Avalon's Picks: My Most Anticipated Films of 2026

2025 was a pretty interesting year regarding movie releases. While there were plenty of films that thrilled me (Weapons, Companion, Sinners, Queens of the Dead, 28 Years Later, Silent Night, Deadly Night, Superman - to name a few), I feel that 2026 has got me even more hyped for what's to come.

So without further ado, let's get into the list of films I cannot wait to see in theaters next year, as well as a few honorable mentions below.

Most Anticipated Films of 2026

1. Dune 3

I absolutely loved Dune, and even shed a few tears watching Dune Part 2, which is one of my favorite films in the last decade. So of course with the visual spectacle, fabulous costumes and the deep philosophical dive into faith, hope and religion (handled so eloquently by one of my favorite directors Denis Villeneuve) I have no doubt that Dune 3 (or Dune Messiah) will be one of the most compelling sci-fi action films of the year.

2. The Odyssey

It goes without saying that Christopher Nolan is one of the most important filmmakers of our lifetime (along with Denis Villeneuve and Ryan Coogler). He is one of the rare auteurs who can not only entertain an audience, but also thrill you with intense dialogue and nail-biting action, but can even make a movie about a man building an atomic bomb an almost billion-dollar hit. Taking on the Iliad, with an all-star cast such as Matt Damon, Tom Holland and Anne Hathaway, The Odyssey is at the top of my list of movies I cannot wait to see this year.

3. Avengers Doomsday

If you have been following my thoughts on Avengers: Doomsday, you already know I've got my reservations regarding the casting of Robert Downey Jr as Doctor Doom, especially when we have become so accustomed to him playing Tony Stark/Iron Man.

I also have my trepidations surrounding this film because with to past Avengers films, there there was a build-up to Infinity War and Endgame. With the failure of previous MCU films (Eternals, Ant-Man and the Wasp: QUantumania, Thunderbolts, Captain America: Brave New World) it doesn't feel like an authentic build-up to a film as massive as Doomsday is turning out to be, especially since the only time we saw Doomsday was in a blink and you'll miss it cameo during the Fantastic Four: First Steps mid credit scene.

I have my doubts, but with the Russo's coming back, as well as familiar faces Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, and members of the X-Men and Wakanda, I am excited from a nostalgia point. However, until I see a full-fledged trailer instead of these nostalgia bait teasers I'm going to withold my excitement a bit.

4. Project Hail Mary

I didn't know anything about this film (which is adpated from a book, BTW) until I saw the trailer, and immediatly fell in love with the concept. Also with people raving about how good the book is, and the fact that the script was written by Drew Goddard (who also wrote The Martian, and is supposed to be developing the fifth Matrix movie), I've never been this hyped for a populist sci fi tale since ET.

5. Spider-Man Brand New Day

While I'm upset that we haven't gotten a sequel to Shang-Chi 2, I am glad that the director of Shang Chi Destin Daniel Cretton is helming a Spider Man movie.

Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker, who's trying to balance college, work, and being Spider-Man, but a mysterious force unravels the city, forcing him to confront old foes, new allies (like a street-level Punisher), and redefine his hero role, dealing with personal turmoil and a villain knowing his secrets (Sadie Sink) as he embraces being a solo, street-level hero.

6. Michael

I'm not usually a fan of biopics due to the fact that a lot of them are watered down or follow the same structure (it's one of the reasons I despised Bohemian Rhapsody. If you're going to tell the story of a queer rock singer, you need to tell his story and not cut out his queerness out of fear some global conglomerate won't show your film).

However, I am interested in this biopic because I'm curious as to how they plan on exploring Michael's career as a global pop star as well as his personal life. Remember, they had to cut the entire third act because the estate forgot to mention that they couldn't tell the story of one of Michael's SA accusers after he had settled with them.

Since it is MJ (played by his nephew Jafaar Jackson) and it's being directed by Antoine Fuqua this film definitely has me intrigued.

7. Supergirl

I wasn't that impressed with Kara Zor-El's cameo appearance in Superman. Once the DCU released the trailer for Supergirl a few weeks ago, I will admit that even though tonally the trailer followed the same beats as James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy, I'm pretty excited to see what Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon) brings to the character that is the antithesis to her perfect in every way cousin.

8. Ready or Not 2: Here I Come

I loved the original Ready or Not film. To be honest, they could have just ended the film there, since in my opinion it was the perfect horror film. However, after seeing the trailer for the sequel (and the raised stakes mention in said trailer), I've never been more excited for a horror film since Scream. Speaking of Scream...

9. Scream 7

The upcoming film is already riddled with controversy (the Melissa Barrera Israel-Palestine conflict) which is causing some fans online to threaten to protest the film upon release, and reveal any spoilers before the film even hits theaters. However with Neve Campbell returning as the franchise's scream queen Sidney Prescott, and Scream, Scream 2 and Scream 4 screenwriter Kevin WIlliamson on board as the director of the seventh installment.

10. Masters of the Universe

As a child of the 80s and 90s, He-Man was one of my all-time favorite cartoons and action figures. I even had Castle Grayskull and Snake Mountain. While the Dolph Lundgren film wasn't the best, the fact that we're getting a reboot of the franchise from Travis Knight, who made a watchable Transformers film with Bumblebee has me hoping that tonally this film will be a cross between Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings.

Plus, with Nichaolas Galitzine as Prince Adam/ He-Man and Jared Leto as Skeletor, I'm hoping we spend more time on Eternia than Earth, which didn't happen with the 80's live action film.

Here are some Honorable Mentions that didn't make my top 10, but I have interest in seeing

Mandalorian and Grogu

I'll see Mandalorian and Grogu because I have watched all three seasons on Disney+. However, what's holding me back from adding this film to my top 10 list is that based on the trailer, it looks like a made for TV movie instead of a film Disney is pushing to be seen on the big screen. The film continues the story of Din Djarin and Grogu as they navigate the fragile New Republic following the Empire’s fall. Expanding upon the series’ western-inspired tone, Favreau transitions his characters to a larger cinematic canvas while preserving the visual style and practical approach of the original show.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

Ralph Fiennes plays Dr. Ian Kelson, a brilliant but eccentric survivor in the post-apocalyptic horror movie, the fourth film in the 28 Days/Weeks/Years Later franchise. The Bone Temple shows how Spike (Alfie Williams) joins terrifying cult leader Jimmy Crystal’s (Jack O’Connell) killer gang as Britain is destroyed by the Rage Virus. Also, actor Cillian Murphy returns.

Street Fighter

I'm going to see this film because it's Street Fighter. However, based on the teaser shown at the video game awards, it's lacking the campy fun of the original Van Damme film. I'm not saying it needs to be corny, which the Van Damme film falls under at times. The fights we got to see look pretty cool, but some of those wigs look a mess. It also looks like it's taking itself too seriously. Maybe I will change my mind the closer we get to the film's release.

Mortal Kombat

I'm sure we'll all be hyped for the fatalities and the awesome fight choreography, as well as Karl Urban playing a much older and washed up Johnny Cage. I just hope the script is much stronger than the previous film.

The Bride

Maggie Gyllenhaal's directorial debut telling the tale of the bride of Frankenstein definitelty has me intrigued.

Werewulf

Vampires and werewolves have always been my favorite genre of creatures to explore. I've got my fingers crossed that Robert Eggers' follow-up to Nosferatu will have a balance of style and substance, which I feel the tale of Count Orlock had more of the former than the latter.

Disclosure Day

I have no idea what Steven Speiberg's alien movie is about, but based on the trailer it's definitely peaked my interest.

Clayface

Part of James Gunn’s DC Universe, Mike Flanagan (“The Life Of Chuck”) and Hossein Amini (“Drive”) write “Clayface,” and James Watkins (“Speak No Evil”) directs for Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Studios. Tom Rhys Harries stars as Matt Hagen, a disfigured actor whose obsession with performance mutates into monstrous self-destruction. Naomi Ackie, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan co-star. Part of James Gunn’s DC Universe, the film reimagines the shapeshifting Batman villain through a psychological-horror lens, grounding the comic myth in guilt, transformation, and the erosion of identity.

Toy Story 5

It's Toy Story. Need I say more?

The Devil Wears Prada 2

Nearly two decades after the original, “The Devil Wears Prada 2” reunites stars Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Anne Hathaway for a sequel directed by David Frankel and written by Aline Brosh McKenna. Produced by Walt Disney Studios and 20th Century Studios, the film follows Miranda Priestly as she faces a digital-era fashion industry collapse, forcing an uneasy reunion with her former assistant. The sequel’s development coincides with Streep’s ongoing collaborations with Disney, and Frankel’s return signals a mix of satire and emotional reconciliation.

Apex

A stripped-down survival thriller from Icelandic filmmaker Baltasar Kormákur, “Apex” centers on an adrenaline junkie who sets out to conquer a menacing river, only to discover that nature isn’t the only thing out for blood. Written by Jeremy Robbins, the film stars Charlize Theron alongside Taron Egerton and Eric Bana, pairing elemental danger with escalating human threat. Kormákur’s filmography—spanning survival spectacle “Everest” and the creature thriller “Beast”—has consistently leaned into physical endurance and moral pressure under extreme conditions, and “Apex” fits squarely in that lane.

I'm sure there are other films I will be looking forward to seeing next year that I didn't add to the list. In the meantime, I'd love to hear what films you are all excited to check out. Let me know in the comments.