Biggest movies coming in 2026: The final months of 2026 are packed with major theatrical releases, with Hollywood bringing back some of its biggest franchises alongside new adaptations, action films, thrillers and fantasy adventures.
From Tom Cruise’s Digger and the thriller Verity to Street Fighter, DC’s Clayface, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Jumanji: Open World, Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three, the final quarter of the year has plenty of major releases lined up.
Here are 12 of the biggest blockbuster movies still scheduled to arrive in cinemas in 2026.
1. Digger – October 2, 2026
The final quarter of 2026 begins with Digger, a black comedy directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu.
The film stars Tom Cruise alongside Riz Ahmed and John Goodman. Cruise plays a wealthy oil tycoon whose ambitions are connected to an increasingly dangerous environmental crisis.
With Iñárritu behind the camera and a major cast leading the film, Digger is one of the first major theatrical releases of October.
The film is scheduled for release on October 2, 2026.
2. Verity – October 2, 2026
Also arriving on October 2 is Verity, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel.
The psychological thriller stars Dakota Johnson as Lowen Ashleigh, a writer who is hired to complete the work of injured author Verity Crawford.
As Lowen begins going through Verity’s material, she discovers disturbing information about the author’s life and her relationship with her husband Jeremy, played by Josh Hartnett.
Directed by Michael Showalter, Verity brings Colleen Hoover’s popular novel to the big screen.
It is scheduled to open in cinemas on October 2, 2026.
3. Street Fighter – October 16, 2026
The iconic Capcom video game franchise Street Fighter is returning to the big screen in 2026.
Directed by Kitao Sakurai, the movie features Andrew Koji as Ryu and Noah Centineo as Ken Masters.
The cast also includes Callina Liang, Eric André, Jason Momoa and 50 Cent.
The film is set in the 1990s and follows Ryu and Ken as they become involved in another major battle inspired by the long-running game franchise.
Street Fighter is scheduled to hit cinemas on October 16, 2026.
4. Clayface – October 23, 2026
DC is taking one of Batman’s most unusual villains into the spotlight with Clayface.
The film stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, the character who becomes the shape-shifting villain Clayface.
Directed by James Watkins, the movie is expected to take a darker approach than a conventional superhero film, with elements of horror and body transformation playing an important role.
Clayface is scheduled for theatrical release on October 23, 2026.
5. The Cat in the Hat – November 6, 2026
Dr. Seuss’s famous character is returning to the big screen in a new animated adventure.
Unlike the controversial 2003 live-action adaptation starring Mike Myers, the 2026 version is an animated film designed around a new interpretation of the character.
Bill Hader voices the Cat in the Hat, with Thomas Middleditch, America Ferrera and Matt Berry also part of the voice cast.
The film is scheduled for release on November 6, 2026.
6. Godzilla Minus Zero – November 6, 2026
Godzilla is returning with another Japanese feature from filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki, who directed Godzilla Minus One.
The new film is set in 1949, following the events of the previous movie, and forms part of Toho’s Reiwa-era Godzilla series.
Godzilla Minus One became an international success, making the next Japanese Godzilla film one of the major genre releases of the year.
Godzilla Minus Zero is currently scheduled for November 6, 2026, with an IMAX early-access event listed for November 3.
7. Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol – November 13, 2026
Johnny Depp takes on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, a new interpretation of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story.
The film is directed by Ti West and features a cast including Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Daisy Ridley and Ian McKellen.
Rather than simply retelling the familiar Christmas story, the film is positioned around the history of Scrooge and the experiences that shaped the character.
The movie is scheduled to arrive on November 13, 2026.
8. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – November 20, 2026
The Hunger Games franchise returns with The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
Directed by Francis Lawrence, the film is set 24 years before the original Hunger Games movie and focuses on the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
The cast includes Joseph Zada, Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes and Glenn Close.
The movie is scheduled to reach cinemas on November 20, 2026.
9. Jumanji: Open World – December 25, 2026
The Jumanji franchise is set to return with another big-screen adventure.
Jumanji: Open World continues the long-running franchise that began with the 1995 original and was revived as a major action-comedy series with Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level.
Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan return, while Jake Kasdan comes back as director.
The film is currently listed for theatrical release on December 25, 2026.
10. Avengers: Doomsday – December 18, 2026
Marvel Studios is bringing the Avengers back to cinemas with Avengers: Doomsday.
The film is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the filmmakers behind Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
One of the biggest talking points is Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a new role as Doctor Doom, rather than Iron Man.
The movie is expected to bring together characters and teams from different corners of the Marvel universe as the Multiverse Saga moves toward its next major chapter.
Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for December 18, 2026.
11. Dune: Part Three – December 18, 2026
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune saga reaches its next major chapter with Dune: Part Three.
The film is based on Frank Herbert’s Dune Messiah and continues the story of Paul Atreides following the events of Dune: Part Two.
Timothée Chalamet returns as Paul, alongside Zendaya, Jason Momoa and Florence Pugh.
The first two Dune films established the franchise as a major theatrical science-fiction property, with Dune: Part Two earning more than $700 million worldwide.
The third film is scheduled to arrive on December 18, 2026, putting it on the same release date as Avengers: Doomsday.
12. The Angry Birds Movie 3 – December 23, 2026
The Angry Birds franchise is also returning to the big screen before the end of the year.
The Angry Birds Movie 3 follows the previous two animated films, with Jason Sudeikis, Rachel Bloom and Josh Gad returning to the voice cast.
The previous movie, released in 2019, earned more than $140 million worldwide.
The third instalment is scheduled to open in cinemas on December 23, 2026.
2026’s Biggest Movie Releases: At a Glance
| Movie | Release Date | Genre / Franchise |
|---|---|---|
| Digger | October 2 | Black comedy / Drama |
| Verity | October 2 | Psychological thriller |
| Street Fighter | October 16 | Action / Video game adaptation |
| Clayface | October 23 | DC / Horror |
| The Cat in the Hat | November 6 | Animation |
| Godzilla Minus Zero | November 6 | Monster / Sci-fi |
| Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol | November 13 | Fantasy / Christmas |
| The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping | November 20 | Sci-fi / Franchise |
| Jumanji: Open World | December 25 | Adventure / Fantasy |
| Avengers: Doomsday | December 18 | Superhero / Marvel |
| Dune: Part Three | December 18 | Sci-fi / Epic |
| The Angry Birds Movie 3 | December 23 | Animation |
Release dates can change, so readers should check local cinema listings closer to release. The current North American release calendars list the major dates above.
Why the Final Months of 2026 Are Packed With Big Releases
The final quarter brings together several established franchises at the same time.
October combines new projects such as Digger and Verity with major franchise titles including Street Fighter and Clayface. November shifts toward established properties such as Godzilla, The Hunger Games and The Cat in the Hat.
December is particularly crowded, with Jumanji: Open World, Avengers: Doomsday, Dune: Part Three and The Angry Birds Movie 3 all scheduled before the end of the year.
The biggest date clash comes on December 18, when Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three are both scheduled for release.
FAQs
What are the biggest movies coming in 2026?
Some of the major theatrical releases still scheduled for 2026 include Avengers: Doomsday, Dune: Part Three, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Jumanji: Open World, Godzilla Minus Zero, Street Fighter and Clayface.
When is Avengers: Doomsday releasing?
Avengers: Doomsday is currently scheduled to release on December 18, 2026.
When is Dune: Part Three releasing?
Dune: Part Three is currently scheduled for December 18, 2026.
When is The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping releasing?
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is scheduled for November 20, 2026.
When is the new Street Fighter movie releasing?
The new Street Fighter movie is currently scheduled for October 16, 2026.
When is Clayface releasing?
DC’s Clayface is currently scheduled for October 23, 2026.
When is Godzilla Minus Zero releasing?
Godzilla Minus Zero is currently scheduled for November 6, 2026.
When is Jumanji: Open World releasing?
Jumanji: Open World is currently listed for theatrical release on December 25, 2026.
Final Word
The remaining 2026 theatrical calendar is loaded with major franchises, high-profile stars and new adaptations. From the darker world of Clayface and the return of Godzilla to the franchise-scale spectacles of Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three, moviegoers have plenty of major releases to watch before the year comes to an end.
With several of these films arriving within days of one another, December is set to be particularly busy for cinemas worldwide.
