If you know me, you know that I love movies. I love going to the movies, watching movies and talking about movies! My first real job in high school was working for a small movie store in East Texas, and that's where my real passion for movies started! There's something really special about going to the movies with your friends and family, eating popcorn and candy and watching your favorite movie on the big screen with tons of other movie lovers. 2026 is shaping up to be a great year full of great movies. Here are eleven of the most anticipated movies to hit the big screen next year, in my opinion of course.
The Bride!
Theatrical Release: March 6th
I'm honestly not totally sure how I feel about this movie yet, but I do know I'm looking forward to checking it out due to it's hype. Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, this fresh perspective on a classic tale looks to be just that: a new take and story revolving around Frankenstein's monster and his companion and a retelling of the classic Bride of Frankenstein. The film is described as "punk", "violent" and "wildly romantic". One of the reasons I'm so excited to see this movie is the cast, which includes Christian Bale, Annette Bening, Penelope Cruz, Peter Sarsgaard and Jessie Buckley (as the Bride).
Project Hail Mary
Theatrical Release: March 20th
When I first saw the trailer for Project Hail Mary, I was hooked! I love science fiction movies that are also apocalyptic in nature, so this is right up my alley! The story revolves around a desperate mission to save Earth from a sun-dimming algae and a heartwarming partnership between an alien named Rocky and Ryan Gosling, who plays the lead, Ryland Grace. The story also offers clever science related themes, an amnesia mystery plot, a unique friendship between humans and aliens and an intense sci-fi background. I also don't think there's a movie I don't like with Ryan Gosling in it, so this doesn't appear like it will disappoint. He's long overdue for an Oscar, so maybe this is his year??
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Theatrical Release: April 3rd
When my kids and I saw the first Super Mario Brothers movie in theaters, I remember thinking that there was no way this movie was going to be that good, and even if I didn't like it, the kids would still have a good time. I have to admit that I was very very wrong! The first movie was so well done, the story was incredible, the cast of voice actors was close to perfect and the nostalgic call-backs to everything Mario Brothers was everything this 80's kid could have wished for. This time around, we get all our favorite characters back in action: Chris Pratt (Mario), Charlie Day (Luigi), Anya Taylor-Joy (Princess Peach), Jack Black (Bowser) and Keegan-Michael Key (Toad). This time around, we also get introduced to Rosalina (voiced by Brie Larson) and Bowser's son (voiced by Benny Safdie). I personally loved the trailer, because it appears that the Mario Brothers galaxy is expanding, and we will get to see the underwater worlds, the space worlds and the desert worlds. Can't wait!!
The Devil Wears Prada 2
Theatrical Release: May 1st
The first Devil Wears Prada movie is probably one of my favorite films ever, partly because it honestly never gets old and I can quote almost every single line in the movie. The sequel is one of the most highly anticipated movies of the year, due in part to the original cast reuniting on screen for the first time in 20 years! We get Meryl Streep (Miranda Priestly), Anne Hathaway (Andy), Emily Blunt (Emily) and Stanley Tucci (Nigel). This time around, we also get Kenneth Branagh, Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, Sydney Sweeney, Donatella Versace B.J. Novak and Lady Gaga!! The sequel will reportedly shift it's focus to the current media landscape, including the digital age renaissance and the fall of print magazines. The trailer (above) is perfect, as we get a brief glimpse of Miranda and Andy reunited after all these years. I guess Miranda is letting people ride in elevators with her now?
Toy Story 5
Theatrical Release: June 19th
Our family loves the Toy Story movies, so I know that two little kids who will be excited to go see this in theaters with me next summer! I'm not sure if anything can top Toy Story 4, so I have high hopes for Number 5. The plot focuses on how toys are becoming less relevant as children shift toward electronics. The "villain" is not a person, but rather a high-tech smart tablet named Lilypad that takes over playtime. This resonates with modern, real-world concerns about screen time. For a parent who struggles with kids having access to technology, this movie is both timely and needed! I can't wait to see Woody & Buzz back on the big screen again!!
The Odyssey
Theatrical Release: July 17th
For the record, I'm a huge Christopher Nolan fan! Some of my all-time favorite movies are Inception, The Prestige and Interstellar. This adaption of Homer's the Odyssey looks to be epic and truly one-of-a-kind, being the first movie ever to be shot entirely on new IMAX technology. The cast alone is enough to make this movie one of the most anticipated movies of all time, which includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, John Leguizamo & more! This also marks the second movie on this list to include Benny Safdie, who will play Agameemnon, who was the commander of the Achaeans during the Trojan War. It's going to be epic!!
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Theatrical Release: July 31st
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Theatrical Release: November 20th
Sunrise on the Reaping will serve as a both a sequel to The Hunger games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and a prequel to The Hunger Games which was released in 2012. This will mark the sixth installment in The Hunger Games film series. The story dives into the backstory of Haymitch Abernathy, who was originally played by Woody Harrelson in the original films. We will also get to see the infamous Second Quarter Quell and learn how Haymitch becomes the jaded alcoholic mentor we meet in the first movie. Also, it's rumored that we will get Katniss and Peeta cameos in the epilogues, which has also fueled the hype for this movie!
Narnia: The Magician's Nephew
Theatrical Release: November 26th
Greta Gerwig is a really, really, really good movie director, so that alone is a good enough reason to make this one of the most anticipated movies of 2026. Her last 3 movies she directed all went on to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards (Lady Bird, Little Women & Barbie). The announcement that Greta would be directing this new Narnia movie has generated significant buzz, as fans are eager to see her fresh, modern take on C.S. Lewis's classic fantasy saga, which is expected to balance reverence for the source material with a contemporary edge. Will we actually get a Narnia Cinematic Universe and see 7 total films to match all 7 C.S. Lewis books? This movie seems to be very mysterious, so there is no trailer that I could find previewing the film. Once it comes out, I'll update this blog and include the link!
Jumanji 3
Theatrical Release: December 11th
When the remake of Jumanji, Welcome to the Jungle, first came out back in 2017, I didn't rush to go see it in theaters. Actually, I never watched it until about a year ago when someone forced me to watch it. I guess I thought that the original Jumanji, which came out in 1995, was untouchable and that the remake was going to be terrible. I can admit now that I was wrong! Welcome to the Jungle is really, really good! The combination of Jack Black, Kevin Hart, The Rock and Karen Gillan is magic, and since it has worked twice now, why not go for a third round? I don't believe there is a trailer out for this movie, so once it shows up online, I'll post a link here. Stay tuned!
Avengers: Doomsday
Theatrical Release: December 18th
Is there a more highly anticipated movie than this one?! It's been several years since we last saw The Avengers on screen, and Marvel fans (like myself) can't wait to see the gang back together again. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been teasing us with trailers lately, letting us know that both Captain America (played by Chris Evans) and Thor (played by Chris Hemsworth) are returning. We also know that Robert Downey Junior is returning, but this time, he's playing Victor Von Doom / Doctor Doom, as famously revealed at Comic Con. The list of characters we will (supposedly) get in this movie is quite spectacular and too long to list, so click here to visit the Wikipedia page. For the first time ever (at least on screen), we will see the Avengers, the Fantastic Four the X-Men and many more superheroes join forces! Doomsday is expected to set up the Secret Wars saga, serving as a pivotal moment in the Multiverse Saga and potentially bridging gas from Avengers: Endgame. This will be one of the highest grossing movies of all time, and (hopefully) a return to excellence for the MCU.
What movie or movies are you looking forward to seeing? Didn't see a movie on the list that you think should be? Shoot me a message and I'll add it to the next list. See you at the movies!