As anticipation fills the theater, popcorn and drinks in hand. Millions of people await the moment the movie they have been waiting for flashes upon the big screen. The 2026 movie lineup is seen as one of the most hyped up and anticipated years in movie history with more than seven movie predicted to make over $900 million.

From iconic franchise returns such as “Scream 7” and “Avengers Doomsday,” to eager sequels like “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” “Toy Story 5” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” Audiences and fanatics alike can look forward to movies that fit into every corner of the industry.

Scream 7 (February 27)

The seventh installment in the iconic “Scream” franchise brings back the highest stakes and returning past characters. Scream 7, directed by Kevin Williamson, follows the original survivor, Sydney Prescott, when her quiet, small-town life gets interrupted as a new Ghostface killer surfaces with her daughter as the prey. Sydney must choose what to sacrifice to protect the ones she loves. With a 1-hour and 54-minute runtime, the film aims to keep audiences on their toes, bringing new horrors while maintaining familiar tones.

Project Hail Mary (March 20, 2026)

The highly anticipated adaptation of the famed book “Project Hail Mary”, directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, brings the story to the big screen, starring Ryan Gosling. The story follows science teacher Ryland Grace, who suddenly awakens on a spaceship, with no memory, no direction. 

Desperate to figure out what happened to him, his memory slowly returns with his sole mission brought back into focus: solving the mystery of an inexplicable substance that causes the sun to slowly die out.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (April 1, 2026)

A star-studded sequel to “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” released April 5, 2023, a brand-new adventure featuring your favorite plumbers, Mario and Luigi returns. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie expands the Mario Bros. universe, following Mario and Luigi on a journey across the galaxy, where they pair up with new and unexpected friends. Along the way, they meet their new big bad, a suffering Bowser Jr., ready to avenge his father and bring him back home.

The Mandalorian and Grogu (May 22, 2026)

With director Jon Favreau at the helm, the story takes off right after the events of The Mandalorian Season 3, bringing Mando and his pal Grogu to the big screen. The film follows the fall of the evil Empire. While the threat is gone, the fight is just beginning, as remnants remain of existing warlords that are dispersed throughout the galaxy. The newly-born Republic, in an effort to bring back order, hires tag team Mandalorian Din Djarin and his best friend Grogu.

Toy Story 5 (June 19, 2026)

The fifth installment in the historic “Toy Story” franchise marks the return of Woody and the gang, fighting against a new foe threatening their playtime. Starring alongside Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, the franchise takes an unexpected direction, telling a new chapter when fans thought “Toy Story 4” was the end of the series for good, with Woody’s emotional goodbye to the other toys. 

Supergirl (June 26, 2026)

The second film in the newly created DC universe, headed by James Gunn, follows Kara Zor-El, the dramatic cousin of Superman, and her chaotic, power-possessing companion, Krypto. In a quest to avenge the destruction of her home planet, Krypton, she teams up with unexpected allies as they trek across the galaxy.

The Odyssey (July 17, 2026)

A mega-adaptation of the Greek legend and literature, The Odyssey, follows characters such as Odysseus, Telemachus, Circe and more as Odysseus sets off on an uncharted journey returning home to his wife Penelope after the Trojan War. The Odyssey is headed by legendary director Christopher Nolan, marking his biggest and most anticipated project yet.

Christopher Nolan breaks the mold and brings new weight and depth to each and every movie he leads. 

“As a filmmaker, you are looking for gaps in cinematic culture, things that have not been done before.” Nolan said, “And what I saw is that all of this great mythological cinematic work that I had grown up with- I’d never seen that done with the sort of weight and credibility that a big Hollywood, IMAX movie could do.”

Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31, 2026)

The fourth entry in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man saga marks a new chapter in the life of Peter Parker. The franchise is taking a new approach with a different tone under the direction of Destin Daniel Cretton. Leaving off after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, with a forgotten Peter Parker left to balance Spider-Man with his personal life absent.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (November 20, 2026)

Directed by Francis Lawrence, The Hunger Games franchise returns with another adaptation of the famed series’ latest book, Sunrise on the Reaping. Following the events and story of Haymitch, where he competes in the 50th annual Hunger Games predating 24 years before the Hunger Games main events. 

Avengers Doomsday (December 18, 2026)

Avengers Doomsday introduces the next climactic event in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where the Avengers and heroes alike will unite to fight against the multiverse’s biggest threat yet, Doctor Doom.  Doomsday brings back the Russo brothers, Joe and Anthony, to pack a punch unlike anything anyone has yet seen in the MCU. 

The spotlight behind this movie is unrivaled by any other movie this year. On the stage at Hall H, the Russo Brothers revealed the person who would be playing the infamous Doctor Doom, a single person walks center stage peeling back the Doctor Doom mask to reveal the comeback of MCU icon Robert Downey Jr. shouting four impactful words “New mask, same task”, after this the fandom went into absolute shock with many highly praising the casting while others criticized the decision, claiming the cast as a cheap money grab. 

Four teaser trailers were released weekly, highlighting major character returns such as Steve Rogers, Thor, the X-Men and other heroes, accumulating over 1 billion views across all four trailers, further building up to the famed release date for Avengers Doomsday.

Dune: Messiah (December 25, 2026)

The third and final film in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune trilogy hits the big screen yet again as Timothee Chalamet returns as Paul Atreides, following a 20+ year timeskip where Paul rules as Emperor, unfolding the events and moments to come on Arrakis. 

With release dates approaching and anticipation increasing, the slate for 2026 brings about an industry of both nostalgia and variation. As studios raise the stakes and audiences return to theaters in record numbers, 2026 stands to remind fans why the big screen remains the place where stories and characters come alive.

For more from the Feather visit, Infographic: Fan favorite books hit theaters or Doomsday Clock ticks down to destruction.