19 upcoming movies you need to be watching in 2026

19 big-screen thrills are coming your way this year – get ready to mark those calendars. Some of these tickets will be red-hot, so plan your cinema moments now. We’ve lined up the releases in month order, making it easy to plot your must-see movie nights well in advance.

From epic superhero showdowns and jaw-dropping sci-fi adventures to laugh-out-loud comedies and heartwarming family tales, there’s something for every kind of movie fan. Whether you’re chasing thrills, big emotions or pure escapism, 2026 is stacked with stories worth seeing on the biggest screen.

And one way to make sure you catch every 2026 release is to signing up to Cineworld Unlimited – costing the equivalent of just two cinema tickets on everage every month.

 

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May

The Sheep Detectives

Warm-hearted cosy crime is having a moment, and The Sheep Detectives is as comforting as a woolly jumper knitted by your Nan – complete with plenty of intrigue and dark humour. Hugh Jackman stars as a shepherd who sends his flock to sleep by reading murder mysteries aloud, until tragedy strikes and the sheep find themselves with a real-life whodunnit to solve.

 

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Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

Grogu fans will be glad to know that Baby Yoda gets plenty of screen time in Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu – the first Star Wars movie since 2019. Pedro Pascal makes the leap from the small screen to the big Star Wars universe, joined by Sigourney Weaver as Colonel Ward and Jeremy Allen White as the voice of Rotta the Hutt (Jabba’s son) in their first Star Wars roles. Will Grogu’s role shift? There’s plenty of fan speculation – and whispers of a new sidekick entering the scene. Expect a light-hearted, family-friendly adventure with emotional beats and a healthy dose of nostalgia.

 

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June

Masters of the Universe

Barbie had her moment in the cinema sun – now it’s He-Man’s turn. This iconic toy has been waiting decades for a big-screen revival, and it’s finally here. Meet the most powerful man in the universe: a hero with superhuman strength and speed in a world where science and magic collide. Expect unparalleled sword skills, fierce hand-to-hand combat, and jaw-dropping visuals in the exquisitely crafted realm of Eternia – complete with soaring mountains, shimmering seas, and twin moons.

 

 

Toy Story 5 (19th June)

Jessie the cowgirl now runs Bonnie’s room, with Buzz Lightyear as her trusty deputy. But how can they pull Bonnie’s attention away from her new obsession – Lilypad, a frog-like tablet? It’s tech versus toys as the gang battles for screen time in a world where gadgets rule. Sounds impossible, right? A reunion with Woody might just give Jessie and Buzz the backup they need.

 

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Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (26th June)

If you’re expecting the shiny, upbeat TV Supergirl, think again. This Kara is tough, scarred, and far from simple when it comes to moral choices. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is a superhero origin story with an edge – perfect for DC fans and sci-fi lovers alike. Expect alien worlds, epic space battles, and psychological dilemmas as Kara embarks on a cosmic revenge quest.

 

 

July

Moana (10th July)

This live-action Disney remake of the 2016 hit Moana was filmed on the lush shores of Hawaii. Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui, the shape-shifting demigod, in the same much-loved story where brave Moana sets sail to save her island. A perfect family film for summer.

 

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The Odyssey (17th July)

Christopher Nolan’s latest epic (from the director of Oppenheimer and Dunkirk) comes with the bold tagline: ‘Defy the gods.’ Matt Damon leads as Odysseus, joined by Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in a stellar cast. Filmed on IMAX and driven by Nolan’s trademark preference for practical effects over CGI, this promises a truly cinematic experience – breathtaking, ambitious, and packed with themes of time, endurance and resilience. Lots to be excited about.

 

 

Spider-Man: Brand New Day (31st July)

Watch out for exciting alliances with other Marvel greats in future films, but the question hanging over Brand New Day is whether this could be Tom Holland’s final outing in the cobwebs. After No Way Home wiped the world’s memory, Peter is truly alone, walking not leaping through a grounded, street-level New York.

This brand-new starting point sees him act solo, battling countless villains, even rumours of Hulk, as his DNA mutates in a visceral shift that’s been likened to puberty.

 

 

The End of Oak Street (14th August)

Sci-fi survival film where a family comprising Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, Maisy Stella and Christian Convery find their suburban neighbourhood cosmically uprooted and planted down in a prehistoric setting.

This is no time for sibling squabbles or kid-against-parent uprisings, the squad have got to stick together if they’re going to survive this.

 

 

August

The Dog Stars (28th August)

Ridley Scott returns with a rare book adaptation — a post-apocalyptic sci-fi drama that’s about survival. Expect a story of isolation, friendship and flickers of hope. Jacob Elordi stars as a civilian pilot holed up in an abandoned airport hangar with his loyal dog, and ex-Marine (Josh Brolin) – until the radio crackles to life, hinting at the possibility of a brighter tomorrow.

 

 

One Night Only (28th August)

In One Night Only, intimacy before marriage is legal for just one night each year. During this wild, high-stakes evening, two strangers tumble through robberies, arrests and unexpected sparks. Will they seize their one shot before time runs out? A bold, madcap twist on the rom-com, it’s a high concept film with plenty of humour and heart.

 

 

September

Practical Magic 2 (18th September)

If you loved the warm and witchy Practical Magic with its sense of sisterhood (and if you prefer your Halloween cosy not blood-curdling) you’ll like the sequel. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman lead the cast again, as the Owens sisters. And we get to meet their now grown-up daughters, who dabble in their own magic…

 

 

October

Digger (2nd October)

If you thought you saw the last of Tom Cruise after his epic stunts in the final Mission: Impossible movie, you were wrong. Although he's putting action movies on the back bench for the time being, instead starring in Alejandro G. Iñarritu's black comedy, Digger. And it's stacked with talent, including Jesse Plemons, Riz Ahmed, Emma D'Arcy, and many more. Digger follows one man's plight to try and save humanity from the very disaster he unleashed on the world.

 

 

The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender (9th October)

An ancient power could save your culture from total wipe-out, so you go after it. Cue epic quest energy, high-stakes danger and a globe-trotting adventure with a seriously stacked cast. The gorgeous blend of hand-drawn 2D and rich 3D animation gives everything a cinematic lift, too.

Set after the original series, we meet Aang and the gang as young adults – and after all this time, it feels like the return has finally paid off.

 

Clayface (23rd October)

A villain origin story for DC fans, this marks the first time the DC Universe ventures into body horror. Early buzz even whispers comparisons to The Fly. If you’re drawn to dark, psychological tales of identity and transformation, this gripping story of a driven actor horribly disfigured by a criminal will be right up your street.

 

November

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (20th November)

Prepare for a real rug-pull moment (don’t worry, no spoilers!) when you discover just how much the world of The Hunger Games has been shaping its characters in ways we never fully realised. We’ll let you uncover that twist for yourself, especially if you haven’t read the book. This film takes us back to the 50th Hunger Games, introducing a young Haymitch and revealing a whole new side to him. With the novel released in 2025, fans haven’t had to wait long and seeing it brought to life on the big screen is set to be one of the year’s standout cinematic moments.

 

 

December

Jumanji: Open World (11th December)

If this is the last outing for Jumanji, then it’s going out in a pretty awe-inspiring way. Flipping the premise on its head, Open World looks at what happens when the game enters reality, instead of the gang entering the game.

And talking of the gang, they are all back together. Given the 7-year gap since the last film, that is no mean feat. Chemistry doesn’t go away, and we can’t wait to see it on show again with the on-screen reunion of Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan. Welcome to Jumanji.

 

Avengers: Doomsday (18th December)

Add this to your Christmas wish list: Avengers: Doomsday. It’s the first Avengers film in eight years and the 39th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This time, the Avengers team up with the Wakandans, Fantastic Four, New Avengers and X-Men to take on Doctor Doom – played by Robert Downey Jr. It’s set to be the ultimate festive blockbuster.

 

Dune: Part Three (18th December)

Loved the first two Dune films? Then Part Three is a must-see. The story reaches its biggest moment yet, packed with stunning visuals, high-stakes drama and answers to the questions fans have been waiting for. It’s the chapter that ties everything together – don’t miss the chance to see Dune become truly unforgettable.