2026 is set to be a cinematic extravaganza, with a lineup of films that promises to captivate audiences worldwide. From reimagined classics to indie horror and epic sci-fi, the slate of new releases is deeply enticing, whether you're a cinephile or not. Here's a look at some of the most anticipated films making their debut in 2026, along with personal commentary and analysis on what makes them so exciting.
Club Kid
A24's Club Kid is a film that had all the film companies in a bidding war at the Cannes Film Festival this year. The film follows Peter (played by Jordan Firstman), a party promoter who has spent his entire life surrounded by the typical excesses of the nightlife scene. His world is upended one morning when a child arrives at his doorstep, claiming to be the son he never knew he had. What makes this film particularly fascinating is the exploration of the nightlife scene and the impact of a child's arrival on Peter's life. The film's premise raises a deeper question: how does a child's presence disrupt the excesses of the nightlife scene? Personally, I think this film will be a thought-provoking exploration of the nightlife scene and the impact of family on an individual's life.
Her Private Hell
Her Private Hell is a sci-fi horror film by NEON that stars Sophie Thatcher, Havana Rose Liu, Charles Melton, and Kristine Forseth. The narrative follows a young woman who searches for her father, after a mysterious mist takes over a futuristic world that releases a deadly unknown entity. At the same time, she meets an American GI on a journey to rescue his daughter from Hell. What makes this film particularly interesting is the blend of sci-fi and horror genres, as well as the exploration of a young woman's search for her father. The film's premise raises a deeper question: how does a young woman's search for her father impact her relationship with a mysterious entity? In my opinion, this film will be a thrilling and thought-provoking exploration of family and the unknown.
The Odyssey
Adapted from one of the world's oldest poems by Homer, The Odyssey is Christopher Nolan's next big film – and we really mean big. The story follows Odysseus's long, 20-year journey back to Ithaca, where his wife, Penelope (played by Anne Hathaway), awaits him after the Trojan War. The saying 'it's the journey that matters' truly applies to this film, which features encounters with Greek mythological monsters like Cyclops and sirens. What makes this film particularly fascinating is the exploration of the Trojan War and the impact of Odysseus's journey on his relationship with Penelope. The film's premise raises a deeper question: how does a long journey impact a relationship? From my perspective, this film will be a visually stunning and thought-provoking exploration of the Trojan War and the power of love.
Tony
Tony follows the crucial years of Anthony Bourdain's life immediately after high school, when he was planning to become a writer. After a change of plans leaves him without the scholarship for the writing fellowship he wanted, he heads to Providence, Rhode Island, where he discovers a new passion: cooking. Playing Bourdain is breakout actor Dominic Sessa, best known for his role in The Holdovers. What makes this film particularly interesting is the exploration of Bourdain's life and the impact of his passion for cooking on his future career. The film's premise raises a deeper question: how does a change of plans impact an individual's future? Personally, I think this film will be a heartfelt and thought-provoking exploration of Bourdain's life and the power of passion.
Rose
Starring Sandra Hüller, Rose is a period drama that follows a soldier post-Thirty Years' War, who poses as a man to avoid an arranged marriage and own farmland. What makes this film particularly fascinating is the exploration of gender roles and the impact of war on an individual's life. The film's premise raises a deeper question: how does a soldier's identity impact her relationship with society? In my opinion, this film will be a thought-provoking exploration of gender roles and the impact of war on an individual's life.
La Bola Negra
La Bola Negra, also known as The Black Ball in English, explores what it means to be gay through multiple generations by focusing on three storylines that are all connected. What makes this film particularly interesting is the exploration of gay identity and the impact of family on an individual's life. The film's premise raises a deeper question: how does family impact an individual's identity? Personally, I think this film will be a thought-provoking exploration of gay identity and the power of family.
Fjord
The winner of the Cannes Film Festival 2026 Palme d'or, Fjord follows the story of a husband and wife, Mihai and Lisbet, played by Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve. After Mihai's parents pass away, they relocate with their five children to a small village in Norway. However, it all begins to unravel when their youngest daughter arrives at school with bruises. What makes this film particularly fascinating is the exploration of family dynamics and the impact of a child's bruises on the family's life. The film's premise raises a deeper question: how does a child's bruises impact the family's life? In my opinion, this film will be a thought-provoking exploration of family dynamics and the power of love.
Sense and Sensibility
A story that has been around for decades and adapted multiple times, but one we're hyped for nonetheless. This time, the screenwriter is none other than Australian author Diana Reid, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones as Elinor Dashwood. A classic Jane Austen story that follows three sisters Elinor, Marianne and Margaret as they move from their family estate to a small cottage with their widowed mother. What unravels next is stories of sisterhood, love and heartbreak. What makes this film particularly fascinating is the exploration of sisterhood and the impact of love and heartbreak on an individual's life. The film's premise raises a deeper question: how does love and heartbreak impact an individual's life? Personally, I think this film will be a thought-provoking exploration of sisterhood and the power of love.
Verity
Another adaptation, though one that exists in a much darker category. Verity, based on Colleen Hoover’s novel, tells a tale of obsession, manipulation and blurred truth. A struggling author (Dakota Johnson) moves into the home of an injured literary icon (Anne Hathaway) to finish her book – only to uncover secrets that make her question basically everything. If this is anything like the book, it will be a tense and psychologically claustrophobic watch. What makes this film particularly fascinating is the exploration of obsession and manipulation, as well as the impact of secrets on an individual's life. The film's premise raises a deeper question: how do secrets impact an individual's life? In my opinion, this film will be a thrilling and thought-provoking exploration of obsession and the unknown.
Wuthering Heights
Arguably was one of the most polarising releases this year, but we showed up at the cinemas nonetheless. This new take on Brontë’s Gothic masterpiece comes courtesy of director Emerald Fennell, and thrusts two Australian actors into the leading roles: Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. This adaptation leans into the wildness of the moors and the emotional volatility of its doomed lovers, Catherine and Heathcliff, all underscored by original music from Charli xcx. Say less. What makes this film particularly fascinating is the exploration of the Gothic masterpiece and the impact of the moors on the characters' lives. The film's premise raises a deeper question: how does the environment impact the characters' lives? Personally, I think this film will be a visually stunning and thought-provoking exploration of the Gothic masterpiece and the power of love.
Toy Story 5
If you thought the story of Buzz, Woody, and the characters who defined our childhood was done, think again. Toy Story is back for a fifth instalment, and charts 'the toys facing a new threat: technology, which is making playtime obsolete.' We might have aged out of this franchise, but we'll certainly be in line on opening weekend. What makes this film particularly fascinating is the exploration of technology and its impact on playtime. The film's premise raises a deeper question: how does technology impact playtime? In my opinion, this film will be a heartwarming and thought-provoking exploration of technology and the power of playtime.
Werwulf
Robert Eggers is back, and so is his signature folklore-meets-nightmare aesthetic. Werwulf is a medieval horror story with themes of superstition, paranoia and creature lore. If that's not enough to get you excited, it stars Lily Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Willem Dafoe. It seems almost tradition at this point to watch Robert Eggers' film on Christmas. What makes this film particularly fascinating is the exploration of medieval horror and the impact of superstition and paranoia on an individual's life. The film's premise raises a deeper question: how does superstition and paranoia impact an individual's life? Personally, I think this film will be a thrilling and thought-provoking exploration of medieval horror and the power of superstition.
Dune: Part Three
Denis Villeneuve continues his sweeping adaptation with the third chapter of the Dune. While there's not too much info out there on this one, we know that it's based on the novel, Dune: Messiah, and that Timothée Chalamet shaved his head for the role. Intriguing? Yes. What makes this film particularly fascinating is the exploration of the Dune universe and the impact of the characters' journeys on the story. The film's premise raises a deeper question: how does a character's journey impact the story? In my opinion, this film will be a visually stunning and thought-provoking exploration of the Dune universe and the power of storytelling.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
This prequel returns to Panem at a breaking point, centring on the infamous 50th Hunger Games that defined Haymitch Abernathy’s trauma and rebellion. Expect a grittier view of the Capitol’s cruelty, fronted by rising Australian talent Joseph Zada, plus the mechanics of the arena and the beginning of the unrest that eventually fuels Katniss’ world. What makes this film particularly fascinating is the exploration of the Hunger Games and the impact of the Capitol's cruelty on the characters' lives. The film's premise raises a deeper question: how does the Capitol's cruelty impact the characters' lives? In my opinion, this film will be a thrilling and thought-provoking exploration of the Hunger Games and the power of rebellion.
The Moment
A24’s The Moment takes on the music-industry as it follows a pop star preparing for a global tour – while cameras, expectations and self-image blur together. Considering the subject matter, it's no surprise that the film marks Charli xcx's feature debut – she also produced it under her newly-launched production company, Studio365. And rounding out the cast is Kylie Jenner, Rachel Sennott, Alexander Skarsgård, and many (many) more. What makes this film particularly fascinating is the exploration of the music industry and the impact of cameras, expectations, and self-image on a pop star's life. The film's premise raises a deeper question: how do cameras, expectations, and self-image impact a pop star's life? In my opinion, this film will be a thought-provoking exploration of the music industry and the power of self-image.
The Devil Wears Prada 2
Most of the RUSSH team owe their careers (at least in part) to the OG Devil Wears Prada, so it only makes sense that we were excited for the sequel. This time around, the dynamics have shifted, with Emily now a high-powered advertising executive, and Miranda in need of her money at Runway. Of course, Andy and Nigel are also back for the ride. What makes this film particularly fascinating is the exploration of the advertising industry and the impact of the dynamics on the characters' lives. The film's premise raises a deeper question: how do dynamics impact an individual's life? In my opinion, this film will be a thought-provoking exploration of the advertising industry and the power of dynamics.
Narnia
After the masterpiece that was Barbie, Greta Gerwig is returning in 2026, this time with another relic of our childhoods: Narnia. Details on this one as far as plot and casting are almost entirely under wraps, though there's been plenty of speculation. So far, we know that Mark Ronson is scoring the project, and that, according to producer Amy Pascal, '[It will be] a very new take on Narnia. It’s all about rock and roll.' What makes this film particularly fascinating is the exploration of Narnia and the impact of rock and roll on the characters' lives. The film's premise raises a deeper question: how does rock and roll impact the characters' lives? In my opinion, this film will be a thought-provoking exploration of Narnia and the power of rock and roll.
