Best new films of 2026: 26 movies to look forward to

Lat year gifted us with a huge range of wonderful new films – from horror hits Sinners and Weapons to genre-defying epics likes Marty Supreme and One Battle After Another – and it looks like 2026 will be stuffed with plenty more cinematic treats.

As is often the case, the first couple of months will see UK fans afforded the chance to see some major films that debuted in the US towards the end of last year, with Hamnet, The Secret Agent and The Testament of Ann Lee among the big hitters to look out for in January and February.

That should set the tone for a 2026 slate that includes new films from legendary directors such as Christopher Nolan and Steven Spielberg, a range of franchise blockbusters such as Dune: Part Three and the latest Avengers movie, and a few films that seem destined to get people talking – like Emerald Fennell's adaptation of Wuthering Heights.

Do bear in mind that we've kept this list to films that already have confirmed UK release dates. There will be plenty more major films added to the schedule in due course, with David Fincher, Robert Eggers, Greta Gerwig, Joel Coen and Luca Guadagnino among the big-name directors with films in the pipeline that will most likely debut at prestigious film festivals throughout the year.

And obviously, this list is not definitive. There's also a great variety of other films that debuted at festivals last year – including If I Had Legs I'd Kick You and Splitsville – in addition to horror sequels and reboots such as Evil Dead: Burn, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come and Resident Evil, the latter of which is interestingly helmed by Weapons director Zach Cregger.

There are also new films from genre directors including Sam Raimi (Send Help), M Night Shyamalan (Remain) and Rob Savage (The Other Mommy) plus a raft of family titles including The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Disney's Hexed and the live action remake of Moana.

And as ever, for all that we can make predictions, a great joy every year is the fact that many under-the-radar films come from seemingly nowhere to completely surprise us. Maybe the best film of 2026 is completely unknown to us at this stage!

But for now, read on for 26 films that we're especially excited about in 2026.

1. Hamnet

UK release date: Friday 9th January 2026

Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal lead the cast of Chloé Zhao's awards-tipped adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's acclaimed novel, which explores how a personal tragedy and the resulting grief propelled William Shakespeare to write his iconic masterpiece Hamlet.

RT says: This adaptation has won rave reviews from critics – including a glowing 5-star verdict from us – and is being positioned as a major awards contender, with Jessie Buckley's performance as Agnes being singled our for praise. But be warned: the story is an emotionally devastating one, so you may want to come armed with tissues.

2. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

UK release date: Friday 16th January 2026

Less than a year after the previous film ended with a tantalising tease of what was to come, we return to the world of 28 Years Later with this sequel, which sees Hedda's Nia DaCosta take over directorial duties from Danny Boyle. It's the second chapter in what has now been confirmed as a trilogy.

RT says: 28 Years Later was one of the real cinematic success stories of 2025, so it's exciting to be treated to this sequel so soon afterwards. It will be fascinating to see how DaCosta builds on the all-action ending to the previous film, which introduced Jack O'Connell as chilling Jimmy Savile-styled cult leader Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal – the ingredients are undoubtedly all there for another triumph.

3. No Other Choice

UK release date: Friday 23rd January 2026

Esteemed South Korean director Park Chan-wook's latest film is a pointed satire with a tragicomic edge, starring Squid Game's Lee Byung-hun as a desperate man who goes to very extreme lengths to find a new job after being laid off by the firm where he's worked for 25 years.

RT says: Director Park has consistently been one of the finest visual stylists in contemporary cinema, and this latest marvel is no different. The film is a timely – and often hilarious – satire on the state of 21st century capitalism, with some marvellous, often violent, set pieces scattered throughout the runtime.

4. Wuthering Heights

UK release date: Friday 13th February 2026

Emily Bronté's iconic work of gothic fiction has been adapted for the big screen on several previous occasions, and now Saltburn and Promising Young Woman director Emerald Fennell delivers a new take on the source material, with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi starring as her Cathy and Heathcliff.

RT says: Even before its release, this seems guaranteed to be one of the most talked about releases of 2026, with reactions to the casting and trailer already proving divisive to say the least. If Fennel's previous output is taken into account, we can guarantee one thing: it certainly won't be boring.

5. The Testament of Ann Lee

UK release date: Friday 20th February 2026

Amanda Seyfried plays the title role in Mona Fastvold's spellbinding musical based on a true story, which explores how Manchester-born Ann Lee founded the radical, revolutionary religious sect known as the Shakers in the 18th century, building up a devoted following while trying to avoid persecution.

RT says: This masterful, truly original piece of cinema has been curiously absent from many awards nominations, but make no mistake – it's one of the finest films to debut in recent years. Every single aspect – from the committed performances and richly detailed production design to the stirring music and breathtaking choreography – combine to create something unique, captivating and profound. Don't miss it.

6. The Secret Agent

UK release date: Friday 20th February 2026

This latest film from Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho stars Narcos's Wagner Moura as a professor who finds himself embroiled in the political turmoil of 1970s Brazil, fleeing persecution against the backdrop of the country's military dictatorship.

RT says: Wagner Moura took home the Best Actor award at last year's Cannes Film Festival for his lead performance in this film, and its acclaim has only grown since – emerging as a frontrunner for the Best International Feature Oscar. Expect a tense and layered drama which will leave you with plenty to chew on.

7. Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man

UK release date: Friday 6th March 2026

Three years after the TV show ended its original run, creator Steven Knight is bringing his immensely popular Birmingham-set gangster saga to the big screen, with Barry Keoghan, Rebecca Ferguson and Tim Roth among the starry names joining Cillian Murphy in the cast. It will have a limited theatrical run before being added to Netflix.

RT says: If you're a fan of the TV show, then you probably won't need much convincing to tune into this one. We can expect more of what we're used to from Knight's series alongside an added cinematic grandeur – while it may also sow the seeds for the recently announced sequel show.

8. The Bride

UK release date: Friday 6th March 2026

Maggie Gyllenhaal writes and directs this new monster movie which is inspired by the 1935 classic The Bride of Frankenstein, with Jessie Buckley starring in the title role and Christian Bale playing Frankenstein's Monster. Penélope Cruz, Annette Bening and Maggie's brother Jake Gyllenhaal also appear in the cast. The film had initially been on 2025's release but has now shifted to this year.

RT says: We're living in a great era for reimaginings of classic monster movies – with Nosferatu and Frankenstein two key recent examples – and Gyllenhaal's take on the The Bride of Frankenstein certainly looks eye-catching, not to mention pleasingly eccentric. Let's hope it delivers on that promise.

9. Project Hail Mary

UK release date: Friday 20th March 2026

Ryan Gosling leads this sci-fi adaptation from directing pair Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, based on Andy Weir's 2021 novel of the same name about an astronaut who awakens from a coma with no memory of the mission he'd been sent on. Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce and Ken Leung also star.

RT says: There's a lot of early hype for this film, with reports of rapturous responses at test screenings last year. Let's hope it can set the scene for what looks like being a big year for non-franchise sci-fi fare.

10. The Dog Stars

UK release date: Friday 27th March 2026

The ever-prolific Sir Ridley Scott returns with this star-studded post-apocalyptic thriller following a civilian pilot (Jacob Elordi) and a tough ex-marine (Josh Brolin) who face struggles in the aftermath of a flu virus that nearly wiped out humanity. Margaret Qualley and Guy Pearce also star.

RT says: Scott has never exactly been shy when it comes to singing his own praises, and the veteran filmmaker has already labelled his latest effort "maybe my best movie". Given his filmography includes such all-time classics as Alien and Blade Runner, that certainly makes it seems worth a watch, especially when we bear in mind the impressive cast.

11. The Magic Faraway Tree

UK release date: Friday 27th March 2026

Enid Blyton's iconic children's book about a magical tree has been adapted for the big screen by Ghosts star Simon Farnaby, with Claire Foy, Andrew Garfield and Nicola Coughlan just three of the big names in its impressive cast list.

RT says: If you're after something for the whole family, this certainly has all the makings of a pleasantly nostalgic treat – with the revered source material being adapted by a man with a proven track record for penning family-friendly delights in the shape of the Paddington movies and Wonka.

12. The Drama

UK release date: Friday 3rd April 2026

Robert Pattinson and Zendaya play a newly engaged couple in this intriguing drama from Dream Scenario writer/director Kristoffer Borgli – with not much officially revealed about the plot beyond the fact that one of the pair discovers an unsettling truth about the other.

RT says: As if the two leads weren't reason enough to put this film on our most-anticipated list, the mysterious nature of the plot has only piqued our curiosity further. Borgli announced himself as a quirky filmmaker to watch with Dream Scenario, and early reports suggest this could be a step up.

13. Michael

UK release date: Friday 24th April 2026

Antoine Fuqua directs this Michael Jackson biopic, which promises to "humanise but not sanitise" the story of the King of Pop. He will be played in the film by his nephew Jaafar Jackson, while Colman Domingo, Miles Teller and Laura Harrier are among the other stars. The film was originally set for release last year, but was delayed after reshoots.

RT says: Given the hugely controversial nature of Jackson's legacy, there's no doubt this will be a film that kick-stars all sorts of conversations. The film was made with the involvement of the subject's family, so it remains to be seen if this will truly be the warts-and-all portrait many will be hoping for, but it's certainly worth keeping an eye on.

14. The Devil Wears Prada 2

UK release date: Friday 1st May 2026

Two decades after the first film became one of the most quotable movies of the 21st century, original cast members Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci all reprise their roles in this sequel, with Sir Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley and Lucy Liu among the new faces in the cast.

RT says: A legacy sequel to one of the most beloved comedies of the 21st century with its iconic cast all returning – need we say more? It will be interesting to see how the characters have adapted to a fashion industry and a press climate very different to the one glimpsed in the previous film.

15. The Mandalorian and Grogu

UK release date: Friday 22nd May 2026

The first new Star Wars film since the Skywalker saga concluded with 2019's poorly received The Rise of Skywalker, this is a spin-off from popular Disney+ series The Mandalorian and will serve as a continuation of that story, with Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White joining Pedro Pascal in the cast.

RT says: With the exception of the quite rightly glowing reviews for Andor, the Star Wars franchise hasn't exactly enjoyed the most plain-sailing time of late, and there's some scepticism as to whether this film can put the big-screen future of the sci-fi juggernaut back on track. Can it prove the doubters wrong?

16. Disclosure Day

UK release date: Friday 12th June 2026

Steven Spielberg returns to the theme of UFOs and extra-terrestrial life in this sci-fi blockbuster, which stars Josh O'Connor, Emily Blunt and Colin Firth. The cryptic logline reads: "If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you?"

RT says: It's been a long time since Spielberg embraced the sci-fi genre, but his record speaks for itself – and if this can even get close to the level of Close Encounters of the Third Kind and ET then we'll have another masterpiece on our hands. With a stellar cast and an intriguing trailer, the early signs are promising.

17. Toy Story 5

UK release date: Friday 19th June 2026

Pixar returns to arguably its best-loved property with a fifth film focusing on Woody, Buzz and co – which will see them go head-to-head with a new threat to playtime: a frog-like tablet named Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee.

RT says: Pixar's recent focus on sequels has proven popular at the box office, even if the critical reception hasn't quite matched the highs of the animation studio's early days – but it's hard not to be excited about a return to the world of the beloved living toys. Lets hope the story is worthy of such fine characters.

18. Supergirl

UK release date: Friday 26th June 2026

The second film in James Gunn's relaunched DC Universe sees Milly Alcock take centre stage as Supergirl after a brief cameo at the end of last year's Superman, and will follow her as she travels across the galaxy on a murderous quest for revenge. Cruella's Craig Gillespie is on directorial duties.

RT says: Superman set the stage for the new DC Universe last year and it will be interesting to see how this follow-up builds on that momentum. Alcock has already proven she's a charismatic presence – especially with her turn as a young Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon – and this could well launch her to proper movie stardom.

19. The Odyssey

UK release date: Friday 17th July 2026

Christopher Nolan follows up his hugely acclaimed, Oscar-winning Oppenheimer with a very different sort of epic – an ambitious adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey. The mammoth cast is headlined by Matt Damon, while Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway and Robert Pattinson are some of the other A-listers with key roles.

RT says: All eyes were going to be on Nolan whatever he chose to do after the monumental success of Oppenheimer – and he's certainly not resting on his laurels. With impeccable source material, one of the best casts assembled in years and a writer/director clearly at the top of his game, this seems like a surefire hit if ever there was one.

20. Spider-Man: Brand New Day

UK release date: Friday 31st July 2026

The first of two major MCU releases in 2026 – as the mega superhero franchise attempts to get back on track – is the fourth solo outing for Tom Holland's Spidey. After the multiverse shenanigans of 2021's No Way Home, this is expected to start a new arc for the character, with Stranger Things star Sadie Sink a major addition to the cast.

RT says: Realistically, No Way Home was the last time an MCU entry really captured the imagination of the cinema-going public, and the webslinger's popularity seems unassailable even as the general appetite for the franchise has waned. With that in mind, this is the best hope yet for a return to the massive box office numbers that were once routine for Marvel.

21. Flowervale Street

UK release date: Friday 14th August 2026

It Follows director David Robert Mitchell makes his first film since 2018's Under the Silver Lake with this sci-fi thriller starring Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor. According to official plot details, it will follow a family who start to notice unusual happenings in their neighbourhood – and there are strong rumours that time travel could be involved.

RT says: After bursting onto the scene with his terrific chiller It Follows in 2014, David Robert Mitchell's stock was high – but the divisive reaction to his 2018 follow-up Under the Silver Lake somewhat dampened his reputation. This is his first effort since, and hopes are high that it could be a treat as we wait for more concrete details about the cryptic plot.

22. Digger

UK release date: Friday 2nd October 2026

Tom Cruise has the lead role in this black comedy from two-time Oscar-winning Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu (Birdman, The Revenant). Plot details are being kept firmly under wraps, but we know there's room in the supporting cast for Jesse Plemons, Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg and Riz Ahmed, among others.

RT says: After the last Mission: Impossible film, Tom Cruise has expressed a desire to move away from action and into more of the character-led, director-driven dramas that marked his earlier career. This is the first example of this new plan, and while much is still under wraps it certainly seems like a fascinating proposition.

23. The Social Reckoning

UK release date: Friday 9th October 2026

Jeremy Allen White takes over from Jesse Eisenberg as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in this follow-up to The Social Network. The focus this time around is the 2021 Facebook leak, with Aaron Sorkin again penning the script – in addition to taking over from David Fincher as director.

RT says: The Social Network is one of the most acclaimed films of the 21st century, and although much of its brilliance has been attributed to Fincher's direction, Sorkin's script was also first-rate. Can lightning strike twice?

24. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

UK release date: Friday 20th November 2026

The latest entry in the dystopian saga is based on prequel novel Sunrise on the Reaping, which follows a young Haymitch Abernathy after he is selected to compete in the 50th Hunger Games. Whitney Peak and Joseph Zada play the young leads, while Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Mckenna Grace and Glenn Close are among the established names in the cast.

RT says: If you're a Hunger Games fan, this film can't come soon enough – and indeed the movie was confirmed even before Suzanne Collins's novel had been published. With such a great cast – including the promise of cameos from original stars Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson – and the reliable direction of franchise stalwart Francis Lawrence, this seems guaranteed to please long-term fans.

25. Avengers: Doomsday

UK release date: Friday 18th December 2026

The first Avengers movie since Endgame in 2019 features several high-profile returns: Joe and Anthony Russo are back behind the camera, Chris Evans will make a surprise return as Steve Rogers, and former Tony Stark actor Robert Downey Jr stars in his new role as villain Doctor Doom – whom the Avengers, Wakandans, Fantastic Four, New Avengers and "original" X-Men will team up to fight.

RT says: It seems that almost every new Marvel release in the last couple of years has been pitched as a possible turning point back to the success of earlier instalments, and that's never been the case more than with this upcoming team-up movie. Will it be the beginning of a second wind, or the death knell of an ailing franchise?

26. Dune: Part Three

UK release date: Friday 18th December 2026

Denis Villeneuve wraps up his Dune trilogy with this third instalment, which is based on Frank Herbert's sequel novel Dune: Messiah. Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, Josh Brolin and Rebecca Ferguson are all back, while Robert Pattinson is the highest profile new addition to the cast.

RT says: Given what Denis Villeneuve accomplished with the first two Dune films, it seems safe to assume we can expect another magnificent slice of sci-fi this time around, even if the source material is rather more muted. With Chalamet's Oscar-tipped turn in Marty Supreme proving once and for all that he's the real deal as a movie star, let's hope this is the crowning jewel in one of the best movie trilogies of modern times.

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