(This article was updated by Tanay Shrotriy on April 9, 2026) From The Odyssey to Dune: Part Three, these are the most anticipated films in 2026, 2027.
What once operated as clockwork is reportedly rewriting itself mid-stride. Big studios, which are usually so exacting, feel a bit… unruly right now. As is the case, for instance, with Avengers: Doomsday, which is aiming to course-correct an entire franchise in one go. Conversely, someone like Christopher Nolan is holding firm on large-format screens for The Odyssey, because of course he is. Further on, there’s a different kind of stubbornness to see. Teams on Ramayana: Part I-2 are hoping to scale myth to industrial proportions, because no one’s quite done it like this before. Premium IMAX premieres are getting sold-out the minute the windows open. Horror, as always, keeps slipping through the cracks, difficult to predict. Every production feels as if in a state of flux. And some of it might buckle under its own overreach. That’s roughly the energy hanging over 2026–2027.
Release clustering remains a base trend. Months of summer and the year-end corridors are replete with high-stakes titles. At the same time, there’s the counter-programming of mid-budget films and other experimental projects. But as of now, nothing feels settled. Dates are likely to move again. Final cuts might get altered. For now, though, this slate is floating in an uncanny state of half promise, half bluff.
Here’s our list of 20 notable titles coming your way through 2026-2027.
Upcoming Hollywood Movies
1. Disclosure Day — June 12, 2026
Out June 12, 2026, Disclosure Day will see Steven Spielberg returning to his favorite kind of story: what happens when the unknown finally decides to register itself. Written by David Koepp, the film brings together Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, and Colin Firth in a story circling humanity’s first real reckoning with extraterrestrial truth. Behind the camera, Janusz Kamiński returns as cinematographer along with other longtime collaborators like John Williams, marking his 30th collaboration with Spielberg. Anticipation is sky-high to see if Spielberg’s newest spin on the genre sticks the landing.
2. Toy Story 5 — June 19, 2026
We all thought Toy Story 3 was the perfect goodbye. But Pixar had other plans. Fifteen years later, Woody, Buzz, and the gang are back, this time facing a threat no villain has managed before: a tablet. When Bonnie starts replacing her toys with gadgets, it’s all hands on deck. Andrew Stanton, the Pixar veteran behind Wall-E and Finding Nemo, is at the helm. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Tony Hale, Blake Clark, and John Ratzenberger all return, joined by newcomers Greta Lee, Conan O’Brien, and Ernie Hudson voicing original characters. To infinity, and apparently, beyond.
3. The Odyssey — July 17, 2026
Reportedly a $250 million adaptation, The Odyssey will see Christopher Nolan tackle Homer’s epic poem. It would be interesting to watch Nolan apply his signature tactile strengths to the mythical aspects of the source material. Matt Damon will play Odysseus, supported by a stacked cast including, but not limited, to Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, and Robert Pattinson. Shot across multiple countries entirely on IMAX film, the film will also reunite Nolan with cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema and music composer Ludwig Göransson.
4. Evil Dead Burn — July 24, 2026
The next chapter in the long-running horror franchise hits theatres on July 24. Directed and co-written by French filmmaker Sébastien Vaniček, the film will mark the third standalone story in the franchise (if you’re still counting), and sixth instalment overall following Evil Dead Rise. It will star Souheila Yacoub, Hunter Doohan, and Luciane Buchanan in principal roles. Franchise mainstays like Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell will return as producer and executive producer respectively. The plot details for the film are unfortunately still under wraps.
5. Spider-Man: Brand New Day — July 31, 2026
Brand New Day should mark a tonal reset for our friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man following the memory-altering events of the previous film. Tom Holland will return as Peter Parker, joined by the likes of Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, and Jon Bernthal. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, the story will follow Peter navigating new powers against old enemies like the Hand, Boomerang, and Tarantula. As a key Marvel release, the film will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the studio’s broader Phase 6 trajectory.
6. The End of Oak Street — August 14, 2026
After multiple postponements, The End of Oak Street will finally hit the screens on August 14, 2026. Written, co-produced, and directed by David Robert Mitchell, the film is the long-awaited follow-up to his Under the Silver Lake (2018), nearly seven years later. It will star Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, Maisy Stella, and Christian Convery. Mitchell has taken his sweet time cooking up the film, and finally a teaser has been unveiled. Here’s hoping that this proves to be an instance of three for three.
7. Fjord — August 19, 2026
An upcoming drama written and directed by critical darling Cristian Mungiu, Fjord stars Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve, and follows a Romanian–Norwegian family who relocate to a remote Norwegian village. No other major cast members have been announced so far. Filmed in Norway, the project is an international co-production involving several European countries. It’s expected to premiere at Cannes where Mungiu had previously won the Palme d’Or for his film 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days in 2007.
8. Digger — October 1, 2026
The world’s most powerful man races to convince humanity he is its saviour after triggering a catastrophic disaster. If ever a premise seemed tailor-made for Alejandro G. Iñárritu, this is it. The upcoming satirical black comedy will star Tom Cruise in the lead alongside an ensemble cast including Riz Ahmed and Sandra Hüller. Digger will mark Iñárritu’s return to English-language cinema, but the thing to look out for would be to see Cruise mould himself out of convention and plunge into satire.
9. Ramayana — November 2026
Undoubtedly, the most anticipated Hindi film of 2026, Ramayana: Part 1 is planned as a multi-part saga, with its first installment scheduled for a Diwali 2026 release. One of biggest talking points surrounding the film, and validly so, is the unprecedented coming together of legendary music composers Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman. Adapting the ancient Indian scripture Ramayana, the film has been afforded the biggest budget an Indian film has ever seen of ₹2600-4000 crore, and is helmed by Nitesh Tiwari (Dangal). Ranbir Kapoor leads as Rama, with Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana, and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. Vivek Oberoi, Rakul Preet Singh, Lara Dutta, Kunal Kapoor, and Arun Govil, who memorably played Rama himself in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic television series, round out the ensemble.
10. Wild Horse Nine — November 6, 2026
People don’t quite know what to expect from Wild Horse Nine, and that’s exactly why it has lodged itself in their brains. It’s a Martin McDonagh film, and when you throw in John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell and Steve Buscemi in the mix, it suddenly feels like anything could happen. Set against the backdrop of the 1973 Chilean coup d’état, the film will follow two CIA agents sent to Easter Island, setting up a McDonagh style blend of character drama and geopolitical intrigue.
11. Dune: Part Three — December 18, 2026
What felt like a distant dream a couple of years ago is finally happening. There’s something almost unreal about Dune: Part Three finally existing. After years of sand and prophecy, we’re actually getting the endgame. Denis Villeneuve returns to close out his trilogy, and if Herbert’s Dune Messiah is any indication, this one won’t be a victory lap. Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya will return, along with heavyweight additions to the cast like Robert Pattinson and Anya Taylor-Joy. This one is not to be missed.
12. Avengers: Doomsday — December 18, 2026
There’s a sort of chaotic, almost desperate energy around Avengers: Doomsday, as if the MCU knows it has to go bigger and riskier than ever before. And honestly? I’m here for it. For starters, you’ve got Joe and Anthony Russo back in charge, but the real curveball is Robert Downey Jr. returning, not as Iron Man, but as Doctor Doom. Positioned alongside Dune: Part Three, it will set up a rare box office clash between two major franchises. Get ready for Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four, all colliding into one overwhelming showdown.
13. Werwulf — December 25, 2026
Werwulf is one of the most talked‑about horror projects due for Christmas 2026, and rightly so. Directed and co‑written by Robert Eggers (the mind behind The Witch, The Lighthouse, and Nosferatu), this gothic period horror plunges into 13th‑century England’s local folklore, and is set to star Eggers favorites Aaron Taylor‑Johnson, Lily‑Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe and Ralph Ineson in principal roles. Eggers has called this his “darkest” script yet, which alone makes it worthy for a spot on any horror fan’s watchlist.
14. Jack of Spades — TBA
With no release date announced yet, here’s a taste of what we know (and what’s got people excited) about Jack of Spades — a new film from Joel Coen. It’s been described as a Gothic mystery set in 19th‑century Scotland, with principal photography having taken place across historic Scottish towns and cities. The cast will include Josh O’Connor, Frances McDormand, Lesley Manville, and Damian Lewis, and the score is by longtime Coen collaborator Carter Burwell. Plot details, as of now, remain tightly under wraps.
15. Varanasi — April 7, 2027
S. S. Rajamouli’s hugely ambitious next outing, Varanasi, is an Indian epic action-adventure slated for release on April 7, 2027. The film follows an adventurer named Rudhra against the backdrop of the sacred city of Varanasi, with a narrative that spans multiple timelines and continents. It stars Mahesh Babu, reportedly in a dual role, alongside Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Also, the movie is shot in the 1.43:1 IMAX format, which makes it the first Indian and first non‑English film to have done it.
16. What Happens at Night — TBA
Martin Scorsese doing gothic horror? Yes, please. Adapted by Patrick Marber from the novel by Peter Cameron, What Happens at Night will follow a married American couple (played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence) who travel to a snowy European town to adopt a baby, only to find themselves unraveling psychologically. Different sources have suggested an autobiographical aspect to the story, which can only add to the anticipation. The cast also includes Mads Mikkelsen, Patricia Clarkson and Jared Harris, with filming now underway in the Czech Republic.
17. Star Wars: Starfighter — May 28, 2027
Fans have been eagerly waiting for a Star Wars story that feels truly new rather than retreading the same old skywalkers and jedi echoes. Can this be it? Only time will tell. Set five years after The Rise of Skywalker, with Ryan Gosling leading a cast, the film will be directed by Shawn Levy, someone who already dabbled in the blockbuster milieu. Here’s hoping the film is not just another sequel, but a start of something that might actually expand what Star Wars means to people. Scheduled for May 28, 2027, the hype is real.
18. Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse — June 18, 2027
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse is the third and final chapter in the Miles Morales–led Spider‑Verse animated trilogy, following Into the Spider‑Verse and Across the Spider‑Verse. After that insane cliffhanger in Across the Spider-Verse, with Miles trapped in an alternate universe trying to save his family, fans are ready for multiple spider versions, and whatever multiverse chaos they’re unleashing. The film will bring back familiar voices like Shameik Moore and Hailee Steinfeld alongside an ensemble which includes Jason Schwartzman, Daniel Kaluuya and Nicolas Cage.
19. The Batman – Part II — October 2027
Here’s the one that’s got the whole internet pacing rooms and saying “October 2027 can’t come soon enough. Well, good news. Bruce is back. The Penguin’s back. Hell, even whispers of Robin and a Joker reprise float around as if they’re plotting behind the scenes. It’s all set to drop in October, 2027, with Matt Reeves once again steering this moody Bat‑ship into the everlasting Gotham grime. Announcements have been made that the film will officially begin its shoot later in the month of April, 2026.
20. The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum — December 17, 2027
The very idea of Middle‑earth coming back to theaters in December 2027 feels like waking up after a decade‑long nap. It has nerds all over the world doing cartwheels in their heads. What adds to the anticipation even more is knowing the fact that Andy Serkis, the Gollum himself, isn’t just in it, he’s directing it. The film will be set in that slice of the timeline between The Hobbit and The Fellowship, where Aragorn and Gandalf chase down the mad pebble Gollum before he knows too much.
21. Avengers: Secret Wars — December 17, 2027
Avengers: Secret Wars is poised as the culmination of Marvel’s current saga, bringing together characters and storylines across multiple universes. We’re talking every universe on the edge, heroes and villains colliding, and decades of lore, cameos, and emotional baggage exploding into one. Inspired by the comic arc of the same name, this is the finale we’ve been inching toward since the multiverse cracked open in Loki and started spitting out timelines like confetti. The Russo brothers will return at the helm as directors.
Wrapping Up
Somewhere between their ambitions and the happy accidents, many of these films are bound to register in ways nobody, not even the people making them, would’ve seen coming. There are just too many variables and too many moving parts. But isn’t that always a part of the deal? Some might say the best part. So, buckle up.
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