2026 is the year of the movie; many popular book adaptations and sequels are hitting the big screen later this year. From The Devil Wear’s Prada 2 to The Sunrise on the Reaping, film fans have a lot to look forward to.
Starting the season out strong on March 20 is Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s Project Hail Mary, an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Andy Weir. This sci-fi is sure to become a cult classic just like the beloved book, which has been a fan favourite since its release in 2021. Ryan Gosling is set to portray the protagonist Ryland Grace, which brings this film extra star power that is sure to propel it to a major box office success.
Next up is a sequel to the 2000’s hit The Devil Wears Prada, starring the same line up of A-list celebrities like Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci and Anne Hathaway. Fans of this endlessly-quotable hit have been waiting for 20 years for the next installment, making opening weekend for this film a tense experience for director David Frankel, who also directed The Devil Wears Prada 1. Catch this soon-to-be hit in theaters starting May 1.
To start summer off right on June 26 DC is releasing their follow up to Superman, released in 2025. Following a notable superhero slump started after Marvel’s Deadpool and Wolverine, DC has been livening up the genre with feel-good movies featuring classic superheroes. The success of the first installment in the new DC era has many feeling hopeful about Supergirl, which promises a return to the golden age of superhero movies good music, epic action sequences and entertaining characters.
The long awaited Christopher Nolan adaptation of The Odyssey officially splashes into theatres on July 17. Nolan, who is known for his work on Oppenheimer and Interstellar has drummed up a lot of noise in Hollywood with his A-List cast and $250 million budget. The film stars Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson and Zendaya and has been filmed in far-flung locations like Scotland, Greece and Iceland. Anticipation for the next Nolan film runs high and all eyes are on the box office to see how it will perform compared to summer 2023’s Oppenheimer success.
If Supergirl leaves you with an action hero itch and The Odyssey makes you want to see more of Zendaya and Tom Holland, look no further than Spider Man: Brand New Day. This highly anticipated installment of Marvel’s “Phase Six” which features Fantastic Four and Avengers: Doomsday is high on many Marvel fans’ bucket lists. Behind the scenes photos from the film have been going viral on social media, prompting even more anticipation. Despite the under-performance of Fantastic Four: First Steps many are hopeful that Holland’s lovable spider man will bring fans back to theatres. Catch it on July 31 for its theatrical release.
And finally, the long awaited The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping premieres November 20th. The film comes on the heels of The Hunger Games: A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which premiered in 2023. Opening weekend raked in $101 million globally, setting high expectations for Sunrise on the Reaping. The cast perfectly mixes well know-names with new faces; Elle Fanning, Billie Porter and Kieran Culkin bring name recognition to the franchise while rising stars like Mckenna Grace and Maya Hawke are making their big screen debut. A rumor that Jenferier Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are returning to reprise their roles as Katniss and Peeta has long-time fans excited for a call back to the early days of the franchise.
