2026 is shaping up to be an amazing year for fantasy lovers! Several new movies are coming out that promise the same captivating experience as some of the most beloved fantasy stories of all time. Whether you enjoy epic action films directed by award-winning filmmakers or fresh takes on familiar favorites, there’s a lot to look forward to for fantasy fans this year.
Nia DaCosta, who directed Candyman, helmed the new horror sequel 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. This is the fourth film in the 28 Days Later series and features Alfie Williams, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, and Chi Lewis-Parry in the cast.
As of today, January 16th, the movie Grudge Match is the eighth most popular film on Paramount+ in the United States. It’s currently outperforming PAW Patrol: The Movie but is behind titles like The Running Man (2025), Roofman, the original The Running Man from 1987, Regretting You, Fighting, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, and Top Gun: Maverick.
It wasn’t shocking that 28 Years Later, the sequel to 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, wasn’t the typical zombie movie or franchise follow-up fans might have anticipated. Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland rarely deliver predictable films, especially when working together. They filled 28 Years Later with meaningful ideas and striking visuals, making it a film more focused on dealing with loss than simply surviving the infected. However, for many viewers, these ambitious themes were overshadowed by something else entirely: the prominently displayed physique of the character Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry).
Michael Rapaport, who quickly became known as the most obvious “traitor” on the show, was finally voted out after five episodes of being intimidating and confrontational. The person who led the charge to eliminate him was Colton Underwood, considered by many, especially fans of The Bachelor, to be the season’s second biggest villain. The final discussion of episode five turned into a heated argument, with Michael desperately trying to turn the group against Colton, while the rest of the cast seemed determined to get rid of him. In the end, Colton succeeded, and when Michael revealed he wasn’t actually a traitor, the others barely reacted, seemingly happy to see him go.
Recently, Warner Bros. announced release dates for several upcoming movies. One of these is a new installment in The Conjuring horror series, titled The Conjuring: First Communion, which is scheduled to hit theaters on September 10, 2027.
Johnny Knoxville recently discussed the upcoming stunts in Jackass 5 on the Books That Changed My Life podcast. As one of the original creators of the MTV show, Knoxville is known for pushing the boundaries of physical endurance with incredibly daring and often shocking stunts. However, he explained that things shifted with Jackass Forever.
Edgar Wright directed and co-wrote a new version of The Running Man starring Glen Powell, released in 2025. Despite a reported $110 million budget, the film didn’t do well at the box office, earning only $68.6 million worldwide. However, opinions about the movie might be starting to change.
Work on the new movie is really starting to move forward, with filming expected to begin in 2026. Mason Thames and Nico Parker will reprise their roles as Hiccup and Astrid, and Toothless, the beloved dragon, will also return.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new series The Madison will debut on Paramount+ on Saturday, March 14, 2026. Starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell, it’s being described as Taylor Sheridan’s most personal project yet, focusing on the complexities of family relationships. While it’s currently unknown how The Madison will connect to Yellowstone beyond sharing the same Montana location, some sources suggest characters from Yellowstone might appear in the new series.