2026 is slated to be one of the biggest years in history for movies. There are some exciting indie films in production, big time blockbusters, and adaptations of popular properties from comic books to novels to video games. Among the most intriguing 2026 releases is an impressive slate of sequels.
The sequels on tap for 2026 include follow-ups to billion dollar box office hits, the return of a once great comedy franchise, superhero fare, and even some prequels. These sequels are very likely to perform well commercially and, if handled properly, should receive rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.
Scary Movie 6
A few years ago, it wouldn’t have been exciting to hear about a new Scary Movie in production. The film series started well but dipped in quality with the last few entries. It reached a point where the original cast and creators were gone and Scary Movie 5 was widely panned.
The series stayed on the shelf for over a decade until now and the reason for the positive attitude is that the original team is mostly coming back. The Wayans Brothers are back as writers and in the cast, while the likes of Anna Faris and Regina Hall are reprising their hilarious roles.
On top of that, cast members from the first two movies like Cheri Oteri, Chris Elliott, Jon Abrahams, and more are back, while Heidi Gardner and Damon Wayans Jr. are among the new cast members. We’re ready to laugh like it’s 2000 again when Scary Movie 6 arrives on June 12.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
The Super Mario Bros. Movie turned out to be a massive hit, grossing over $1 billion and becoming a family favorite to rewatch since then. After three years, the sequel finally arrives on April 3 in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Judging by the trailer, his follow-up has more of what made the first film so popular. The animation style looks similar, the main characters and voice cast are returning, and it looks to be another fun adventure for the entire family to enjoy.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie takes its inspiration from the 2007 video game Super Mario Galaxy, which saw the titular character on an adventure through space, which should guarantee us some pretty visuals. Brie Larson also joins the cast as Rosalina, while Benny Safdie voices Bowser Jr.
Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come
Radio Silence, consisting of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, has quickly risen to rank among the most intriguing and impressive horror filmmakers working today. While Scream VI and Abigail were very strong, their best work came in 2019’s Ready or Not.
It isn’t the kind of movie you expect a sequel from, but we’re getting one on March 27 and it looks fantastic. In the first film, Grace marries into a family that immediately hunts and tries to kill her on her wedding night as part of a satanic ritual. Grace manages to survive and they all die in the end.
Now, the wealthiest people in the world, who used similar rituals to attain their power, are in jeopardy since she survived, so they’re out to hunt her now, along with her sister Faith. Samara Weaving and Kathryn Newton make an awesome scream queen duo, while the villains include the likes of Sarah Michelle Gellar and Elijah Wood.
Toy Story 5
While there’s no doubt that we’re excited for Toy Story 5, it does some with some trepidation. The franchise produced arguably the greatest trilogy in movie history, with a perfect ending in Toy Story 3. They then put on a billion-dollar hit for a fourth film that was well received but didn’t seem necessary.
Again though, Toy Story 4 had a good ending that could’ve wrapped the series up nicely. Pixar returns with Toy Story 5 on June 19 as it sees the toys we’ve grown to love have to deal with Bonnie becoming obsessed with her new tablet, leaving them abandoned.
The premise is a strong one, especially given the way technology dominates the attention of kids these days, though Woody being back after he left in Toy Story 4 is something that’ll need explaining. This franchise has yet to miss, so we trust them to deliver a great film here.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping
What a treat it has been to have Suzanne Collins continue her Hunger Games franchise in recent years. After the trio of books and quartet of movies, it looked like we had seen it all but then she put out the prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and it was another hit.
Collins has written another new book, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, which received rave reviews. We’re already getting a film adaptation on November 20, and this prequel tells the story of the 50th Hunger Games, which were won by Haymitch Abernathy, mentor to Katniss and Peeta in the original films.
The story is great and there are enough nods to the originals for longtime fans, including the dream casting of Elle Fanning as a young Effie Trinket. The cast looks phenomenal, from Joseph Zada and McKenna Grace to Ralph Fiennes and Kieran Culkin.
The Devil Wears Prada 2
Making a legacy sequel to a beloved movie is often a tall task. That’s the case with The Devil Wears Prada, which is an iconic staple of the 2000s that still gets rewatched and quoted two decades later. On May 1, we’re getting the Devil Wears Prada 2 and it sounds enticing.
For starters, this isn’t some basic cash grab legacy sequel. Like the first film, this sequel is based on a novel, so there’s impressive source material to pull from. The bigger news is that the original cast of Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci are all returning, among others.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is also bringing back its director, David Frankel, and writer Aline Brosh McKenna. Add in the fact that the original cast members speak so highly about the first film and it’s clear that this sequel is in good hands.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
For the first time ever, we’re getting a fourth solo film with the same actor playing Spider-Man in the lead role. Tom Holland’s MCU trilogy was spectacular but we haven’t heard from the character since Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021.
That changes on July 31 when Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters. This marks our first look at Spider-Man since everyone close to him forgot who he was, marking something of a fresh start for the character. That said, his old friends Ned and MJ are returning as part of the cast.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day also features Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk, while adding Stranger Things star Sadie Sink to the cast. Not much else is known about this sequel but given the history of the franchise, we’re incredibly excited.
Godzilla Minus Zero
Godzilla Minus One came from seemingly out of nowhere to take the world by storm in 2023. Set in postwar Japan, the film follows a former kamikaze pilot dealing with PTSD after he encounters the titular Godzilla.
The film was met with widespread acclaim, is conisdered by many to be the best modern Godzilla movie, and it won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects on a much smaller budget than most winners. On November 3, Godzilla Minus Zero is set to continue the franchise.
Not all that much is known about Godzilla Minus Zero other than the fact that it’s a sequel to the 2023 film and that it’s also being positioned as a “statement piece.” Information on the cast and plot are still under wraps.
Avengers: Doomsday
Most fans can agree that the MCU has been a mixed bag since Avengers: Endgame. The franchise itself even referenced it in Deadpool & Wolverine when they said that Deadpool was joining at a low point. There’s hope that Avengers: Doomsday will turn things around on December 18.
The fifth film in the Avengers series, Doomsday marks a major change. Many past cast members aren’t included, Robert Downey Jr. is in as the villainous Doctor Doom, new heroes like the Fantastic Four and Thunderbolts are in, and the X-Men characters from the old Fox films are in.
We’ve only been treated to a handful of teasers for Avengers: Doomsday so far, including the reveal that Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers will be back, but excitement is high. It’ll be interesting to see how this film handles so many cast members and returning characters who haven’t interacted before.
Dune: Part Three
December 18 is sure to be the biggest day in movies in 2026 as, along with Avengers: Doomsday, we’re getting Dune: Part Three. Previously viewed as an unadaptable novel, Denis Villeneuve delivered two Best Picture nominees with Dune and Dune: Part Two.
Now, we’re getting a third installment based on the Dune Messiah novel from 1969. The story picks up with Paul Atredies now as the Emperor, though where it heads next is intriguing, especially since the novel itself subverted the expectations of fans. The film is sure to do the same.
The stellar cast of Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, and Rebecca Ferguson is back and they’ll be joined by Jason Momoa, whose character died in the first entry, and Anya Taylor-Joy, who made a small cameo in the sequel. Robert Pattinson is also joining the franchise.
