Hollywood in 2026 promises a mix of ambition, spectacle, and reinvention in storytelling. This preview highlights the 26 most anticipated projects of the year: 13 major films and 13 television series, spanning blockbuster franchises, long-awaited sequels, and the return of fan-favorite shows.
From universe-defining movies to new seasons of acclaimed series, these are the projects most worth keeping on your radar.
Please note: release dates and premiere windows are subject to change. The order below is based on currently announced theatrical release dates and TV debut airings, not a ranking of anticipation.
January 2026
TV Shows
The Pitt — Season 2
Release date: January 8
Season 2 of The Pitt continues the series’ relentless realism and moral stakes. Noah Wyle reprises his role as Robby, with Patrick Ball returning as Jack Langdon after rehab. Season two unfolds over the 4th of July weekend and spans 15 episodes, exploring both professional and personal fallout among the hospital staff.
The Night Manager — Season 2
Release date: January 11
Nearly a decade after its debut, The Night Manager returns with Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston) drawn back into intelligence work. The season moves from Egypt to South America and introduces new political conflicts and moral gray zones.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Release date: January 18
This Game of Thrones prequel follows Ser Duncan the Tall through a quieter Westeros. New noble houses and storylines help add to this character-driven foray.
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Wonder-Man
Release date: January 27
Marvel’s Wonder-Man stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams, an actor navigating fame, ego, and superpowers. Disney+ will release all eight episodes simultaneously. The show blends Hollywood satire with MCU mythology.
Shrinking — Season 3
Release date: January 28
Season 3 of Shrinking explores the consequences of radical honesty and personal growth. Jason Segel’s Jimmy faces relationship hurdles, while Harrison Ford’s Paul continues to confront aging and Parkinson’s disease. Michael J. Fox and Jeff Daniels join the ensemble alongside returning cast members.
February 2026
TV Shows
Paradise — Season 2
Release date: February 23
Paradise shifts from mystery to consequence in its second season. Sterling K. Brown, James Marsden, and Sarah Shahi return, with Shailene Woodley joining as a new power player. The season deepens the mythology and intensifies the dramatic stakes.
Scrubs — Reboot
Release date: February 25
The classic medical comedy returns with a new generation of interns alongside familiar faces. Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, John C. McGinley, and Judy Reyes reprise their roles, blending nostalgia with fresh perspectives on hospital life.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters — Season 2
Release date: February 27
Season 2 continues Monarch’s dual timeline, with Wyatt Russell as Lee Shaw in the 1950s and Kurt Russell in the present. Emmy winner Anna Sawai and Kiersey Clemons also return. Skull Island plays a larger role. The 1st season proved the human storyline can measure up to mammoth spectacle.
March 2026
Movies
Project Hail Mary
Release date: March 20
Ryan Gosling stars as Ryland Grace in this adaptation of Andy Weir’s novel. Drew Goddard wrote the screenplay, with Phil Lord and Chris Miller directing. The story follows a lone astronaut tasked with saving Earth, blending scientific rigor with emotional isolation.
TV Shows
Rooster
Release window: March
Steve Carell stars as an author-turned-professor trying to reconnect with his daughter at the same school. Danielle Deadwyler and John C. McGinley round out the cast. The HBO comedy is Bill Lawrence’s third series of the year.
Daredevil: Born Again — Season 2
Release window: March
Charlie Cox returns as Matt Murdock, Deborah Ann Woll reprises Karen Page in a larger role following her brief appearances in the 1st season and Vincent D’Onofrio is back as Wilson Fisk. Krysten Ritter returns as Jessica Jones. Season 2 seems poised to build off of the anti-vigilante initiative set by Mayor Fisk in the 1st season.
April 2026
TV Shows
Malcolm in the Middle — Life’s Still Unfair
Release date: April 10
The Hulu reboot returns the original family: Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, and Jane Kaczmarek. The series explores adult challenges, generational chaos, and Malcolm’s intelligence as both a gift and a burden.
Movies
Michael
Release date: April 24
Antoine Fuqua directs this Michael Jackson biopic. Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, stars in the lead role. The film explores Jackson’s legacy, artistry, and personal struggles.
May 2026
Movies
The Devil Wears Prada 2
Release date: May 1
Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci return in this long-awaited sequel. Nearly two decades later, the story examines modern influencer culture while revisiting the fashion world with a sharper perspective.
June 2026
Movies
Disclosure Day
Release date: June 12
Directed by Steven Spielberg, this sci-fi thriller examines the government, public, and religious response to extraterrestrial life. Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, and Josh O’Connor lead the ensemble.
Supergirl
Release date: June 26
Milly Alcock stars as Kara Zor-El in this DC adaptation of Woman of Tomorrow. Craig Gillespie directs from a script by Ana Nogueira. This is the first DC film under James Gunn’s oversight that won’t be written or directed by the studio head.
July 2026
Movies
The Odyssey
Release date: July 17
Christopher Nolan directs this large-scale retelling of Homer’s epic. Cast includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, Charlize Theron and Jon Bernthal.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Release date: July 31
Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker. Destin Daniel Cretton directs, with Sadie Sink joining in a mystery role. The film resets Spider-Man for a grounded, back-to-basics story.
Summer 2026 (TV)
X-Men ’97 — Season 2
Release window: Summer
The animated revival returns with more mutant politics and team dynamics while hopefully diving deeper into classic X-Men lore.
Lanterns
Release window: Summer
Aaron Pierre stars as John Stewart, Kyle Chandler as an older Hal Jordan, and Nathan Fillion reprises Guy Gardner following his appearance in 2025’s Superman. The series blends procedural storytelling with cosmic DC mythology.
September 2026
Movies
Clayface
Release date: September 11
Mike Flanagan co-wrote the screenplay with Hossein Amini, with James Watkins directing. Tom Rhys Harries stars as the titular villain in this dark, psychologically complex DC tale.
October 2026
Movies
Digger
Release date: October 2
Tom Cruise teams with Alejandro G. Iñárritu in a high-stakes comedy-drama about disaster, redemption and global consequences.
The Social Reckoning
Release date: October 9
Written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, the film explores the societal impact of technology. Jeremy Strong stars as Mark Zuckerberg, with Mikey Madison, Jeremy Allen White, and Wunmi Mosaku in supporting roles.
December 2026
Movies
Avengers: Doomsday
Release date: December 18
Directed by the Russo brothers, this ensemble event brings together the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four. The film’s success likely hinges on Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Dr. Doom.
Dune: Part Three
Release date: December 18
Denis Villeneuve concludes his Dune saga with Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Momoa, and Anya-Taylor Joy returning. Robert Pattinson joins the cast.
Werwulf
Release date: December 25
Robert Eggers’ historical horror stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Lily-Rose Depp, and Willem Dafoe. Set in 13th-century England, it tells the story of a terrifying creature stalking villagers.
