From epic love stories to blockbuster franchises: The films to watch in 2026
A look at some of the most anticipated films of 2026.
Looking ahead to the new year, 2026 promises a film-packed year, from epic love stories to the return of beloved franchises.
Here is a quick look at some of the most anticipated films to look out for.
Hamnet
Set in 16th-century England, Normal People actor Paul Mescal and Irish actress Jessie Buckley star in Chloe Zhao’s film adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s period drama, which follows Agnes and William Shakespeare as they grapple with grief after losing their son Hamnet to the plague.
Wuthering Heights
The epic romance between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff will be revisited in February in Emerald Fennell’s hotly anticipated adaptation of Emily Bronte’s acclaimed novel, Wuthering Heights.
Starring Australian actors Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, the film will also feature a soundtrack written by popstar Charli XCX, following her Brat triumph.
Starring the singer’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, the biopic will premiere in April.
The Devil Wears Prada 2
Fashion giant Miranda Presley is back in the highly anticipated sequel, two decades after the original beloved film premiered, with the return of its star-studded cast, including Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt.
Toy Story 5
The beloved animation will see toys Woody, Buzz and Jessie return to screens along with the rest of the Disney and Pixar gang as they face a new threat during playtime with the arrival of a digital tablet.
The Odyssey
Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of the ancient Greek epic follows Odysseus, king of Ithaca, as he embarks on a journey home following the Trojan War.
The action-packed fantasy film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, who will be joined by Hollywood stars including Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, and Lupita Nyong’o.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker as he tries to focus on college and leave Spider-Man behind until a new threat puts his friends’ lives at risk, forcing the superhero to team up with an unexpected ally to protect his loved ones.
Alongside Holland, Zendaya will also reprise her role as MJ with Stranger Things actress Sadie Sink and Severance star Tramell Tillman joining the blockbuster.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
The world of Panem will be revisited in this prequel to the original Hunger Games trilogy, which was adapted into the films starring US actress Jennifer Lawrence, following a young Haymitch Abernathy on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games.
Starring Joseph Zada, Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning and Jesse Plemons, the film follows the fifth book of the series written by Suzanne Collins and will hit cinemas in November.
The Avengers are assembling again for their highly anticipated blockbuster and the penultimate film of the multiverse saga.
Directors Joe and Anthony Russo have been secretive about the plot of the upcoming film, with little revealed so far.
However, the superhero blockbuster will see Robert Downey Jr swap his Iron Man suit to play supervillain Doctor Doom.
Meanwhile, with most of the Avengers team out of action for now, new heroes including Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, Anthony Mackie’s Falcon, Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man and Letitia Wright’s Shuri will join forces with members of this year’s Fantastic Four reboot, including Invisible Woman actress Vanessa Kirby, Mister Fantastic actor Pedro Pascal, The Thing actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Johnny Storm actor Joseph Quinn.
Dune: Part Three
Based on Frank Herbert’s 1969 novel Dune Messiah, Denis Villeneuve’s third and final instalment of the epic space saga takes place 12 years on from the events of the first film and stars Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Florence Pugh and Anya Taylor-Joy.
