What a year for film in 2025! Most notably, the final quarter of the year delivered some of the best films. From Timothée Chalamet’s narcissistic ping pong player in “Marty Supreme,” to Director Ryan Coogler’s vampire action-horror “Sinners” that took the world by storm, or Paul Thomas Anderson’s action-thriller “One Battle After Another,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro. We revisited the Isle of Berk in DreamWorks’ live-action remake of “How to Train Your Dragon” and hopped in a car with Brad Pitt and raced to the box office in “F1.”
Those are just a few of the great films we got to see in the past year, and it was one to remember. However, it seems as though we are set up for another big year in 2026, one that I believe will hurdle 2025. There are a lot of new releases on the docket for the year, from blockbusters to indie flicks gaining traction, superhero films to space epics and the next Christopher Nolan film that the world is eagerly awaiting. It has all the makings to go down in history as one of the great years in film, so after thumbing through hundreds of releases, these are the ten that I have on my radar as the most anticipated movies of 2026.
Must-Watch List: Top 10 Most Anticipated Films of 2026
10. “Toy Story 5” | Release Date: June 19, 2026
Directed By: Andrew Stanton
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Greta Lee, Craig Robinson, Anna Faris, Tony Hale
As a 1980s baby who grew up in the 1990s, the “Toy Story” franchise is somewhat of a sacred set of films. We often look at them as “our” toys. There is a certain bond that ties us to them, since we were at the appropriate age when these films were released. But with that being said, I’m very much of the mind that these films should’ve and could’ve ended with “Toy Story 3.” It was a near-perfect ending for Andy and the crew of toys, and I truthfully believe that the third entry is the best of the original trilogy.
However, the franchise itself has brought in way too much cash for Disney to keep it in the vault. It has made $3.3 billion dollars, the most for any animated franchise. So, you understand why Disney would make the call to Pixar and get the ball rolling on another film. This time, our toys find themselves stuck in the new age that we have unfortunately become much accustomed to: the age of kids and screens. I’m pretty intrigued to see how they play this out, as the toy’s new villain is a “Lilypad” (a knockoff LeapFrog or iPad), and how Woody and Buzz get back together. If they can keep the story, comedy and emotions as high as the previous entries, it’ll be another smash win for Disney.
9. “Project Hail Mary” | Release Date: March 20, 2026
Directed By: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung
Let me level with you straight out of the gate. I know very little about “Project Hail Mary.” But what I do know is that the book has a massive following and has sold over ten million copies worldwide. The fans of this book have made it very apparent that this is a film to watch out for this spring, and it might be the first big blockbuster of 2026. If you look at directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, there’s a definite chance that happens. Lord and Miller are the co-creators of the “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” films, and we all know how successful those have been. They also directed the “21 Jump Street” films and “The LEGO Movie,” so the credentials are there. Throw in a massive star like Ryan Gosling, and it’s a solid recipe for a win.
What I can tell you about the plot is that Gosling plays an astronaut who wakes up in a spacecraft with no memory of himself or the mission he’s on. He must use his scientific knowledge, ingenuity and sheer will to figure out what his mission is. But he also discovers he may not be alone on this mission.
8. “Werwulf” | Release Date: Dec. 25, 2026
Directed By: Robert Eggers
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Lily-Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe, Ralph Ineson
If there’s one thing to be said, it’s that Robert Eggers is becoming a staple in the horror film landscape. From the folk horror flick “The Witch” in 2015 to his 2024 reimagining of “Nosferatu” which shook cinemas, Eggers is gaining traction. He is known for creating such a dynamic and horrifyingly beautiful atmosphere in his films that you feel as though you’re stuck in the nightmare with the cast. It’s quite impressive what he’s been able to do.
This Christmas, Eggers takes on the task of bringing werewolf mythos to life with “Werwulf.” The film is set in 13th-century England, where a village becomes terrorized by a creature of ancient folklore. Not much else has been revealed from the plot. But knowing Eggers, this is going to have an incredible atmosphere with a cast of his regulars leading the way in what is sure to be a bloody, terrifying good time.
7. “Digger” | Release Date: Oct. 2, 2026
Directed By: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jesse Plemons, John Goodman, Riz Ahmed, Sandra Huller
The upcoming movie from five-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu lands somewhere in the range of drama to dark comedy. “Digger” hits theaters this October and stars Tom Cruise in a role that will finally take him away from the “Mission: Impossible” franchise. This film has been in development for many years, and it will be Inarritu’s first major release since “The Revenant” in 2015.
What we know about “Digger” is that Cruise plays an ordinary man on a mission to save the world from a disaster that he seemingly unleashed himself. He considers himself the savior of the world, and by stopping whatever it is that is going to destroy Earth, he can take his rightful place as the most important man on the planet. It sounds like a hoot and as much as I love the “Mission: Impossible” films, it’ll be refreshing to see Cruise in a non-typecast role. Some of his best films are those. Cruise was a phenomenal villain in “Collateral” and was absolutely hysterical in “Tropic Thunder.” Bring on the post “Mission: Impossible” Tom Cruise era.
6. “Disclosure Day” | Release Date: June 12, 2026
Directed By: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Colman Domingo, Wyatt Russell
Few things in the world go hand in hand better than director Steven Spielberg and alien science fiction films. It’s been a long time since Spielberg has dived into this genre, over 20 years to be exact. But when Spielberg gets long-time writing partner David Koepp to mash up an alien flick, it hits. The film has a great cast, including Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor and many more, so you know damn well that you can count on them to deliver.
As for the plot… Well, not many questions were answered in the teaser trailer we received a month or so ago. What we do know is that it seems there are aliens or some other beings with us in the universe. Not only that, but it seems like it has been well-known for some time, although only a select number of people knew of it. What will come of this remains to be seen, but you can bet your bottom dollar I’ll be seated opening night for a new Steven Spielberg alien flick.
5. “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” | Release Date: July 31, 2026
Directed By: Destin Daniel Cretton
Starring: Tom Holland, Sadie Sink, Jon Bernthal, Zendaya, Mark Ruffalo
Our first Marvel Studios film on the list takes us back to your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. This will be the fourth Spider-Man film for Tom Holland, and one that will finally bring us back down to a ground-level film. That means no more multiverse, super-dimensional, crossover business. Not to say I didn’t like that, but it’s hard to argue against wanting a Spider-Man film that takes place solely in Queens and has him doing things we love him for. No more time hopping or universe jumps. Just Spider-Man protecting everyday citizens in the streets.
You know Marvel Studios; they keep plots under wraps. We haven’t even received a teaser trailer for this film yet, which I assume will come soon enough. What I do know is that we will see Jon Bernthal and Mark Ruffalo in this, which means The Punisher and Hulk will at least make an appearance. How they will incorporate and interact with Spidey remains to be seen, but having those two in this does raise my excitement level.
4. “The Dog Stars” | Release Date: Aug. 28, 2026
Directed By: Ridley Scott
Starring: Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, Benedict Wong
Based on the post-apocalyptic novel by Peter Heller of the same name, “The Dog Stars” is a true survival story. The film will follow, Hig, played by Jacob Elordi, as a man who lives in a Colorado hangar with his dog after a pandemic kills most of humanity. He fights every day against the elements and scavengers left from the pandemic. But when a mysterious transmission comes through, it lures him away from his safe zone by giving him hope in a desolate world.
There are a couple of things that draw me in here. First off, Ridley Scott is one of my all-time favorite directors. Second, I’m an absolute sucker for any survival film. There is something truly incredible and feral about surviving on your own in the wilderness. The cast itself is stacked, too. Jacob Elordi and Margaret Qualley are booming in the film industry right now, then you add veterans Josh Brolin and Guy Pearce into the mix, consider my ticket bought.
3. “Avengers: Doomsday” | Release Date: Dec. 18, 2026
Directed By: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Vanessa Kirby, Pedro Pascal, many others
Ever since “Avengers: Endgame” released, Marvel Studios has put out a lot of stinkers and mediocre films. So, what did they do? They decided to call in the big guns to direct “Avengers: Doomsday.” The Russo Brothers are back, and although their films outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or MCU, have been received poorly, there’s no question that they can crush a superhero flick. Not only did they do that, but the man who started it all is returning. That’s Robert Downey Jr. if you’re unsure, but this time he’ll be wearing a different mask. The Russo Brothers cast Downey Jr. to be the next “Doctor Doom,” the main villain of the film.
So how are they going to explain Doom’s likeness to Tony Stark? Why is he here? Where did he come from? There are many questions to be answered, and I can’t wait to find out. Besides Downey Jr., there are a lot of big names returning to the film, but I think the most excitement comes from the 20th Century Fox “X-Men” joining in the battle and the MCU.
In case you missed the teaser, we see Professor X and Magneto playing chess in a destroyed “Xavier’s School For Gifted Youngsters.” What really gets the blood flowing, though, is the final two seconds of the teaser. We see Cyclops rip off his visor, belt out a painful scream, and fall to his knees as a massive optic blast leaves his eyes, straight from the comics. All I know is that Cyclops is finally going to get his flowers after all these years, and I won’t miss it for anything.
2. “Dune: Part Three” | Release Date: Dec. 18, 2026
Directed By: Denis Villeneuve
Starring: Timothee Chalamet, Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson
In my very humble opinion, I believe that Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two” was robbed of the Best Motion Picture Oscar at the Academy Awards last year. I’m not here to argue, I’m just here to tell you that it was the best film of 2024. If Villeneuve keeps it up, “Dune: Part Three” may top it. There are, of course, huge shoes to fill. Part Two was an out-of-this-world science fiction flick of epic proportions. From the acting and cinematography all the way down to costume and makeup, the film was near-perfection. The cast is returning, the story is continuing, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Not a lot has been revealed about the plot. But, if Villeneuve is following in the footsteps of the book series, then Part three will be based on “Dune Messiah,” and there will be a massive time jump. In fact, it’ll then take place 12 years after the events of Part Two. I don’t know what else to say about the plot. I have never read the books. But what I do know is that, from what cast members and those who have read the book are saying, this flick is going to be the best of the three.
1. “The Odyssey” | Release Date: July 17, 2026
Directed By: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Jon Bernthal
When the best director in the business releases a new film, it jumps to the top of your list. Christopher Nolan is the best in Hollywood, at this point, when it comes to filmmaking. No one has been able to do what he has been able to do over the last 15 to 20 years in cinema. His films are an absolute feast for the eyes, his storytelling is top-notch, and he always manages to get the best performance out of any actor. Whether they’re the star, in a supporting role, or just an extra, Christopher Nolan has a way of bringing out the best in anyone.
This summer, Nolan is releasing his take on “The Odyssey.” The well-renowned story written by Homer will make its way into IMAX theaters this July, following the story of Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, and his perilous journey following the Trojan War. Christopher Nolan went big-budget for his debut Greek mythology film, and from the way the cast described the production, we are in store for a doozy.
It’s already a treat when you get a storytelling writer/director like Nolan to give us a version of one of the greatest journey tales. The cast is stacked, the story is packed and you know for a fact this is going to be a visual spectacle. There is no word on the length of this film yet, but if “The Odyssey” isn’t at least three hours long, it won’t be long enough. There is so much to tell, and if Nolan can condense the 700+ page book of “Oppenheimer” into the best film of 2023, then I have no concerns at all with this film. Strap in, folks, it’s going to be an absolute joy ride.
Thanks for reading my “Must-Watch List: Top 10 Most Anticipated Films of 2026.” Don’t forget to follow me on “Letterboxd,” the movie lovers’ social media platform to review films, create lists, save a watch list and communicate with other movie lovers.
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