The 15 Most Anticipated Summer Movies of 2026

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As soon as the weather starts warming up, I know it’s movie season! That usually means we’re in for a wave of bigger, louder, and let’s be honest, sometimes a little sillier, blockbusters.

Summer 2026 looks like it will be a great time for moviegoers! We’ll finally get a new Star Wars film in late May, after a nearly seven-year wait. June brings a new movie from Steven Spielberg and a fresh Pixar animation. Then, in July, Christopher Nolan is releasing his most straightforward epic yet, and in August, a film that a studio previously tried to hide will finally be released. Plus, Tom Holland will be back as Spider-Man, and Milly Alcock will make her debut as Supergirl. It’s shaping up to be a really exciting season!

Here’s ScreenCrush’s preview of the 15 summer movies we’re most excited about in 2026. We’ve focused on films coming to theaters, because for us, “summer movies” still mean seeing them on the big screen with a huge budget and air conditioning! Though, we’ve included a couple of titles you’ll also be able to enjoy from home.

Lots of major movies are scheduled for release in the coming months, like the new Minions and Scary Movie sequels, plus a live-action version of Moana. (That’s why we mentioned ‘summer movie’ usually means big-budget, not necessarily innovative.) The 15 films listed below are the ones we’re most excited about here at the site, and we hope you’ll check them out too!

ScreenCrush’s Most Anticipated Summer Movies of 2026

The Mandalorian and Grogu

The adventures of Din Djarin and Grogu are coming to theaters next summer! The movie will be created by many of the same people who made their popular Disney+ show, including director and writer Jon Favreau, writer and producer Dave Filoni, producer Kathleen Kennedy, cinematographer David Klein, and composer Ludwig Goransson. While the plot is still mostly a secret, Sigourney Weaver will play a former Rebel, and Jeremy Allen White will star as Rotta, Jabba the Hutt’s son – though they don’t look much alike!

Backrooms

Coming to theaters May 29th, this new horror thriller from A24 is already generating buzz, with the trailer racking up millions of views. It’s based on the popular online short film “Backrooms,” which has been viewed 75 million times on YouTube. Director Kane Parsons drew inspiration from internet memes about eerily endless, abandoned buildings. The film recreates the short’s unsettling, dimly lit look and follows Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renata Reinsve as they search for a missing person, leading them into this seemingly infinite world of empty stores.

Power Ballad

Premiering June 5th, Power Ballad is the latest film from director John Carney (known for Once and Sing Street). The movie tells the story of a musician struggling to stay relevant who forms an unexpected bond with a former member of a popular boy band. Starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, Power Ballad received some of Carney’s best reviews in years after its debut at SXSW, with critics praising its familiar yet surprising take on the small-scale musical drama he’s known for.

Masters of the Universe

The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, releasing June 5th, definitely looks unusual—but the original toys and cartoon were pretty wild too! They featured a bizarre mix of characters like barbarians, robots, and even human tornadoes, alongside evil skeletons and beast men. This new film actually seems surprisingly true to that original strangeness. And there’s good reason to be hopeful about it: it’s directed by Travis Knight, known for his excellent work at Laika and solid family films like Kubo and the Two Strings and Bumblebee (which was also based on a toy line).

Disclosure Day

Scheduled for release on June 12th, Steven Spielberg’s latest film, Disclosure Day, explores his enduring fascination with extraterrestrial life. Spielberg initially came up with the idea and then collaborated with David Koepp, the screenwriter of Jurassic Park, to bring it to life. The film invites comparisons to Spielberg’s earlier works like Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T., and even War of the Worlds, but with a modern focus on the spread of misinformation. Starring Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, and Colin Firth, we’ll discover what Disclosure Day holds when it premieres in June.

The Death of Robin Hood

With so many Robin Hood films already available, what makes this one different? It stars Hugh Jackman as an older hero facing his own limits, a role he already explored in Logan (available on Disney+). The Death of Robin Hood stands out because it combines Jackman with the talented writer/director Michael Sarnoski, known for his visually stunning and emotionally resonant films like Pig and A Quiet Place: Day One. While other Robin Hood movies exist, this one promises a unique and compelling vision from Sarnoski.

Toy Story 5

June 19th is the release date, and honestly, I’m really pondering some big questions going in. How can traditional toys even compete with the pull of computers and video games these days? And even bigger, how can a lovingly made animated movie – especially one like a new Toy Story – stand out against the ever-growing flood of AI-generated content? Thankfully, it’s being directed by Andrew Stanton, who’s been involved with all the previous Toy Story films, so I have some faith. Plus, if Forky makes an appearance, I’m convinced everything will be alright. Seriously, that little guy is the only thing that can save us from the AI takeover, I’m telling you!

Jackass 5

As a huge fan of outrageous comedy, I was thrilled to hear Johnny Knoxville announce back in January that the Jackass crew was getting back together for another movie! Honestly, with everything going on in the world, it was a really welcome bit of good news. Apparently, everyone from Jackass Forever is returning, which is fantastic – I can’t get enough of Sean “Poopies” McInerney, and I’m so excited to see what kind of crazy stuff they come up with. It’s set to hit theaters on June 26th, and I’ve already marked my calendar!

Supergirl

Set to release on June 26th, the new Supergirl movie stars Milly Alcock as the iconic character. Following her exciting appearance in James Gunn’s Superman, fans will be eager to see her take the lead in this spinoff. The film, directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Ana Nogueira, is based on the critically acclaimed DC comic Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King and Bilquis Evely. If the movie stays true to the source material – a story about Supergirl helping a young alien girl get revenge for her father’s death – it has the potential to be a truly exceptional superhero film.

The Odyssey

Okay, so Christopher Nolan is tackling The Odyssey – need I say more? Seriously, a Nolan-directed version of that classic story? But just in case that doesn’t grab you, the cast is insane: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Jon Bernthal, Charlize Theron, and Robert Pattinson all star! And get this – it’s his most ambitious and expensive film yet, shot entirely on IMAX 70mm. If that doesn’t make you want to buy a ticket, I don’t know what will. It hits theaters July 17th!

Evil Dead Burn

The new horror film Evil Dead Burn is set to release on July 24th. While Sam Raimi also has a movie coming out in 2026, and another Evil Dead film was announced for that year, this one is different. Evil Dead Burn is directed by Sébastien Vaniček, a French filmmaker. Details about the sixth installment in the Evil Dead franchise are scarce, though Souheila Yacoub will star. Even with different directors, the series has consistently delivered satisfying horror experiences.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Scheduled for release on July 31st, the next Marvel film promises a strong start to 2026 after a somewhat uneven 2025. The movie will feature Tom Holland returning as Spider-Man, alongside Zendaya and Jacob Batalon. New cast members Sadie Sink and Tramell Tillman will join established Marvel actors like Mark Ruffalo and Jon Bernthal. While it’s unclear exactly how this film, titled Brand New Day, fits into the larger Marvel multiverse, fans will be excited to see Tom Holland back in action as Peter Parker.

The End of Oak Street

Coming August 14th, this new mystery thriller is already generating buzz, thanks to a fantastic trailer. Produced by J.J. Abrams and starring Ewan McGregor and Anne Hathaway, the film centers on a family who discovers their quiet neighborhood has somehow been transported to a world with dinosaurs. The premise is captivating, and the film is directed by David Robert Mitchell, known for the acclaimed horror movie It Follows.

Coyote vs. Acme

Originally completed by Warner Bros., the live-action/animation film Coyote vs. Acme was put on hold, seemingly indefinitely. Fortunately, another distributor stepped in to give it a theatrical release! Directed by Dave Green and written by Samy Burch (based on a story by James Gunn and Jeremy Slater), the movie centers around Wile E. Coyote suing the Acme Corporation for their faulty products. The film stars the classic Looney Tunes characters alongside actors Will Forte, John Cena, and Luis Guzmán. After a lot of discussion surrounding its release, expectations are high—though late August isn’t usually a prime time for blockbusters. Hopefully, Wile E. Coyote will finally get the victory he deserves!

72 Hours

Coming this summer to Netflix is a new comedy with a fun idea: a man in his forties mistakenly gets added to a bachelor party group chat and ends up joining the weekend. The movie stars Kevin Hart, Teyana Taylor, and Zach Cherry, and is directed by Tim Story. The script is by the creators of Harold & Kumar and the team behind Cobra Kai (with Cobra Kai producer Josh Heald also involved), making it something I’d definitely watch!

The Most Underrated Steven Spielberg Movies

5. The Sugarland Express (1974)

Spielberg’s first major film appears designed to showcase his talent for exciting car chases, something he’d already demonstrated in his earlier TV movie, Duel. The story centers on a woman (Goldie Hawn) who helps her husband (William Atherton) escape from prison so they can reclaim their son from foster care. What follows is a high-speed chase across Texas, filled with some of Spielberg’s most humorous scenes and culminating in a strong finish. While still a bit unpolished, the film clearly signaled that Spielberg was a rising star.

4. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Despite Sean Connery being only twelve years older than Harrison Ford, casting him as Indiana Jones’ father was a brilliant move, and the two actors had fantastic chemistry together. Last Crusade feels a lot like a buddy cop film directed by Spielberg. It’s the funniest of the Indiana Jones movies, but also the most heartwarming and emotionally resonant, as Spielberg revisits the theme of difficult father-son relationships and the passage of time in a surprisingly touching way. While Raiders of the Lost Ark is often considered the best Indiana Jones film, Last Crusade might actually be the most enjoyable and rewatchable.

3. The Adventures of Tintin (2011)

Despite initially disappointing audiences and critics, The Adventures of Tintin now seems like Steven Spielberg’s final, truly great Indiana Jones film. It’s a fast-paced, worldwide adventure packed with incredible scenes and plenty of humor – a thrilling ride from start to finish. Spielberg embraced motion capture technology for the first time, directing with a newfound freedom, as if finally able to explore a full range of creative possibilities after years of working within limitations.

In 2011, some critics undervalued the film’s impressive action and sweeping camera work simply because they were created digitally, dismissing them as easy. However, this actually highlighted Spielberg’s mastery of visual storytelling – his ability to make incredibly complex filmmaking look effortless.

2. Bridge of Spies (2015)

Some might call Bridge of Spies old-fashioned, and they wouldn’t be wrong – it’s a long, slow-moving film with a subtle visual style. But that classic approach perfectly suits a story about enduring values. Continuing the historical exploration he began with Lincoln, Spielberg again portrays a unique vision of American heroism, this time starring Tom Hanks as an unassuming lawyer tasked with defending a captured Russian spy (Mark Rylance). Though set during the Cold War era, Bridge of Spies feels remarkably relevant to today’s political climate, and the film features memorable, quirky characters reminiscent of a Coen brothers movie. Interestingly, the Coen brothers actually co-wrote the screenplay with Matt Charman.

1. Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Despite being a fun and lighthearted film, Catch Me If You Can is also a surprisingly moving story about loneliness and the importance of family. It features a fantastic cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio as the clever con artist Frank Abagnale Jr., Christopher Walken as his struggling father, Jennifer Garner and Amy Adams as his love interests, and Tom Hanks as the determined FBI agent Carl Hanratty.

The film’s exciting chase between Hanratty and Frank is both funny and heartbreaking. Both characters are deeply isolated, and their relentless pursuit of each other becomes the central focus of their lives, highlighted by their yearly Christmas phone calls. In fact, Catch Me If You Can might be one of the most beautifully sad Christmas movies ever made, right up there with It’s a Wonderful Life. If you haven’t seen it, get ready for a joke…

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2026-04-08 17:28