The end of the year is often a time to review the upcoming movies with the most significant budgets and speculate which blockbuster will make the most money. Of course, “Avengers: Doomsday” (2026) and “The Mandalorian and Grogu” (2026) are exciting, and I cannot wait to buy tickets for them, but I want to highlight some non-franchise movies releasing in the first half of 2026. The year of film ahead of us is a special one, filled with potential record-breaking movies, jaw-dropping visuals and stories that will resonate deeply with viewers.
“Hokum”
Indie horror production company NEON recently released the chilling trailer for its newest horror movie, “Hokum” starring Adam Scott. The team behind this film has an impressive catalog, with producers from both “Longlegs” (2024) and “Weapons” (2025) joining forces. The trailer teases an eerie setting and claustrophobic set pieces for moviegoers to squirm through. Moreover, its brief glimpses of the shocking character design elicit a visceral reaction from viewers, reminding me of Nicolas Cage’s makeup for the titular Longlegs in the 2024 film. “Hokum’s” marketing promises a horror movie that will shake viewers and keep them up at night. “Hokum” is set to creep into theaters on May 1.
“The Odyssey”
Directorial titan Christopher Nolan is leading the first movie filmed entirely on IMAX cameras. His daring rendition of Homer’s epic poem features a colossally talented cast, including Matt Damon, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson and Anne Hathaway. The movie depicts Odysseus’s journey following the Trojan War. While Christopher Nolan’s catalog speaks for itself, having read Homer’s epic poem, I believe “The Odyssey” could be Nolan’s most successful film yet. The depth of the source material and Nolan’s dedication to honoring it will make for a meaningful story. Christopher Nolan’s newest and most ambitious project releases on July 17.
“Disclosure Day”
One of science fiction’s brilliant minds, Steven Spielberg, is at the helm of the mysterious UFO film based on his original script. A recent trailer, while not revealing too much information about the film, shows an event that can only be described as an alien invasion, with the film seemingly shown from the perspectives of both ordinary citizens and officials or elites. As Steven Spielberg is the mind behind classic masterpieces like “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982) and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977), viewers will be on the edge of their seats. In order to bring his original idea to life, Spielberg convinced the legendary composer, John Williams, to come out of retirement for their 30th collaboration. The extra-terrestrial mystery and story of Earth’s fate flies into theaters on June 12.
“Michael”
2026 is following the biopic trend of the 2020s with its boldest entry yet. The Michael Jackson biopic follows a young Jackson early in his musical career, with ambitious dreams and determination. Michael Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, will be playing his uncle for potentially two films, as film studio Lionsgate is looking to greenlight a sequel. While “Michael” will be Jaafar’s acting debut, he is also a talented emerging pop/R&B artist, so I’m eager to see what the superstar’s nephew brings to the film. With a talented director in Antoine Fuqua, who directed “Southpaw” (2015) and “The Equalizer” (2014), the film seems to be in good creative hands. The King of Pop’s story debuts on April 24, with the second part still pending greenlight.
“The Bride”
This monster movie tells the gruesome story of Frankenstein’s monster and his bride, played by Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley and the terror they cause in 1930s Chicago. Maggie Gyllenhaal, previously nominated for Oscars as both an actress and a director, wrote and directed the film. The cast’s combined acting experience and the director’s writing prowess will make for an exciting movie. The gothic set pieces the trailer showcases paint a picture of the movie’s ominous tone. Jessie Buckley’s ferocity as the Bride and Christian Bale’s sheer brutality as Frankenstein’s monster are also displayed, exciting me for both their performances. Halloween comes early this year, with “The Bride” coming to life on March 6.
The year ahead of us is sure to be a special one. Superstars will emerge, monsters will arise and directorial legends will add feathers to their caps. While I can’t wait to buy tickets for these movies, there are many others slated for a 2026 release that haven’t been mentioned. However, with platforms like Letterboxd or IMDb, it is not hard for fans to find more upcoming releases that excite them. I’m looking forward to seeing the performances from young actors working with experienced actors and directors, as the passion they share is often reflected in the final product. As marketing for these films begins to roll out, I look forward to announcements about future movie slates.
Photo Caption: 2026 will be a special year for moviegoers
Photo Credit: Raimus / Unsplash
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