Franchises are king in Hollywood nowadays, more than ever before. Every studio is looking to utilize its biggest brands to bolster their yearly slates, with sequels, spinoffs, prequels, and reboots all steadily in development. The 2026 movie calendar has no shortage of franchise films as a result.
Some of the biggest movie series of all time, like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars, have highly anticipated releases coming. There are also classic and modern horror franchises, those in the action or sci-fi variety, as well as animation, that are hoping to remain relevant with 2026 audiences.
Here are all the movie franchises releasing new installments in 2026.
Greenland
- Greenland 2: Migration — January 9, 2026
Gerard Butler returns to a post-apocalyptic landscape with the second entry in the Greenland franchise. Greenland 2: Migration also debuts on January 9 in theaters and shows the Garrity family's attempt to survive another globe-trotting adventure to find safety.
28 Years Later
- 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple — January 16, 2026
Danny Boyle and Alex Garland's zombie franchise is back in 2026, with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple releasing on January 16. The fourth film in the series overall is the second part in a planned trilogy, continuing the story after 28 Years Later's ending.
Silent Hill
- Return to Silent Hill — January 23, 2026
A new entry in the Silent Hill franchise comes out on January 23, too. The third installment overall, Return to Silent Hill, is an adaptation of the video game Silent Hill 2, with original director Christophe Gans returning to helm the entry.
The Strangers
- The Strangers – Chapter 3 — February 6, 2026
The cult-classic horror franchise The Strangers gets one more entry in 2026. Lionsgate and Renny Harlin's trilogy reboot concludes with The Strangers — Chapter 3 on February 6, bringing the franchise's total length to five movies.
I Can Only Imagine
- I Can Only Imagine 2 — February 20, 2026
Eight years after the original faith-based true story film came out, Lionsgate has a sequel coming out, with I Can Only Imagine 2 dated for February 20. It follows the next chapter in the life of Bart Millard, the lead singer for MercyMe.
Scream
- Scream VII — February 27, 2026
The iconic Scream franchise returns with its seventh movie in 2026, as Paramount has Scream 7 dated for February 27. The new film brings Neve Campbell back as Sidney Prescott to face another mysterious Ghostface killer.
Ready Or Not
- Ready or Not 2: Here I Come — March 27, 2026
Scream queen Samara Weaving turned Ready or Not into a sleeper hit in 2019, and seven years later, she's back as the blood-soaked Grace le Domas. Ready or Not 2: Here I Come pairs her up with Kathryn Newton as they evade death together on March 27.
Super Mario
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — April 3, 2026
Nintendo's super plumber officially achieves movie franchise star status in 2026. Three years after The Super Mario Bros. Movie's massive success, Universal and Illumination have The Super Mario Galaxy Movie slated for April 3.
The Mummy
- The Mummy — April 17, 2026
While we have to wait longer for Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz's The Mummy 4, the IP gets a new rendition in 2026. Evil Dead Rise director Lee Cronin partnered with Blumhouse to put a fresh spin on the mummy character that has an April 17 release date.
The Devil Wears Prada
- The Devil Wears Prada 2 — May 1, 2026
Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt are all back for the long-awaited The Devil Wears Prada follow-up. Disney has given The Devil Wears Prada 2 a May 1 release date, making Miranda Priestly, Andy Sachs, and Emily Charlton's returns the start of the summer movie season.
Mortal Kombat
- Mortal Kombat II — May 8, 2026
2026's franchise lineup is bolstered with Mortal Kombat II after Warner Bros. pushed it from a late 2025 release date. Now, the video game sequel and fourth Mortal Kombat film overall is coming out on May 8 as Earthrealm and Outworld clash again.
Star Wars
- The Mandalorian and Grogu — May 22, 2026
Disney and Lucasfilm are bringing Star Wars back to theaters for the first time in seven years in 2026. This is being done with The Mandalorian and Grogu, releasing on May 22, as Din Djarin and Grogu's adventures on Disney+ graduate to the big screen under Jon Favreau's direction.
Masters Of The Universe
- Masters of the Universe — June 5, 2026
He-Man and Skeletor will battle once more as Paramount puts a new live-action Masters of the Universe in theaters on June 5. It hails from Bumblebee director Travis Knight
Scary Movie
- Scary Movie 6 — June 12, 2026
The sixth entry in the Scary Movie franchise is finally coming out, with the Wayans brothers bringing Regina Hall and Anna Faris back with them. Scary Movie 6 comes out over 13 years after the last film on June 12.
Toy Story
- Toy Story 5 — June 19, 2026
Woody and Buzz Lightyear are back in 2026, too, with Disney and Pixar prolonging the Toy Story series. Now in its fifth entry, Toy Story 5 comes out on June 19 as Andy's former toys battle the threat of technology.
DC Universe
- Supergirl — June 26, 2026
- Clayface — September 11, 2026
James Gunn's DC Universe grows with two different films coming out in 2026. Supergirl is first up with a June 26 release date. It follows Superman's cousin Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock) as she embarks on a dangerous mission.
The franchise will also go in a very different direction with Clayface. The low-budget body-horror film based on a screenplay by Mike Flanagan has a September 11 release.
Despicable Me/Minions
- Minions 3 — July 1, 2026
Illumination's iconic yellow creatures will be back on the big screen once again. Minions 3 is coming out on July 1, marking the seventh installment of the Despicable Me franchise.
Moana
- Moana — July 10, 2026
Just two years after Moana 2 hit theaters, Disney is taking the IP in a new direction by remaking the original film. The live-action Moana hits theaters on July 10, with Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui and Catherine Laga'aia taking over the lead role.
Evil Dead
- Evil Dead Burn — July 24, 2026
Sam Raimi's long-running Evil Dead franchise keeps on breathing, as its sixth movie is set for release in 2026. Evil Dead Burn is a standalone story in this universe and comes out on July 24.
Spider-Man
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day — July 31, 2026
Marvel Studios and Sony's Spider-Man franchise swings back into theaters on July 31 with Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The fourth solo film starring Tom Holland's version of the wall-crawler is the ninth live-action Spider-Man movie Sony has made since 2002.
Super Troopers
- Super Troopers 3: Winter Soldiers — August 7, 2026
Broken Lizard's comedy franchise, Super Troopers, is bringing the hilarious Vermont State Police group back for another go-around. Super Troopers 3: Winter Soldiers has an August 7 release date and all the main cast members returning.
PAW Patrol
- PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie — August 14, 2026
PAW Patrol may have started on TV, but it's expanded into a full movie franchise by now. 2026 brings the third such film, PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie, which comes out on August 14.
Insidious
- Insidious 6 — August 21, 2026
The Insidious franchise is back after only three years away with an untitled sixth entry. The movie brings Lin Shaye back as Elise Rainier, but the main Lambert family from the previous films will be featured.
Looney Tunes
- Coyote vs. Acme — August 28, 2026
After quite a bit of turmoil, the Looney Tunes brand is finally releasing a much-anticipated title in 2026 with Coyote vs. Acme. The live-action/CGI-hybrid film that Warner Bros. originally canceled with a tax write-off is hitting theaters at last on August 28 through Ketchup Entertainment.
Cliffhanger
- Cliffhanger — August 28, 2026
Sylvester Stallone never made a Cliffhanger sequel, but the film itself has now become IP, with Lily James and Pierce Brosnan headlining a new reboot. The franchise expansion comes out on August 28 with hopes of turning it into a proper series this time, as a sequel is already in development.
Resident Evil
- Resident Evil — September 18
Fresh off making Weapons, Zach Cregger is turning his horror talents to the popular video game franchise Resident Evil. It is the eighth movie based on the games overall, but completely standalone from the prior seven. It comes out on September 18.
Practical Magic
- Practical Magic 2 — September 18
28 years after making the original romance/comedy, Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock return to the world of Practical Magic with a sequel. Set for release on September 18, Practical Magic 2 continues the witchy adventures of the Owens sisters.
The Last Airbender
- The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender — October 9, 2026
Not to be mistaken for M. Night Shyamalan's disastrous live-action movie or Netflix's current remake, Nickelodeon is expanding the world of The Last Airbender with original creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender comes out on October 9 and follows Team Avatar as adults.
The Social Network
- The Social Reckoning — October 9, 2026
Arguably one of the more surprising entries, Aaron Sorkin is turning The Social Network into a franchise in 2026. The Social Reckoning continues the Facebook-centric story through the lens of Wall Street Journal journalists, with Jeremy Strong taking over playing Mark Zuckerberg.
Street Fighter
- Street Fighter — October 16, 2026
32 years after the last live-action movie based on Capcom's well-known fighting game, Street Fighter is finally back. The Street Fighter cast is stacked with talent and major franchise characters, which audiences can see on October 16.
The Cat In The Hat
- The Cat In The Hat — November 6, 2026
Illumination is back in the Dr. Seuss game, with the 2026 animated version of The Cat In The Hat releasing on November 6. Its a fresh take that's disconnected from the Mike Myers 2003 film, with Bill Hader voicing the titular character in this reboot.
A Christmas Carol
- Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol — November 13, 2026
Ti West and Johnny Depp are set to remake the iconic Christmas story in 2026 with Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol. Releasing on November 13, this will join the lost list of live-action and animated movies to adapt Charles Dickens' legendary novella.
The Hunger Games
- The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping — November 20, 2026
It's time for the sixth The Hunger Games movie already. Just three years after The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Lionsgate is releasing a prequel focused on Haymitch, known as The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, on November 20. It'll feature mostly new cast members, some playing familiar characters, but Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson will return too.
Fockers
- Focker In-Law — November 25, 2026
The Focker family will grow some more in 2026 with the fourth entry in the franchise that started with Meet the Parents. Coming out on November 25, Focker In-Law brings back most of the original cast members, with Ariana Grande the biggest new addition.
Chronicles Of Narnia
- Narnia: The Magician's Nephew — November 26, 2026
Another big movie franchise returning in 2026 is Chronicles of Narnia. The first film in Greta Gerwig's reboot for Netflix comes out in theaters on November 26 before going to the streamer a month later. It's an adaptation of C.S. Lewis' fourth book in the series, The Magician's Nephew, and stars Emma Mackey, Daniel Craig, Carey Mulligan, and Meryl Streep.
Violent Night
- Violent Night 2 — December 4, 2026
If you couldn't get enough of David Harbour's brutal version of Santa Claus in 2022, December 4 is the day to look forward to. Violent Night 2 comes out then to continue Kris Kringle's vicious tactics to save Christmas, with Kristen Bell joining the ensemble this time.
Jumanji
- Jumanji 3 — December 11, 2026
Before Dwayne Johnson swears off blockbusters entirely, he's going back to the lucrative Jumanji franchise, presumably one last time. Jumanji 3 (which is really the fourth installment in the series overall) comes out on December 11, with Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, and Jack Black also returning to star.
Avengers
- Avengers: Doomsday — December 18, 2026
Marvel Studios is delivering one of 2026's biggest movie franchise releases with Avengers: Doomsday coming out on December 18. It features a star-studded cast of familiar Marvel Cinematic Universe (and Fox X-Men) heroes as they take on Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom.
This is the fifth Avengers movie released by Marvel Studios, but it will be the 39th movie in the MCU overall.
Dune
- Dune: Part Three — December 18, 2026
Denis Villeneuve and Timothée Chalamet's Dune franchise is also set to return on December 18 and face off against Doomsday, even though that could change. Dune: Part Three is expected to be an adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel, Dune Messiah, and brings back most of the major players in Paul Atreides' story so far.
Angry Birds
- The Angry Birds Movie 3 — December 23, 2026
Paramount is getting back into the Angry Birds game, with The Angry Birds Movie 3 slated to be the last franchise film of 2026. Releasing on December 23, it brings back series voice actor veterans like Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Rachel Bloom, and Danny McBride.
