As an avid movie-goer, it’s exciting to keep track of what films are releasing in the upcoming year. There were a few undeniable hits last year—“Sinners” and “One Battle After Another,” for instance—but 2026 looks especially promising. Here are my six most anticipated films coming out in 2026.
- “The Bride!”
“The Bride!” releases on March 6 and boasts a stacked cast, including Christian Bale as Frankenstein and Jessie Buckley as his bride. Buckley’s performance is sure to be compelling, as she’s racked up numerous awards recently for her role in “Hamnet.” She is predicted to receive an Academy Award for the performance in just a few weeks.
“The Bride!” is described by Warner Bros. as a bold take on the classic story of Frankenstein and his bride. In recent press interviews, director Maggie Gyllenhaal cites her inspiration for the film as a desire to give Frankenstein’s bride a voice of her own. The story’s been explored before, in “Bride of Frankenstein” from 1935, but the bride’s character in that film lacks autonomy and complexity.
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s take on the story looks much more female-centered, with a focus on female rage and the obsession of a Bonnie-and-Clyde-type love.
Early reviews are promising, and “The Bride!” is set to hit theaters this week.
- “The Drama”
I was originally intrigued by “The Drama” because it stars two of my favorite actors: Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. It’s also being released by A24, which is a production company I trust to produce good films.
“The Drama” follows a couple as they prepare to get married. However, some sort of twist sets their engagement off course. The trailer markets the film as an off-beat, slightly crazed love story.
“The Drama” has also been praised for its marketing campaign, which has so far included a fictional engagement announcement published in physical copies of The Boston Globe. Then, real wedding photographers posted pictures of Zendaya and Pattinson, in character, on their Instagram.
From the creativity of the marketing alone, “The Drama” doesn’t appear to be your typical romance film. It’s slated to hit theaters on April 3.
- “Girls Like Girls”
In 2015, Hayley Kiyoko released a music video for her song “Girls Like Girls.” The video became somewhat of a cultural phenomenon, especially in queer spaces. Many begged for development of the story between the two girls in the music video, and Kiyoko eventually released a young adult romance novel under the same name.
Kiyoko’s alluded to a film for years, and now it’s finally here. “Girls Like Girls,” based on Kiyoko’s original song, music video, and novel, follows two teenage girls falling in love with each other over the course of a summer.
Even from the trailer, it’s obvious that “Girls Like Girls” is a film fueled by passion and love. Good sapphic representation is rare, and I’m confident Kiyoko will add something meaningful and authentic to the unfortunately small genre.
“Girls Like Girls” is set to release in theaters on June 19.
- “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping”
I will watch anything and everything to do with The Hunger Games, but “Sunrise on the Reaping” truly looks like it’ll be a worthwhile addition to the franchise.
I read the book when it was released last year, and I knew a film adaptation was imminent. This prequel follows the story of Haymitch Abernathy and his experience in The Hunger Games. The cast is full of familiar faces like Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes, and Glenn Close.
Newcomers Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak look like they’ll fit right in amongst these greats. Director Francis Lawrence, who’s directed every Hunger Games adaptation since “Catching Fire,” has returned to direct with author Suzanne Collins helping out with the screenplay.
“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” releases on Nov. 20, and I’ll spend most of my year anticipating that day.
- “Werwulf”
A trailer isn’t even needed for me to be excited about Robert Eggers’s latest film. Coming off the success of “Nosferatu” in 2024, Eggers’s next venture is said to focus on the dark folklore surrounding werewolves. Eggers is known for being a master of gothic horror, and I’m sure “Werwulf” won’t disappoint.
Eggers will reunite with some actors he’s worked with in previous films for “Werwulf,” notably Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Willem Dafoe. With a cast who knows Eggers’s style well, I’d be shocked if this film wasn’t a perfect addition to Eggers’s filmography.
“Werwulf” is said to have wrapped filming, and a trailer will most likely release soon. The film itself will be released in theaters on Christmas Day this year.
- “The Adventures of Cliff Booth”
“The Adventures of Cliff Booth,” which released a teaser trailer during the Super Bowl this year, is a direct sequel to Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”
I’m slightly apprehensive about a sequel to one of my favorite films, but I know I’ll be in those theater seats regardless of my misgivings.
The film looks like it picks up with Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) a short amount of time after the ending of “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” It looks to be more action-packed than its predecessor and leans into the crime genre. This is most likely a reflection of David Fincher, the director, who’s known for crime classics like “Seven” and “Fight Club.”
“The Adventures of Cliff Booth” is scheduled to release this year but doesn’t have a set release date yet.
From gothic horror to a dystopian franchise, the film schedule for 2026 makes me optimistic. I’d recommend checking out all these films and more when they release in theaters, because purchasing tickets and seeing films in-person is one of the best ways to support the film industry in the age of streaming.