by Brad Smallbone
Every year features some exciting movies that fans are excited to see. However, after a long time, 2026 is very promising with so many titles in the works. Fans of different genres have something to look forward to because of big films coming out next year.
The excitement is high because there are both original movies being released, but also plenty of installments from iconic movie series. Let’s take a look at how cinema falls in the overall entertainment experience in 2026, and we’ll then see what the most exciting movies coming out in 2026 are.
The Entertainment Experience in 2026
Modern audiences spend a lot of time at home. That’s because there are numerous individuals who work from home, stream movies at home, and enjoy gaming at home. Due to the range of activities that are done at home, many individuals have plenty of desire to leave their homes and have some fun outside. People crave outdoor activities, as cinema is the perfect way to have some fun with your family and friends.
Due to the number of entertainment options, companies carefully plan the cinematic release schedule to maximise their potential profits. During the downtime, the audience enjoys other forms of entertainment such as sports, big game releases, and online gambling. Many opt to visit ICasinoReviews.co.nz to explore different online casino sites that offer special promotions for new players. These gambling sites offer plenty of entertainment, making the time between blockbusters fun and full of excitement. The best part is that players don’t need to spend a lot to trigger the welcome bonuses; many of the sites offer competitive promos that require a minimum deposit while they maximise the rewards.
Let’s take a look at the major franchise films scheduled for release in 2026.
Major Franchise Films and Sequels Coming in 2026
Here are the big movies coming out soon.
Dune: Messiah (December 25, 2026)
Even though it’s scheduled for the end of the year, out of all the upcoming sequels, the expectations are incredibly high for this one. The first two movies showed that making a book sci-fi adaptation can be done perfectly. The third installment of this franchise will tell a story of Paul Atreides as the Emperor. So it’ll be an exciting story.
Supergirl (June 26, 2026)
Superman’s reboot was well received among both critics and audiences. It also showcased Supergirl briefly, leaving a cliffhanger of a possible spinoff. The Supergirl movie is part of the rebooted DC Universe film series and will follow her adventures in a similar tone to what we saw with Superman.
Street Fighter (October 16, 2026)
The iconic game is coming to theatres in October. The timing is perfect, because all the original, players are feeling nostalgic and will run to the theatres to see the movie. I know I will! At this time, the plot is not yet available due to the recent Director change. One thing’s certain, there’ll be a lot of fighting.
Avengers: Doomsday (December 18, 2026)
Marvel is releasing another Avengers movie in 2026, Avengers: Doomsday. It’s promising, as the franchise needs an amazing story to keep the audience coming back for its favourite films, which have grossed over $32 billion over the years. The hype around the movie promises a good time as Robert Downey Jr is returning to the franchise, but not as Iron Man, but as Doctor Doom. This will make a promising plot, as the Avengers will get emotional about eliminating the foe.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31, 2026)
Fans of Spider-Man will get a new sequel with Tom Holland in 2026. Expectations are high, and I assume it’s going to link the overall storyline to Avengers: Doomsday that’s coming 5 months later.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (November 20, 2026)
The Hunger Games franchise was a massive success, and it seems that this movie will continue the legacy of great films. It’s another great example of how adaptations should be made. The plot follows another victor of the Hunger Games from District 12, the one who is Katniss’ mentor, Haymitch, from the original trilogy.
Mortal Kombat II (May 15, 2026)
After a successful debut of the first film, fans are eager to see whether the second part will pack just as much action. The rebooted series is promising, with a new cast that took on the roles successfully. Similar to Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat is another movie that will trigger nostalgia with the audience. It’s one of the more anticipated upcoming movie sequels among audiences.
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (March 6, 2026)
Peaky Blinders is an amazing show that has concluded with audiences cheering for Thomas Shelby. So it’s not a surprise that we’re seeing a feature film following this powerful character. The good news is that we won’t have to wait long to see it; the movie is set to release in the first quarter of 2026.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (May 22, 2026)
Star Wars fans can rejoice, another movie is hitting the theatres and promising a great story. We’ll see Pedro Pascal as the amazing Din Djarin. This is some exciting news for franchise fans.
Moana (July 10, 2025)
The smashing hit animated movie Moana was released years ago. This feature film will try and transfer the amazing story with real actors, which will be a challenge. The movie has big shoes to fill, but it looks like it’s going to be a hit.
Super Mario Galaxy (April 3, 2026)
Gaming fans are waiting in line to see the next adventure that Super Mario will embark on. Like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter, massive nostalgia will fuel the popularity of this animated movie.
The Odyssey (July 17, 2026)
Last but not least, the expectations from The Odyssey are massive. That’s not surprising, as the movie is directed by the iconic and award-winning Christopher Nolan. On top of that, the acting crew includes names such as Matt Damon, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Charlize Theron, and Robert Pattinson. Odyssey’s story is a popular one, and the film will hopefully be just as good.
Conclusion
As you can tell, 2026 is going to be a massive year for the cinema industry. It’s still recovering from the negative effects of COVID in 2020, but it’s on its way to continue growing. People will always like to head out of their homes with their families and have fun watching a good movie. These are only some of the popular films coming out next year, but the complete list goes on, counting more than 50 interesting movies well worth watching. That translates to about a movie per week, so there’s plenty of choice for film lovers in 2026.
Main image by Myke Simon on Unsplash
