9 New Movies Releasing in the Rest of 2026 (Ranked by Hype Level)

It’s already June, meaning we’re halfway through the year! So far, movie fans have enjoyed some truly memorable films. Sci-fi hit Project Hail Mary lived up to the hype, earning fantastic reviews and breaking box office records. Surprisingly, independent horror films like Backrooms and Obsession even outperformed popular shows like The Mandalorian and Grogu. And there’s been plenty for families too, with successful releases like Hoppers and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. It’s been a great year for movies so far, and there are still many exciting films to come.

It’s still early in the summer movie season, with many big releases yet to come. Later in the year, films hoping for awards will debut at fall festivals, and December will be packed with new movies as usual. With so many films scheduled, it’s hard to keep up! So, we’ve compiled a list of the most anticipated movies for the rest of 2026, ranked by how much excitement they’re generating.

9) The End of Oak Street (August 14th)

I’m really excited about this new movie, The End of Oak Street! The director, David Robert Mitchell – who did It Follows, which I loved – is creating something truly unique. It’s inspired by shows like The Twilight Zone, and it’s not your typical dinosaur film. Imagine a normal suburban street suddenly being transported back to the prehistoric era! It sounds amazing – a family and their neighbors just trying to survive amongst dinosaurs. It feels like it’s finally exploring an idea Jurassic World hinted at – what would happen if dinosaurs actually lived amongst us in the modern world? I think it’s going to be one of the most thrilling movies this summer.

The trailers for The End of Oak Street are really effective – they’ve successfully piqued audience interest without revealing too much. The marketing feels reminiscent of classic Amblin films, evoking a sense of wonder and suspense like many beloved blockbusters from the past. Director Mitchell received praise for his inventive work on the horror film It Follows, and if he brings that same creativity to this sci-fi project, it could be something truly unique and exciting for viewers.

8) Clayface (October 23rd)

DC Studios is hoping to continue the momentum from last summer’s Superman movie with two new films planned for theaters in 2026. First up this fall is Clayface, a movie bringing the well-known Batman villain to life on the big screen. Directed by James Watkins, Clayface is a horror film focusing on Matt Hagen, an actor who undergoes a terrible accident and is changed into a creature that can shapeshift after taking an experimental substance. It’s designed to be a different kind of story within the larger DC Universe.

The upcoming Clayface film is a promising and innovative addition to the DC Universe. James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios, has stated the movie will fully lean into its R rating, delivering a truly frightening and gruesome horror experience. The initial trailer effectively showcased this approach, hinting at the unsettling atmosphere to come. Gunn aims to make each DC project distinct in tone and style, and a successful, modestly-budgeted Clayface could pave the way for more creative experimentation within the DCU.

7) Supergirl (June 26th)

Just a few months before the release of the Clayface movie, DC fans can look forward to Supergirl, an intergalactic adventure starring Kara Zor-El. Following Milly Alcock’s appearance in Superman, this film marks the first time Supergirl has headlined a feature film since 1984. The marketing suggests Supergirl will be DC’s take on Guardians of the Galaxy, blending humor with heartfelt moments—particularly focusing on the serious illness of Krypto the Superdog. While Supergirl isn’t trying to simply copy Guardians, it’s encouraging to see DC attempt this lighter, more fun approach after previous efforts like Suicide Squad didn’t quite hit the mark.

The upcoming Supergirl movie, like all DC Universe projects, is designed to be a strong, independent film first. While the story promises to be emotionally engaging by exploring Kara Zor-El’s struggles with loss and trauma, it will also connect to the bigger DCU in exciting ways. We already know Milly Alcock will return as Supergirl in Man of Tomorrow next summer, and Supergirl’s story will likely move the overall DCU narrative forward – possibly even hinting at the arrival of Brainiac. Because of these connections and its potential, Supergirl is currently the more eagerly awaited of the two 2026 DCU films, though both are expected to be excellent.

6) The Adventures of Cliff Booth (November 25th)

Movie fans are eagerly awaiting Quentin Tarantino’s tenth and last film, but they’ll get something new from the acclaimed director later this year. He’s written a script for The Adventures of Cliff Booth, a continuation of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, bringing back Brad Pitt in his popular role. This time, David Fincher – a frequent collaborator of Pitt’s – is directing. Both Fincher and Tarantino are highly respected filmmakers, but they have very different styles, so everyone is excited to see how their collaboration turns out.

The news of David Fincher and Quentin Tarantino collaborating is exciting on its own, but the fact that they’re revisiting the world of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood makes it even more so. That film was a fantastic and surprisingly touching journey to the past, filled with characters we won’t soon forget. Brad Pitt’s performance as Cliff Booth was a standout, and fans will be thrilled to see him reprise the role. Netflix is planning a big push for The Adventures of Cliff Booth, hoping it will be a major awards contender. It’s set to have a special IMAX release around Thanksgiving and then become available on the streaming service at Christmas, making it one of the biggest entertainment events of the holiday season.

5) Toy Story 5 (June 19th)

After the disappointing box office performance of Lightyear four years ago, Pixar is hoping to revitalize its popular Toy Story franchise with a new film. This time, Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the toys face a new challenge: Bonnie’s obsession with her new tablet, Lilypad. While the toys have always managed to overcome difficult situations, this might be their toughest challenge yet.

Fans love the Toy Story movies so much that with each new film, there’s always concern it won’t live up to the previous ones. This worry is natural, considering how well the first two movies ended. However, Toy Story 5 looks like it will be a great addition to the series. The new storyline about toys versus technology feels modern and relevant. And by giving Jessie a bigger role, including a touching look into her past with Emily, the film promises to deepen one of the franchise’s most beloved characters. Toy Story 5 is shaping up to be a truly special movie and a worthy continuation of a cinematic classic.

4) Dune: Part Three (December 18th)

The upcoming film Dune: Part Three is generating incredible excitement, with IMAX tickets selling out eight months before its release. Given the success of the first two movies, it’s no surprise people are eager to see how the story concludes. Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel is widely considered one of the decade’s best sci-fi franchises, offering stunning visuals, grand spectacle, and compelling acting. Early previews suggest Dune: Part Three might be even better than its predecessors.

The first look at Dune: Part Three suggests it will be a grand finale to the series. The trailer shows intense warfare, with some comparing the visuals to Saving Private Ryan. Director Denis Villeneuve is using every filmmaking technique available to create a truly immersive experience, best enjoyed on the largest screens possible. Warner Bros. has strong faith in the film, releasing it at the same time as the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday. Dune 3 even secured the prime IMAX showings, further building excitement. It’s shaping up to be one of the biggest movie releases of the year.

3) The Odyssey (July 17th)

Whenever Christopher Nolan releases a new film, it instantly becomes a major event. He’s one of the rare directors who can attract audiences simply because of his involvement. Even a lengthy, serious film like his biopic about the inventor of the atomic bomb was a huge success, proving his power as a filmmaker. However, the excitement surrounding his upcoming film, The Odyssey, is exceptional, even for him. He’s bringing this ancient story to life in a completely new way, and remarkably, the entire movie was filmed using IMAX cameras.

Alongside Christopher Nolan, The Odyssey boasts an incredibly talented cast, featuring major stars like Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and Lupita Nyong’o. This combination of exceptional actors and filmmakers, along with the epic story itself, makes The Odyssey one of the most anticipated movies of the year. Following his Oscar win for Oppenheimer, Nolan is aiming even higher with this ambitious film, promising a truly spectacular cinematic experience.

2) Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31st)

While The Odyssey is a major summer release, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is generating even more buzz. This is the first new solo Spider-Man movie from Marvel in almost five years, and excitement has been building steadily. The film promises a return to classic Spider-Man stories focused on Peter Parker’s life and his role as a local hero – a type of story the Marvel Cinematic Universe hasn’t explored much before, and fans are really looking forward to it.

While the Marvel Cinematic Universe has had its highs and lows recently, Spider-Man movies consistently perform well. As Marvel’s most popular hero, fans are especially excited for what comes next in Peter Parker’s story. The new film, Brand New Day, promises a moving and character-focused story about the importance of relationships. It will also include appearances by popular Marvel characters like Hulk and Punisher, a wide range of Spider-Man villains, and plenty of exciting action. Whether it connects to the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday or not, Brand New Day is shaping up to be the biggest movie event of the summer.

1) Avengers: Doomsday (December 18th)

Everyone is incredibly excited for Avengers: Doomsday, which is looking like the biggest movie release of the year. While the recent ‘Multiverse Saga’ hasn’t always been consistent, Marvel movies still capture the public’s attention. The huge buzz around Doomsday – even a simple livestream of empty chairs got people talking – proves it. The cast reveal made it clear that Marvel is aiming for something truly massive with this film, bringing together heroes from different universes to fight Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr.

With a massive cast, minimal focus on Doctor Doom in the preview, and a heavy reliance on familiar moments, it’s unclear how Marvel will make the Doomsday movie a success. Audiences are eager to see how it turns out, and if the directors can deliver another satisfying conclusion like they did with the Infinity Saga, Doomsday could be the biggest Avengers film to date. The trailer shown at CinemaCon – which hasn’t been released publicly yet – featured exciting interactions between beloved characters and impressive action sequences showcasing Doom’s power. If Doomsday succeeds, it will revitalize the Marvel Cinematic Universe and build anticipation for Secret Wars next year.

2026-06-08 21:42