2026 is shaping up to be one of the very best years for movies in general. We already had films like “Project Hail Mary” and “Michael” come out to amazing success in theaters. And with summertime comes the release of some of the most anticipated of not just the year, but the entire decade. Here are some of the biggest blockbusters that I think everyone should be excited for.
“The Mandalorian and Grogu” – May 22, 2026
“Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” continues the adventures of the main protagonist from the titular series. Where we left off with Din Djarin and Grogu, they had helped the Mandalorians to retake their homeworld and defeat the villainous Moff Gideon, settling into their newly peaceful life on the planet Nevarro. The new movie, directed by series creator Jon Favereu, follows the Mandalorian and his adorable green sidekick working in the New Republic, where they face Imperial warlords while focusing on the evolving parent-child dynamic between the duo. Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu are expected to be the first major blockbuster of the summer. Although I will not be surprised that the film will make a bazillion dollars, because, once again, it’s still a Star Wars film, you will not be seeing me in that theater anytime soon.
“The Backrooms” – May 29, 2026
Freddy and his little animatronic gang can step aside; this is the actual horror movie experience for Gen Z. “The Backrooms” is based on the internet creepypasta of the same name, which is an infinite, surreal maze of empty office rooms that draws on its horror from the fear of the unknown and existential dread. The movie is the directorial debut of the nineteen-year-old Kane Parsons, who popularized the concept in his viral 2022 YouTube series. It likely adapts a large portion of Parsons’ webseries, as it follows a therapist, played by Renate Reinsve, who ventures into the Backrooms to find her patient, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, a furniture store owner who had mysteriously disappeared. The Backrooms is expected to be the biggest debut for the indie studio A24 because of the hype the film has already generated, even before its first teaser trailer was released. I’ve already been “no-clipped into the theater, so I’ll be seeing you all very soon.
“Supergirl” – June 26, 2026
Look up! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It could be the biggest crash-and-burn in the DCU before it has even lifted off yet. “Supergirl” is the fourth installment of James Gunn’s brand-new DC cinematic universe, which follows Superman’s favorite cousin, Kara Zor-El, and her drunk-fueled cosmic quest for revenge. Based on Tom King’s and Bilquis Evely’s comic “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” the titular hero, portrayed by Milly Alcock, enlists a teen, Eve Ridley, played by Rutheye Marye Knoll, to help get revenge on the murderers who killed her. Kara is a grittier character than her more heroic and optimistic cousin, still grappling with the trauma of losing her entire family and home. There have been a lot of concerns with this movie, which include its high budget, mixed test screenings, extensive reshoots, and seemingly low interest that has been garnering online. I’m, however, still excited, though, and will be more than ready to see the lows and highs of our female heroine, especially with the mainest man of them all, Lobo, portrayed by once fish-man Jason Momoa, at the helm of this movie. All I hope is that my favorite super-dog, as seen in many of the promotional materials for the movie, does not kick the bucket.
“The Odyssey” – July 17, 2026
This is not only the most anticipated blockbuster movie of the entire summer, but also of the year. There is no single doubt about that. “Avengers: Doomsday” hasn’t even come close to assembling even an ounce of its hype. “Dune: Part 3,” with all its sandworms, can’t even ride the wave. “The Odyssey” is an upcoming adaptation of one of the greatest heroic stories of all time. The narrative poem follows the hero Odysseus and his 10-year-long journey, or odyssey, to return to his home of Ithaca after the Trojan War. On his way home, Odysseus battles giant monsters, resists the temptation of seductive mistresses, and narrowly escapes the wrath of the gods themselves. And what person would be both great enough and ambitious enough to adapt and direct such an epic story? Well, how about Christopher Nolan, a director who has already cemented himself as one of the greatest filmmakers of the 21st century. And he brings a star-studded cast, with some of that cast including Matt Damon as our titular hero, Anne Hathaway as his wife, Penelope, Tom Holland as his friendly-kingdom son, and Zendaya as the elegant goddess Athena. Filmed in real and immersive locations and entirely in IMAX as well,
what more do I need to convince you to see this film? Other than the fact that it’s very likely to become the single best film of the year.
Spiderman: Brand New Day – July 31, 2026
Our friendly neighborhood hero is finally back, and as we have all hoped, he’s more depressed than ever. Tom Holland is donning the mask once again at the start of this potential new trilogy.
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, this fourth installment catches us back up with Peter Parker after the events of the previous movie, where he was wiped from everyone’s memories, as he has now devoted his life to purely being Spider-Man. Along the webcrawler’s escapades, he will encounter a weird pattern of crimes, form new allies, go against foes that are more powerful than he has ever faced before, and undergo a strange, physical evolution. Tom Holland’s Spider-Man is finally what we have wanted him to be. He’s at the epitome of loneliness. No friends, no aunts or uncles, and no multi-billion Stark technology. It’s only him, his A.I. assistant E.V., and responsibility. That’s what many of his adoring fans would call peak Spider-Man. And I’m all here for it.
