From Marvel and DC’s next era to literary adaptations and sequels, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest years in film.

And we have arrived… to 2026. Major studios are back in full force, franchise heavyweights are returning and some of the most talked-about books of the past decade are finally making the leap to the big screen. It’s a year defined by comebacks from Pixar, Marvel, DC, Disney, and Netflix all rolling out tentpole releases alongside ambitious, star-driven adaptations.

Romances, gothic period dramas to world-building epics and nostalgic sequels, these are the films set to dominate box offices, and our timelines throughout the year.

Note: The release dates listed below are based on US theatrical schedules. Philippine release dates may vary, but most titles are expected to arrive within the same month or shortly after their US premiere.

People We Meet on Vacation

Set to be released this January, it is the first screen adaptation of a novel by Emily Henry. The film stars Tom Blyth and Emily Bader as Alex and Poppy, longtime friends who take yearly trips together. Over time, their friendship begins to shift as they question whether their connection is something more. The story moves between different vacations and the present day, focusing on timing, miscommunication, and emotional honesty. The novel was published in 2021, sold more than two million copies, and spent 69 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list, giving the film strong source material and a built-in fan base.

GOAT

Opening in February, this is an animated action comedy centered on basketball and big ambitions. The film features Stephen Curry as the voice of Lenny Williamson, a giraffe and one of the sport’s elite players. The story follows Will, a determined goat voiced by Caleb McLaughlin, who dreams of making it into the professional league and competing alongside the game’s best. The voice cast also includes Ayesha Curry, Gabrielle Union, David Harbour, and Jenifer Lewis. Aimed at families and sports fans, the film blends underdog themes with basketball culture and comedy-driven storytelling.

Wuthering Heights

Happening on love month as well is a new screen adaptation of the iconic novel by Emily Brontë. Margot Robbie stars as Catherine Earnshaw opposite Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, whose intense bond drives the story. First published in 1847, the novel is set on the Yorkshire moors and follows a destructive love shaped by social class, abandonment, and obsession. The narrative spans two generations, showing how unresolved trauma and revenge ripple through families.

The Drama

The

Drama is a darkly comedic take on modern relationships from director Kristoffer Borgli. The film stars Robert Pattinson and Zendaya as an engaged couple navigating mounting tension in the days leading up to their wedding. The story centers on emotional doubt, power dynamics, and the pressure of commitment as the couple’s relationship begins to fracture.

Michael

Set to open on April 24 as the first part of this most anticipated biopic about the life and career of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. The film stars Jaafar Jackson, the singer’s real-life nephew, in his feature film debut as his uncle. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the movie focuses on the early stages of Jackson’s career, beginning with his childhood performances in the Jackson 5 and tracing his rise as a solo artist.

The Devil Wears Prada 2

Opening on May 1, it brings one of fashion’s most recognizable worlds back to the big screen. Meryl Streep returns as Miranda Priestly alongside Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs, reuniting nearly two decades after the original film’s release. Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Tracie Thoms, and Tibor Feldman also reprise their roles, while new cast members include Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley, Justin Theroux, and Lucy Liu. Plot details are being kept tightly under wraps, but David Frankel returns to direct, signaling continuity with the original’s tone and pacing. Read our piece on Andy’s wardrobe evolution 20 years later and that iconic moment when Miranda ‘crashed’ the Dolce & Gabbana show.

Toy Story 5

Set to release on June 19, Pixar’s most iconic toys back for a story shaped by modern childhood. Written and directed by Andrew Stanton, the film follows Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the gang as they compete with a tablet for their kid’s attention, tackling how technology has changed the way children play. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Tony Hale, Blake Clark, and John Ratzenberger reprise their roles, while Anna Faris, Ernie Hudson, Conan O’Brien, and Greta Lee join as new characters. The film leans into humor and relevance, updating the franchise for a screen-first generation.

Supergirl

Opens the same month as the second theatrical release under DC Studios’ new slate. The film follows the events teased at the end of Superman and introduces Kara Zor-El, Superman’s cousin, played by Milly Alcock. Unlike her more traditional counterpart, this version of Supergirl is shaped by loss and survival, with a tougher, more rebellious edge. The story takes a space-spanning approach that expands the DC universe beyond Earth.

Minions 3

Opens in July as the third standalone entry in the hugely successful Despicable Me universe. The film brings back Kevin, Stuart, and Bob for another globe-trotting adventure driven by slapstick humor. While specific plot details have not been announced, the Minions films typically focus on the trio’s chaotic loyalty to misguided villains and their talent for turning simple missions into disasters.

Moana

Set for a July release, Moana marks Disney’s latest move into live-action adaptations of its animated hits. The film retells the story of a young wayfinder chosen to save her island, blending adventure, mythology, and of course, music. Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui, while Catherine Laga’aia steps into the lead role in her first major film appearance. Disney is positioning the remake as a large-scale family release, designed to appeal to audiences familiar with the animated film as well as younger viewers discovering the story for the first time.

The Odyssey

Arriving also in July, The Odyssey brings award-winning director Christopher Nolan to ancient Greece for his take on Homer’s epic. The story follows Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, as he struggles to return home after the Trojan War, facing gods, monsters, and tests along the way. First composed around the 8th century BCE, The Odyssey is structured as a long journey marked by encounters with figures like the Cyclops, the Sirens, and the witch-goddess Circe, while Odysseus’ wife Penelope waits in Ithaca. Nolan’s ensemble includes big stars Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, and Charlize Theron.

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Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Landing July 31, Spider-Man: Brand New Day places Peter Parker back on his own after the ending of Spider-Man: No Way Home. The film is the 38th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the final release before Avengers: Doomsday, positioning it as a narrative bridge between eras. Tom Holland returns as Spider-Man, with Zendaya and Jacob Batalon reprising their roles. The story explores a more grounded chapter for Peter, shaped by anonymity, loss, and personal responsibility.

Sense and Sensibility

*Photo from Focus Features on Instagram*

In September, Jane Austen’s novel will be back to cinemas with a new adaptation from Focus Features. Daisy Edgar-Jones stars as Elinor Dashwood, the practical eldest sister navigating love, duty, and financial uncertainty after her family is left nearly penniless by their father’s death. First published in 1811, the novel contrasts Elinor’s restraint with her sister Marianne’s openness, exploring class, marriage, and survival in Regency England.

Verity

Set for October release, Verity continues the recent wave of Colleen Hoover adaptations reaching the big screen. Based on the bestselling novel, the film follows struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh, played by Dakota Johnson, who is hired to finish a popular book series after its author is left incapacitated by a mysterious accident. Anne Hathaway stars as Verity Crawford, with Josh Hartnett as her husband, Jeremy. As Lowen uncovers disturbing manuscript pages, the story leans into psychological tension, unreliable truth, and obsession.

Street Fighter

Hitting theaters also in October, Street Fighter brings Capcom’s iconic fighting franchise back to the big screen with a new live-action take. The film adapts the classic 1987 arcade game and centers on longtime rivals Ryu and Ken, played by Andrew Koji and Noah Centineo. The story follows the estranged fighters as they reunite to compete in the World Warrior Tournament, a global event that draws the strongest combatants from around the world.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Set for a November release, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping expands the franchise by focusing on Haymitch Abernathy’s early life. The story is set on the day of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, a pivotal event in Panem’s history that doubled the number of tributes and reshaped the Games’ brutality. Francis Lawrence returns to direct, maintaining continuity with the later installments of the series. Joseph Zada stars as a young Haymitch, alongside Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, and Elle Fanning. Reports of appearances by earlier franchise leads remain unconfirmed (But we’re hopeful!)

Narnia

Also in November, Narnia marks Greta Gerwig’s return to world-building following Barbie. The film adapts The Magician’s Nephew by C. S. Lewis, the sixth published book in The Chronicles of Narnia but the first in the series’ internal timeline. The story explores the origins of Narnia, including its creation and the arrival of key figures that shape the world’s moral order. Netflix reportedly will debut the film exclusively in theaters before its global streaming release on Christmas 2026, a major push for the rebooted franchise.

Dune: Part Three

Releasing December, Dune: Part Three continues Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s universe, this time drawing from the 1969 novel Dune Messiah. Unlike the first two films, which covered the original Dune, this chapter shifts into more overtly political and philosophical territory. Set roughly 12 years later, the story follows Paul Atreides, now emperor, as his rule sparks unrest, religious fanaticism, and moral reckoning. Timothée Chalamet returns as Paul, with Zendaya as Chani and Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan. The film is expected to take a darker, more introspective turn than its predecessors.

Avengers: Doomsday

Closing out the year, Avengers: Doomsday signals Marvel’s next major crossover event. Anthony Russo and Joe Russo reunite after Avengers: Endgame, bringing together a wide roster of heroes across the Marvel Cinematic Universe (or as we’d like to call, the MCU). Confirmed returns include Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, alongside other familiar faces. One of the film’s biggest talking points is Robert Downey Jr.’s return, this time portraying Doctor Doom rather than Iron Man. Plot details remain tightly guarded, but the casting alone suggests a high-stakes, multiverse-scale confrontation.

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