Few things are as captivating as a great fantasy story. These tales transport us to imaginative worlds and introduce us to characters we’ll never forget. Whether inspired by ancient myths or set in futuristic galaxies, fantasy consistently ranks as a beloved genre – and it’s easy to see why.
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.
The Odyssey Resurrects an Ancient Epic Tale
Christopher Nolan’s new film, The Odyssey, is one of the most eagerly awaited movies of 2026, scheduled for release on July 17th. Based on Homer’s classic poem, the film tells the story of Odysseus, a hero from the Trojan War, and his difficult journey home to his family – his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus. During his voyage, he faces many dangers from Greek mythology, including angry gods, terrifying monsters, and even a man-eating Cyclops.
Following his Oscar win for Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan is tackling a completely different kind of film: a large-scale fantasy adventure called The Odyssey. The movie is generating a lot of buzz, especially with its incredible cast that includes stars like Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, and Jon Bernthal. Many hope it will revitalize the epic fantasy genre.
The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender Promises to Pay Homage to the Beloved Animated Series
After nearly two decades since the beloved animated series concluded, the world of Avatar is back with a new movie, The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender. Currently planned for release on Paramount+ in October, the movie’s release date might be postponed. This film is set in the timeline between Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, and will follow Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, and Zuko as young adults as they confront a fresh danger.
Following some disappointing adaptations of the series, including the current live-action remake on Netflix, The Legend of Aang is generating excitement as a potential continuation of The Last Airbender. Although this new project has faced some criticism, its core idea is compelling enough to attract fans of the original animated show. Details about the story are still scarce, but The Legend of Aang might finally be the sequel that viewers have wanted for almost twenty years.
Disney’s Moana Live-Action Remake Could Be Great
This year, Disney is bringing back the story of Moana with a new live-action version of the popular 2016 animated film. The movie follows a brave young woman from Polynesia and the demigod Maui as they journey across the ocean. It will be released in theaters on July 10th, continuing Disney’s trend of reimagining their classic animated films, like they recently did with Lilo & Stitch.
Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of Moana, set for 2026, has sparked debate among fans, largely because the original animated film is still quite recent, with a new installment released only two years ago. However, the enchanting nature of Moana‘s story is likely to draw audiences in, even those who are hesitant, simply out of curiosity. Adding to the excitement, Dwayne Johnson will return to play Maui, a welcome treat for fans of the original.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Is an Ambitious Sequel
Following the huge success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Mario and friends are back for a new adventure in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, launching in theaters on April 3rd. The film will be inspired by the Super Mario Galaxy video games and features the return of beloved characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Bowser. It will also introduce new faces, including Bowser Jr., voiced by Benny Safdie.
The original Super Mario Bros. movie impressed viewers with its beautiful animation and catchy music. Now, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has the opportunity to build on that positive reception and become a truly outstanding sequel. With a whole galaxy to discover, the new film promises to be one of the most exciting fantasy adventures of the year.
Star Wars Returns to the Big Screen in The Mandalorian & Grogu
Five years after the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, a new Star Wars film arrives in theaters on May 22nd. Directed by Jon Favreau, the movie continues the story from Season 3 of The Mandalorian. It follows Din Djarin and Grogu as they join forces with familiar Star Wars heroes to defeat a growing Imperial threat, set between the original and sequel trilogies.
As a huge Star Wars fan, I’m incredibly excited about The Mandalorian & Grogu – it feels like the franchise is finally back where it belongs, on the big screen! But even if you’re not a Star Wars person, this movie looks like a fantastic epic fantasy adventure. We’re talking breathtaking visuals, crazy alien creatures, and non-stop action across a whole galaxy – what’s not to love?
Similar to the first The Mandalorian series on Disney+, this new installment, The Mandalorian & Grogu, includes elements of classic Westerns, making it appealing to a broad audience. Although new Star Wars releases often spark debate, The Mandalorian & Grogu aims to bring fans together and gain widespread support.
Dune: Part Three Concludes Denis Villeneuve’s Epic Sci-Fi Trilogy
Following the thrilling conclusion of Paul Atreides’ journey – where he avenged his father’s death and became Galactic Emperor – the epic sci-fi saga continues with the final film in Denis Villeneuve’s trilogy. Dune: Part Three arrives in theaters on December 18th and will cover the story from the second book in Frank Herbert’s series, Dune: Messiah.
The Dune films are visually spectacular, and fans are eagerly anticipating the third movie. Dune: Part Three promises to delve even deeper into the complex universe created by Frank Herbert, expanding beyond the desert planet Arrakis to showcase a vast galaxy now governed by Paul Atreides. If done well, it could be the strongest Dune film so far and is already shaping up to be a major release in 2026.
Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew Restarts the Iconic Fantasy Franchise
A major new fantasy film series is set to launch in 2026 with the release of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew on November 26th. This movie will be the first in a planned adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s beloved Chronicles of Narnia books, starting with the novel of the same name.
Greta Gerwig is directing a new movie based on the classic fantasy series, planning to cover all seven books. Following a brief showing in IMAX theaters over Thanksgiving, The Magician’s Nephew will debut on Netflix on December 25th. This release is part of Netflix’s growing trend of releasing films in theaters before they become available for streaming, especially as a possible takeover by Warner Bros. looms.
Netflix is making a big bet on a new series of Narnia films, planning up to seven movies over the next few years. Some fans are worried about changes from the original books, but the idea of a Narnia reboot is still thrilling for fantasy lovers. The Magician’s Nephew could bring this beloved, but often overlooked, fantasy world back to life and launch a franchise that could rival The Lord of the Rings in popularity.
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2026-01-17 00:38