10 Most Anticipated Blockbuster Movies of 2026, Ranked

2026 is shaping up to be one of those years when Hollywood goes all-in. This year, audiences can expect to witness spectacle, nostalgia, and cultural events disguised as movies. From returning, long-awaited franchises to bold auteur-driven epics, the upcoming movies are designed to rule both the box office and cultural conversations. This year will see huge franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars releasing their biggest movies in years, while Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan will release his next project.

Here, we take a look at the 10 most anticipated blockbusters of 2026. Some have already made noise online with perfect casting choices that stay true to their source material, while others have released trailers and snippets that have been viewed by millions. These films represent entertainment aimed at children and adults alike, and they are expected to dominate the box office charts when they are released. It's not just about the money, but it's also about how these movies will bring audiences to the theatres so that everyone can experience them together.

10 ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ (2026)

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is a new Hunger Games chapter set decades before Katniss Everdeen's (Jennifer Lawrence) story. This prequel focuses on Haymitch (Joseph Zada), Katniss' future mentor, and his time during the 50th Hunger Games, where the tributes are doubled. Haymitch must fend off 47 other tributes from the twelve districts of Panem while finding a way to crush the oppressive system.

The anticipation builds on the renewed strength of the franchise after the modest success of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which expanded the world without retreading Katniss' story. The book was only released in 2025, and the film production was fast-tracked by Lionsgate. Fans have been incredibly excited about this upcoming film as the prequel is filled with pitch-perfect casting, such as Elle Fanning as young Effie Trinket, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, and Ralph Fiennes as the ruthless President Snow. There are also rumors of familiar faces reprising their roles in the film.

9 ‘Michael’ (2026)

Michael is a biopic centered on the life and career of Michael Jackson, played by his actual nephew, Jaafar Jackson. The film is set to follow the King of Pop from his beginnings with the group the Jackson 5 to his superstardom. Antoine Fuqua is directing with Colman Domingo, Miles Teller, and Nia Long starring.

The film is set to be the dark horse among 2026 blockbusters, as it's only one of the few that's not part of a popular IP. Michael Jackson is still a household name, and a film about him will capture general audiences' interest. Music biopics, like Elvis and Bohemian Rhapsody, have also been on a strong run in recent years, with the latter grossing over $900 million despite mixed reviews. Regardless of controversy or acclaim surrounding his figure, Michael feels positioned to be one of the most talked-about releases of 2026.

8 ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ (2026)

Following the massive success of the first film, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie takes Mario (Chris Pratt), Luigi (Charlie Day), and Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) to outer space to fight Bowser's (Jack Black) son, Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie). Fan-favorites Yoshi, Birdo, and Rosalina (Brie Larson) will also join their intergalactic adventure.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie was a surprising and massive success, so anticipation is sky-high for this sequel. The original became one of the highest-grossing animated movies ever, driven by nostalgia, accessible storytelling, and Illumination’s colorful animation style. With Nintendo actively involved, fans can rest easy that the characters will be treated with respect and confidence. The sequel itself is based on one of the most beloved Mario Bros. games, Super Mario Galaxy. Die-hard fans can look out for fun Easter eggs, while the young audience will love the adventurous tone of the film.

7 ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ (2026)

The Mandalorian and Grogu is the first theatrical Star Wars film in seven years. The film continues the story of Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu. This time, Din Djarin is recruited by the New Republic, where he must face off against Imperial warlords who roam free after the fall of the Galactic Empire.

Despite talks of how the Star Wars franchise has been diluted over the years due to the abundance of content on Disney+, this film is still one of the most anticipated blockbusters of 2026. The Mandalorian effectively revitalized the brand when it debuted, and it still has a huge fanbase all around the world. With Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White joining the universe, as well as Jon Favreau directing, the film looks solid. At the same time, the stakes are also high for Lucasfilm and Disney, as it's practically a test whether streaming-era Star Wars characters can translate into a blockbuster film.

6 ‘Toy Story 5’ (2026)

Toy Story 5 continues Pixar’s legendary franchise, with the toys competing against a new generation of tech. Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack), and the rest of Bonnie's toys find their existence threatened when a high-tech tablet named Lilypad (Greta Lee) becomes Bonnie's new favorite toy.

The anticipation comes from both excitement and curiosity. Toy Story 4 successfully beat skepticism with a heartfelt story that showed growth for Woody (Tom Hanks). Toy Story 5 is expected to do the same. It is still unclear how Woody will return, but with Pixar veteran director Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, WALL-E) steering the ship, audiences should expect the film to be purposeful rather than just an easy cash grab. The Toy Story franchise has transcended generations, and this fifth entry is somehow both a surefire blockbuster and Pixar's riskiest bet so far.

5 ‘Moana’ (2026)

Disney’s live-action adaptations continue with Moana, which comes out just 10 years after the original animated film. The film follows Moana, now played by newcomer Catherine Laga'aia, as she journeys across the ocean for the first time to restore balance to her world with the help of eccentric demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson).

Moana is one of Disney's crown jewels. Thanks to its fun storyline and catchy soundtrack by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the original animated film is one of the most-watched movies ever on Disney+. Its sequel, Moana 2, grossed over a billion dollars just last year. While Disney’s recent live-action remakes have had mixed receptions, Moana stands out because of its relatively recent release and strong cultural identity. Judging by the franchise's popularity, it seems like a no-brainer that Moana will hit at least a billion dollars at the worldwide box office.

4 ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ (2026)

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the fourth solo film for Tom Holland's Spider-Man. While the plot details are still scarce at the time of this writing, it will definitely deal with the fallout of the events in Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Peter Parker now has to rebuild his life anonymously and reconnect with MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Batalon).

The previous multiversal film was a massive hit, becoming the first film to hit $1 billion in the post-pandemic era. The ending promised a more grounded Peter Parker without the help of the Avengers. However, MCU characters will still be appearing, such as Punisher (Jon Bernthal) and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo). In addition, Spider-Man characters will also pop up, like Scorpion (Michael Mando), plus a mysterious character played by Stranger Things' Sadie Sink. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, who previously directed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Brand New Day will for sure be another fan favorite.

3 ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ (2026)

Avengers: Doomsday is Marvel Studios’ next event film, bringing together heroes from across the MCU in response to a universe-ending threat, Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.). Continuing the currently disjointed Multiverse Saga, the film will assemble the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the New Avengers, and the Avengers to battle the Latverian villain.

Avengers: Endgame set an impossible standard for Marvel to follow, but Kevin Feige and company seem to have laid out all their cards for this film. It brings back the Russo Brothers and Robert Downey Jr., alongside a massive 25-person main cast, announced across a 12-hour live stream. Trailers for the film have been released since December 2025, teasing the return of heroes like Chris Evans' Captain America and 20th Century Studios' X-Men roster, which includes Patrick Stewart's Professor X, Ian McKellen's Magneto, and James Marsden's Cyclops. It's a win that the MCU desperately needs after the lackluster Phase 4 and the uneven Phase 5. With a December release, the film will definitely dominate the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

2 ‘Dune: Part Three’ (2026)

Dune: Part Three continues Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s saga. The film will have a significant time jump that sees Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) in power, and the consequences that come with his actions. Adapted from the novel Dune: Messiah, it will see Paul's rule unleashing a violent revolution across the galaxy, which he cannot control, and, according to his visions, will get even worse.

The previous two-part adaptation of Dune is beloved by sci-fi fans and general audiences alike. Villeneuve has earned trust for his impeccable vision and ambition, and this film will definitely follow the Oscar-winning quality of its predecessors. The cast for the film expands, with actors like Rebecca Ferguson and Jason Momoa reprising their roles, Florence Pugh and Anya Taylor-Joy expected to have bigger roles, and Robert Pattinson joining the franchise. Currently dated to premiere opposite Avengers: Doomsday in December, Dune: Part Three will be the culmination of one of the most ambitious sci-fi projects in cinema.

1 ‘The Odyssey’ (2026)

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey adapts Homer’s ancient epic into a large-scale cinematic event, following Odysseus’ (Matt Damon) long journey home after the Trojan War to reunite with his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway). The film has a massive, star-studded cast that includes Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong'o, and Zendaya.

All eyes are on Christopher Nolan after his box office success and Oscar win for Oppenheimer. Nolan could not have picked a more epic film to follow up his 3-hour biopic of the father of the atomic bomb. The Odyssey comes with a hefty production budget and is also the first Hollywood film to be shot entirely on IMAX 70mm cameras. While the story is a fantasy with gods and monsters, in true Nolan fashion, expect to see great craftsmanship in the production values and minimal CGI effects. The Odyssey is expected to be a huge hit at the box office when it's released in July and perhaps even sweep awards season at the end of the year.