For all of the embarrassment of riches on TV, cinema stays a extremely large deal for any style fan. Our information to the most effective upcoming sci-fi motion pictures in 2026 encompasses a blockbuster mixture of in style franchises, intriguing one-offs, and one of many biggest administrators of all time heading again to alien visitation territory.
After seven years away, “Star Wars” returns to the massive display with “The Mandalorian and Grogu”, whereas “Supergirl” takes James Gunn’s new-look DC Universe into outer area. Denis Villeneuve makes a 3rd journey to Arrakis in “Dune: Half Three”, and — in what’s prone to be the most important launch of the yr — Robert Downey Jr reunites with the Marvel Cinematic Universe for “Avengers: Doomsday”.
Project Hail Mary
Launch date: March 20, 2026 | Solid: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, Milana Vayntrub, Ken Leung
Screenwriter Drew Goddard labored wonders along with his Oscar-nominated adaptation of Andy Weir’s “The Martian“, and a decade later he is again to convey the creator’s most up-to-date novel to the display. In “Undertaking Hail Mary“, our solar is one in all many stars troubled by a mysterious plague, prompting humanity to launch a mission to repair the issue earlier than it kills all life on Earth.
Ryan Gosling performs the instructor turned reluctant astronaut who has the destiny of a whole planet on his shoulders. Fortunately, he isn’t alone within the cosmos as an alien engineer, nicknamed Rocky, has arrived at Tau Ceti with an identical agenda. If they’ll work out the way to talk, this may very well be the beginning of a phenomenal friendship…
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Launch date: April 3, 2026 | Solid: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Pleasure, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key
It could not have been a giant hit with the critics however the first “The Tremendous Mario Bros Film” was an enormous power-up in comparison with the risible Bob Hoskins model from the ’90s. Certainly, its mega field workplace take — second solely to “Barbie” in 2023 — proved that Hollywood is, in the end, getting a really feel for turning videogame icons into film stars.
This inevitable sequel riffs on the titular Wii sport, blasting Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad into outer area to face off towards Bowser Jr. Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Pleasure, Charlie Day, Jack Black, and Keegan-Michael Key respawn of their roles from the primary film. Benny Safdie (director of UFC biopic “The Smashing Machine”) comes on board as Bowser’s malevolent offspring, whereas Captain Marvel herself, Brie Larson, turns into Nintendo royalty as alien princess Rosalina.
Mortal Kombat II
Launch date: Might 8, 2026 | Solid: Karl City, Adeline Rudolph, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson
It is a case of mid-’90s déjà-vu as two giants of the beat-’em-up videogame world renew hostilities on the massive display. “Road Fighter” lands in October, however first to the punch is “Mortal Kombat II”, the extra sci-fi of the duo and a sequel to the 2021 reboot.
That film was extra profitable than anticipated, and this follow-up provides “The Boys” star Karl City to the struggle card for spherical two. He stars as ’90s motion film star Johnny Cage, a reluctant conscript in a “warfare for the destiny of your world”, pressured to make use of his martial arts expertise to guard Earthrealm (that is us) from the evil alien forces of Shao Kahn.
Sonya Blade Kano, Jax, and Scorpion all return to the world, whereas followers of the sport will recognise big-screen newcomers like Kitana (Adeline Rudolph) and Jade (Tati Gabrielle).
The Mandalorian and Grogu
Launch date: Might 22, 2026 | Solid: Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, Jeremy Allen White
It is telling that the film chosen to convey “Star Wars” again to theaters for the primary time since 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker” is a follow-up to a TV collection. Whereas “Episode IX” was a serious disappointment, “The Mandalorian” has been a crowd-pleasing jewel within the Disney+ crown, the one present that — for its first couple of seasons, no less than — all people cherished.
The titular duo’s promotion to the massive display sees them ditching the bounty searching to assist the New Republic search out rogue Imperials. “The Unbelievable 4: First Steps“‘ Pedro Pascal is again as Din Djarin, joined by Sigourney Weaver as a New Republic colonel, and “The Bear”‘s Jeremy Allen White voicing Jabba the Hutt’s nephew, Rotta.
Do not be shocked, nevertheless, if Imperial nasty Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) reveals up in “The Mandalorian and Grogu“, having already made his large comeback within the “Ahsoka” season 1 finale.
Masters of the Universe
Launch date: June 5, 2026 | Solid: Nicholas Galitzine, Jared Leto, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, Idris Elba
Other than Frank Langella’s scenery-devouring efficiency as bony large unhealthy Skeletor, the primary live-action “Masters of the Universe” film lacked the requisite energy of Grayskull. The profitable toy line was already in decline by the point the movie landed in 1987, whereas the Earth-set, Dolph Lundgren-fronted adaptation bore little relation to the favored cartoon collection.
Count on a quite extra devoted adaptation second day trip, as toy big Mattel seems to He-Man and co to comply with in Barbie’s box-office conquering footsteps. Director Travis Knight has prior expertise of transferring motion figures to the massive display with “Transformers” spin-off “Bumblebee”, and he is assembled a big-name forged for the journey to Eternia, together with Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, Idris Elba as Man-at-Arms, and Jared Leto as Skeletor. In the meantime, British actor Nicholas Galitzine wields the Sword of Energy as He-Man.
Supergirl
Launch date: June 26, 2026 | Solid: Milly Alcock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham
Each hail from Krypton and have a penchant for capes, however that is the place the “Superman” / “Supergirl” similarities finish. Whereas Clark Kent took the straightforward path to Earth, the cynical, hard-drinking Kara Zor-El went the good distance spherical, rising up amongst her fellow Kryptonian survivors in Argo Metropolis.
The brand new movie (directed by “Cruella”‘s Craig Gillespie) relies on Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s 2021-2022 comic-book collection “Girl of Tomorrow”, and — in line with the official synopsis — sees Supergirl embarking “on an epic, interstellar journey of vengeance and justice.” See? Very un-Superman.
Count on a whistlestop tour of DC’s model of outer area, as Kara (performed by “Home of the Dragon”‘s Milly Alcock) wisecracks her approach throughout numerous alien planets with crowd-pleasing pooch Krypto. Former Aquaman Jason Momoa will get a brand new DC function as alien bounty hunter Lobo.
Disclosure Day
Launch date: June 12, 2026 | Solid: Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo
“Shut Encounters of the Third Sort”, “ET”, “Struggle of the Worlds“… Whether or not they’re pleasant or hostile, Steven Spielberg is aware of a factor or two about alien visitations. However with “Disclosure Day” (the title’s solely simply been revealed), he is been taking a leaf out of “Tremendous 8” collaborator JJ Abrams’ e-book, and enjoying his playing cards extraordinarily near his chest.
A little bit of thriller from one in all Hollywood’s biggest entertainers is one thing to be cherished, after all, and the first trailer teases with out giving a lot away. The gist, nevertheless, appears to be that extra-terrestrials make contact with a particular few, earlier than promising to go public to your complete world — good luck coping with the ramifications of that one, human race!
Spielberg’s bringing a high quality forged alongside for the journey, with Emily Blunt taking the lead as a Kansas Metropolis climate presenter who begins speaking alien dwell on air. She’s joined by Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo, and Wyatt Russell. Common Spielberg wordsmith David Koepp (“Jurassic Park”, “Struggle of the Worlds”, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Cranium”) is on screenplay duties, working from the director’s personal story.
Toy Story 5
Launch date: June 19, 2026 | Solid: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Greta Lee, John Ratzenberger
No, the toys aren’t blasting off to outer area, however this fifth instalment does characteristic round 50 confused Buzz Lightyears — all of them on an identical voyage of “you’re a kid’s plaything” self-discovery as Pixar’s unique (not-)flying toy. In the meantime, pull-string cowboy Woody is again within the fold after becoming a member of Bo Peep on a mission to rehome misplaced toys, because the playroom dynamic will get shaken up by the arrival of a frog-faced pill named Lily Pad (voiced by “Tron: Ares“‘ Greta Lee).
When you’re questioning if we’d like one other “Toy Story”, it is value remembering that many stated the identical factor earlier than the third and fourth motion pictures, they usually turned out fairly nicely. Additionally, Andrew Stanton (a person who is aware of a factor or two concerning the franchise, having co-written each film up to now) is on board as director.
Avengers: Doomsday
Launch date: December 18, 2026 | Solid: Robert Downey Jr, nearly each MCU actor you may consider, and some surprises
It is nicely over six years for the reason that good “Avengers: Endgame” wrapped up Marvel’s Infinity Saga in fashion. Multiverses and quite a few Disney+ TV reveals have made the MCU quite extra unwieldy within the interim, however hopes are excessive that this fifth outing for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes can restore the record-breaking franchise to previous glories.
Administrators Anthony and Joe Russo know a factor or two about epic superhero team-ups — they beforehand known as the pictures on “Captain America: Civil Struggle” and the final two “Avengers” movies — however even they may have their work reduce out wrangling “Doomsday”‘s epic forged. In addition to MCU regulars like Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Paul Rudd, and Anthony Mackie, the roster options X-Males veterans Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Kelsey Grammer, and James Marsden.
After which there’s the return of Robert Downey Jr, who swaps Iron Man’s armor for one more steel masks in his new function as Latverian troublemaker Dr Doom.
Associated: Marvel motion pictures so as: chronological & launch order
Dune: Half Three
Launch date: December 18, 2026 | Solid: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Robert Pattinson
For a e-book collection that was as soon as thought of unfilmable, Frank Herbert’s “Dune” is proving to be remarkably adaptable. After turning the primary novel into two movies, director Denis Villeneuve is wrapping up his desert trilogy with a movie impressed by Herbert’s follow-up, “Dune Messiah“.
This time out, Fremen chosen one Paul Atreides is juggling his new role as emperor of the known universe with the ongoing battle to maintain control of Arrakis and its valuable spice. Paul’s decision to marry Princess Irulan at the end of “Part Two” is sure to have some major ramifications, particularly as a significant time jump looks likely — the book’s set 12 years after its predecessor.
Most of the original cast return, along with “The Batman” star Robert Pattinson (reportedly playing the villainous Scytale). “Dune: Part Three” might, however, blink first and shift its release date to avoid a Barbenheimer-style clash with that big Marvel team-up — though we will admit that “Avengers: Dunesday” has a rather nice ring to it…
