Top 12 Most Anticipated Movies of Summer 2026 (In Order of Release)
Blockbuster summer is almost among us, and if 2026’s slate is anything to go by, it certainly won’t disappoint.
We’ve got superhero movies, horror films, and spectacles galore — and that’s before we go into some of the major IPs that are either returning or being rebooted over the next three months.
They say you should go outside and touch grass in the summer, but where’s the fun in that? The sun is temporary. Movies are forever! So, whether you’re a solo cinephile or a fan of group cinema trips, here are some of the most unmissable movies arriving in theatres over the summer months, in order of release date.
This live-action reboot of the He-Man franchise features Nicholas Galitzine as the titular character, with a top-notch supporting cast that includes Camila Mendes, Idris Elba, Kristen Wiig, and Alison Brie. In Masters of the Universe, Prince Adam (Galitzine) returns to his home planet, Eternia, to face off against Skeletor.
The fact that this villain is played by Jared Leto will either be a stroke of genius or a total disaster, so watch this space…
It looks like the sixth instalment of the Scary Movie franchise is going to be something of a soft reboot, with the Wayans brothers reuniting for the first time in 18 years to develop the film. Adding to the hype, Anna Faris and Regina Hall are both returning as Cindy and Brenda, respectively.
In this movie, Cindy, Brenda, and others reunite after the masked killer from the first Scary Movie film returns. Sinners, Ma, The Substance, and M3GAN are among those referenced in the trailer.
Disclosure Day is Spielberg’s first movie in four years, so, needless to say, expectations are high. This latest spin of the UFO sci-fi genre follows Josh O’Connor as Daniel Kellner, a cybersecurity worker who is determined to “disclose” the truth about extraterrestrial life to the world.
Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo and Emily Blunt’s characters are also wrapped up in this conspiracy, while Colin Firth’s character, the shady Noah Scanlon, seems like he will stop at nothing to silence them.
Toy Story 5 is tackling one of the biggest problems in today’s society: iPad kids. After Bonnie ends up getting a Lilypad tablet, Woody (Tom Hanks) reunites with Buzz (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Kusack), and the others as they grapple with the idea that technology will perhaps make toys obsolete.
A little depressing for a family movie, perhaps, but it couldn’t be more timely.
After her brief appearance in last year’s Superman, House of the Dragon star Milly Alcock is leading DC’s big movie of the summer as the titular Supergirl.
Unlike Clark, Kara Zor-El seems determined to numb her emotions with non-stop partying. However, when her beloved dog Krypto ends up in peril, she teams up with Ruthye Marye Knoll (Eve Ridley) to take down Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts).
This latest addition to the beloved Minions/Despicable Me franchise is set in the 1920s. Minions & Monsters follows the Minions as they decide to make a monster movie. The problem? They can’t find any monsters.
However, once they manage to track them down (with a little help from a green monster they summon) and accidentally unleash these monsters on the world, it’s up to them to save the day.
Is it necessary? Debatable. Will I be seated? Absolutely. While the animated version only came out in 2016, a live-action version of Moana is coming to theatres this July.
Although Dwayne Johnson is returning as Maui in one of the best-worst wigs in recent history, Catherine Laga'aia will be taking the reins as the titular character, as she leaves the island Montuni for the first time on an unforgettable journey.
The Evil Dead franchise is going strong — this will be its sixth instalment, and third standalone movie. In Evil Dead Burn, a grieving widow decides to stay in her in-laws’ remote, isolated home. However, this peace doesn’t last because each person is transformed into a Deadite, leading to a desperate fight for survival.
Cast members for this movie include Souheila Yacoub, Tandi Wright, and Hunter Doohan.
Undoubtedly, The Odyssey is one of the most highly anticipated movies of the year. As Christopher Nolan’s first movie since Oppenheimer, there’s a lot of expectation for this film, which follows Odysseus’ voyage back to Ithaca following the Trojan War.
The cast is also absolutely stacked, including Matt Damon as Odysseus, Tom Holland as Telemachus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Robert Pattinson as Antinous, Zendaya as Athena, Charlize Theron as Calypso, Jon Bernthal as Menelaus, and Mia Goth as Melantho. Lupita Nyong'o and Elliot Page are also in as-yet-unconfirmed roles.
After the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker’s ‘Parker Luck’ is in full force in Brand New Day, as he navigates a world in which nobody remembers him. While he watches his old best friend, Ned and former girlfriend MJ from afar, it looks like the webslinger might have other problems to worry about, as he gets mysterious symptoms, new powers, and has his fair share of villains to face off against.
It’s the last MCU movie before Avengers: Doomsday, so it really is an essential watch.
