6 Must-Watch Movies Coming Out In July 2026
If you're anything like me, then July is the month you've been waiting for when it comes to new movies. With widely anticipated releases like The Odyssey (2026) and Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), it's about to be the best month of the summer. Horror has currently been a big hit with movies like Obsession (2026) and Backrooms (2026), but we've also got two new feature films coming in July that are bound to be enticing for fans of the genre.
In fairness, sometimes cozying up in front of our own TVs with drinks and blankets is the way to go. Leaving the house in the summer should always require a place with AC, and that's where the movie theaters come into play. Here are the six movies you can't miss in theaters and should go out of your way to watch in July 2026.
July 1
Minions & Monsters hasn't even been released in the States yet, and it's already hit number one in theaters in Germany. If that's not an indication of the fact that the Despicable Me (2010) spin-off is a movie that's worth watching on the big screen, then I don't know what is. But more than that, it's the fact that these movies always tend to be a blast.
In this wild adventure, the minions are making a movie of their own, and the trailer's already popping off with hilarious antics that are likely going to be super easy to use as memes. It'll also be a great movie to take kids to while they're on summer break, but I have a feeling the adults and cinephiles are going to appreciate this one most.
July 10
We really, really don't need a live-action Moana movie at this point, especially one that looks like it'll be a carbon copy of the animated feature. Still, we'll be seated regardless, mostly because it feels like the ideal summer movie. Like Minions & Monsters, it's a good one for kids and adults to enjoy together, so that detail alone makes it anticipated.
In addition, despite rightful criticism in some areas, Lilo & Stitch (2025) did pretty well last summer, and there's a good chance Moana might perform well as a live-action, too. Judging by the trailers alone, Catherine Laga'aia already seems like such a great choice for the titular character, and it'll be interesting to see just how much she's capable of delivering throughout.
July 10
This one's for the horror fans and horror fans only. Scaredy cats, look away. No seriously. The Evil Dead franchise is huge in the horror community for a reason, and it's certainly not for the faint-hearted. Evil Dead Burn is set to follow a grieving family in a house that'll naturally lead them toward turning into Deadites.
The trailer looks terrifying, wild, and simultaneously like the kind of fright in theaters that'll have people walking by squirming. The movie is a standalone, so if you've skipped some of the Evil Dead films in the past, you can still jump into this one without worrying about the content.
July 17
From the moment it was announced that Christopher Nolan would be adapting Homer's The Odyssey next, it became my most anticipated movie. With a loaded cast of some of the revered actors in Hollywood, there's no doubt about the fact that it's going to be a theatrical triumph that's sure to fire on all cylinders.
More than anything, it's going to be the kind of visual treat that demands a theatrical viewing to experience everything in its full glory. With everything that Nolan's prepped to ensure the scale of the film matches the vastness of the book, there's likely going to be plenty to appreciate in his adaptation.
July 24
If you're a fan of the way Rhys Frake-Waterfield manages to replace our childhood films with nightmare-inducing spins, look no further than Pinocchio Unstrung. Judging by the poster and trailers alone, this version of the infamous puppet looks a lot more terrifying than the version of Pooh Bear we get in Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023).
The spin on these movies is riveting in every way when you consider how dark fairy tale origins truly are and why their fantastical spin on them makes them significantly more palatable. It's also just a creative way to play with IP that's now in the public domain, and it's likely going to be a solid time in theaters for fans who can handle it.
July 31
Really, if you're a fan of Tom Holland and Zendaya like me, then you're thriving in July between The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. But ultimately, the anticipation of this fourth Spider-Man movie is a long time coming after No Way Home (2021), and it's so hard to believe that we're finally here after the five-year wait.
A lot is riding on how this movie will wrap up various storylines and how it'll lead us to Avengers: Doomsday (2026). But more than anything, it's the continuation of Peter Parker's story after the heartbreaking ending that we're left with after No Way Home. How many villains will there be? Will we get a happy ending? What surprises are in store? There's a reason it's the most anticipated superhero film of the year, and no matter what we get, it's going to be a treat in theaters.
