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Although fewer films surpassed the $50 million mark, the 2025 box office numbers were up on the previous year. With the success of Inside Out 2 and Moana 2 the previous year, Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, Zootopia 2 and especially the Chinese 3D-animated Ne Zha 2 were huge successes in 2025, with the latter becoming the first animated film in history to cross the $2 billion mark.
Despite relatively good numbers for the likes of DC’s Superman and Marvel’s The Fantastic Four, they were not close to breaching the $1bn mark that so many comic book movies have reached consistently over the past ten years.
With fast-changing consumer preferences and new technologies, film studios are cautiously exploring AI to help reduce production budgets. Though it's far from proven, and there are rules securing the limits of AI, it'll inevitably be utilised to improve efficiency in the coming years. With such a saturated market, subscription growth is finally starting to slow for streaming. This has led to changes, such as additional tier options to allow users to remove advertisements, mergers, and a stronger focus on live sports.
With the evolution of AI, consolidated streaming services, and huge franchise releases such as Toy Story 5, Avengers: Doomsday, and Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, 2026 is guardedly optimistic.
Check out our picks for the top 10 anticipated films of 2026.
Dir: Nia DaCosta | Sony Pictures Releasing
Taking place after the events of the previous film, Spike is inducted into Sir Jimmy Crystal's gang of acrobatic killers in a post-apocalyptic Britain ravaged by the Rage Virus. Meanwhile, Dr. Ian Kelson forms a new relationship with potentially world-changing consequences. Ralph Fiennes and Jack O'Connell return, whilst Cillian Murphy reprises his role from 28 Days Later. Nia DaCosta takes the reins for the fourth instalment in the horror series, releasing on 16th January.
Dir: Jon Favreau | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Following the events of The Mandalorian Season 3, the New Republic enlists Din Djarin and his apprentice Grogu, following the fall of the Galactic Empire, during a period where remaining Imperial warlords threaten the galaxy. Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White join Pedro Pascal for the action-adventure, set in the Star Wars universe, which is due for release on May 22nd.
Dir: Christopher Nolan | Universal Pictures
The Odyssey follows Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca, on his long and perilous journey home following the Trojan War, chronicling his encounters with mythical beings such as the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens, and the witch-goddess Circe, while attempting to reunite with his wife, Penelope. The epic action fantasy film written and directed by Christopher Nolan, stars Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong'o and Robert Pattinson, and is set for a July 17th release.
Dir: Denis Villeneuve | Warner Bros. Pictures
The third and final instalment in Villeneuve's Dune film trilogy follows Muad'dib, heir to unimaginable power, as he brings to fruition the ancient scheme to create a superbeing ruler among men, not in the heavens. Timothée Chalamet, Florence Pugh, and Josh Brolin are joined by newcomers Anya Taylor-Joy and Robert Pattinson for a return to the fictional desert planet of Arrakis.
Dir: Sam Raimi | 20th Century Studios
Sam Raimi's psychological thriller stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien as co-workers who become the sole survivors of a plane crash while on a business trip. Stranded on a deserted island, they have to work together to survive, which becomes a battle of wills and wits to make it out alive. Send Help is scheduled to be released on 30th January.
Dir: Andrew Stanton | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, and Tony Hale reprise their respective roles of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and Forky for a new adventure. Since Woody left Bonnie to help abandoned toys find owners, Jessie has led the charge in Bonnie's room, with Buzz Lightyear as her second-in-command. However, eight-year-old Bonnie has become enamoured of her new favourite plaything, a frog-like tablet named Lilypad. The animated comedy from the Disney Pixar team releases on June 19th.
Dir: Anthony & Joe Russo | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Featuring a huge ensemble cast, Anthony & Joe Russo present the newest Marvel extravaganza, as part of Phase Six, as the Avengers, Wakandans, Fantastic Four, New Avengers, and the X-Men team up to face Doctor Doom, following the events of Thunderbolts. With Patrick Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Vanessa Kirby, and many more, the film is due for release on the 18th of December.
Dir: Aaron Sorkin | Sony Pictures Releasing
A companion piece to 2010's The Social Network, The Social Reckoning is based on the events surrounding the 2021 Facebook leak by whistleblower Frances Haugen, which additionally inspired The Wall Street Journal's article series and eight-part podcast The Facebook Files. The biographical drama from Aaron Sorkin stars Jeremy Strong, Jeremy Allen White, and Mikey Madison and is due for release on 9th October.
Dir: David Fincher | Netflix
Brad Pitt reprises his role as Cliff Booth, the World War II special ops veteran turned Hollywood studio fixer, in David Fincher's comedy-drama, set in California. The film takes place in 1977, eight years after the events of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, set in 1969. Also starring Timothy Olyphant and Carla Gugino, the film is scheduled to be released in Q4.
Dir: Ridley Scott | 20th Century Studios
The Dog Stars is set in the aftermath of a catastrophic flu virus that nearly wiped out humanity. The movie follows Hig, a civilian pilot and a tough ex-marine, who faces invaders and the hope for a better life outside their current dwelling. With Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, and Benedict Wong, Ridley Scott's post-apocalyptic science fiction film will be released on 27th March.