As the cinematic dust settles on a turbulent 2025, film fans are already looking ahead to a new year packed with promise. The past year delivered family-friendly hits like Lilo & Stitch and Zootropolis 2, while superhero franchises faced unexpected struggles. Yet 2026 is shaping up to be a monumental year, boasting everything from a colossal $250 million Greek epic to the return of beloved characters we thought we'd said goodbye to.
From Brontë to Birmingham: The Early Blockbusters
The year kicks off with a provocative adaptation destined to dominate conversation. Director Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, arrives in cinemas from February 13. Early teasers suggest this will be a far cry from a traditional period drama, promising to rip up the rulebook on Emily Brontë's classic novel.
Soon after, one of television's greatest phenomena makes the leap to the big screen. Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man sees Cillian Murphy reprise his iconic role as Tommy Shelby on March 6. Set against the chaos of WWII, the film finds Shelby returning from exile to confront his brutal legacy. The cast includes franchise favourites alongside newcomers Rebecca Ferguson and Barry Keoghan.
March also brings a major sci-fi adventure. Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling and Sandra Hüller, lands on March 20. Based on Andy Weir's novel, it follows a lone astronaut with amnesia on a desperate mission to save Earth, aided by an unexpected alien ally.
Summer Spectacles and Legendary Returns
The summer season ignites with one of the most anticipated sequels in recent memory. The Devil Wears Prada 2 reunites Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci on May 1. The story is expected to follow Lauren Weisberger's sequel novel, Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns.
In June, Steven Spielberg makes a triumphant return to his sci-fi roots with Disclosure Day on June 12. This original story about first contact features a stellar cast including Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, and Colman Domingo. Disney Pixar then hopes to continue its flawless run with Toy Story 5 on June 19, as Woody and Buzz face the modern challenge of electronic toys.
Undoubtedly one of the year's biggest events is Sir Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, releasing July 17. With a reported budget of $250 million, this adaptation of Homer's epic poem stars Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, and Zendaya. Expect a visually stunning, mythic journey featuring Cyclops, Sirens, and sea monsters.
Autumn Intrigue and Franchise Finales
October brings a wildly unexpected collaboration. Tom Cruise teams with acclaimed director Alejandro G. Iñárritu for Digger, a "comedy of catastrophic proportions" arriving on October 2. Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, "the most powerful man in the world," in a film that also stars Jesse Plemons and Sandra Hüller.
The Hunger Games arena reopens on November 20 with Sunrise on the Reaping. This prequel follows a young Haymitch Abernathy and boasts a cast including Mckenna Grace and Ralph Fiennes, with Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson confirmed to reprise their original roles.
The year concludes with Denis Villeneuve's grand finale. Dune: Part Three, based on Dune Messiah, hits cinemas on December 18. Timothée Chalamet returns, joined by Robert Pattinson in a villainous role, promising to conclude the epic space opera in spectacular fashion.
Other Notable 2026 Releases
The cinematic calendar is densely packed. Key titles to watch include:
- Hamnet (Jan 9): The Oscar-tipped Shakespeare family drama with Paul Mescal.
- 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (Jan 14): The sequel to the hit zombie franchise return.
- The Mandalorian & Grogu (May 22): The first Star Wars film in years, directed by Jon Favreau.
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31): Tom Holland's return as Peter Parker.
- Avengers: Doomsday (Dec 18): The Russo brothers return to the MCU with a star-studded cast.
With this line-up, 2026 is poised to offer a potent mix of bold original visions, long-awaited continuations, and cinematic events on a staggering scale, promising to captivate audiences from winter through to the following festive season.
