Credit: Disney
The year 2026 is shaping up to be a particularly interesting year for movies, and 2027 looks equally promising. This year feels different — it has more films that audiences are eagerly anticipating. The trend from last year continues, with sequels and remakes dominating the landscape. Hollywood seems to be moving cautiously, influenced by the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix and the steady decline of traditional cinema viewership. Studios are betting on stories with a proven following, aiming for “surefire hits” rather than big risks. This year’s slate reflects that strategy — familiar franchises, beloved characters, and highly anticipated continuations of popular films are front and centre, promising a mix of nostalgia and excitement for audiences of all generations. The movies also seem to target Gen Xers and Millennials, as many of the blockbusters are rehashes of ’80s and ’90s movies, cartoons, stars, and games. Probably because they are the most likely demographics to still patronize the traditional form of movie-going, as against staying home and streaming.
Hmm… food for thought there. Anyway, without further ado, here are our most anticipated Hollywood movies for 2026. We will do Nollywood movies in the next installment. Pardon our tardiness in presenting this list but it will be worth it. Trust us!
1. January (mid‑January) – 28 Years Later: Bone Temple
The first movie on our list is 28 Years Later: Bone Temple, the latest entry in the 28 Days franchise, which officially hit cinemas in mid‑January 2026. Its release comes almost immediately on the heels of last year’s previous installment, which we had already previewed, making this feel less like a pause‑and‑return and more like a deliberate continuation. The timing is telling. With the franchise still fresh in audiences’ minds and its fan base firmly intact, the studio clearly chose momentum over patience. It’s another example of Hollywood doubling down on familiar worlds — stories with built‑in loyalty — rather than taking bigger creative risks in an era where box‑office success feels far less guaranteed.
2. February 27 – Scream 7
Scream 7 returns after many years, bringing back the iconic Ghostface killer. The franchise has maintained its fan base through decades of horror and suspense, and this seventh installment looks to recapture the tension and thrills that made the earlier films a cultural touchstone. With nostalgia running high, it promises to be both a continuation for longtime fans and an entry point for new audiences.
3. March 20 – Project Hail Mary
Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling, is an intergalactic survival story reminiscent of The Martian. Gosling plays an astronaut stranded in space, navigating a perilous journey reminiscent of a cosmic Robinson Crusoe. It’s a rare original story among this year’s heavy slate of sequels and remakes, making it particularly intriguing for those seeking a fresh sci‑fi narrative.
4. April 3 – The Drama
The Drama, featuring Robert Pattinson and Zendaya, is a romantic comedy that steps away from the action-heavy trend dominating 2026. The pairing promises strong on-screen chemistry, making the film an interesting watch for romance fans. Unlike the typical blockbuster, this film focuses on character dynamics and humour rooted in romance rather than spectacle.
5. April 24 – Michael
The long-anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, finally arrives this year. It stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew, offering both a familial connection and a fresh perspective on the King of Pop. Given the generational divide, this biopic offers younger audiences, particularly Gen Z, an opportunity to understand the man behind the legend, while older generations revisit a complex cultural icon.
6. May 8 – Mortal Kombat II
For Gen Xers and Millennials, Mortal Kombat II coming out on May 8, 2026, will be a nostalgic thrill. Based on the iconic arcade game, this franchise was a huge part of gaming culture for anyone who experienced it in arcades during the early ’90s. Home console ports — including later releases on systems like Sega Genesis, SNES, and eventually PlayStation — expanded its reach and cemented its place in gaming history. Seeing those classic characters and that world translated to the big screen again is bound to be an interesting watch for longtime fans and anyone curious about how that fierce, pixel-powered nostalgia holds up today.
7. May 22 – Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
Seven years after the last Mandalorian story, this sequel continues the adventures of Grogu and the Mandalorian. With one of the largest fan bases in modern cinema, it’s poised to be a major blockbuster. Anticipation is high, as audiences expect more of the storytelling depth and character-driven moments that made the Disney+ series so successful.
8. June 5 – Masters of the Universe
Based on the 80s toy collection and cartoon, featuring He-Man, Man-at-Arms, She-Ra, and their arch-nemesis Skeletor, this movie seems to be a possible hit-or-miss. It lies precariously on a precipice where, if you stick strictly to the cartoon mythos, it might come off looking corny and if you gave it a more mature spin, you might risk alienating fans of the cartoon and fail at the box office. A bit like Dolph Lundgren’s 1987 original adaptation, produced by Golan Globus, which didn’t live up to expectations. It’s tough to call but if anyone has the Power, it would be Amazon MGM Studios. Pardon the pun.
9. June 12 – Disclosure Day
Steven Spielberg returns with Disclosure Day, starring Emily Blunt, exploring UFOs and unexplained phenomena. This film is grounded and suspenseful, reflecting Spielberg’s long-standing fascination with extraterrestrial encounters (1977’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind comes to mind). Scheduled for release on June 12, it promises to engage audiences with both intrigue and scientific curiosity. One of the few originals this year.
10. June 12 – Scary Movie
Coinciding with Disclosure Day, the parody franchise Scary Movie returns, timed cleverly alongside Scream 7. The series has historically balanced humour with clever pop culture commentary, and this installment looks to continue that tradition, promising laughs for longtime fans.
11. June 19 – Toy Story 5
The enduring Toy Story franchise returns with Toy Story 5. While it’s unclear how much new ground the story will cover, Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and friends continue to captivate fans old and new. This installment provides another opportunity to reflect on the franchise’s legacy. We have concerns whether Toy Story can continue to infinity and beyond…
12. June 26 – Supergirl
Supergirl arrives for DC and superhero enthusiasts. The character, long overshadowed by her cousin-Superman, is given her own independent arc. This take promises a slightly darker, more realistic heroine, distinct from the Man of Steel’s altruistic superhero. The original Supergirl movie came out in the 1980s with measured success in theatres, and this reboot hopes to capture a modern audience with both action and depth.
13. July 1 – Minions 3
Minions 3 continues the franchise’s goofy fun, appealing to both young and old audiences. The Minions spin-off from Despicable Me has grown its fan base steadily, and this latest installment promises more of the same mix of slapstick humour, mischief, and heart.
14. July 10 – Moana (Live-Action)
Disney’s live-action Moana follows the studio trend of adapting its animated classics for modern audiences. While the necessity of a live-action version may be debated, the movie provides an interesting case study in nostalgia and adaptation, especially for box office performance.
15. July 17 – The Odyssey
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey brings Homer’s epic to the big screen once more. As Nolan fans, we’re particularly excited about this one for a cerebral, visually stunning take on the epic poem. Like Nolan’s previous work, Oppenheimer, this also features a band of A-list actors and deals with complex themes, signaling a profound delivery of depth, style, and a rich cinematic experience.
16. July 31 – Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Spider-Man returns in Brand New Day, continuing the franchise after many thought the last film would close the chapter. With the transfer from Paramount to Disney complete, audiences can expect familiar humour, thrilling action, and the juvenile charm that has defined Spider-Man movies, keeping fans engaged. Surely prepping us up for December 18th!
17. October 16 – Street Fighter
Street Fighter, based on the classic 1980s arcade game, is set to release shortly after Mortal Kombat II, though predating it in the gaming world. Both films feature iconic video game characters and will likely create an interesting comparison for fans of the genre. The success of either will hinge on adaptation quality and nostalgic appeal.
18. November 20 – The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
The Hunger Games franchise returns with a new sequel (or prequel). We get to see Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson reprise their roles. With its strong pop culture presence, expectations are high, and fans are eager to see how this continuation delivers both action and narrative depth.
19. December 11 – Jumanji 4
Jumanji 4 continues the comedic adventure franchise. With returning stars The Rock and Kevin Hart, humour remains central, but the challenge will be keeping the story fresh while maintaining the charm that has made Jumanji a long-running success.
20. December 18 – Avengers: Doomsday
The pinnacle of the 2026 slate, Avengers: Doomsday has been years in the making. With an ensemble of MCU favorites alongside actors/characters from previous Marvel iterations like Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, and Hugh Jackman, expectations are immense. The Russo brothers’ track record in balancing star power with story gives hope that this will be an engaging, cohesive blockbuster and not just glitter and mindless action.
21. December 18 – Dune: Part Three
Competing with Avengers: Doomsday, Dune: Part Three arrives on the same day. The franchise continues its epic saga, and although simultaneous release may split audiences, it promises another major cinematic event for science-fiction enthusiasts.
We find it quite baffling that at a time when studios should join forces to keep viewers in the cinemas, two major studios will pit two of the most anticipated movies of 2026 ‘against each other’ on the same day, thus dividing opening day/week box office sales, which is quite important. We hope that either one will see reason in time and change their premiere date for the greater good of cinema. Ah well, if it does happen at least both companies own streaming sites, eh? Perhaps it doesn’t quite matter to the big studios.
22. December 25 – Werwulf
Finally, what better day to watch a horror flick than on Christmas Day! A way to end the blockbuster year too. It will be interesting to see if this movie beats An American Werewolf in London as arguably the best werewolf movie ever made! From the trailer, there’s a chance it will.
So as 2026 rolls out this impressive slate, it’s clear that Hollywood is playing both it safe and smart — sequels, remakes, and franchise continuations dominate, yet there are still fresh stories that dare to take the stage. From intergalactic adventures and nostalgic arcade adaptations to superhero epics and long-awaited cinematic returns, this year promises something for every kind of movie lover. Whether you’re here for the laughs, the action, the nostalgia, or the spectacle, 2026 is shaping up to be a year where the cinema experience still matters — and for movie buffs like us, it’s going to be a thrilling ride. And that’s the REELDEAL.
THE REELDEAL
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