Film Review: Top 10 Anticipated Movies Coming in 2026
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IN the nearly six years since the covid-19 pandemic brought an abrupt halt to every industry around the world, it seems the film industry in particular has struggled to truly bounce back from the injury suffered by the closure of cinemas in 2020. However, 2026 is shaping up to be a monumental year for cinema, as some of the most promising and eagerly anticipated films in years are due for release throughout the next 12 months. Here is a breakdown of the top ten films releasing in 2026 that should see a boom in cinema attendance.
1. Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man Four years after the climactic finale of Peaky Blinders sixth and supposed final season, Cillian Murphy returns once again to his most iconic role as the Birmingham gangster Tommy Shelby. Set during World War 2, this film adaptation of the hit BBC series is sure to garner considerable attention and hype when it releases in select cinemas on 6 March before landing on Netflix on 20 March.
2. Michael Since the blockbusting success of 2018s Bohemian Rhapsody, the musical biopic genre has seen an explosion in popularity. This April, one of the most inevitable, and potentially most anticipated musical biopics of all, arrives in the form of Michael. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, this film tells the story of the ‘king of pop’ Michael Jackson and stars Jackson’s own nephew Jafaar Jackson in the lead role.
3. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie With The Super Mario Bros Movie becoming one of the most successful animated movies of all time in 2023, a sequel was an absolute guarantee. This April, audiences can return to Nintendo’s colourful world of Italian plumbers and mushroom kingdoms in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Fans, young and old, will certainly flock to the cinemas to see their favourite moments and characters from the beloved games brought to the big screen once more.
4. The Mandalorian & Grogu Though Disney’s Star Wars films proved to be somewhat problematic, to say the least, The Mandalorian surprised audiences around the world when it launched on Disney+ in late 2019. This unexpected triumph of a television series was a welcome return to what made classic Star Wars so special and this May, The Mandalorian and Grogu continues the adventures of the iconic duo on the big screen.
5. The Adventures of Cliff Booth Following his Oscar winning performance as the effortlessly cool stuntman Cliff Booth in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Brad Pitt dons the Hawaiian shirt once more this July in The Adventures of Cliff Booth. Written by Tarantino and directed by the acclaimed David Fincher, this is sure to be an ultimate summer film and one that is dripping with style and cool vibes.
6. The Odyssey Easily one of the most hotly anticipated films of the year, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is set to be an epic unlike anything ever put to screen before. Adapting the ancient Greek story attributed to Homer, this is the first film in history to be filmed entirely on IMAX cameras. Telling the story of Odysseus’ perilous journey home from the Trojan War, The Odyssey will be the biggest film of the summer and, possibly, the entire year.
7. Spider-Man: Brand New Day Before Marvel finish off the year with a fifth Avengers film, Tom Holland’s friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man swings back onto screens this July for another adventure. Over four years since the previous instalment, Spider-Man: Brand New Day will see Peter Parker face deadlier foes than ever before and form new alliances with some unexpected faces. Always a box-office hit, Spider-Man will be a definite crowd pleaser.
8. Dune: Part Three While Denis Villeneuve’s first Dune film may have slipped under the radar of some, 2024s Dune: Part Two grabbed the attention of the world when it was released. Quickly regarded as one of the greatest sci-fi epics of all time, audiences were captivated by the desert world of Akaris and the ambitious rise of Paul Atreides. Next December, audiences are expected to return to cinemas in droves to witness the next chapter in the epic saga.
9. Werwulf Master of the macabre, Robert Eggers returns with his latest horrifying film Werwulf, releasing next December. Following the undeniable success of last year’s Nosferatu, this 13th century tale will see traditional werewolf folklore reimagined in a new, horrifying vision that is sure to terrify audiences in the best way possible. While many details regarding the film remain under wraps, director Robert Eggers promises Werwulf is the darkest material he has ever written.
10. Avengers: Doomsday Since the phenomenal success of 2019s Avengers: Endgame, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has struggled to achieve the same level of quality or appeal in their films. That is set to change next December, however, when Marvel pull out every card and trick from every sleeve they can find in Avengers: Doomsday. With Robert Downey Jr returning to the franchise that made him one of the highest earning actors in Hollywood, this time as the villain, this movie could be the most important film ever released by Marvel Studios. If it fails to perform, the Marvel Cinematic Universe could well and truly be nearing its death but, if audiences are impressed and the film lives up to the impossible hype, Avengers: Doomsday could become one of the biggest films of all time.
With a major film releasing nearly every month in the coming year, 2026 is looking one of the biggest years for cinema in recent history. See you at the movies.
