My Top 10 Most Anticipated Films of 2026!!!

12/20/2025 by Corrye Van Caeseele-Cook

It’s hard to fathom but in less than two weeks we will be turning the page on another trip around the sun for this pale blue dot we call Earth. 2025 has certainly had plenty of highlights in the world of film with Sinners, One Battle After Another, Superman, and 28 Years Later ranking as some of my favorites. However, before I give my official end of the year movie review* I thought I’d look ahead to what cinematic sensations await us in 2026. So without further preamble, here are my top ten most anticipated films of 2026!

#10 The Social Reckoning Release Date: October 9, 2026

I consider David Fincher’s 2010 film The Social Network one of the best movies of the 21st century. A film that made Jesse Eisenberg a household name and launched the career of Andrew Garfield, The Social Network was a hilarious, poignant examination of perhaps the most significant creation of the last thirty years. Fincher’s meticulous direction and Aaron Sorkin’s biting, pitch perfect dialogue made for a joyous marriage between writer and director. (The “you have the minimum amount of my attention” scene lives rent free in my head.) Since 2019 there’s been numerous discussions about a follow-up sequel, but it wasn’t officially announced as in development until earlier this year. Well sometimes things move fast in this industry, as the follow-up film – The Social Reckoning – just wrapped principal photography on December 9th. However, rather than a direct sequel, The Social Reckoning appears to be more of a spiritual sequel to the original with a brand new (but still dynamite) cast. The film will focus on the 2021 Facebook leak from whistleblower Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison) that showed how Facebook was aware of its social media platform’s harmful societal effects but persisted in prioritizing profit. Sorkin returns to write the script but this time around also helms the ship from the director’s chair. With Jeremy Strong playing Mark Zuckerberg and Jeremy Allen White as Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz, this sounds like another dynamic, crackling drama from Sorkin.

#9 Evil Dead Burn Release Date: July 24, 2026

Ever since I watched the entire original Evil Dead trilogy as a teenager, I’ve loved this horror franchise. I’m of the opinion that of the five movies released there hasn’t been a bad one in the bunch. (Yes that includes the 2013 film which is underrated as Hell and gnarly as fuck.) 2023’s Evil Dead Rise was absolutely phenomenal, flipping the “cabin in the woods” paradigm and putting it in an urban setting. It really opened the floodgates as to what an Evil Dead movie could be and where it could go. Moreover, the plan seems to be to hand over the reigns to new and upcoming horror directors. Next year’s Evil Dead Burn is no exception with director Sébastien Vaniček having only one credit to his name, 2023’s Infested. As of right now there’s zero details on the plot of the film, which stars the insanely talented and beautiful Souheila Yacoub (Dune Part Two). Color me intrigued. I feel like the franchise is in good hands and I can’t wait to see where this next one goes.

#8 Clayface Release Date: September 11, 2026

I don’t know if there’s a more underappreciated auteur working today than Mike Flanagan. The writer/director is just goddamn brilliant, but I think he gets overlooked because his playground tends to be the horror genre. It’s unfortunate, because everything he’s done from The Haunting of Hill House, to Midnight Mass, to Doctor Sleep captures the essence of humanity and demonstrates the fundamental importance of relationships and emotional connection. The fact that he provided a screenplay about the Batman villain Clayface to DC Studios head James Gunn unsolicited and that Gunn almost immediately greenlit it, speaks volumes. While Flanagan will not be sitting in the director’s chair (that honor goes to James Watkins) I am nonetheless highly anticipating this movie. It’s been described as a body horror film influenced by the AMAZING two part episode “Feet of Clay” from The Batman Animated series. With only a $40 million budget and starring relative unknown Tom Rhys Harries (The Gentlemen) as Matt Hagen/Clayface, this sounds like a down and dirty horror film that just happens to be set in the DC Universe. Count me in.

#7 Werwulf Release Date: December 25, 2026

Robert Eggers is truly unlike anyone working today. A director that eschews modernity (he once said the idea of shooting a film with a cell phone in it makes him physically ill), Eggers’ mind and films dwell fully in the past. Whether it’s the Salem adjacent film The Witch, the dreadful Nosferatu, or the metal-as-Hell flick The Northman, there’s something unique about Eggers’ films. They cast a spell that you can’t escape from. Next year Eggers returns to the realm of the supernatural, as he pivots his attention from vampires to werewolves. Werwulf will be set in 13th century England where a mysterious creature of folklore begins to stalk and terrorize the local countryside. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Lily Rose Depp, who both previously worked with Eggers on Nosferatu, headline the feature with Eggers regulars Willem Dafoe and Ralph Ineson returning as well. In an interesting wrinkle, Werwulf will be performed entirely in Middle English with subtitles, according to reports. Even if that’s the case, Eggers has more than earned my trust and I’m thrilled to open this cinematic present next Christmas.

#6 Supergirl Release Date: June 26, 2026

With Creature Commandos, Peacemaker Season 2, and the phenomenal Superman, James Gunn’s DCU is off to a stellar start. In the coming year we’ve got the aforementioned Clayface and the upcoming Lanterns television show to look forward to. However, one of the biggest gambles might be Supergirl. Although Kara Zor-El previously received her own feature film 40 years ago, it was atrocious and derided by fans and critics alike. However, I think this iteration is going to be much different. First off it stars Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon) and based on the trailer she looks perfect in the role. Secondly, director Craig Gillespie sits the director’s chair. I consider this a truly inspired choice with Lars and the Real Girl, Dumb Money, and I, Tonya some of the best low budget indie films of the last 20 years. I’m dying to see what he does with a large sci-fi adventure canvas and an equally large budget. Lastly, the film is based on Tom King’s excellent Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow graphic novel, quite simply one of the best graphic novels I’ve ever read. Throw in Jason Momoa as Lobo and I think this one might have the juice to wow audiences and critics.

#5 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Release Date: January 16, 2026

Thankfully the one I have the least amount of time to wait for, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple hits theaters in just under a month. I was left absolutely gobsmacked by Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later last summer. With Boyle at the helm and Alex Garland penning the script, I knew it would be good but not that good. It ended with an insane lead-in to the next film and I’m dying to see what Jimmy (Jack O’Connell) and his Cult of Jimmys unleashes on the world. The severely underrated Nia DaCosta takes over for Boyle this time around, so I’m assuming from a cinematography standpoint it will look much different. Early reviews call it a more straightforward horror film than it’s predecessor, but more shocking and gnarly. With Sinners, the Netflix series Godless, and 28 Years Later, Jack O’Connell is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors. I can’t wait to see him and Ralph Fiennes cook on the big screen in a few weeks. And “Fear is the new faith”? What a freakin’ tagline!

#4 Disclosure Day Release Date: June 12, 2026

I personally think that Steven Spielberg is the greatest director who’s ever lived, if for no other reason than his range. The man can tackle any genre whether it’s horror (Jaws), drama (The Color Purple), musical (West Side Story), or science fiction (Minority Report). Yet I’ve always appreciated Spielberg’s eye for spectacle the most. He has the unique ability to make his movies suitably epic but also deeply personal as well. Aside from 2018’s Ready Player One, Spielberg has eschewed tentpole movies for more dramatic fare in the last two decades. Movies such as Lincoln, Bridge of Spies, and The Fablemans have become the norm. So when I heard he was making a new UFO film with David Koepp (Jurassic Park) writing the script, I was elated. However, until a few days ago we’d heard virtually next to nothing about the film. Rumors (which may be apocryphal) even stated that the head of Universal Donna Langley was not allowed to see dailies of the film. The fact that there’s so much secrecy surrounding this film lends an air of mystery that makes me even more intrigued. Hell the trailer showed audiences next to nothing and I’m all for that. The fact that 93 year old John Williams is pairing with Spielberg for the thirtieth time makes it the icing on the cake. As the kids say, “I will be seated.”

#3 The Odyssey Release Date: July 17, 2026

There’s a handful of directors – Spielberg, Scorsese, PTA, Tarantino – that will have my money every time. It doesn’t matter what the subject matter is. It could be about creating the world’s first indoor toilet and I’d be seated. Christopher Nolan is one of those directors. From The Dark Knight to Interstellar to Insomnia to Oppenheimer, he’s got a proven track record that speaks for itself. For a director who sees films as a canvas for exploring myth, it was probably only a matter of time before he delved into an epic tale by one of the great masters. So why not take on one of the greatest Greek myths ever written in Homer’s The Odyssey. Starring Matt Damon and a slew of Hollywood stars, I actually got to see the six minute prologue last night that played before Avatar: Fire and Ash. And let me tell you this thing looks EPIC. Ludwig Goransson’s score had me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait to check this one out in IMAX.

#2 Dune Part Three Release Date: December 18, 2025

Dune Part Two was one of the best cinematic experiences of the 21st century for me. I put it right up there with any of The Lord of the Rings films, Mad Max: Fury Road, and The Dark Knight. Dune Part Two is a cinematic masterpiece on every conceivable level. While I was hopeful Denis Villeneuve and company would get to re-visit the world for a third film, it definitely wasn’t a guarantee. Thankfully, it made more than enough money and was a rousing success with moviegoers. The next movie is supposedly based on the second novel Dune: Messiah although it sounds like it may combine elements of Children of Dune as well. Regardless, Dune: Messiah plays out much more like a political thriller than a sci-fi fantasy adventure, so it will be interesting to see if Villeneuve can pull it off and if audiences will respond to it. I have zero doubts Dune Part Three will make my top three films of the year next year though. All hail Mua’dib!

#1 Project Hail Mary Release Date: March 20, 2026

When you read that Dune Part Three was my number two anticipated film of 2026 you may have been thinking, “Corrye you adored Dune Part Two, it was your favorite film of 2024. How could Part Three not be number one?” And normally you’d be right…if it wasn’t for the upcoming science fiction film Project Hail Mary. I say this with no hyperbole: the book by Andy Weir is one of the best science fiction books I’ve ever read. Between the physical copy and the audiobook I believe I’ve read it at least four times since it released in 2021. With Lord and Miller at the helm to direct the feature film, Ryan Gosling starring, and Drew Goddard writing the screenplay, I immediately felt the movie was in good hands. The two trailers have only solidified my feelings. I cannot wait for Project Hail Mary and I’m convinced it’s going to be one of the biggest films of 2026.

*For those of you unaware I don’t do my end of the year review of my favorite films until the first week in January. Reason being this gives me a chance to see a lot of the indie darlings and Oscar hopefuls that are about to release.