, the return of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom has raised hopes this could be the movie to revitalize the MCU.
Werwulf (December 25)
In 2024, Robert Eggers redefined the movie vampire with his take on Nosferatu. He stands ready to do the same thing with his next film, Werwulf. Set in 13th century England, the film will reunite Eggers with Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Willem Dafoe from Nosferatu. True to Eggers’ sensibilities, the most promising element here isn’t really the scares, but a historically rooted descent into creepier folklore.
