2026 is shaping up to be a great year for new movies. From sequels like Toy Story 5 and Dune: Part 3 to brand new originals like Disney’s Hexed or Project Hail Mary, you’ll find it all in this list featuring the the top 10 most anticipated films of 2026.
10. The Rip
The Rip, early to release in 2026 on Netflix on January 16, is the first film to make it onto this list of the most anticipated films of 2026 and will be an action thriller cop fIilm written and directed by Joe Carnahan. It draws inspiration from real life events and stories from a close friend in the Miami police force. The Rip foccuses on trust, betrayal and lots of questions – the main one being: “Are we the good guys?”
Carnahan describes The Rip as a fresh take on the genre with the main difference being the large emphasis on corruption – keeping it modern. The film stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as longtime Miami police partners who uncover a huge sum of money in a run down stash house. The discovery makes the whole team start doubting each other, and once outsiders get involved, stuff gets even more dangerous – nobody knows who to trust anymore.
Since Damon and Affleck are real-life friends too, which helps a lot in making the on-screen chemestry between the characters feel realistic and believable. This creates a great base for audiences to truely start caring about the characters before hitting them betrayal and difficult moral choices. Carnahan hopes the film will remind viewers that despite corruption in a cruel world, many people will still genuinely try to do good.
While The Rip has a strong cast and promising story, it’s difficult for a cop-film to compete in a year full of big names like Avengers: Doomsday and Toy Story 5 that generally create more mainstream hype – making 10th a great place on this list of the most anticipated films of 2026.
source: https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/the-rip-first-look-photos-teaser
9. Hexed
Hexed is an upcoming original animated fantasy film from Walt Disney Animation Studios and will be Disney’s latest original film when it releases in November 2026. Not much has been revealed about the content of the film but with the recent succes of other originals like Encanto, which director Jason Hand also worked on, the bar has been set high – making it one of the most anticipated films of 2026 and earning ninth place on this list.
The official logline reads: “The films follows an awkward teenage boy and his Type – A mom, who discover that what makes him unusual, might just be magical powers that will turn their lives and a secret world of magic, upside down.” The film will mix a magical adventure with family themes like a mother-son relationship and the boy’s self-acceptance given his hidden powers.
The official concept art sets the vibe to be a dreamy world with bright, unnatural colors and funky, dynamic shapes. A few creatures can be spotted too. The flying, cat-like creature near the middle of the image looks like he will be an important side character that will guide the boy and his mom through the surreal world they find themselves in.
Overal Hexed‘s unique atmosphere and interesting logline are the reason people are already talking about it and viewing it as one of the most anticipated films of 2026.
source: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DN-3xPAkXWt/?utm_source=ig_embed
8. Sense and Sensibility (2026 adaptation)
Sense and Sensibility is a romantic drama directed by Georgia Oakley, coming to theatres in September of 2026. Based on Jane Austen’s novel, the story has already proven its quality as the 1995 adaptation even won an oscar. Now, over 30 years later, Oakley’s remake aims to bring new life to the tale and introduce it to a younger audience, while keeping the general charm that made people love the original. Cast announcements have shown a lot of excitement, and the movie has steadily climbed up the hype charts.
The movie follows sisters Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret, in 18th century England – the eldest, played by Daisy Edgar-Jones, being the lead character in the remake. The family is forced to move out of their family estate and move in with a relative in a small cottage. From here the film focusses on love, loss, and financial struggles.
With a story that’s already beloved, Georgia Oakley’s creative twist, and a strong cast including Daisy Edgar-Jones as Elinor and Esmé Creed-Miles as Marianne this remake is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated films of 2026. The adaptation will keep the heart of Austen’s story but introduces a clear, modern touch.
source: https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a65188516/sense-and-sensibility-date-cast-rumors-news/
7. Deep Water
Deep Water, set to release on May first 2026, is one of the most anticipated films of 2026. Directed by Renny Harlin, it stars Aaron Eckhart and Ben Kingsley and follows a group of passengers traveling from Los Angeles to Shanghai who are forced to make an emergency landing, only to find themselves abandoned in the middle an ocean infested with sharks. The survivors must work together to stay alive through intense action scenes.
Director Renny Harlin became famous for his 1999 shark-attack film Deep Blue Sea and is now returning to the genre with Deep Water. He describes it as “the kind of movie he had always dreamed of producing growing up, watching 70s disaster movies” and as “a return to practical action with real stunts, real explosions, and a grounded, emotional experience for audiences, unlike modern digital effects-heavy action films.” – trying to keep the effects as real as possible to capture the raw emotion of the actors on scene.
Although Deep Water will be up against many huge franchise films, it stands its ground because of its preference for real, practical stunts, and constant tension. Harlin’s previous experience with shark and disaster films, and dedication to avoid from cgi add a feel of authenticity to the action which audiences are generally drawn to. The combination of physical set pieces and an interesting storyline is what makes Deep Water one of the most anticipated films of 2026.
6. Cliffhanger (2026 reboot)
Another action-packed movie set to release in 2026 is the reboot of the 1993 survival thriller Cliffhanger, which originally starred Sylvester Stallone. This new version aims to reintroduce the intense mountain survival story to a modern audience, with updated visuals, higher stakes, and a fresh cast.
While details about the plot are still being kept mostly under wraps, the reboot is expected to stick to the core concept: a group trapped in a deadly mountain environment where survival depends on trust, skill, and split-second decisions. The original film became known for its practical stunts and vertigo-inducing climbing sequences, and fans are hoping the reboot will bring that same grounded intensity back to the big screen.
Reboots can be risky, especially when the original has such a strong legacy. However, if the filmmakers manage to balance nostalgia with innovation, Cliffhanger could surprise audiences. With survival thrillers always performing well when done right, this reboot earns its sixth spot among the most anticipated films of 2026.
5. Dune: Part Three
Following the massive success of Dune: Part Two, director Denis Villeneuve returns to Arrakis with Dune: Messiah, the third installment in the epic sci-fi saga based on Frank Herbert’s novels.
Unlike the first two films, which focused heavily on Paul Atreides’ rise to power, Dune: Messiah explores the consequences of becoming a messianic figure. The story dives deeper into politics, religion, and the psychological burden of leadership. It’s darker, more introspective, and morally complex — which makes it both a bold move and an exciting one.
With Timothée Chalamet returning as Paul Atreides and the world of Arrakis already firmly established, the third film has the advantage of emotional investment. Audiences aren’t just curious about what happens next — they’re already attached to the characters and the universe.
If Villeneuve manages to maintain the cinematic scale while embracing the more philosophical themes of the source material, Dune: Messiah could be one of the most powerful blockbusters of 2026. That anticipation easily secures it a top-five position on this list.
4. Toy Story 5
When Pixar announced Toy Story 5, reactions were mixed. After all, Toy Story 4 felt like a heartfelt and emotional conclusion to Woody’s journey. So where can the story possibly go from here?
While plot details remain limited, early reports suggest that the film may explore toys in a modern, technology-driven world — potentially dealing with themes of relevance and change in a new generation of children. If that’s true, it would be a clever evolution of the franchise’s long-standing theme: what it means to be loved and needed.
With returning voice actors and Pixar’s consistent track record of balancing humor with surprisingly deep emotional moments, Toy Story 5 is guaranteed to draw massive audiences. Whether it reaches the emotional heights of its predecessors remains to be seen, but nostalgia alone makes it one of the most anticipated films of 2026.
3. Project Hail Mary
Based on the bestselling novel by Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary is one of 2026’s most exciting original sci-fi films. The story follows a lone astronaut who wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of who he is — only to slowly realize that he may be humanity’s last hope for survival.
The film stars Ryan Gosling in the lead role, which already generates major interest. Combining scientific problem-solving, isolation drama, and unexpected emotional depth, the story has the potential to capture the same magic that made The Martian such a success.
What makes Project Hail Mary stand out is its mix of hard science fiction and heartfelt storytelling. If executed well, it could become one of those rare blockbusters that is both intellectually engaging and widely entertaining.
That balance between scale and intimacy is exactly why it ranks third among the most anticipated films of 2026.
2. The Mandalorian & Grogu
After three successful seasons of The Mandalorian, the story of Din Djarin and Grogu is heading to the big screen. The Mandalorian & Grogu marks a major shift for the Star Wars universe, as one of its most beloved streaming series transitions into a theatrical event.
Fans have grown deeply attached to the dynamic between the stoic bounty hunter and his Force-sensitive companion. Bringing that relationship into a full-scale cinematic adventure opens the door for larger action sequences, higher stakes, and potentially major crossover moments within the Star Wars timeline.
Because The Mandalorian helped revive mainstream excitement around Star Wars, expectations are extremely high. If the film successfully captures the emotional core of the series while expanding its scope, it could easily become one of the year’s biggest hits.
That built-in fanbase and proven storytelling strength are what place it just below the number one spot.
1. Avengers: Doomsday
The number one spot in our list of the most anticipated films of 2026 ultimately goes to Avengers: Doomsday. Although this blockbuster action movie will likely not turn out to be the absolute best film on this list, its anticipation is growing rapidly every day. “Will Robert Downey jr. be able to pull this off, or is it going to be one of the MCU’s biggest flops?” is what fans have been wondering ever since the official announcement back in july of 2024 and mixed feelings have arisen.
Despite the negativity around its casting choice, Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be one of Marvel’s most ambitious projects since Infinity War and Endgame, as it introduces a whole new character to the series: Doctor Doom – portrayed by Robert Downey jr. In the film the Avengers will combine forces with the Wakandans, Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts, and X-Men to take on Doom, who has great potential to become Marvel’s next supervillain – replacing Thanos – as there is such a big fanbase behind the character. With all these teams sharing the big screen, the movie promises big crossover moments that fans have been waiting for for years.
Whether Doomsday becomes a big Marvel comeback or another movie that splits fan opinions, one thing is clear: everyone will be watching. The mix of returning heroes, new faces, and the bold choice to bring back Robert Downey Jr. has created a huge amount of curiosity.
That alone is enough to make it not just one of the most anticipated films of 2026, but the most anticipated film of the year.
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