5 Unmissable Scarlett Johansson Movies Coming In 2026 & 2027
Scarlett Johansson has two big years ahead of her. Shortly after closing her chapter as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, she embarked on a whirlwind career expansion, including making her directorial debut with Eleanor the Great (2025), fulfilling her decade-long dream to be a part of the Jurassic Park franchise, and signing on to two new film franchises.
She has had so much on her slate that she even exited Disney’s live-action Tangled (TBD), in which she would’ve starred as Mother Gothel. As exciting as it would’ve been to see her in the villain role, fans can rest assured she has even bigger things on the horizon. Use our guide to find five unmissable upcoming Johansson movies slated for or likely to arrive in 2026 and 2027.
Johansson’s most exciting 2026 project stems from a collaboration with Brad Bird on Ray Gunn. Bird, the legendary animator and director behind Pixar hits like The Incredibles (2004), wrote the original script for Ray Gunn in the ‘90s. For decades, he has awaited the opportunity to bring his animated sci-fi crime film to life, and now it’s happening. In the film, the last human detective, Ray Gunn (Sam Rockwell), investigates a case involving pop star Venus Noval (Johansson) against the backdrop of a sprawling, futuristic city.
The genre-bending Ray Gunn is unique in that it is an animated film aimed at older audiences, and aligns with Bird’s ideology that animation is for everyone. With a unique retrofuturist style, score from Michael Giacchino, and the talents of Johansson and Bird, Ray Gunn is shaping up to be quite the movie. Pixar and Studio Ghibli fans won’t want to miss this ambitious animated work.
One of the two new franchises Johansson is joining between 2026 and 2027 is The Exorcist franchise. She will star in the new, untitled The Exorcist film slated for 2027 and marking the seventh installment in the franchise. Mike Flanagan directs the film, while the cast also includes Diane Lane, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Laurence Fishburne, and Jacobi Jupe. It will center on a rookie detective who finds herself caught up in a terrifying and evil supernatural case.
Johansson’s role in the untitled Exorcist film remains unconfirmed, though we know she will play a mother, with Jupe starring as her son. Fans of The Exorcist (1973) will likely be tentatively excited about the new film, as it promises to take the franchise in a new direction after the disappointment of The Exorcist: Believer (2023). It may be more reminiscent of The Exorcist III (1990), which also features a supernatural investigation.
The second major franchise Johansson is joining is Matt Reeves’ Batverse, as she’s in talks to join the cast of The Batman: Part II in an undisclosed role. Although her role hasn’t been revealed yet, rumors circulated that she stars as Gilda Dent, the wife of Harvey Dent. Reports of her casting broke alongside those of Sebastian Stan’s casting, leading to speculation that they portray the Dents.
Reeves is keeping plot details for The Batman: Part II under wraps, though The Batman (2022) and The Penguin (2024) may shed light on some aspects. It will likely have the noir style of the first film as Batman (Robert Pattinson) tackles another mystery and untangles the dark roots of corruption in Gotham. The Penguin (Colin Farrell) and The Joker (Barry Keoghan) may make an appearance, while the rumored roles of Johansson and Stan open the door to many potential Gilda and Harvey Dent comic storylines.
Johansson is reportedly set to star in The Gauntlet remake alongside Tom Cruise. The film is a remake of the 1977 film of the same name by Clint Eastwood. Reports of The Gauntlet remake first surfaced in 2024 with Christopher McQuarrie slated to direct. Updates on the remake have been few and far between, but if production commences soon, it could still see a 2027 release.
The remake is intriguing as The Gauntlet is one of Eastwood’s wildest action thrillers. There isn’t much in the way of plot, as the film thrives almost entirely on pure action and entertainment. However, it definitely delivers on the thrills and is loads of fun. It’s intriguing to consider what a modern take on the film with action stars Cruise and Johansson would look like.
Johansson will star in the true-crime thriller Featherwood, portraying the protagonist, Carol Blevins. The film is based on the true story of Blevins, an unlikely FBI informant who aided in a six-year-long investigation into the neo-Nazi gang, The Aryan Brotherhood, which led to thirteen convictions. Blevins struggled with substance abuse and became involved in the gang as a “featherwood,” a woman associated with the gang through a relationship with one of its members.
For years, Blevins navigated a high-stakes, extremely dangerous undercover job, which left her with post-traumatic stress disorder and made her a main target for the gang. Featherwood has faced some delays since director Andrea Arnold left the project, though hopes remain for a 2027 release. The incredible true story, centered on a complex protagonist, is just the type of film that could generate some awards buzz for Johansson if handled well.
