By 
With 2025 just about in the rearview window, tis the moment to take stock of what worked in 2025 before turning ahead to the most anticipated movies of 2026. As usual, the films I responded to most last year weren’t those trying to be agreeable or broad or endlessly franchisable. They were specific, abrasive, messy, and always driven by a strong sense of autership. Horror continued to be the most reliable space for ambition and risk, but plenty of dramas and genre hybrids landed too, largely when they championed mood, performance, and uncomfortable ideas over traditional polish. Even in a year where the industry still felt unsettled, some genuinely great films cut through. And though 2025 on a whole was a bit of a letdown here holistically, it featured some of the very best movies of the entire decade. Let us hope too that 2026 manages to deliver some true uncut gems.
Looking ahead to 2026, that same tension in the theatrical space that defined this year is still very much in play. The film industry remains in flux, theatrical pipelines are thinner, streaming is recalibrating yet again, and nobody seems fully certain what the next stable version of the business looks like. Kicking off the year, the Sundance slate should have a big impact on what clicks immediately, as it often does when things feel shaky, and many of the movies below either emerge directly from that space or are shaped by its influence.
Most Anticipated Films of the Sundance Film Festival 2026
And yes, of course, there’s plenty more coming in 2026 that will dominate the box office and the discourse whether I’m personally hyped or not. There’s a new Star Wars movie in The Mandalorian & Grogu that seems like a depressingly unambitious direction for the propety; another MCU swing with Spider-Man: Brand New Day though my faith in the Marvel brand is at an all-time low; a plethora of legacy sequels that could be decent with Toy Story 5,The Hunger Games: Sunrise of the Reapingm and Scream 7, plus less compelling studio-heavy bets like The Devil Wears Prada 2, Mortal Kombat II, and Masters of the Universe. I’m not rooting against any of these titles and hope some of them surprise me, though history suggests that hoping and expecting are two very different things.
That’s why you won’t see everything you might expect on a typical “most anticipated films of 2026” laundry list here, and that’s the intention. Think of this less as a comprehensive inventory of every upcoming release and more as a snapshot of what I’m personally excited about right now: projects that feel like genuine creative swings rather than tentpole obligations. With that in mind, here are the films that I’m most looking forward to, organized by release date:
Primate
Johannes Roberts (47 Meters Down), trading shark terror for chimp mayhem, directs a creature feature about a family terrorized by their infected pet chimp. In theaters January 9 from Paramount Pictures.
Greenland: Migration
The sequel to the way-better-than-expected disaster movie Greenland continues the story of the Garrity family as they leave the safety of their bunker and attempt to migrate across a radically altered Earth in the aftermath of the extinction-level event. Gerard Butler, Morena Baccarin, and Roger Dale Floyd return. In theaters January 9 from Lionsgate.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
Nia DaCosta directs the second film in the revived trilogy, starring Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Erin Kellyman, and Alfie Williams. The story follows Spike as he joins a kooky mainland gang of blonde ninjas while a discovery by Dr. Kelson may alter the future of the world. In theaters January 16 from Sony Pictures.
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die
Gore Verbinski (The Ring, A Cure for Wellness) returns to directing with a genre-blending, time travel sci-fi action comedy starring Sam Rockwell, Haley Lu Richardson, and Michael Peña. The film centers on a time-traveler played by Rockwell who wants to save the world. In theaters January 30 from Briarcliff Entertainment.
Send Help
Sam Raimi (Evil Dead) directs a survival thriller starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien as coworkers stranded on a remote island after a plane crash. Described as part survival story and part dark comedy, the film sees Raimi back playing in a gory sandbox of his own making. In theaters January 30 from 20th Century Studios.
Wuthering Heights
Saltburn maestro Emerald Fennell writes and directs this reimagining of Emily Brontë’s novel with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, reframed through her distinctive aesthetic and a gothic psychological lens. I think it’s gonna rip. In theaters February 13 from Warner Bros. Pictures.
How to Make a Killing
Directed by John Patton Ford (Emily the Criminal), How to Make a Killing stars Glen Powell as a poor relative who plots to inherit a fortune by murdering the wealthy heirs ahead of him. The story is a loose remake of Kind Hearts and Coronets. In theaters February 20 from A24.
The Bride!
Maggie Gyllenhaal writes and directs a reimagining of Bride of Frankenstein, starring Jessie Buckley as the Bride and Christian Bale as the monster. Set in 1930s Chicago, the story follows the creation of a woman whose newfound existence sparks a love and mayhem. In theaters March 6 from Warner Bros. Pictures.
Project Hail Mary
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (The Lego Movie) direct this adaptation of Andy Weir’s popular novel, featuring Ryan Gosling in the pole position. The film follows an amnesiac astronaut who wakes up alone on a spacecraft and slowly has to remember his mission to save Earth. In theaters March 20 from Amazon MGM Studios.
They Will Kill You
This horror-action thriller stars Zazie Beetz as a woman who takes a housekeeping job in a luxury New York apartment building and soon discovers the residents belong to a cult connected to a history of disappearances. In theaters March 27 from Warner Bros. Pictures/New Line Cinema.
Alpha
French New Extremity director Julia Ducournau (Raw, Titane) writes and directs this body-horror drama that follows a 13-year-old girl living with her single mother who, after receiving a tattoo at a party, is feared to have contracted a new lethal bloodborne disease—reviving trauma tied to a family member already infected. In theaters March 27 from NEON.
The Dog Stars
Ridley Scott directs this timely post-apocalyptic drama starring Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, and Guy Pearce. After a flu pandemic devastates civilization, a pilot guarding a remote airfield follows a faint radio signal that suggests other survivors may exist. In theaters March 27 from 20th Century Studios.
The Drama
Kristoffer Borgli (Dream Scenario) directs a dark satire starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson as a couple whose relationship is destabilized shortly before their wedding. The film centers on the fallout after one partner uncovers unsettling truths about the other. In theaters April 3 from A24.
The Mummy
Lee Cronin (Evil Dead Rise) writes and directs a new standalone take on The Mummy, unrelated to previous franchise versions. Starring Jack Reynor, Laia Costa, Verónica Falcón, and May Calamawy, the film follows a modern expedition that awakens an ancient supernatural force. Hoping it’s leagues better than the Tom Cruise version. In theaters April 17 from Warner Bros. Pictures.
I Love Boosters
Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You) directs this loony satire starring Keke Palmer, Demi Moore, LaKeith Stanfield, Naomi Ackie, and Taylour Paige. The story follows a group of young shoplifters whose latest target is the CEO of a major designer brand. In theaters May 22 from NEON.
Disclosure Day
Steven Spielberg returns to science fiction with a UFO film written by David Koepp and starring Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Colman Domingo, and Wyatt Russell. The film is described as a large-scale spectacle that only the likes of Spielberg can pull off. In theaters June 12 from Universal Pictures.
Supergirl
Craig Gillespie directs this DC Universe entry starring Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, alongside Jason Momoa as Lobo. The followup to last year’s Superman – and second of the new DCU – follows Supergirl during an interstellar exile and a revenge-driven journey. In theaters June 26 from Warner Bros.
Shiver
Set in the Alaskan wilderness, Shiver follows two sisters who must survive after their plane crashes during a snowstorm. Tommy Wirkola directs this survival thriller which stars Phoebe Dynevor, Whitney Peak, and Djimon Hounsou. In theaters July 3 from Columbia Pictures.
The Odyssey
Film Bro God Christopher Nolan writes and directs an adaptation of Homer’s epic, featuring an all-star cast of Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and more. This is gonna have the people going nuts. In theaters July 17 from Universal Pictures.
Evil Dead Burn
Directed by Sébastien Vaniček (Infested), this demonic horror film serves as the next installment to the popular Evil Dead series. Details thus far are under wraps but a new Evil Dead movie, especially one still produced by Sam Raimi, is always worth getting excited for. In theaters July 24 from Warner Bros.
How To Rob A Bank
David Leitch directs an action thriller starring Nicholas Hoult, Anna Sawai, Zoë Kravitz, and John C. Reilly that follows a man who plans an elaborate heist against the financial system he believes destroyed his life. In theaters September 4 from Amazon MGM.
Clayface
James Watkins (Eden Lake) directs this DC Studios film starring Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, a disfigured actor whose obsession with performance leads to transformation. The first big, weird swing for the DCU. In theaters September 11 from Warner Bros. Pictures / DC Studios.
Resident Evil
Zach Cregger (Weapons, Barbarian) writes and directs a new Resident Evil film starring Austin Abrams and Paul Walter Hauser. Set within Capcom’s universe but telling an original story, the reboot centers on new characters caught in corporate corruption and bio-terror. My faith in Cregger drives anticipation here. In theaters September 18 from Sony Pictures.
Digger
Alejandro González Iñárritu (Birdman) writes, directs, and produces this black comedy starring Tom Cruise as a man who believes he is humanity’s savior as the disaster he helped unleash spirals toward global catastrophe. Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Jesse Plemons, Sandra Hüller, Riz Ahmed, Sophie Wilde, Emma D’Arcy, Michael Stuhlbarg, and John Goodman. In theaters October 2 from Warner Bros.
The Social Reckoning
Aaron Sorkin writes and directs the sequel to The Social Network, starring Jeremy Strong as Mark Zuckerberg and Mikey Madison as whistleblower Frances Haugen. The film examines Facebook’s evolution into Meta following the “Facebook Files” revelations. In theaters October 9 from Sony Pictures.
Other Mommy
Rob Savage (Host) directs this supernatural horror film starring Jessica Chastain, Jay Duplass, Dichen Lachman, and Karen Allen. Adapted from a Josh Malerman short story, it centers on a family confronted by an otherworldly presence. In theaters October 9 from Universal Pictures.
Avengers: Doomsday
Anthony and Joe Russo return for the ultimate superhero nostalgia crossover featuring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Florence Pugh, Paul Rudd, and about a billion other actors. Doomsday will also feature multiple returning X-Men characters. In theaters December 18 from Marvel Studios.
Dune: Part Three
Denis Villeneuve concludes his adaptation of Frank Herbert’s saga with a film based on Dune Messiah, continuing Paul Atreides’ reign in the aftermath of his rise to power. Starring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, and Anya Taylor-Joy, the story aims to cap off one of the best trilogies of the modern era. In theaters December 18 from Warner Bros. Pictures.
Werwulf
Robert Eggers (The Witch, Nosferatu) uses his signature talents to craft a stately 19th-century horror drama with period accurate dialogue starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Willem Dafoe, and Lily-Rose Depp. Maybe the thing I’m looking forward to most in 2026. In theaters December 25 from Focus Features.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew
Greta Gerwig writes and directs the first of Netflix’s new Narnia adaptations, based on C.S. Lewis’ prequel that explores the creation of Narnia and the origins of its mythology. Starring Emma Mackey, Daniel Craig, Carey Mulligan, and Meryl Streep, Narnia will see Gerwig try to revitalize the franchise with an experimental release structure. IMAX Thanksgiving 2026, then Netflix Christmas Day 2026.
Artificial
Luca Guadagnino (Challengers) directs a corporate drama starring Andrew Garfield, Monica Barbaro, and Yura Borisov that dramatizes the internal crisis surrounding OpenAI’s leadership shake-up in 2023. Hopefully better than his last. Release date TBD from Amazon MGM Studios.
Behemoth!
Tony Gilroy (Andor) writes and directs a drama starring Pedro Pascal, David Harbour, and Olivia Wilde that follows a musician and film composer returning to Los Angeles after years away. Release date TBD from Searchlight Pictures.
Brides
Chloe Okuno (Watcher) directs a gothic vampire film starring Olivia Cooke, Alessandro Nivola, Vicky Krieps, and Carla Juri. Set in 1960s Italy, the story follows a newly married woman drawn into a mysterious aristocratic household. Release date TBD from NEON.
The Death of Robin Hood
Michael Sarnoski (Pig) writes and directs a reimagining of Robin Hood’s final days, starring Hugh Jackman, Jodie Comer, and Paul Mescal. Release date TBD from A24.
The Entertainment System Is Down
Ruben Östlund (Triangle of Sadness) directs another social satire starring Keanu Reeves, Kirsten Dunst, Joel Edgerton, and Woody Harrelson set aboard a transatlantic flight where, you guessed it, the entertainment system fails. Release date TBD from A24.
The Gallerist
Cathy Yan directs a dark comedy set during Miami Art Basel, starring Natalie Portman, Jenna Ortega, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Sterling K. Brown. The story follows a powerful art dealer navigating rivalries and scandal as they try to sell a dead body as art. Sundance premiere in January (release date TBD).
Flowervale Street
David Robert Mitchell (It Follows) writes and directs this 1980s-set mystery film about a family who begin to notice increasingly bizarre occurrences in their suburban neighborhood, with Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor. Mitchell hasn’t managed to hit the same highs as his debut, so here’s hoping this a true return to form. Releasing 2026.
The History of Concrete
Directed by comic-cinema-verité freak John Wilson (How To With John Wilson), this tongue-in-cheek documentary follows the filmmaker as he attempts to sell a documentary about concrete using the formula taught in a Hallmark screenwriting workshop. Sundance premiere in January (release date TBD).
The Incomer
Domhnall Gleeson and Gayle Rankin star in this drama about Irish siblings living in isolation who are to be forcibly moved by a government official trying to relocate them. Sundance premiere in January (release date TBD).
In the Blink Of An Eye
Pixar auter Andrew Stanton’s (Wall-E) live-action return stars Rashida Jones, Kate McKinnon, and Daveed Diggs and interweaves three storylines spanning thousands of years. Looks mysterious. Sundance premiere, then Hulu (date TBD).
I Want Your Sex
Gregg Araki directs an erotic thriller starring Olivia Wilde, Cooper Hoffman, Margaret Cho, and Charli XCX. The film revisits the age-gap thriller as a contemporary provocation. Sundance premiere in January (release date TBD).
Josephine
Gemma Chan and Channing Tatum star in this story about a child whose behavior shifts after witnessing a violent assault, and the impact on those around her. Sundance premiere in January (release date TBD).
The Last Disturbance of Madeline Hynde
Kenneth Branagh directs a gothic psychological drama starring Rebecca Hall, Ralph Fiennes, Jessie Buckley, and Fionn Whitehead set in postwar England. The story is said to focus on a novelist haunted by apparitions while completing her final manuscript. Release date TBD.
Mayday
Directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein (Game Night), Mayday stars Ryan Reynolds as a U.S. pilot stranded in Soviet territory during the Cold War. An interesting combination of talent that could pay dividends. Release date TBD from Apple Original Films.
Mother Mary
David Lowery (Ghost Story) directs a melodrama starring Anne Hathaway as a musician and Michaela Coel as a fashion designer. The film focuses on their creative and personal relationship. Release date TBD from A24.
October
Jeremy Saulnier (Green Room) returns to full-blown genre filmmaking for this Halloween-set action-horror film starring Imogen Poots, Cory Michael Smith, Sophie Wilde, and Chase Sui Wonders. Plot details remain undisclosed though I remain stoked as hell. Release date TBD from A24.
The Only Living Pickpocket in New York
From Noah Segan (Starry Eyes), this Sundance premiere stars John Turturro as a veteran thief forced into motion after a job goes sideways. Sundance premiere in January (release date TBD).
Onslaught
Adam Wingard (The Guest) returns to the action-horror thriller genre for this story about a mother protecting her family after a threat escapes a secret military base starring Adria Arjona and Dan Stevens. Release date TBD.
Ray Gunn
Brad Bird (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol) revives his long-shelved animated project, an original neo-noir sci-fi action comedy he developed decades ago. Voiced by Sam Rockwell alongside Scarlett Johansson, Jamie Costa, and John Ratzenberger, the film follows a private detective navigating a futuristic city. Release date TBD from Netflix.
See You When I See You
Jay Duplass directs this drama starring Cooper Raiff as a comedy writer struggling with PTSD after the death of his sister. Co-starring David Duchovny, Kaitlyn Dever, Hope Davis, and Lucy Boynton, the film centers on grief, family, and the slow process of reorienting a life after loss. Sundance premiere in January (release date TBD).
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma
Jane Schoenbrun follows I Saw the TV Glow with a meta-horror film starring Hannah Einbinder as a filmmaker hired to revive a dormant slasher franchise. When she becomes fixated on the original final girl, played by Gillian Anderson, the collaboration blurs into obsession, fantasy, and identity. Release date TBD from Mubi.
Terrifier 4
Damien Leone continues the Terrifier franchise with a fourth installment that will explore Art the Clown’s origin story. Starring David Howard Thornton, the film is described by Leone as taking a more abstract, “Lynchian” approach, aiming to reveal long-awaited answers while preserving the character’s mystique. Release date TBD.
The Weight
A historical survival drama starring Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe set in 1933 Oregon, the film follows a widowed father forced into a brutal work camp. Sundance premiere in January (release date TBD).
The Young People
Osgood Perkins churns out yet another horror film, this time starring Lola Tung, Nico Parker, and Nicole Kidman. Plot details have not been disclosed. Hoping this is more Longlegs and less Keeper. Releasing 2026 from NEON.
Union County
Adam Meeks directs the Sundance Dramatic Competition film starring Will Poulter and Noah Centineo about a man navigating recovery through a county-mandated drug court program in rural Ohio. Sundance premiere in January (release date TBD).
Whitney Springs
South Park‘s Trey Parker and hip-hip legend Kendrick Lamar unite to deliver a live-action musical comedy reportedly centered on a black man interning as a slave reenactor at a living history museum discovers that his white girlfriend’s ancestors once owned his. Release date TBD from Paramount.
Zi
Kogonada (Columbus) returns to independent filmmaking with a Hong Kong–set drama starring Michelle Mao, Haley Lu Richardson, and Jin Ha. The film follows a young woman haunted by visions of her future self during a chance encounter that alters the course of her night. Sundance premiere in January (release date TBD).
For other reviews, interviews, and featured articles, be sure to:
Follow Silver Screen Riot on Letterboxd
Follow Silver Screen Riot on Facebook
Follow Silver Screen Riot on Twitter
Follow Silver Screen Riot on BlueSky
Follow Silver Screen Riot on Substack
The post 50+ Most Anticipated Movies of 2026 appeared first on Silver Screen Riot.
