2026, The Year of Prime Cinema

Every year we are presented a wide variety of different movies from varying film production companies, directors, actors and genres, but in terms of cinema, the year 2026 is a golden one. No matter what your taste in movies is, there is definitely something for everyone. 

In this article we take a look at what movies are coming out in 2026, and shortly talk about the film’s plot, filming locations and other interesting things.

At first I want to take a look at the movies that the public is the most exited about. 

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

In the picture Spider-Man crouches on top of a skyscraper overlooking New York city while the sun sets in the background.

The hero returns

Starting off strong with one of Marvel’s movies, that has fans begging for its release. It is Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Starring:
Tom Holland as Spider-Man
Zendaya as MJ
Jacob Batalon as Ned
Sadie Sink 

The role that Sadie Sink will be playing has been discussed on various forums and social media platforms. Fans are guessing she will be playing either Gwen Stacy or Mary Jane Watson. The synopsis of the movie, and other important information are held strictly confidential, and the public has no confirmed leaks or snippets about the plot of the movie. 

Spider-Man: Brand New Day was seen being filmed in Glasgow, Scotland. The roads of Glasgow were swiftly turned into streets of New York. USA’s flags hanging from the flagpoles and NYPD (New York City Police Department) cars filling the streets. Tom Holland was exited to meet the fans after he finished filming a sequence for the movie. Many have also been spellbound about his new suit. People on Reddit are ranking it as one of the best Spider-Man suits of all time. The movie is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton.

Release date: July 31, 2026. 

Doomsday

In the picture there is a closeup drawing of Dr. Doom showing off his fist. He is wearing a green cloak and has a metallic mask on.

The movie everyone is waiting for

We all knew this was a film I wouldn’t be able to skip while creating this list. Doomsday is going to be the movie that will have me, and many others queuing before the cinema’s doors bursting with excitement on 18 December, 2026. Its going to bring together some of the best characters of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Starring:
Robert Downey Jr. as Dr. Doom
Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova
Lewis Pullman as Bob Reynolds / Sentry
Pedro Pascal as Mr. Fantastic
Joseph Quinn as Johny Storm
Letitia Wright as Shuri
Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr
Chris Hemsworth as Thor 
Tom Hiddleston as Loki
Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes

And many other incredible actors and actresses. Listing them all would fill half the page, but I’m more than exited to see all of them on the screen on December 18th regardless if I listed them now or not. The movie has been filmed in Windsor Great Park, Pinewood Studios and Bahrain. Fans are contemplating whether Spider-Man will appear in the movie at all. Many are hoping Doomsday will bring together the brother duo we all love. Thor and Loki, and their never-ending bickering. Hopefully the sun will shine on them again. (Elite marvel knowledge required to get the reference). At least that’s what fans (and me too) hope for.

Doomsday airs on 18 December, 2026 and it is directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo.

Toy Story 5

In the picture animated Woody is leaning to a box while having one hand on his cowboy hat, and a lasso on another. The picture is sunny and atmospheric.

A throwback to the past, or a reality check of the now?

In the year 2026, we are also blessed with another movie of the Toy Story franchise. Toy Story is undeniably one of the most nostalgic movies from our childhood. The first Toy Story movie aired in 1995, and since then, it has been a massive success all around the globe. In the new film we are presented the familiar characters from the old movies, which will definitely make us all reminisce about our childhood atleast for a little while.

Starring:
Woody voice actor Tom Hanks
Buzz Lightyear voice actor Tim Allen
Forky voice actor Tony Hale
Jessie voice actress Joan Cusack
Slinky voice actor Blake Clark
Rex voice actor Wallace Shawn
Hamm voice actor John Ratzenberger

The movie’s plot centers around Bonnie becoming engrossed with a new tablet, and forgetting about her toys. In the movie with Jessie in the lead, the toys try their best to regain her attention and love. Toy Story 5 captures realistically the age our society is in. Everything is online, and children are becoming less and less interested in playing with toys, because other forms of entertainment are always available even from the very beginning of their childhood. I think the movie will spark public discussion about kids having their own phones, tablets and other electronic gadgets from a very young age. 

Toy Story 5 airs on 19 June, 2026. 

The Devil Wears Prada 2

In the picture Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep are side by side on a closeup.

Definetly one of the year’s most iconic movies

20 years later after the first part came out, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and many other iconic actresses and actors make  a comeback to the cinema screens with a sequel to The Devil Wears Prada. In 2006 the first film was a massive blockbuster and it earned over 326 million dollars worldwide, while its budget was only 35 million dollars. 

So what is the plot for Devil Wears Prada 2? In the movie Miranda Priestly goes against her old assistant Emily Charlton as they compete for advertising revenue amidst declining print media, while Miranda is starting to get close to the age to retire. 

Starring:
Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly 
Anne Hathaway as Andrea “Andy” Sachs
Emily Blunt as Emily Charlton
Stanley Tucci as Nigel
Tracie Thoms as Lily
Tibor Feldman as Irv Ravitz

Wuthering Heights

The picture is one of the covers that Wuthering Heights book has had during the years. The background is beige and in the cover there is a woman dressed in a red dress clinging sweetly onto a man wearing black. There is also another woman closer to the reader wearing all white and pearls.

A movie based on a book

Wuthering Heights is a tangled love story. It is based on the book Wuthering Heights written by Emily Brontë in 1847. It focuses on two landowning families, Earnshaws and Lintons living on the West Yorkshire moors. 

Starring:
Jacob Elordi as Heathcfill
Owen Cooper as young Heathcliff
Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw
Charlotte Mellington as young Catherine
Alison Oliver as Isabella Linton

The movie also includes other amazing cast members. Wuthering Heights will air on 13 February 2026. 

The Odyssey

In the picture there is a painting of stormy sea. Waves hitting the rocky shore. The rock is brown and there is a boat about to land. A giant is about to throw a rock at the boat.

Another masterpiece from Christopher Nolan

Last, but definitely not least in this article I wanted to list Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey. Nolan is known for the practical execution in his movies. The movie brings together some of the most talented actors and actresses in the world, and is expected to be a spectacular success and a testament to what cinema can be today. You will definitely catch me with my popcorn bucket (or two) and a ton of candy at the cinema on 17 July, 2026.

This is definitely on the list of movies that I’m the most excited about in 2026. The plotline follows the 10-year journey of Odysseus as he returns home from the Trojan war. He faces mystical and supernatural obstacles in his way such as sirens and the one-eyes Cyclops. Get ready to see the cast, because the casting directors definitely weren’t playing. 

Starring:
Matt Damon as Odysseus
Tom Holland as Telemakhos
Robert Pattinson as Antinous
Zendaya as Athlena
Anne Hathaway as Penelope
Jon Bernthal as Menelaos
Mia Goth as Mélantho

Woah what a cast. And that isn’t even all! Even though again listing all of them would fill half the page, I will literally be digging into my seat every time a new character appears to the screen. I have never been so exited to see Tom Holland in a movie! 

Conclusion

So is this all to expect?

No, definitely not. There is also a ton of other great movies that will be airing in 2026. So we all better start saving our money because if you are a friend of movies, you will be living in cinema in 2026. To see other movies that air in 2026, search up “Movies airing in 2026.”

Words: Minea Mahlamäki