2026 has the potential to go down as one of the biggest years in cinema ever. From blockbusters and comic book movie juggernauts to breakout horror franchises returning to the big screen, as well as some truly massive sequels on the horizon. There is truly something for everyone when it comes to movies dropping this year.
Agents of Fandom’s own, Sean Mott, sat down with the Canadian post-hardcore band Second Harbour on his podcast, Metalcore Nerds, to rank their top ten most anticipated movies of this year. Check out Sean’s full list below!
10. ‘Ready or Not 2: Here I Come’
The deadly game of hide-and-seek ups the ante as Samara Weaving returns as Grace MacCaullay in Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, a.k.a Radio Silence, will helm the sequel, and this time they’re bringing along frequent collaborator Kathryn Newton to act as Grace’s sister, Faith.
That’s not all for the additions to the cast for this bloody sequel — Sarah Michelle Gellar, Elijah Wood, Shawn Hatosy, and even the famous horror director David Cronenberg will play a role in this highly anticipated sequel. Ready or Not 2: Here I Come hits theaters March 27.
9. ‘Disclosure Day’
Legendary director Steven Spielberg makes his long-awaited return to the sci-fi genre with the summer blockbuster Disclosure Day, a UFO-based thriller. The insane cast includes the likes of Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Wyatt Russell, Colman Domingo, Colin Firth, and more. The truth will be revealed on June 12.
While it may be tough for Disclosure Day to overperform at the box office with so many blockbuster movies in 2026, it’ll undeniably be one of the top picks for Spielberg fans this year.
8. ‘Resident Evil’
One of the most exciting names in the modern horror scene is transitioning from his original work to a well-established IP. After numerous failed attempts at adapting Resident Evil into live-action, Zach Cregger is here to break the curse.
Cregger has made a massive impression with Barbarian and Weapons, and there is no doubt he will bring something fresh and original to the Resident Evil franchise. The movie will include performances from Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Paul Walter Hauser, and Kali Reis, and is set to hit theaters on September 18.
7. ’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’
It’s a beautiful thing when creators have a roadmap in mind and can execute their vision immediately, filming movies back-to-back. This is the case with the immediate follow-up to Dan Boyle and Alex Garland‘s 28 Years Later, in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
This is the first time in franchise history that a movie has had a direct sequel with the same characters and general timeline, with the fourth overall installment in the acclaimed horror film series being directed by Nia DaCosta and reported to include the return of Cillian Murphy to the beloved franchise. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple debuts in theaters on January 16.
6. ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’
I know, I know, this seems pretty low to have the first-ever, fourth solo installment for a Spider-Man franchise, but the list of 2026 movies is stacked, okay? Tom Holland is Peter Parker yet again in another New York-based adventure for the web slinger. While the plot is being kept heavily under wraps, we do know that Michael Mando will return as Mac Gargan, Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), and Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) will play prominent roles, Marvin Jones III will play Tombstone, and both Tramell Tillman and Sadie Sink are acting in two undisclosed roles.
While the story seems like it should stay mostly contained, it’s a safe bet to assume that a post-credit scene will connect to how Spider-Man will get involved in Avengers: Secret Wars. Spider-Man: Brand New Day will swing into theaters on July 31.
5. ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
Robert Downey Jr. is returning as Marvel’s biggest villain, Doctor Doom, Chris Evans is back as Steve Rogers, the OG Fox X-Men are reprising their roles, not to mention the inclusion of The Fantastic Four, The New Avengers, Sam Wilson’s (Anthony Mackie) mystery Avengers team, and too many other heroes to list, will race to save the multiverse. This movie has a chance to be the best superhero movie of all time, but it also has so many factors that it could easily fall flat on its face.
The Russo Brothers are returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to prove they are still the best in the game when it comes to massive team-up films, despite not having much success outside the genre. However, their record with comic book movies is undeniably spotless. Avengers: Doomsday will arrive in theaters on December 18.
4. ‘Project Hail Mary’
Ryan Gosling is the only person on Earth who could have portrayed Ryland Grace in the adaptation of the best-selling novel, Project Hail Mary. The movie will be helmed by creative legends Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, with the screenplay penned by the writer of the book, Andy Weir, and acclaimed writer Drew Goddard.
Based on the book, fans can expect a story that feels like a far more fun version of Interstellar, but don’t fret, there is plenty of drama and heartbreaking moments in store in this story. And, more aliens, for that matter. Project Hail Mary launches into theaters on March 20.
3. ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth’
While Quentin Tarantino continues to be picky about his tenth and final film in the director’s chair, it doesn’t mean he can’t write movies in the meantime. Brad Pitt will return to his Oscar-winning role as Cliff Booth, but this time as the lead character in The Adventures of Cliff Booth.
David Fincher will direct this pseudo-sequel to Once Upon A Time in Hollywood for Netflix. Hopefully, since Tarantino is such an advocate for the theatrical experience, this movie will get a wider release on the big screen than most Netflix originals do. The Adventures of Cliff Booth doesn’t have a release date yet, but it is expected to be released this year, making it one of the most anticipated movies of 2026.
2. ‘The Odyssey’
The king of IMAX, Christopher Nolan, will grace the world with another masterpiece, this time it’s his adaptation of The Odyssey. As we’ve come to expect from Nolan, it looks massive in scale and quality and is filled with a stacked cast including: Tom Holland, Matt Damon, Jon Bernthal, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, and so many more.
Even with such a massive year for movies in 2026, a Nolan film will always be at the top of my list. You can expect to see me in a theater on opening night on July 17.
1. ‘Dune: Part Three’
The Lisan al-Gaib is back! Timothée Chalamet stars as Paul Atreides alongside Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Jason Momoa, and Robert Pattinson in Dune: Part Three. The Dune movies are touted as some of the best sci-fi films of all time, and I, for one, can’t wait to see what Denis Villeneuve has up his sleeve as he serves up his adaptation of the second book from the Dune novels: Dune: Messiah.
If the book is any indication, the film promises to be epic, dramatic, and super weird. Audiences will return to Arrakis on December 18.
What are your most anticipated 2026 movies? Let us know! Follow the Agents of Fandom podcast and socials for the latest entertainment news and reviews.
