Most Anticipated of 2026
- scarejonathan98
- Jan 5
- 6 min read
With 2026 now underway, I wanted to share my most anticipated movies and TV shows of the year. Many of these are from existing franchises, but there are a few non-franchise films. There are some movies at the top of this list that I am very excited about.
15. Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
This is the first Star Wars movie to come out in 7 years, so I am excited just in that respect. I really liked The Mandalorian TV show and am excited to see where this show goes from there. I am excited to see The Mandalorian get an even larger budget than it did in the TV show. I am a little skeptical of the quality, but I am happy just to be back in this world. The Mandalorian and Grogu will release on May 22nd, 2026.
14. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a new show in the Game of Thrones universe. I am interested in a TV show that doesn't involve conflict over who gets the Iron Throne, and I just want to see a story about a Knight and his Squire. I have been enjoying House of the Dragon and hope that this show will be of similar quality. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will release on HBO Max on January 18th, 2026.
13. Supergirl
Supergirl is the next film in James Gunn's DCU. We got a sneak peek of Supergirl in Superman last year, so I am very excited to see how they are going to build a full movie around her. This will be the first DCU project not written or directed by James Gunn, so it will be very interesting to see what that looks like. It looks like this movie will feature Jason Momoa as Lobo, which I think is perfect casting. Supergirl will be released on June 26, 2026.
12. Violent Night 2
Violent Night 2 is a sequel to the 2022 film Violent Night. Violent Night was an unashamed Die Hard knock-off, but I don't care because it was awesome. I just want this movie to be more of the same, where we get to see David Harbour as Santa beat up bad guys. Violent Night 2 will release on December 4, 2026.
11. Disclosure Day
This is the newest film from Steven Spielberg. This film is described as an original UFO story starring Emily Blunt, Colman Domingo, Colin Firth, and Wyatt Russel. Just that alone gets me excited, as we do not get enough original films. I am hoping this is a return to form for classic Spielberg in the same vein as Close Encounters of the Third Kind. This movie will be released on June 12, 2026.
10. The Boys Final Season
The Boys has been one of my favorite modern TV shows, so I am very excited to see how it is going to end. The last season ended on such a cliffhanger that I am really invested in the outcome of these characters. I hope we get a big finale battle where Homelander finally gets taken down. The Boys Season 5 will be released on Amazon Prime Video sometime in 2026.
9. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
This is the sequel to the hit 2024 Super Mario Bros Movie. I had a lot of fun with the first film and thought it perfectly matched up with the feel of the game. With this one going the Super Mario Galaxy route, I am hoping we get to see more classic worlds and feel like the Mario Galaxy game. I am also excited to get to Rosaline and Bowser Jr. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will release on April 3, 2026.
8. Spider-Noir
Spider-Noir is a new TV show starring Nicolas Cage, based on the Spider-Noir character from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, where Spider-Man is a private detective in 1930s New York City. That alone is enough to get me excited. I am excited for a unique take on Spider-Man with more of a detective classic noir feel. Nicolas Cage was also great as the animated version of the character, and I hope he can bring the same to live action. Spider-Noir will release on MGM+ and Amazon Prime Video sometime in 2026.
7. Lanterns
Lanterns is another new superhero TV show. This is a detective show starring Green Lanterns, Hal Jordan and John Stewart, as they investigate a murder on Earth. The last film adaptation of Green Lantern was not good, so I am hoping that this show gives me what I want. The show is described as being inspired by True Detective and Slow Horses. I just love it when superhero TV shows and movies try to blend with other genres. Lanterns will release on HBO Max sometime in 2026.
6. Daredevil: Born Again Season 2
Daredevil: Born Again, Season 2, is the final superhero TV show on this list. This is a continuation of the story we got from season 1, where Daredevil has to fight against the tyranny of Kingpin as the Mayor. The first season had some struggles as they had to work through the bad writing of the people they fired in the first half, but this season sounds like it will be significantly better. Punisher and Jessica Jones are both set to return, which makes me even more excited. Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 will release on March 4, 2026, on Disney+.
5. Dune: Part 3
Dune: Part 3 is the third and final film in Dennis Velinueve's Dune Trilogy. It follows Paul Atredies as he takes power in the empire while also continuing to be the leader of the Freeman. I thought the first two films were fantastic, both being in the top 3 best movies of their respective years (Dune was #3 in 2021, and Dune: Part 2 was #1 in 2024), so I am very excited to see the conclusion. I have read the books, so I do know what happens, but I am still very excited to see how it comes to the screen. Dune: Part 3 will release on December 18, 2026.
4. Project Hail Mary
Project Hail Mary is a non-franchise Sci-Fi story based on a book by the author of The Martian. I have read this book and know how good it is, and I am very excited to see it come to the screen. It looks to have a similar tone to The Martian and is directed by the guys behind Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which makes me even more excited. This is a non-franchise story from great directors starring a great actor. Seems like a recipe for success. Project Hail Mary will release on March 20, 2026.
3. Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the first of the two MCU films to be released this year. This is the fourth Tom Holland Spider-Man film, which makes me very excited as I loved the other 3. This also sounds like a more street-level Spider-Man story featuring appearances from The Punisher and Hulk. The movie is also directed by the guy who did Shang Chi, which gives me even more confidence. Spider-Man: Brand New Day will release on July 31, 2026.
2. Avengers: Doomsday
Avengers: Doomsday is the second MCU film for this year and is the culmination of the Multiverse Saga. This film is basically tied for my most anticipated film of the year. Since Avengers: Endgame, the MCU has had some rough goings, but I hope that this film will put things on the right track. This film brings the Russo Brothers back, the guys who directed the last two Avengers movies, as well as the same writing team. The movie also brings together the Thunderbolts, Sam Wilson's Captain America, Shang Chi, Thor, Loki, The Fantastic Four, Ant-Man, and the original Fox X-Men, as well as Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. I am beyond excited for this film, but also a little nervous about how they bring everything together. Avengers: Doomsday will release on December 18, 2026.
1. The Odyssey
The Odyssey is the next film from Christopher Nolan and is my most anticipated film of the year. Whenever a Christopher Nolan movie comes out, it has to be at the top of the list. I don't make the rules. That is just how it is. This is an epic adventure about the story of Odysseus. The movie stars Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Mia Goth, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and many others. Christopher Nolan's movies have never been bad, and I have no reason to expect this one to be any different. I am very excited to see his take on an Adventure epic as it is different than any other film he has done. The Odyssey will release on July 17, 2026.
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