2025 was a year loaded with top films, directors and talent. Horror had a strong resurgence with “Weapons,” “Sinners” and “The Black Phone” captivating audiences. There were also many biopics in 2025, including “The Smashing Machine,” “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere,” “Song Sung Blue” and “Blue Moon.” The year closed strong with “Wake Up Dead Man,” “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and “Marty Supreme” all coming out in December.
Looking back at last year’s films, it’s exciting to see what is in store for audiences in 2026. From long-awaited sequels and superhero films to epic dramas and sci-fi adaptations, there is something for every kind of movie fan in the new year.
“Dead Man’s Wire” – Jan. 16
The newest film from Gus Van Sant, award-winning director of “Good Will Hunting,” is “Dead Man’s Wire,” which tells the real-life story of 1970s kidnapper Tony Kiritsis. Kiritsis rose to fame when he took his bank mortgagor hostage, only asking for money and an apology. Kiritsis is played by experienced character actor Bill Skarsgaard, and he is joined by a loaded ensemble including Dacre Montgomery, Colman Domingo and Al Pacino.
The film had a limited release at the 82nd Venice Film Festival in 2024, where Van Sant won an award for outstanding direction. Early reviewers found it equally hilarious and intense, hosting a similar vibe to films like “Dog Day Afternoon.” Deadline’s Pete Hammond wrote that the film is “pretty impressive for an indie scale and low budget.” Fans of offbeat comedies and fantastical true stories will surely find the film delightful.
“Wuthering Heights” – Feb. 13
Another extreme romantic tale for director Emerald Fennell, “Wuthering Heights” follows the intense and destructive love story of Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff in the 19th-century hills of England. Based on the novel by Emily Brontë, the piece has been adapted multiple times, each time with a new director and cast delivering a different take on the book.
Alongside Emerald Fennell, Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie are playing the leading couple. Charli XCX, Grammy-winning artist, has also joined the production team to produce new music for the soundtrack, helping to give the film an even more unique image. These aspects are sure to deliver a fascinating picture in the coming year.
“How to Make A Killing” – Feb. 20
Another film in Glen Powell’s recent stacked catalogue, “How to Make A Killing,” comes from director John Patton Ford in his sophomore directorial outing. After the black sheep of a rich family is ostracized, her son attempts to regain his place in the will, killing anyone higher in the order. Powell plays the determined killer and is joined by a strong ensemble cast including Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Topher Grace and Zach Woods.
Early trailers are giving the film a similar vibe to Park Chan Wook’s recent hit, “No Other Choice.” This is a similar kill fantasy focused on job ascension but “How To Make A Killing” will focus much more on a revenge aspect. If this film can similarly toe the line between drama and comedy, Powell may have another certified success.
“The Bride!” – March 6
The story of Victor Frankenstein has been a mainstay in today’s popular culture, with a new movie releasing every year like clockwork. Continuing the trend started by “Lisa Frankenstein” in 2024 and Guillermo Del Toro’s “Frankenstein” in 2025, “The Bride!” comes out in 2026. As Maggie Gyllenhaal’s sophomore film, this movie tells the story of Frankenstein from the perspective of Frankenstein’s monster’s bride.
Starring Christian Bale as the aforementioned monster and Jessie Buckley as his undead bride, “The Bride!” has a stacked ensemble including Peter Sarsgaard, Annette Bening and Jake Gyllenhaal. The film takes heavy inspiration from the 1935 Boris Karloff film “Bride of Frankenstein,” similarly taking place in 1930s Chicago.
“Project Hail Mary” – March 20
The third space-based novel and second film adaptation from Andy Weir, “Project Hail Mary,” follows a science teacher, Ryland Grace, who is launched on an interstellar mission in order to solve a mystery behind why the sun is going dark. Fighting against a ticking clock and encountering exciting new creatures on his journey, amateur astronaut Grace, played by Ryan Gosling, is humanity’s last hope.
“Project Hail Mary” is the latest film from directorial duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the same creative minds behind “Spider-man: Into the Spiderverse” and “The Lego Movie.” The production team also includes the writing of Andy Weir, whose previous novel “The Martian” was also adapted into an award-winning film. A large portion of the film will be a solo journey for Gosling, so the story’s importance will largely rest on his performance.
“The Drama” – April 3
Weddings are complicated and always have been. Filled with emotional people, tense moments and eclectic guests, weddings are all focused on the big “I Do” moment at the end of the aisle. Every minute demands chaos, so a drama film surrounding one seems fitting, especially one including two of the strongest young actors of this generation, Zendaya and Robert Pattinson.
“The Drama” is directed by Kristoffer Borgli, creator of the films “Sick of Myself” and “Dream Scenario,” known for their strange comedy and uncomfortable performances. These trends are sure to continue, especially with the acting prowess of its leads.
“Michael” – April 24
Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, has had a history of epic proportions. A film focusing on him has been in development since 2019, but is finally releasing with Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson in the leading role. The film will be directed by Antoine Fuqua, who also made “Training Day” and “The Equalizer.” While “Michael” will be a very different kind of movie for Fuqua, he is joined by an experienced cast including Colman Domingo, Nia Long and Miles Teller.
Unfortunately, the production has stated that they will not cover his later years, filled with lawsuits and allegations. This plan has been met with divided opinions online, with many finding the film incomplete by not covering the struggles near the end of his life.
“Supergirl” – June 26
The next movie in James Gunn’s new DC franchise is releasing this summer, and will be the first film not directed by the head of the studio. Director Craig Gillespie will be adapting the award-winning story “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” which focuses on Superman’s cousin, Kara Zor-El as she struggles to adapt to a world beyond Krypton. Having a very different experience from Clark Kent, this film will follow Kara as she travels from planet to planet, picking up strays and fights wherever she can.
The film will be written by Tom King, the same writer of the original story, and will star Milly Alcock, best known for her role in the award-winning show, “House of the Dragon.” The film will also see the return of Jason Momoa in a DC property, but playing a completely different character, the crazed spacebounty hunter Lobo. Only the second film in the new DC universe, it will set a trend for the studio’s future projects.
“The Odyssey” – July 17
The latest work from the esteemed Christopher Nolan sees the award-winning director adapting Homer’s great Greek epic, “The Odyssey.” The film will follow the Greek warrior Odysseus as he takes a 10-year journey home following the Trojan War.
Matt Damon will be playing the titular explorer in his first lead role for Nolan. Damon is joined by several pedigreed actors, including Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson and Zendaya.
Nolan has also attached several actors such as Mia Goth and Lupita Nyong’o. Beyond the star-studded ensemble cast, “The Odyssey” will feature original music by Ludwig Goransson and cinematography from Hoyte van Hoytema, two experienced collaborators who will hopefully capture the same magic as Nolan’s past films.
“The Ramayana” – Nov. 8
One of the biggest stories in Hindu mythology is getting a film adaptation, with plenty of star power attached. The Ramayana tells one of Hinduism’s oldest epics about the battle between good and evil, and is being adapted by award-winning director Nitesh Tiwari and writer Namit Malhotra. Most surprisingly, in a never-before-seen move, Hans Zimmer will be joining the duo to provide music with A. R. Rahman.
Bollywood has not had the best track record with adapting religious stories, turning them into superhero films and CGI-war fests without respecting the historical texts properly. This film has the opportunity to change that pattern by providing a depth of nuance to these stories that have already been cemented into the lives of billions.
