2026 has already delivered some major theatrical releases, but Hollywood is far from finished. The second half of the year is packed with superhero blockbusters, science-fiction epics, franchise revivals, literary adaptations, horror films and highly anticipated sequels.
From Tom Holland returning in Spider-Man: Brand New Day to the Avengers facing Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, moviegoers have plenty to look forward to. December is particularly interesting, with Dune: Part Three and Avengers: Doomsday currently scheduled to open on the same day — setting up one of the biggest box-office showdowns of the year.
Here are 10 of the biggest Hollywood movies still coming in 2026, based on franchise popularity, star power, audience anticipation and potential cultural impact.
1. Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Release Date: July 31, 2026
Genre: Superhero, Action, Adventure
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Sadie Sink, Jon Bernthal, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Mando
One of the most anticipated remaining movies of 2026 is Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Tom Holland’s fourth solo Spider-Man film.
The movie follows the enormous success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, which dramatically changed Peter Parker’s life. At the end of that film, Doctor Strange’s spell caused everyone to forget Peter Parker, leaving him without the relationships and support system that had defined much of his MCU journey.
Brand New Day is expected to explore this new phase of Peter’s life while introducing new conflicts and reconnecting him with the wider Marvel universe.
The cast makes the film especially intriguing. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon return, while Sadie Sink joins the franchise. Jon Bernthal appears as The Punisher, Mark Ruffalo returns as Bruce Banner/Hulk, and Michael Mando reprises Mac Gargan, the character associated with Scorpion in Marvel Comics.
Marvel officially lists July 31, 2026 as the movie’s release date.
With Spider-Man remaining one of the world’s most recognizable superheroes, Brand New Day has the potential to become one of 2026’s biggest box-office events.
Why it’s worth watching: A fresh chapter for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, an unusual mix of MCU characters and the possibility of a more mature Peter Parker story.
2. Coyote vs. Acme
Release Date: August 28, 2026
Genre: Comedy, Animation, Live Action
Starring: Will Forte, John Cena and Lana Condor
Few upcoming movies have had a journey as unusual as Coyote vs. Acme.
Inspired by the classic Looney Tunes rivalry involving Wile E. Coyote and the endlessly unreliable products of the Acme Corporation, the movie combines live-action filmmaking with animation.
The basic concept turns one of animation’s longest-running jokes into a legal comedy: after years of Acme products failing spectacularly, Wile E. Coyote decides to take action against the company.
The film attracted enormous attention after its original release plans were abandoned despite the movie having already been made. It eventually found a path back to theaters, transforming it into something of an underdog story before audiences had even seen it.
Current theatrical calendars list August 28, 2026 for its release.
Why it’s worth watching: A beloved Looney Tunes character, a clever courtroom concept and one of Hollywood’s most talked-about production and release stories.
3. The Dog Stars
Release Date: August 28, 2026
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Drama, Science Fiction
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce
For audiences looking for something beyond superheroes and established mega-franchises, The Dog Stars could be one of the most interesting films of late 2026.
Directed by legendary filmmaker Ridley Scott, the movie is based on Peter Heller’s acclaimed post-apocalyptic novel.
The story takes place after a devastating pandemic has destroyed much of civilization. It follows a survivor living an isolated existence with his dog and another man at an abandoned airport.
When he receives a mysterious radio transmission, he begins to believe that there may be something — or someone — beyond the limited world he has accepted.
The combination of survival drama, emotional storytelling and Scott’s experience with large-scale cinematic worlds makes The Dog Stars an intriguing release.
Current theatrical calendars place the film on August 28, 2026.
Why it’s worth watching: Ridley Scott directing a character-driven post-apocalyptic survival story with an impressive cast.
4. Practical Magic 2
Release Date: September 11, 2026
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Drama
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman
Nearly three decades after the original film, the Owens sisters are returning in Practical Magic 2.
The 1998 Practical Magic initially received a mixed reception but gradually developed a passionate cult following. Its combination of witchcraft, romance, family relationships and sisterhood has helped it remain popular across generations.
The sequel brings back Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, making their reunion one of its biggest attractions.
The story once again explores the Owens family and its complicated magical history, with a new generation becoming involved in the consequences of the family’s supernatural legacy.
The sequel is reportedly drawing inspiration from Alice Hoffman’s wider Practical Magic literary universe, including The Book of Magic.
The film is scheduled for September 11, 2026. Recent reporting has also highlighted how the original movie’s popularity grew substantially after its theatrical run, helping make the sequel possible decades later.
Why it’s worth watching: The long-awaited reunion of Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman and the return of one of Hollywood’s most beloved supernatural cult classics.
5. Verity
Release Date: October 2, 2026
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Mystery
Director: Michael Showalter
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, Josh Hartnett
Book adaptations continue to be a major force in Hollywood, and Verity could become one of the most talked-about thrillers of 2026.
Based on the bestselling novel by Colleen Hoover, the story follows struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh, played by Dakota Johnson.
Lowen receives an unusual opportunity when she is hired to finish a successful book series written by famous author Verity Crawford, played by Anne Hathaway, who is unable to complete the work herself.
While going through Verity’s notes and documents, Lowen discovers a disturbing manuscript containing shocking revelations.
What follows is a psychological mystery involving obsession, manipulation, relationships and the question of whether everything written in the manuscript can actually be believed.
The film also stars Josh Hartnett as Jeremy Crawford.
Amazon MGM confirms that Verity is scheduled to arrive in U.S. theaters on October 2, 2026.
Why it’s worth watching: A bestselling source novel, a dark psychological mystery and a high-profile cast led by Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson.
6. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Release Date: November 20, 2026
Genre: Dystopian, Action, Drama
Director: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Ralph Fiennes, Jesse Plemons, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin
Panem returns to theaters with The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, another prequel expanding the history behind the original Hunger Games saga.
This time, the story focuses on a character fans already know extremely well: Haymitch Abernathy.
Set decades before Katniss Everdeen enters the arena, the film explores the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
This particular Games had an especially brutal twist: twice the usual number of tributes were selected.
Young Haymitch is played by Joseph Zada, while the cast includes major names portraying younger versions of familiar characters. Ralph Fiennes takes on the role of President Snow, Jesse Plemons plays Plutarch Heavensbee, Elle Fanning portrays Effie Trinket, and Kieran Culkin appears as Caesar Flickerman.
The story gives audiences the opportunity to understand the traumatic experiences that transformed Haymitch into the cynical but deeply intelligent mentor seen in the original films.
The film is scheduled for November 20, 2026.
Why it’s worth watching: One of the most important untold stories in Hunger Games history, centered on a fan-favorite character and one of Panem’s most notorious Games.
7. Jumanji 3
Expected: December 2026
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Expected Returning Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Karen Gillan
The modern Jumanji franchise is expected to return for another major adventure in late 2026.
Following Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level, the next installment is expected to reunite the core ensemble that helped transform the rebooted series into a global box-office success.
The previous film ended with an intriguing tease suggesting that elements of the Jumanji game had entered the real world.
If the new movie follows that setup, the franchise could reverse the concept of the previous films. Instead of characters entering the game, the dangers and creatures of Jumanji may invade reality — echoing aspects of the original 1995 Jumanji.
That creates plenty of possibilities for larger action sequences, comedy and callbacks to earlier installments.
Industry previews have positioned Sony’s next Jumanji as one of the major titles closing out 2026.
Why it’s worth watching: The chemistry between Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan — plus the possibility of bringing Jumanji’s chaos into the real world.
8. Dune: Part Three
Release Date: December 18, 2026
Genre: Science Fiction, Drama, Adventure
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Starring: Timothée Chalamet and returning members of the Dune ensemble
After the critical and commercial success of Dune and Dune: Part Two, director Denis Villeneuve is returning to Arrakis with Dune: Part Three.
The third movie continues the story of Paul Atreides, whose rise to power dramatically changed the political and religious balance of the known universe.
The film draws from Frank Herbert’s Dune Messiah, which takes the story into darker and more complicated territory.
Rather than presenting Paul simply as a traditional heroic ruler, the next chapter explores the consequences of power, prophecy, religious fanaticism and the enormous cost of the forces unleashed in his name.
That makes Part Three particularly important to the larger meaning of Paul Atreides’ story.
Warner Bros. officially lists December 18, 2026 as the theatrical release date.
The film is also notable because it is currently scheduled to open on exactly the same day as another enormous blockbuster: Avengers: Doomsday.
Why it’s worth watching: Denis Villeneuve returning to one of modern cinema’s most visually ambitious science-fiction worlds, with a story that challenges everything audiences may think they understand about Paul Atreides.
9. Avengers: Doomsday
Release Date: December 18, 2026
Genre: Superhero, Action, Science Fiction
Directors: Anthony and Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr. and a massive Marvel ensemble
If one movie has the potential to dominate global entertainment conversation at the end of 2026, it is Avengers: Doomsday.
The film marks the return of directors Anthony and Joe Russo, the filmmaking duo behind Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
But the biggest surprise is Robert Downey Jr.
Rather than returning as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Downey is playing one of Marvel’s most iconic villains: Victor von Doom, better known as Doctor Doom.
Marvel itself has described Downey as starring as Victor Von Doom in the upcoming film.
The movie is expected to unite characters from multiple corners of Marvel’s cinematic universe, making it one of the largest ensemble superhero productions since Endgame.
Exactly how Doctor Doom enters the story — and what his connection may or may not be to Tony Stark — remains one of the movie’s biggest mysteries.
Marvel officially confirms December 18, 2026 as the theatrical release date.
That puts Doomsday directly against Dune: Part Three, a clash Variety has already highlighted as an extraordinary box-office showdown.
Why it’s worth watching: Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, the Russo brothers returning to direct and potentially one of the biggest MCU crossover events ever attempted.
10. The Angry Birds Movie 3
Release Date: December 2026
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Adventure
Voice Cast Includes: Jason Sudeikis and returning/new ensemble members
The Angry Birds are flying back to theaters for a third big-screen adventure.
Based on the enormously successful video-game franchise, the first two Angry Birds films turned the rivalry between birds and pigs into colorful family entertainment.
The third installment is expected to continue expanding that world with returning characters and new additions.
Although it may not generate the same level of online speculation as Avengers or Dune, family animation can be extremely powerful at the global box office — particularly during the Christmas and holiday period.
The movie’s late-December positioning could make it an important family alternative to the heavier action and science-fiction blockbusters arriving around the same period.
Current international release calendars place the film in late December 2026, though release timing can vary by market.
Why it’s worth watching: A recognizable global franchise, family-friendly holiday timing and another opportunity to expand the chaotic world of the Angry Birds.
Which Movie Could Be the Biggest Hit of the Rest of 2026?
The final months of 2026 offer an unusually diverse theatrical lineup, but three movies stand above the rest in terms of blockbuster potential.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day has the advantage of Spider-Man’s enormous global popularity and comes directly after the extraordinary success of No Way Home.
Avengers: Doomsday could become an even larger event. The combination of the Avengers brand, the Russo brothers and Robert Downey Jr.’s transformation from Iron Man into Doctor Doom gives Marvel a powerful marketing hook.
Then there is Dune: Part Three. Denis Villeneuve’s franchise has built considerable prestige alongside its commercial success, and the third movie has the potential to deliver a darker and more ambitious conclusion to Paul Atreides’ central arc.
Industry coverage already expects Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday to be major box-office forces, while the unusual Dune–Avengers same-day release has become a story of its own.
Why the Rest of 2026 Matters for Hollywood
What makes the remaining 2026 calendar particularly interesting is the variety of strategies Hollywood is using to attract audiences.
There are established superhero franchises with Spider-Man and Avengers. There is prestige science fiction with Dune. The Hunger Games is using a prequel to explore a beloved character’s past, while Practical Magic 2 is reviving a cult favorite nearly three decades later.
Meanwhile, Verity represents Hollywood’s continuing interest in adapting bestselling books with large existing fan communities.
Even Coyote vs. Acme represents something unusual: a film whose behind-the-scenes journey became almost as famous as the movie itself.
Together, these releases show that Hollywood is relying not on one single formula, but on a mixture of franchises, nostalgia, literary adaptations, recognizable stars and established intellectual property.
Complete Release Calendar
| Movie | U.S. Release |
|---|---|
| Spider-Man: Brand New Day | July 31, 2026 |
| Coyote vs. Acme | August 28, 2026 |
| The Dog Stars | August 28, 2026 |
| Practical Magic 2 | September 11, 2026 |
| Verity | October 2, 2026 |
| The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping | November 20, 2026 |
| Jumanji 3 | Expected late 2026 |
| Dune: Part Three | December 18, 2026 |
| Avengers: Doomsday | December 18, 2026 |
| The Angry Birds Movie 3 | December 2026 / varies by market |
Release dates can change, so readers should check official studio announcements before making theatrical plans.
Final Thoughts
Even after a packed first half of the year, 2026 still has some of its most anticipated Hollywood movies waiting in the wings.
For superhero fans, Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday are obvious highlights. Science-fiction audiences have Dune: Part Three, while The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping brings viewers back to Panem for the tragic story of young Haymitch Abernathy.
Practical Magic 2 offers nostalgia, Verity brings a bestselling psychological thriller to the screen, and Coyote vs. Acme finally gives audiences the opportunity to see one of Hollywood’s most discussed unreleased films.
But the biggest date to watch may be December 18, 2026.
Both Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three are currently scheduled for that day. Marvel and Warner Bros. both list the date officially, setting up a rare collision between two enormous franchises.
Whether audiences choose Doctor Doom, Arrakis — or make time for both — the final months of 2026 could provide Hollywood with one of its most exciting theatrical finishes in years.
External resources
For readers who want to track official announcements and changing release dates, the Marvel Movies official release calendar confirms upcoming MCU releases including Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday. Warner Bros. provides an official Dune: Part Three page, while Amazon MGM’s official Verity guide provides details on the Colleen Hoover adaptation. For a broader overview, Variety’s most anticipated movies of 2026 covers many of the year’s major releases.